The Skeptic's Toolbox 2008 presents: Your Wonderful Brain, University of Oregon at Eugene Aug 7-10

[Ian David]

The Skeptic's Toolbox 2008 presents:
Your Wonderful Brain
Join us August 7-10, 2008 at the University of Oregon at Eugene for the 16th Annual Skeptic’s Toolbox



Amherst, New York (July 11, 2008)—The very same processes that enable our brain to be so dramatically successful are frequently the same ones that lead us into error. Epilepsy, drugs, damage, and stresses can cause the brain to function in ways that lead people to believe they have experienced or witnessed something supernatural or paranormal. But although dramatic errors and anomalies of experience often result from the malfunctioning brain, many cognitive errors and illusions occur when the brain is functioning normally. Join us for The Skeptic’s Toolbox 2008, where we will explore the ways in which the normally and the abnormally functioning brain can lead us astray and create cognitive illusions.



Among the highlights of this year’s events are:



* Brainscams - Loren Pankratz
* Free will in a Scientific World - Lindsay Beyerstein
* Cognitive Illusions: The Limitations of a Well-adapted Brain - Jim Alcock and Ray Hyman
* Brain Fitness: Programs to Improve and Restore Brain Function - Ray Hyman et al.
* The Davey/Hodgson Séances: The First Study of Eyewitness Testimony - Loren Pankratz
* Blind spots in Evaluating Medical Reports and How to See Through Them - Wally Sampson
* Discussion Teams, Self-tests of Brain Functions, and the 5th Annual “In the Trenches” Awards.



Since 1992, The Skeptic’s Toolbox has been an annual event many look forward to year round. To enjoy the company of a diverse group of inquiring minds, be involved in some of the most fascinating cases and subject matter, participate in challenging workshops, and be guided by the great minds of Ray Hyman, Lindsay Beyerstein, James Alcock, Wally Sampson, Loren Pankratz and others—there’s simply no better event for the skeptical inquirer!



Basic attendance packages start at $169; all-inclusive packages provide room, board, and nine full meals. Visit http://skepticstoolbox.org/2008-registration.html to register. For more information, contact Barry Karr at [phone] x 217 or e-mail him at [email protected] .



The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization, founded in 1976 by Paul Kurtz, Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, and other prominent academics, scientists and writers. CSI, formerly the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific point of view. Learn more about CSICOP and its official journal, The Skeptical Inquirer, at www.csicop.org.



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http://www.csicop.org

[salvorhardin]

1. Looks like a great presentation

Wish I had the dough to attend. :(

[LeftishBrit]

2. Sounds fascinating...

I'd go if were a little closer!

[TZ]

3. Yeah me too..:(