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Distinguishing Science from Pseudoscience with Chris

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This class has passed

What’s it all about?

Do you think the Earth is round, do you? Is that just what you’ve been told, or can you prove it? If you think you can, then come along, because I bet you can’t. Even the UN agrees with me that we have a flat Earth (look at its flag)…

Denying the scientific consensus has serious consequences for issues like climate change and vaccination. But how do you distinguish science from pseudoscience, especially when the evidence of your senses differs from what the experts say?

What will we cover?

Using the flat Earth belief as an example, we’ll look at some of the classic tactics people use in science denial, as expressed by the acronym FLICC:

  • fake experts (giving legitimacy to those with fringe views),
  • logical fallacies (like red herrings, misrepresentation and jumping to conclusions),
  • impossible standards for proof,
  • cherry picking of evidence, and
  • conspiracy theories (which end up pretty much a necessity).

Bring your preconceptions, and try to show why you believe the Earth is round, and we’ll show you how even the most basic of scientific concepts can be challenged.

Who will be teaching?

chris lassigChris Lassig was a theoretical physicist – with a PhD and everything! – until he saw the light. Now he reaches the masses through Lost in Science, on 3CR Community Radio, spreading the truth about the universe. The truth that “they” don’t want you to know.