Help: I Want to Put Together a "Skepticism 101" Lecture

Josh111485 · 14th October 2009, 11:01 PM

Hey, everyone!

I have a lot of experience with public speaking. I am very comfortable in front of audiences/crowds and can think on my feet.

I want to put together a "Skepticism 101" lecture. Does anyone have advice or pointers on how to go about doing that?

Once the lecture is put together, how do I get out there and present it to people?

I really want to do this, but I want to do it right.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Josh

Pure_Argent · 14th October 2009, 11:04 PM

Try introducing the most common of the logical fallacies and explaining why each one is bad logic, and how to spot when woo claims are being made using them.

jimtron · 14th October 2009, 11:27 PM

Maybe read Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" and then write your own talk, and/or make a Powerpoint/Keynote presentation. Also check out this link: http://www3.wooster.edu/geology/FYSW/NonsenseFYS.html

To clarify though, are you looking for help finding information to discuss, or help in how to present the lecture?

Josh111485 · 14th October 2009, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by jimtron

Maybe read Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" and then write your own talk, and/or make a Powerpoint/Keynote presentation. Also check out this link: http://www3.wooster.edu/geology/FYSW/NonsenseFYS.html

To clarify though, are you looking for help finding information to discuss, or help in how to present the lecture?

Yes, I should have clarified that. I'm looking for help in how to present the lecture.

ExMinister · 15th October 2009, 07:12 AM

What do you plan to cover? Are you going to talk more on critical thinking skills, on logic/logical fallacies, paranormal claims that have been debunked, some or all of the above?

I like the idea of Sagan's book as an overview on scientific thinking versus the opposite and for some great inspiration on what to include in the lecture.

You could include some of the more famous cases of fraud in the psychic world and how critical/scientific thinking might help protect people from falling prey to that sort of thing.

If you are able to demonstrate some cold-reading tricks, that often makes a lasting impression too.

jasonpatterson · 15th October 2009, 10:30 AM

You could also present examples of how skeptical thought is successful outside of the paranormal. Perhaps something about the process of cold fusion research and how skeptical thought led fairly rapidly to a demonstration that it was based on flawed research. The non-skeptics out there have since spent many many millions attempting to make it work with no success.

I'd also make it clear that skepticism doesn't mean not believing in anything; it means only being convinced by good evidence.

The homeopathic overdose is a good demonstration as well. You take an entire bottle/preparation of a homeopathic 'cure' all at once and show that it has absolutely no effect. The insomnia treatment is a good one, as you ought to be sleepy, at least, by the end of the talk if you do it near the beginning. Of course, this also requires you to talk about homeopathy, which may or may not be something you're interested in doing.

As far as how to present such a thing, I think that your best bet is going to be talking to your public libraries about presenting a lecture. They typically are more than happy to schedule an event of that sort, as long as the topic isn't anything inappropriate. Have a very clear idea of what you intend to do before you get there. Make sure that you get on any online calendar of events that they may have and ask about making fliers for your event (do you do it or do they?) You can probably get time at several branch locations, which should help you figure out what is and is not working in the presentation fairly quickly.

You might be able to get time at a college, but some have rules that the organization must be sponsored by a college group, so that's another layer you'd have to get through. If you are wondering about how to take your show on the road, you'd probably have to get a booking agent and charge admission; it's not a system that is likely to work though, honestly.

Another interesting place that you might be able to drum up an audience would be bookstores/coop grocery stores/coffee shops. Lots of these have times for presentations of some sort, and the audience you'd get there would be much more likely to actually need the skeptical talk than one in a library. It could be confrontational too, which would probably be more fun (at least it would be for me...)

John Jones · 15th October 2009, 10:34 AM

Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit

GrandMasterFox · 15th October 2009, 06:23 PM

I'm not sure about something here, are you refering to a single lecture only or a series of lecutres?

My advice would to stay away from stuff people actually dig deep into like religion and talk more of things people heard of but don't really care one way or another like the bermuda triangle or what not.

That way you'll be able to focus more on talking about the tools rather the risk alienting your audience.

Josh111485 · 15th October 2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by GrandMasterFox

I'm not sure about something here, are you refering to a single lecture only or a series of lecutres?

My advice would to stay away from stuff people actually dig deep into like religion and talk more of things people heard of but don't really care one way or another like the bermuda triangle or what not.

That way you'll be able to focus more on talking about the tools rather the risk alienting your audience.

Thank you! That's good advice.

