Michael Specter 11/16/2009 Michael Specter Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 7:30 PM, Campbell Hall This is a FREE event. Denialism - How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives A recipient of the Excellence in Media Award and the Science Journalism Award, New Yorker staff writer Michael Specter argues for a new Enlightenment in his newly-released book Denialism. From genetically modified grains to pharmaceuticals, Specter contends that Americans have come to mistrust institutions and to view science as a political constituency that isn’t always in our best interest. He champions a renewed approach to new technologies, while acknowledging their limitations and threats, and an end to the war against progress in this time of mankind’s greatest scientific advances. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For tickets or more information: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/ 805.893.3535