SR EE general reading group discussion

Sadly, I cannot recommend this book. The author spends 3/4 of the book chronicling the history of three movements he considers that fit into the category of weird things people believe (creation science, UFO abductions and holocaust deniers). A good chunk of this part of the book is also extolling his accomplishments as a "skeptic" in TV shows about these three movements. What he never seems to get around to is the actual psychological mechanisms for these beliefs, which is why I bought the book. I believe his degree is in psychology, so I'm not sure why he doesn't touch on it in any significant way.

The most interesting part is when he tells about his own out of body and UFO experience while participating in a bike marathon out west. It seems due to sleep deprivation he imagined his trail vehicle and crew were aliens, and at one point he "saw" himself riding the bike from above. But this is only a cursory side story, and not really expanded on at all.

thanks. Sounds like the author lost his own direction for the book.