Here Be Dragons

Here Be Dragons is a free 40 minute video introduction to critical thinking. It is suitable for general audiences and is licensed for free distribution and public display.

Most people fully accept paranormal and pseudoscientific claims without critique as they are promoted by the mass media. Here Be Dragons offers a toolbox for recognizing and understanding the dangers of pseudoscience, and appreciation for the reality-based benefits offered by real science.

Here Be Dragons is written and presented by Brian Dunning, host and producer of the Skeptoid podcast and author of the Skeptoid book series.

Captions are available in over a dozen different languages. Just click the CC button.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[SuperNecromant]

It's quite incredible what people believe when they are given reason wrapped up in pseudoscience.

[Jim Jesus]

Even if it was true; does not follow that 9/11 was a conspiracy.

[Jeolas1]

While I agree with most of Brian's statements this video still left me with an uncomfortable feeling. I think it's because of the snotty way he ridicules those conspiracy theories and alternative/traditional medicine - as if none of them, ever, deserved the benefit of the doubt, as if he, Brian, had the absolute perspective on the truth. The way he presents his opinion makes you want to agree with him simply for fear of seeming stupid if you didn't. And that's manipulative.

[infamousentnyc]

He isn't making claims just stating the obvious

[infamousentnyc]

What he is saying is inherently true even if he is a fraud with money .

[vimesx]

How is a computer scientist and science fiction writer an expert on this? He is making some statements which are obvious to any critcal thinking person and some statements which you probably shouldn't take for granted.

For example a fullmoon night being more hectic/wild. That could as well be true just because people believe in it and is a bad example in that way, just take a look at the tinkerbell effect.

Having said that, this is still a good video.

[vimesx]

Did you know that there are actually many conspiracy theories which have been proven true? Of course nobody lists them as being theories anymore. People shouldn't be so black and white about that. The world doesn't work that way.

[vimesx]

No, actually the balance of left and right brain sides is already well studied in science. Actually in modern times nobody takes time to contemplate and really go into themselves anymore. I can't make any claims about meditation since I don't practice it, but there are some studies I think.

Learning enhances how your brain works, sleep helps that process, so why shouldn't mediation do the same?

[k0ngdb]

this video made me think critical about this video.

[ExpertCriticism]

If you do not agree with Brian or his videos, you're missing the point. Try harder.

[Simon Wright]

Considering the big numbers theory quoted in the film it is easy to imagine that it is likely that we will have eons of science ahead of us . All things considered this means that these so called 'absolutes' represented by closed minded scientists such as Brian will no doubt be proved wrong over time. Poor misguided man .....