the official site of Michael Shermer

Skeptic magazine editor Michael Shermer discusses why people are often duped…

This is the first of what will be a series of videos on differing topics. “The Way of the Mister” videos continue the ethos of the Mr. Deity worldview, but branch out in ways that would not work within the the Deity cosmography or with the Deity characters. It is the cast’s desire to do more videos like this, and the ideas are pouring out of Brian Dalton. But many of them require bigger budgets than they currently have and they’re hoping to rectify that with a non-profit organization which will focus on this broader mission — to educate with humor and satire.

Michael Shermer has a short cameo in this episode.

In this YouTube video series for Mahalo.com, Michael Shermer answers 34 questions about belief and rationality. Mahalo.com is an education-based website revolving around original video content filmed in Santa Monica, CA. The site aims to help people learn how to do anything and everything.

Among the 34 videos, you’ll find:

• Why do we need a belief in God?
• Why did you write The Believing Brain
• Do you think children should be taught to be more skeptical?
• Is there a psychological difference between open- and close-minded people?
• What are some of the strangest beliefs you’ve ever encountered?
• Is it possible to retrain our brains and belief systems?
• VIEW the entire playlist on YouTube.

Below is the second of the 34 videos. The entire series (total running time: 50 min. 32 seconds) can be viewed as a playlist on YouTube.

Mr. Deity seeks help from Michael Shermer to make his creatures more gullible.

On June 9, 2011, the Center for Inquiry (New York City) and NYC Skeptics hosted noted skeptic and bestselling author Michael Shermer for a talk about his new book, The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. The event was held at the Auditorium on Broadway. Full lecture, followed by Q&A.