Michael Shermer: Be Skeptical! (Even of Skeptics) (part 2)
2,221 views · Published 16 January 2012 · 11:37 · Indexed 1 October 2026
Channel: Singularity Weblog · 2012 · Science & Technology
I couple of days ago I interviewed Michael Shermer for Singularity 1 on 1. I met Dr. Shermer at the recent Singularity Summit in New York where he was one of the most entertaining, engaging and optimistic speakers. Since he calls himself a skeptic and not a singularitarian, I thought he would bring not only balance to my singularity podcast but also a healthy doze of skepticism, and I was not disappointed. During our conversation we discuss a variety of topics such as: his education at a Christian college and original interest in religion and theology; his eventual transition to atheism, skepticism, science and the scientific method; SETI, the singularity and religion; scientific progress and the dots on the curve as precursors of big breakthroughs; life-extension, cloning and mind uploading; being a skeptic and an optimist at the same time; the "social singularity"; global warming; the tricky balance between being a skeptic while still being able to learn and make progress.
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