Scientific Skepticism! You can do it by the book now!
In a very literal sense. I’ve pre-ordered it as soon as an announcement was on made on the SGU podcast. The book is called “ The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe: How to Know What’s Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake” by Dr. Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella and Evan Bernstein. And let me tell you that as books go this one is not only worthy of your money, but it will also bring you (if you let it) much enlightenment and knowledge that might be just useful or amusing, or it might save your health, money and sense of self-worth.
As a budding skeptic and a novice conscious rationality user I was not disappointed, as the book took me through from the basic concepts and definitions to more advance ideas with a variety of real world examples and stories to boot. By the time I got it, I was already versed a bit in the topic and, probably more importantly, I had not had any particular holy cow to loose. I managed to go through almost two decades of life without any deeply rooted convictions or beliefs that could get between me and appreciation of the book, or skepticism/rationality in general and changing my mind was familiar. The narrative carried me through smoothly, although I must say that uncovering of some of the faults of thinking or shaky arguments for important decisions made by the men on top of our society touched a nerve or two. However, I understand that it is easy to judge from the couch, plus now I make extra effort not to discount Dunning-Kruger effect and general unhelpfulness of hubris and misplaced arrogance. And anyway, thinking is hard, we tend to judge instead.
Apart from the great content, the book itself is well made and it is a pleasure to hold, so it will make an amazing gift. I am looking forward for it to be translated, so that I can bestow it on as many of my friends and family as possible. I am not particularly sure in many of them getting as interested as me, but one never knows and there is always hope.
