Pseudoscience: From Quirks to Quacks
McGill "Mini-Science" series offers 90-minute lectures to better understand pseudoscience
WHO: Leading scientists explaining and dispelling scientific misconceptions common in public debate and the media
WHAT: Seven 90-minute lectures covering
- Paranormal/psychics April 7)
- Climate change (April 14)
- Hypnosis (April 21)
- Dangers of vaccines (April 28)
- Creationism (May 5)
- Homeopathy (May 12)
- Dangers of cellphone use (May 19)
WHEN: Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., starting on April 7,
2010.
WHERE: Redpath Museum, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke St. W.
WEB: https://www.mcgill.ca/science/mini/
COST: FREE for media - please register with William
Raillant-Clark
514-398-2189 or william.raillant-clark [at] mcgill.ca
The Pseudoscience mini lecture series offers an
excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of the
scientific reality behind a number of key and popular issues and
discussions in today's society.
Leading scientists will be offering short, accessible, and perhaps even controversial (from a political perspective) seminars in everyday language. The lectures will be followed by a question-and-answer period.
The topics cover hot-button issues that interest the general public. Outlined in further detail below, the seminars themselves could be an interesting topic for coverage. Alternatively, media professionals are also encouraged to consider the series as a way of gaining a greater understanding of these subjects.
The lectures will be given in English, but the discussion sessions will be bilingual.
Please contact William Raillant-Clark at McGill's Media Relations Office for further details: 514-398-2189 or william.raillant-clark [at] mcgill.ca.
April 7 - Science and the paranormal
Expert: Joe Schwarcz, Director, Office for Science and
Society
History is peppered with accounts of psychics predicting the
future, mediums conversing with the dead, and aliens abducting
earthlings. Today, "psychic surgeons" claim to remove tumours
without making incisions and "paranormalists" bend spoons with the
power of their minds. What does science say about these claims?
April 14 - What is the role of climate scientists in the
climate change debate?
Expert: Bruno Tremblay, Atmospheric and Oceanic
Sciences
Why is climate change in doubt, even denied by some? While the
scientific understanding of climate change is firm, public opinion
concerning the impact of human activities on the observed changes
is much less certain. This lecture focuses on the necessity of
curbing the damage of climate change, as opposed to simply exposing
the facts and letting people form their own conclusions.
April 21 - The science and fad of hypnosis and other
psychological phenomena
Expert: Amir Raz, Psychiatry
Shattering widespread misconceptions about human behaviour is
difficult, but science must begin with myths and with their
criticism. Dr. Raz, a renowned neuroscientist, will use hypnosis as
a lens into some of these myths, while touching on other great
fables.
April 28 - Vaccines: panaceas or poisons?
Expert: Brian Ward, Microbiology (Montreal General
Hospital)
Vaccines are among the crowning achievements of medical science yet
many are convinced that vaccination can cause autism and autoimmune
diseases - even death. The most virulent opponents believe that
vaccines are the sharp end of a global conspiracy. How did we get
to this polarized state?
May 5 - Creationism, evolution, and God
Expert: Brian Alters, Tomlinson Chair in Science
Education
Shockingly, half of the continent thinks biological evolution is
false. Evolution deniers rarely base their rejection solely on
religious rationales but almost always point to forms of
pseudoscience that bolster their anti-evolution sentiments and
arguments. We will explore the storm.
May 12 - Homeopathy: dilution or
delusion?
Expert: Ariel Fenster, Office for Science and
Society
The basis of homeopathy is that substances, diluted to such an
extent that there is essentially nothing left in solution, can be
used to treat a variety of medical problems. This lecture
critically examines the principles, the history, and the reasons
for the enduring popularity of homeopathy.
May 19 - Are cell phones and WiFi harmful to your
health?
Expert: Lorne M. Trottier, co-founder of Matrox, CM
(2006)
There is growing public alarm about the possible harmful health
effects caused by cell phones, microwaves, WiFi, etc. This concern
has been fed by a wide array of misleading information on the
Internet as well as various reports in the media. What does the
real scientific evidence show?