CSICon vs. Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories Infodemic

Sure. You might find a skeptic here or there among the guest speakers and panelists at some paracons. In general, however, most cons cater to the believers. Not at CSICon. They welcome skeptics and encourage critical thinking, reason, and skepticism.

I learned about this exciting con that’s battling the “infodemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories” thanks to Willow Croft, bringer of nightmares and storms. (I just love that tagline and can’t help but reference it every chance I get.)

Let’s unpack what CSICon is all about, including where and when it’s happening, and who its impressive list of guest speakers are.

About CSICon 2022

Here’s how CSICon sums itself up on its event page:

They think the pandemic is a hoax. They think the vaccines have microchips and magnets. They think the aliens are here. They think magic potions cure diseases. They think the Earth is flat.

They think that forest fires are started by Jewish space lasers.

We’re not even kidding.

This is the infodemic, when misinformation and conspiracy theories are overwhelming every aspect of society, from the media and education to Congress and the courts. To fight this infection of alternative facts, we need a boost to our immune system. We need to bring the brightest minds in science and reason together to fight back against the nonsense.

It’s happening October 20-23 at the Flamingo Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Registration costs $309 for CFI members or $329 for non-CFI members for all of the days, including the Thursday evening reception and keynote address. They also offer the same registration for students at a price of $100.

Additional registration is available for the following additional events:

• Thursday AM Workshop: Asking Good Questions – $69
• Thursday PM Workshop: Critical Thinking – $69
• *VIP Luncheon with Richard Dawkins, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Naomi Oreskes, and Julia Sweeney – $500
• Halloween Party – $59
• One-Day Ticket, Thursday evening only – $75
• One-Day Ticket, Friday only – $185
• One-Day Ticket, Saturday only – $185
• One-Day Ticket, Sunday only – $75

*$400 of the VIP Luncheon is tax deductible. However, as of the publication of this post, the event is sold out. But there is a waiting list you can request to be placed on.

CSICon 2022 Speakers

CSICon has an impressive list of speakers lined up for this year’s event. Here they are, along with their panels and/or presentations:

• Banachek – James Randi: An Honest Liar
• Kenny Biddle – Bridging the Gap Between (Some) Paranormal Believers and Skeptics
• Robyn Blummer – Opening Reception
• Timothy Caulfield – Misinformation and the (Big) Ideology Problem
• Richard Dawkins – Richard Dawkins Award Presentation and VIP Luncheon
• Chip Denman – Workshop: Asking Good Questions … of Others and Yourself
• Grace Denman – Workshop: Asking Good Questions … of Others and Yourself
• Kathleen Dyer – Workshop: Whom to Trust: From Charlatans to Academic Scholars, a Field Guide for the Perplexed
• Paul Fidalgo – Balles Award Presentation
• Stuart Firestein – The Proper Use of Ignorance in Science
• Kendrick Frazier – Opening Reception
• Susan Gerbic – Undercover with the Grief Vampires and Skeptical Activism during the Pandemic
• David Robert Grimes – Situation Critical
• Raymond Edward Hall – Paper Session and Workshop: Whom to Trust: From Charlatans to Academic Scholars, a Field Guide for the Perplexed
• George Hrab – Opening Reception on Thursday and Opening Remarks Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Lee McIntyre – How to Talk to a Science Denier
• Nathan H. Lents – The Future Is Now! The Emerging Science of Human Improvement
• Nick Little – Pseudoscience and the Law: Why Doesn’t the Government Stop the Charlatans?
• Tyler Measom – James Randi: An Honest Liar
• Natalia Pasternak – Paper Session
• Naomi Oreskes – Can Science Be Saved?
• Deyvi Orangel Peña Arteaga – James Randi: An Honest Liar
• Penn & Teller – Penn & Teller in Conversation with Julia Sweeney
• John Petrocelli – Persuasive Bullshitters and the Insidious Bullshit Hypothesis
• Piff the Magic Dragon – Piff at His Theatre
• Massimo Polidoro – James Randi: An Honest Liar
• Julia Sweeney – Penn & Teller in Conversation with Julia Sweeney
• Eddie Tabash – The Current Supreme Court Super Majority: A Threat to Science and Secularism
• Nick Tiller – Science and Pseudoscience in Health and Wellness: When Medicines Go Rogue
• Neil deGrasse Tyson – Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
• Jim Underdown – Halloween Mayhem
• Joseph Uscinski – Getting Conspiracy Theories Right
• Odaelys Walwyn-Pollard – Illusion of Accessibility in STEM: COVID-19 Edition
• Richard Wiseman – James Randi: An Honest Liar and Investigating the Impossible
• Seema Yasmin – Viral BS: Medical Myths and Why We Fall for Them

For More Info

Visit csiconference.org.

Check-In

Did you know there was a con for skeptics like CSICon?

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.