Weird Earth

Debunking Strange Ideas about Our Planet

By: Donald R. Prothero

Narrated by: Neil Hellegers

Aliens. Ley lines. Water dowsing. Conspiracies and myths captivate imaginations and promise mystery and magic. Whether it's arguing about the moon landing hoax or a Frisbee-like Earth drifting through space, when held up to science and critical thinking, these ideas fall flat.

In Weird Earth: Debunking Strange Ideas About Our Planet, Donald R. Prothero demystifies these conspiracies and offers answers to some of humanity's most outlandish questions. Applying his extensive scientific knowledge, Prothero corrects misinformation that con artists and quacks use to hoodwink others about geology - hollow earth, expanding earth, and bizarre earthquakes-and mystical and paranormal happenings - healing crystals, alien landings, and the gates of hell. By deconstructing wild claims such as prophesies of imminent natural disasters, Prothero provides a way for everyone to recognize dubious assertions. Prothero answers these claims with facts, offering historical and scientific context in a lighthearted manner that is accessible to everyone, no matter their background.

With a careful layering of evidence in geology, archaeology, and biblical and historical records, Prothero's Weird Earth examines each conspiracy and myth and leaves no question unanswered.

©2020 Donald R. Prothero (P)2020 Tantor

Decent science, but bogged down by tone

At the get go, it is obvious that the author is a scientist who is fed up with the proliferation of pseudoscience in modern culture. Fair enough - many are. He does quite a good job of explaining the scientific process, noting that science is about questioning, that there is a high degree of verification that goes into the process, and that scientists themselves are experts only in their own field, and those who flaunt their credentials should be viewed with skepticism. This last point is particularly, though ironically, important when listening to the book,
When it comes to geology and related subjects, it is obvious he has a passion for the subject, and that he is very much in his element. But outside of that element, things get a little shakier. Much of the book is devoted to mythbusting, but with more of the angry, cutting tone of a science teacher who has just had enough than with the light-hearted instruction of the popular show he references. This is particularly true when the author discusses conspiracy theories. In these cases he will occasionally make authoritative statements on misrepresented and sometimes flat wrong assertions found in popular media, but which do not stand up to academic scrutiny. In other words, debunking some myths by perpetuating others. This would be more tolerable if he did not have such an open disdain for spirituality, I am personally atheist, yet I do try and consider belief with a certain degree of respect. The author will occasionally make a concession of respect to major world religions, but is openly disdainful of anything not mainstream. An odd distinction. The same is true of politics and government- many of the opinions expressed with a haughty and authoritative air are represented with more weight than they should scientifically carry.
Overall the book is somewhat entertaining, and certainly makes some valid points. But the self-aggrandizement does make the factual errors and overemphasized opinions a little harder to overlook, and tends to undermine the point of the book. Science is indeed important to evaluating extraordinary and frivolous claims. Ego less so.

This Book Needs Defending

From armchair boneheads like the commenter who said the author was careless and not serious, citing several alleged errors that were not errors. None of them. The commenter himself was guilty of his criticism, being categorically wrong (due to laziness) on ALL of his claims (incredible).
So the book exposed the weak mental processes of thexfrauds it covers right here in the comments.

I came away with the feeling that creating and following outrageous claims were, first, recreation, as in "Let's see how twisted our sophism can get" and "Let's see how many followers we can get") (the creators) and "Great, a new and fashionable bandwagon to jump on!") (the followers); and second, an attempt to gain approval from wayward groups (and leaders) by sad individuals desperate for any kind of approval or sense of belonging.

important! must read!

detailed warning of a world without critical thinking. excellent! discusses the numerous fallacies empowered by the Internet

A Lack of Seriousness

I was somewhat surprised in Chapter One: Science and Critical Thinking. After expounding on the evils of so called experts commenting on issues outside their field the following sentence appeared at the end of the chapter.
“Donald Trump tried to get away with extorting Ukraine for dirt on his opponents but a whistleblower exposed that Conspiracy and Trump was impeached for it.”

So the Author who expertise is in Geology and Paleontology is commenting on current political events. Exactly what he warned against a few pages before - Experts going outside their field of expertise. A whistleblower exposed the “Conspiracy”? Just like the Flat Earthers and 9-11 Truthers are exposing those conspiracies?

Can’t believe I’m defending Trump but I watched most of that ridiculous sideshow in real time as I was recovering from an illness and his guilt was far from established. His impeachment regardless of the facts as presented was decided before the first witness even testified. I think it will take a few decades before we can reasonably talk about the Partisan politics of the last few years with any clarity.

This is supposed to be a book about Science. If you want to smack Trump around stick to the Science based stuff not partisan politics.

As a book on Science expounding on the 1000 ways Flat Earthers are mixed up gets tedious. The Author seems to be belittling the Conspiracy theorists more for his own amusement than is strictly necessary. Understandable I guess but it seems unprofessional for a professor. I’m hoping the second half of the book picks up. If so I will adjust my review.

Good stuff but he won’t make converts with his opinions and hatred of people he doesn’t respect.

I was hoping to recommend this book to someone that might be convinced to change from pseudoscience to real world science. Sadly, the author will have no converts with his obvious vitriol towards Flat Earthers, Christians, New Agers, Heliocentrists, “Right Wingers”, etc. By the end of the book, he dropped any pretense of wanting to change positions of people that don’t agree with him. His anger with those people shone through.

Excellent listen, although preachy at the end.

The science in this book is spot on. I was really impressed with the depth of the material.

Where I found myself slightly less pluses was some of the social commentary on politics. To be clear - I agree with most of the sentiments in the beginning and end where the decking into politics occurs. However, it felt like it was needlessly added as a way to be spicy.

The resounding theme of this book is trusting science and the methods, over your gut or just basic senses. I think you would win more converts by not attacking areas outside the science.

Stay away from politics!

I agree with other reviewers that he should stay away from areas outside of his expertise, meaning geology. He falls for the same thing that many other successful people in one area fall for, namely, they become experts in everything. Because this book was part of the Audible subscription, I didn’t have to buy it. Otherwise, I would be looking for a refund.

liked idea for book

Author used his illogical though processes way too many times... His biased thinking spoiled a good idea for a book.