14th October 2009, 11:01 PM	#1
Josh111485 Scholar Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 122	Help: I Want to Put Together a "Skepticism 101" Lecture Hey, everyone! I have a lot of experience with public speaking. I am very comfortable in front of audiences/crowds and can think on my feet. I want to put together a "Skepticism 101" lecture. Does anyone have advice or pointers on how to go about doing that? Once the lecture is put together, how do I get out there and present it to people? I really want to do this, but I want to do it right. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Josh

14th October 2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Pure_Argent Certified Castlevania Fanboy Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Clock Tower Boss Room Posts: 3,820	Try introducing the most common of the logical fallacies and explaining why each one is bad logic, and how to spot when woo claims are being made using them.
	__________________ "What is a man? Just a miserable little pile of secrets!" - Dracula, Castlevania "The truth may be out there, but lies are inside your head." - Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

14th October 2009, 11:27 PM	#3
jimtron Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,341	Maybe read Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" and then write your own talk, and/or make a Powerpoint/Keynote presentation. Also check out this link: http://www3.wooster.edu/geology/FYSW/NonsenseFYS.html To clarify though, are you looking for help finding information to discuss, or help in how to present the lecture?
	__________________

15th October 2009, 07:12 AM	#5
ExMinister Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,269	What do you plan to cover? Are you going to talk more on critical thinking skills, on logic/logical fallacies, paranormal claims that have been debunked, some or all of the above? I like the idea of Sagan's book as an overview on scientific thinking versus the opposite and for some great inspiration on what to include in the lecture. You could include some of the more famous cases of fraud in the psychic world and how critical/scientific thinking might help protect people from falling prey to that sort of thing. If you are able to demonstrate some cold-reading tricks, that often makes a lasting impression too.
	__________________ www.stopsylvia.com

15th October 2009, 10:30 AM	#6
jasonpatterson Philanthropic Misanthrope Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Macedonia, OH Posts: 908	You could also present examples of how skeptical thought is successful outside of the paranormal. Perhaps something about the process of cold fusion research and how skeptical thought led fairly rapidly to a demonstration that it was based on flawed research. The non-skeptics out there have since spent many many millions attempting to make it work with no success. I'd also make it clear that skepticism doesn't mean not believing in anything; it means only being convinced by good evidence. The homeopathic overdose is a good demonstration as well. You take an entire bottle/preparation of a homeopathic 'cure' all at once and show that it has absolutely no effect. The insomnia treatment is a good one, as you ought to be sleepy, at least, by the end of the talk if you do it near the beginning. Of course, this also requires you to talk about homeopathy, which may or may not be something you're interested in doing. As far as how to present such a thing, I think that your best bet is going to be talking to your public libraries about presenting a lecture. They typically are more than happy to schedule an event of that sort, as long as the topic isn't anything inappropriate. Have a very clear idea of what you intend to do before you get there. Make sure that you get on any online calendar of events that they may have and ask about making fliers for your event (do you do it or do they?) You can probably get time at several branch locations, which should help you figure out what is and is not working in the presentation fairly quickly. You might be able to get time at a college, but some have rules that the organization must be sponsored by a college group, so that's another layer you'd have to get through. If you are wondering about how to take your show on the road, you'd probably have to get a booking agent and charge admission; it's not a system that is likely to work though, honestly. Another interesting place that you might be able to drum up an audience would be bookstores/coop grocery stores/coffee shops. Lots of these have times for presentations of some sort, and the audience you'd get there would be much more likely to actually need the skeptical talk than one in a library. It could be confrontational too, which would probably be more fun (at least it would be for me...)
	__________________ Sandra's seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins' gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susie spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein

14th October 2009, 11:42 PM	#4
Josh111485 Scholar Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 122	Originally Posted by jimtron Maybe read Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" and then write your own talk, and/or make a Powerpoint/Keynote presentation. Also check out this link: http://www3.wooster.edu/geology/FYSW/NonsenseFYS.html To clarify though, are you looking for help finding information to discuss, or help in how to present the lecture? Yes, I should have clarified that. I'm looking for help in how to present the lecture.

15th October 2009, 10:34 AM	#7
John Jones Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 249	Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit
John Jones Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 249

15th October 2009, 06:23 PM	#8
GrandMasterFox Scholar Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 82	I'm not sure about something here, are you refering to a single lecture only or a series of lecutres? My advice would to stay away from stuff people actually dig deep into like religion and talk more of things people heard of but don't really care one way or another like the bermuda triangle or what not. That way you'll be able to focus more on talking about the tools rather the risk alienting your audience.
GrandMasterFox Scholar Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 82

15th October 2009, 06:37 PM	#9
Josh111485 Scholar Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 122	Originally Posted by GrandMasterFox I'm not sure about something here, are you refering to a single lecture only or a series of lecutres? My advice would to stay away from stuff people actually dig deep into like religion and talk more of things people heard of but don't really care one way or another like the bermuda triangle or what not. That way you'll be able to focus more on talking about the tools rather the risk alienting your audience. Thank you! That's good advice.