I see that I watched this video and was impressed by it 8 years ago. I have no memory of that event; but that is to be expected. I would advise anyone to be skeptical of your own memory most of all. The evidence is clear: the human memory does not work in fact the way it seems to in our perceptions.
Excellent talk, but would be great if it was redone and up-to-date references were used - the lack of skeptical thinking at the moment is probably at its very worst and has everyone doubting the truth of anything and instead opting for completely batshit crazy - the open mind has been too open and the brain has fallen out kind of thing!
I often read emails and Facebook posts that seem "not quite right" and check on Snopes or Hoax Slayer to discover that my initial reaction was correct, but recently I was caught by a claim that I wanted to be true. I eventually realised that the claim was incorrect but only after telling some people about it. The person who we can most easily fool is ourselves.
A small correction for googlers: It's the Cottingley Fairies. And yes, look it up, it's fascinating. I read the book Arthur Conan Doyle wrote on the subject (The Coming of the Fairies), and it's amazing how much rationalising and scoffing at critics there is in it.
Healthy skepticism is great. Unhealthy skepticism is not. What many skeptics fail to understand is that true skepticism involves being skeptical of their own position too, even if it's the mainstream/official standpoint. Being skeptical only of positions that one doesn't believe in is an example of bias which is a systematic error in the scientific method.
I like this guy. He is a musician ( drummer like me! well not like me, I'm a amateur not a pro) a skeptic too,a nerd of science ( and sci-fi), despite not being a scientist, fan of RUSH! Lots of thing in common. I've heard of him because if the SGU, of course lol, but now I listened to his podcast too. A really funny and nice guy. Thanks George, you summarized skepticism really well. I gonna share this.
This was very well done. I was particularly impressed with the relating of science education and consumer protection. They are closely related, but I doubt many people would make the connection. I'm a physicist, and I'm trying to teach people the skills that we use to come to conclusions about how the universe works so that these skills can be applied in daily life. I'm glad that a similar idea was touched upon here.
Congrats Geo on the Ted talk, really interesting and thought provoking. Been a longtime fan and listener to your podcast, so nice to see you getting some publicity outside the skepticism/musician scene!
Here are some things you have faith in: 1. A = A for any A (the axiom of identity) 2. If A = B, then B = A (the reflexive property of equivalence) 3. If A = B, and B = C, then A = C (the transitive property of equivalence) 4. Something exists.
I have been in the medical field for 40 years and have seen the horrible consequences of those who do NOT follow your sage advice I have found asking FIRST "What is most likely to be true?" an excellent away of grounding your thought processes when exploring something. You are right patients want SO much for it to be true....they convince themselve to try something that often causes irreparable harm.
Styrofoam Geo, and Congratulations on a wonderfully engaging TEDX talk. 💜 Kitty xxx For those looking for a bit more of George Hrab, check out his podcast, Geologic.
+Alan Rosenthal ahaha, but how much evidence has she given you for that? If someone just told you that without any reason or context, you should be skeptical, but don't forget that her behavior is evidence, too! If you've been together a while and all her actions say she loves you....she probably does!
+Alan Rosenthal Tim Minchin once said that love without evidence is stalking. I imagine/hope you have plenty of evidence that your spouse loves you. Otherwise, get help...
Beautiful job, now how do we get every person on earth to watch and understand this.
Loved the graphic on toddler skepticism. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
This was fantastic! I still can't believe it ;-). Great presentations like this need to be shared without doubt.
great job George, will definitely be sharing this with others
Bravo!
Great talk! Looking forward to CSI con again this year.
I'm going to forward the link to this video to all my friends.
I see that I watched this video and was impressed by it 8 years ago. I have no memory of that event; but that is to be expected. I would advise anyone to be skeptical of your own memory most of all. The evidence is clear: the human memory does not work in fact the way it seems to in our perceptions.
This was great!!!
Good stuff
Help! I became a cynical, now I'm depressed and lost my sense of awe :( what now?
Excellent talk, but would be great if it was redone and up-to-date references were used - the lack of skeptical thinking at the moment is probably at its very worst and has everyone doubting the truth of anything and instead opting for completely batshit crazy - the open mind has been too open and the brain has fallen out kind of thing!
Exactly right, every year is becomes more and more relevant, even a year now from your comment it's gotten even worse smh.
The simple lesson here is... is... well there isn't one, which is kinda the point.
Great TedX, check out onrac podcast too
Great, now I want to know how to sew a button...
I often read emails and Facebook posts that seem "not quite right" and check on Snopes or Hoax Slayer to discover that my initial reaction was correct, but recently I was caught by a claim that I wanted to be true. I eventually realised that the claim was incorrect but only after telling some people about it. The person who we can most easily fool is ourselves.
why?
Yeah the first step is recognizing our own biases!
