Michael Shermer

In this course

Shermer's concept of patternicity—the human tendency to find meaningful patterns in random data—becomes crucial for understanding how AI systems and human cognition might similarly generate false coherence from noise, a concern threading through discussions of algorithmic bias and pareidolia in machine learning. The readings invoke patternicity to interrogate how both humans and computational systems risk mistaking statistical artifacts for genuine insight, especially in contexts where pattern-recognition operates at scale without critical friction.

Background

Michael Brant Shermer is an American science writer, historian of science, executive director of The Skeptics Society, and founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, a publication focused on investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. The author of over a dozen books, Shermer is known for engaging in debates on pseudoscience and religion in which he emphasizes scientific skepticism.

Mentioned in 2 readings