Dr. Michael Shermer

Biography:

Dr. Michael Shermer is the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, the Director of the Skeptics Society, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, the host of the Skeptics Distinguished Science Lecture Series at the California Institute of Technology, and the co-host and producer of a Fox Family television series called, Exploring the Unknown.

Dr. Shermer received his B.A. in psychology from Pepperdine University, his M.A. in experimental psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and his Ph.D. in the history of science from Claremont Graduate University. He is the author of several books including, The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Share Care, and Follow the Golden Rule, on the evolutionary origins of morality and how to be good without God. In addition, he has appeared on many national television programs as a skeptic of weird and extraordinary claims.

Past Shows:

	UFO/ET Debate
	Wednesday August 1, 2007

Stanton Friedman & Michael Shermer squared off on the topic of UFOs and ETs. ... More
Host: George Noory

	Rebroadcast: "Skeptic's Cage" from 1/23/06
	Friday March 9, 2007

In this rebroadcast from 1/23/06, skeptic Dr. Michael Shermer debated scientists Gary Schwartz, Russell Targ and Dean Radin on such topics as mediums and remote viewing. The first hour was a replay from 2/12/07, featuring Casey & Jeannie Kasem. ... More
Host: George Noory

	The Skeptic's Cage
	Monday January 23, 2006

Dr. Michael Shermer, the publisher of Skeptic Magazine and a columnist for Scientific American debated three scientists, one each hour, on various aspects of scientific thought and the paranormal. The first was Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., a professor at the Univ. of Arizona, who presented evidence that certain mediums who claim to communicate with the departed are yielding accurate information. This can't be conventionally explained, and the most likely conclusion is that there is survival of consciousness after death, said Schwartz. Shermer replied that the evidence is slim and fraught with experimental design problems. In the next hour, Russell Targ, the co-founder of the Stanford Research Institute’s Remote Viewing program, joined the show. He pointed out that the CIA and other government organizations funded their remote viewing work for 20 years, spending $20 million. He also cited specific cases of amazing psychic perceptions such as the time Pat Price picked out one of Patty Hears ... More
Host: George Noory

	Skepticism & Science
	Monday January 9, 2006

The publisher of Skeptic Magazine, Dr. Michael Shermer, discussed science and pseudo-science as well as the paranormal, good & evil, and the intelligent design debate.Being a skeptic, he explained, means engaging in a thoughtful inquiry, and insisting that phenomena be scientifically tested. In general he has found natural explanations for such paranormal mainstays as ESP, ghosts, and miracles. ESP, for instance has not shown statistically significant results in laboratory testing, he noted.He also cited the example of mediums who "talk to the dead," and suggested that they are practicing a form of "mentalism," using a cold reading to gain information from the subject, and then mentioning "truisms" that frequently occur such as owning your deceased father's watch. Discussing the notion of good & evil, he presented an alternative theory to the idea that these concepts come from God. We evolved a "moral sentiment" with such features as altruism because we are a social prim ... More
Host: George Noory

	The Skeptic's View
	Sunday October 17, 2004

Founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine, Dr. Michael Shermer, shared his viewpoint as to why he doesn't believe in paranormal phenomena and many extraordinary claims. He also commented on the emerging field of quantum science, suggesting that it is not connected with the thought process because quantum effects are happening at a subatomic level and the mental process occurs on a molecular level. Here is a rundown of some of his explanations on a variety of topics: Witchcraft: Their successes are basically "self-deception" fueled by "reinforcement from their followers." Psychics & Mediums: Often use cold readings, and mention common items such as a watch in the case of men, that is likely they may have been given by a deceased father or relative. Remote Viewing: What is considered a "hit" is subjective and the results are not replicable.EVPs: The voices or sounds are related to a signal/noise problem and generally not decipherable.Prayer: Studies which sho ... More
Host: Art Bell