Pseudoscience series to examine UFOs,
ghosts, hidden biblical codes and more
Currently fashionable topics in pseudoscience - theories, methods or activities advanced as scientific - will be explained and/or exploded during a semester-long lecture series beginning Thursday, Jan. 27, at Old Dominion University.
Through the evolution of science and the scientific method, "humanity has learned more about itself and its place in the universe in the last 1,000 years than in all of the years prior," said Old Dominion associate professor of physics Larry Weinstein, one of the series' organizers. But "As the millennium changes, what are the marvels that continue to capture the public's attention? Astrology, ESP, hidden codes in the Bible, ghosts, and UFOs."
Speakers for "Investigating Modern Pseudoscience," the 2000 College of Sciences Dean's Distinguished Visitors Lecture Series, are:
Jan. 27 and 28 - Bob Friedhoffer, science historian/award-winning author and professional magician, will highlight scientific phenomena presented as a magic show.
Feb. 3 and 4 - Wallace Sampson, editor of The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine and a board member of the National Council Against Health Fraud Inc., will discuss factors and forces behind alternative medicine.
Feb. 10 and 11 - Robert Park, professor of physics at the University of Maryland and director of the Washington office of the American Physical Society, will discuss "homeopathy and perpetual motion."
Feb. 24 and 25 - Joe Nickell, senior research fellow of the Committee for the
Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, editorial board member of
The Skeptical Inquirer magazine and a former professional magician, will present his own investigations of fraud, myths and hoaxes.
March 16 and 17 - Howard van Till, professor emeritus of physics at Calvin College, takes on "Scientific Creationism: Science, Pseudoscience or Folk Science?"
April 13 and 14, - Dave Thomas, president of New Mexicans for Science and Reason, delivers two lectures - "What Really Landed at Roswell" and "The Bible Code: A Skeptical Investigation."
April 20 - Philip A. Ianna, professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, wraps up the series with a discussion on astrology as pseudoscience.
Thursday presentations for general audiences begin at 8 p.m. in Room 102 of the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building. The March 16 presentation will take place in Room 104 of the Batten Arts and Letters Building.
More scientific material will be discussed at Friday presentations at 3 p.m. in Room 200 of the Oceanography/Physics Building. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Web site:
www.physics.odu.edu/htmlstuf/sue/cal-lec-99.htm
or call Weinstein at 683-3468.
