The official site of bestselling author Michael Shermer The official site of bestselling author Michael Shermer

Tag Results

Wag the Dog

Emotions are as much a product of our evolutionary
heritage as they are our environmental circumstances
magazine cover

The next time you come face to face with a dog wagging its tail, you can make a quick determination on whether to reach out and pet it or step back in deference: check the tail-wag bias. If the wagging tail leans to the dog’s right, you’re safe; if the tail leans to the dog’s left, don’t move. (continue reading…)

read or write comments (6)

Adam’s Maxim & Spinoza’s Conjecture

Belief, disbelief and uncertainty generate
different neural pathways in the brain
magazine cover

During an early episode of the über-pyrotechnic television series MythBusters, Adam Savage was busted by the camera crew for misremembering his predictions of the probability of an axle being ripped out of a car, à la American Graffiti. When confronted with the unmistakable video evidence of his error, Adam sardonically rejoined: “I reject your reality and substitute my own.” (continue reading…)

read or write comments (1)