The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie Michael Shermer: Conspiracy Thinking, Wokeness, and the Future of Free Thought
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Jan 22, 2025 Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine and author on rationalism, discusses the rising tide of conspiracy thinking and its political roots. He argues against the narratives of well-known conspiracies and critiques how wokeness impacts science, compromising research integrity. Shermer emphasizes the need for open discourse in academia and reflects on the evolution of individual rights, particularly in contentious areas like sports and morality. He also sheds light on the phenomenon of UFO sightings, likening it to social contagion and misinterpretation.
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Departure from Scientific American
- Michael Shermer discusses his departure from Scientific American after 214 monthly columns.
- His columns on sensitive topics like race and childhood trauma were rejected due to editorial concerns about reader harm.
Scientific American's Woke Shift
- Scientific American's editor, Laura Helmuth, was dismissed due to tweets.
- She shifted the magazine's content towards woke DEI-type content, including an editorial criticizing Star Wars' Jedi for being white, male, and using "phallic laser swords."
No Longer Woke
- Michael Shermer explains why he no longer identifies as "woke."
- He believes the term has shifted from its original meaning of social awareness to a different, more radical ideology.