A small correction for googlers:
It's the Cottingley Fairies.
And yes, look it up, it's fascinating. I read the book Arthur Conan Doyle wrote on the subject (The Coming of the Fairies), and it's amazing how much rationalising and scoffing at critics there is in it.
Phil Plaite (Bad Astronomy) brought me here. Great video!
Shared...
Me too ! I am going to share it with a lot of people.
One of the few TEDx talks worth watching. More like this please TEDx.
+David Mosier LoL when I saw it was a TEDx talk I was skeptical. :-)
not from Tedx. The only qualification for Tedx is money.
I'd love to have heard the Q&A session after that. Well done!
Well done Geo! Vibraphone!
Ooby dooby, ibby libby.
+Eozoon hello I'm Frank Sinatra!
I am guessing there were 4 anti-vaccers that viewed this ... maybe.
This is the best TEDx talk by far! How far? Like really far! FAR!
;)
Skepticism is a PROCESS. Skeptics are not more reliable sources of information. You have to do the work yourself.
Healthy skepticism is great. Unhealthy skepticism is not. What many skeptics fail to understand is that true skepticism involves being skeptical of their own position too, even if it's the mainstream/official standpoint. Being skeptical only of positions that one doesn't believe in is an example of bias which is a systematic error in the scientific method.
33 million subscribers and 42 thousand views for this , shameful . while kardashian show had millions of viewers . just sad .
Excellent, cool, fun, and much needed talk, George. Really glad you put this into a nice neat package for us fellow skeptics to share. Thank you!
This chap is a terrible speaker.
How?
What causes autism and what effects does the insufficiency and corruption of the monetary system has on public health?
I am skeptical of my skepticism
That was so well done.
I like this guy. He is a musician ( drummer like me! well not like me, I'm a amateur not a pro) a skeptic too,a nerd of science ( and sci-fi), despite not being a scientist, fan of RUSH! Lots of thing in common. I've heard of him because if the SGU, of course lol, but now I listened to his podcast too. A really funny and nice guy. Thanks George, you summarized skepticism really well. I gonna share this.
Wow George, that was an awesome talk!
Nice work George! Very helpful for both the general population and our movement. ~ Tim O'Shea (NOT the anti vaccine chiropractor)
Brilliant.
This was very well done. I was particularly impressed with the relating of science education and consumer protection. They are closely related, but I doubt many people would make the connection. I'm a physicist, and I'm trying to teach people the skills that we use to come to conclusions about how the universe works so that these skills can be applied in daily life. I'm glad that a similar idea was touched upon here.
Congrats Geo on the Ted talk, really interesting and thought provoking. Been a longtime fan and listener to your podcast, so nice to see you getting some publicity outside the skepticism/musician scene!
Excellent talk, thanks. It was just missing Debunkatron in the list of skeptical websites, heh!
This deserves way more views.
Fantastic talk Geo. Vibraphone. :)
Great talk Geo!!
Here are some things you have faith in:
1. A = A for any A (the axiom of identity)
2. If A = B, then B = A (the reflexive property of equivalence)
3. If A = B, and B = C, then A = C (the transitive property of equivalence)
4. Something exists.
Brilliantly well done.
Awesome video. ProTip: deinerlace your 1080i material before uploading.
I have been in the medical field for 40 years and have seen the horrible consequences of those who do NOT follow your sage advice I have found asking FIRST "What is most likely to be true?" an excellent away of grounding your thought processes when exploring something. You are right patients want SO much for it to be true....they convince themselve to try something that often causes irreparable harm.
Nicely done Uki
Nice speech, well done. But you aren't serious with that button example, are you?
Styrofoam Geo, and Congratulations on a wonderfully engaging TEDX talk.
💜 Kitty xxx
For those looking for a bit more of George Hrab, check out his podcast, Geologic.
17:48 - THEY WERE NOT [shatters eardrums]
Vibraphone! Awesome job. Shared!
Styrofoam Geo well done. I'm sorry it took me 4 months to get around to listen to this.
17:16 BOOM the Truth Bomb right there.
When I learned this - our class participated in this presentation.
Loved it Vibraphone! Yay
Well done. Vibraphone!
Congratulations George, great talk.
My spouse's immediate counterexample to what you want to be true being what you should be most skeptical about: "that I love you".
+Alan Rosenthal ahaha, but how much evidence has she given you for that? If someone just told you that without any reason or context, you should be skeptical, but don't forget that her behavior is evidence, too! If you've been together a while and all her actions say she loves you....she probably does!
+Alan Rosenthal Tim Minchin once said that love without evidence is stalking. I imagine/hope you have plenty of evidence that your spouse loves you. Otherwise, get help...
A good TedX, well done.
Thank you.
Great talk, Geo!
Would really love to have real subtitles for this TEDx talk... :)