Ideas worth spreading

The pattern behind self-deception

2,992,457 views | Michael Shermer • TED2010

Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things -- from alien abductions to dowsing rods -- boils down to two of the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are, and how they get us into trouble.

Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things -- from alien abductions to dowsing rods -- boils down to two of the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are, and how they get us into trouble.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign up for Skepticism 101, Michael Shermer's course on how to think like a scientist.

About the speaker

Michael Shermer

See speaker profile

Michael Shermer debunks myths, superstitions and urban legends -- and explains why we believe them. Along with publishing Skeptic Magazine, he's author of Why People Believe Weird Things and The Mind of the Market.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign up for Skepticism 101, Michael Shermer's course on how to think like a scientist.