Lecture to Tackle Fake News and Pseudoscience
Joel Achenbach
Joel Achenbach (Courtesy Photo)
Vaccines cause autism. Climate change isn’t real. Genetically modified food is “Frankenfood.” Evolution is fake. Fluoride is poison.
These and other ideas will be discussed on Thursday at Sandhills Community College in the next installment of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series. Washington Post reporter Joel Achenbach will present “Surviving the Age of Fake News, Pseudoscience, Bunk and Nonsense” on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Achenbach’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College.
Achenbach has been a staff reporter at the Washington Post for 28 years focusing on the intersection of science and politics. He has authored six books, including “A Hole at the Bottom of the Sea” about the 2010 BP oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and “The Resistance” about those who view technology as a means for artificial intelligence to take over humanity. He is also a regular contributor to National Geographic and National Public Radio.
Examining the polarization between acceptance of scientifically established facts and living in an Age of Disbelief is central to Achenbach’s reporting.
In his March 2015 cover story for National Geographic, “The War on Science,” Achenbach cites climate change as an example. Although established empirical evidence supports it and the vast majority of scientists believe it is real and, at least in part, caused by human activity, some simply refuse to believe it.
Achenbach contends that, although they grasp the issues, humans are tribal by nature and our belief system is an integral part of whatever tribe we belong to. The motivation to remain in and defend one’s tribe will always trump facts.
Achenbach describes tribalism as beliefs inextricable from identity, an association only strengthened when erroneous beliefs are threatened by opposing facts. People gravitate toward information sources that reinforce their beliefs, regardless of the source. The Internet has accelerated this phenomenon in that we only seek out information that confirms our beliefs. Presenting more facts does nothing to convince the skeptic.*
A question-and-answer session will be held as well as a reception with Achenbach immediately following the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.
Since 1987, the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series has been providing residents of the North Carolina Sandhills and surrounding areas with the insights of renowned thinkers, statesmen, artists, experts and other extraordinary speakers — at no charge. Now in its 31st season, the series’ mission is to enhance society's understanding of key issues and encourage public participation in their resolution.
Is Achenbach immune from tribalism?
Joel Achenbach (Courtesy Photo)
Vaccines cause autism. Climate change isn’t real. Genetically modified food is “Frankenfood.” Evolution is fake. Fluoride is poison.
These and other ideas will be discussed on Thursday at Sandhills Community College in the next installment of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series. Washington Post reporter Joel Achenbach will present “Surviving the Age of Fake News, Pseudoscience, Bunk and Nonsense” on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Achenbach’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College.
Achenbach has been a staff reporter at the Washington Post for 28 years focusing on the intersection of science and politics. He has authored six books, including “A Hole at the Bottom of the Sea” about the 2010 BP oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and “The Resistance” about those who view technology as a means for artificial intelligence to take over humanity. He is also a regular contributor to National Geographic and National Public Radio.
Examining the polarization between acceptance of scientifically established facts and living in an Age of Disbelief is central to Achenbach’s reporting.
In his March 2015 cover story for National Geographic, “The War on Science,” Achenbach cites climate change as an example. Although established empirical evidence supports it and the vast majority of scientists believe it is real and, at least in part, caused by human activity, some simply refuse to believe it.
Achenbach contends that, although they grasp the issues, humans are tribal by nature and our belief system is an integral part of whatever tribe we belong to. The motivation to remain in and defend one’s tribe will always trump facts.
Achenbach describes tribalism as beliefs inextricable from identity, an association only strengthened when erroneous beliefs are threatened by opposing facts. People gravitate toward information sources that reinforce their beliefs, regardless of the source. The Internet has accelerated this phenomenon in that we only seek out information that confirms our beliefs. Presenting more facts does nothing to convince the skeptic.*
A question-and-answer session will be held as well as a reception with Achenbach immediately following the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.
Since 1987, the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series has been providing residents of the North Carolina Sandhills and surrounding areas with the insights of renowned thinkers, statesmen, artists, experts and other extraordinary speakers — at no charge. Now in its 31st season, the series’ mission is to enhance society's understanding of key issues and encourage public participation in their resolution.
Is Achenbach immune from tribalism?
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