Workshop 1 – Wisdom of Crowds? How to Think Rationally About Other People’s Opinions

Presenter: Julia Galef

LUNCH (not included)

Workshop 4 – Sensational Skepticism

Presenters: Marc David Barnhill & Bob Blaskiewicz

Leonard Mlodinow – Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Influences Your Behavior

Keynote address
From your preference in politicians to the amount you tip your waiter, all your judgments and perceptions reflect the workings of your mind on two levels: the conscious, of which we are aware, and the unconscious, which is hidden from us. As a result, we often misperceive our relationships with friends, family, and business associates, misunderstanding the reasons for our personal feelings, investment decisions, and other important judgments. Dr. Mlodinow will talk about the revolution in the scientific understanding of the unconscious that has occurred in the past decade, and what it means for our lives.

Michael Shermer – The Moral Arc of Science

LUNCH (not included)

Panel: Storytelling for Skeptics – Why the Best Story Wins

Participants: Deborah Berebichez, Mariette DiChristina, Cat Bohannon, Nathalie Molina Niño, Michael Shermer

It has been said that humans are “storytelling animals,” yet advocates of science and critical-thought often seem to ignore this vital component of how we communicate. This panel will explore how the narratives advanced by scientists and skeptics compare with the compelling but scientifically questionable narratives of a Deepak Chopra, Sylvia Browne, or Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. By altering the “stories we tell” can critical-thinkers more effectively reach a public audience that is often unaware, or wholly rejecting, of the scientific and skeptical worldview?

Simon Singh – The Big Bang

Fundraising Reception with NECSS Speakers (optional event)

Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe Live Show (optional event)

Sharon Hill – Sounds Sciencey

Panel: Skeptical of Psychopathy

Participants: Steve Novella, Heather Berlin, Jon Ronson

The recent spate of mass shootings has placed renewed focus on how we treat mental illnesses and disorders. But are conditions like psychopathy real “brain diseases?” Can they be reliably diagnosed or even defined? How do we ensure public policy regarding mental illnesses and disorders is based upon science and not sensationalism?

Jamy Ian Swiss – I, Skeptic

Hait-Ting Chinn and Matthew Schickele – Songs of Science & Skepticism

John Allen Paulos – Stories vs. Statistics