Skeptics in the Pub (Mini Edition): Truth Decay – Why Do We Believe Weird Stuff?
Format: We’ll start with a short talk, then open into a group discussion around the themes and ideas raised.
Why do so many clever people fall for daft ideas? That’s the sort of question we’ll explore in these skeptical gatherings. The paths are many: religion, pseudoscience, conspiracies, cults, and all manner of strange beliefs. This month, we’re dipping our toes into the world of wellness woo. From miracle diets to detox fads, from self-help quick fixes to wellness gadgets, our minds are wired with cognitive biases that make us vulnerable.
Neuroscience shows that our brains are pattern-hungry, reward-driven, and easily swayed by stories that promise certainty. Add cultural trends, internet influencers, and the constant drip-feed of “hacks” and “secrets,” and it’s no wonder so many of us get swept along by fads.
This short talk will explore why our psychology leaves us open to persuasion, why we keep buying into too-good-to-be-true promises, and how those forces are exploited in marketing. We’ll also look at the latest reboot of the “magic water” scam — hexagonal structured water — now sold with claims ranging from “activating your DNA” to life extension and boosting energy.
This isn’t about laughing at other people’s mistakes — it’s about realising that none of us are immune. Every brain in this town runs on shortcuts and biases that make us persuadable. Research even suggests that the smarter you are, the easier it can be to rationalise your own bad decisions — which might explain why Nobel prize winners have been duped by wellness fads.
Together we’ll look at scams past and present — and ask: have you ever been taken in by a cleverly marketed wellness product? How did it happen? Or do you have a favourite scam you love to laugh about that’s still being promoted today — maybe even on sale locally?
Along the way we’ll share a few simple tricks for spotting when you’re being nudged, primed, or sold to — and in discussion afterwards we’ll explore how we each try (and sometimes fail) to avoid falling for them.
Everyone’s welcome — you don’t need a science degree, just curiosity (and maybe a pint in hand). Come along, meet like-minded people, and join the conversation.
This is a mini version of Skeptics in the Pub. Our aim is to build a proper Totnes Skeptics group, linked into the national network, where we can bring in speakers, show films, and run bigger events. Part of the Let’s Be Rational monthly meet-up series, alongside Philosophy and a Pint at the Bay Horse.
If you’d like to do a short talk at a future session to spark discussion in the skeptic domain — bring your ideas, we’d love to hear them.
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Totnes, Entertainment events in Totnes.
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