Cover Vol. 28 No. 4
Conspiracy Theories & The Psychology of Belief
Michael Shermer explores why smart people believe weird things. An in-depth analysis of the cognitive biases that shape our view of reality.
"Skepticism is not a position; it is a process." — Michael Shermer
Evidence-based analysis to debunk misinformation. We present peer-reviewed scientific data.
Source: NASA GISS / NOAA (Peer-Reviewed Data)
Scientific Rebuttal: While natural cycles exist, the current warming rate is 10x faster than the average post-ice age warming. Carbon isotope studies (Suess effect) confirm that excess CO2 comes from fossil fuel combustion, not natural volcanism.
Read Reference Journal →Scientific Rebuttal: Multiple meta-analysis studies (Cook et al., 2013; Lynas et al., 2021) show that 97% - 99.9% of active climate scientists agree that humans are causing global warming.
View Consensus Data →Not cynical rejection (cynicism), but an attitude of doubt or suspending belief in a claim or doctrine until sufficient evidence is presented. It is a cognitive filter to separate fact from fiction.
Often used in auditing and accounting. It is an attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions which may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud, and a critical assessment of audit evidence.
The application of structured doubt. Testing truth through hypotheses, repeatable experiments, and empirical evidence. Science is organized skepticism.
Michael Shermer explores why smart people believe weird things. An in-depth analysis of the cognitive biases that shape our view of reality.
Reviewing paranormal claims and "ghost hunting" equipment. Do electromagnetic frequencies really prove the existence of spirits?
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