In a Friday lecture at the Center for Inquiry off campus, speaker and author Ben Radford will use his insight as a scientist to prove his belief that the truth, about everything from Bigfoot to ghosts to aliens, is out there.
Covering Bigfoot, alternative medicine, psychics and more, "Applying Science to the Paranormal" is designed with doubters in mind - the goal being to definitively prove or disprove several well-known claims of fringe-science.
"This talk is about the paranormal and we will be discussing a variety of things such as psychics, Bigfoot, lake monsters and a haunted house in Lackawanna," Radford said. "I will basically be talking about what science says about the phenomena."
As an authority on the paranormal, Radford appeared on CNN to discuss urban legends last fall. He is author of "Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us," co-author of "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking" and is releasing "Lake Monster Mysteries" in the near future.
Radford actively investigates these myths and legends as a member of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
"The CSICOP encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims," according to the CSICOP Web site.
As an investigator, Radford looks to science to help explain myths, phenomena and hoaxes in the world today.
"The paranormal shouldn't be a 'maybe it exists.' Either the evidence is there or it's not," he said. "When I talk to people, some say it's all ridiculous while others totally believe."
Among other topics, Radford plans on talking about his firsthand experience with a local haunted house.
"The family contacted us just before Thanksgiving - they were afraid to live in their home," Radford said.
While examining the house for a two-week period, Radford was able to find what he believes the root cause of the paranormal activities that had driven the family out. During his discussion Radford will take an in-depth look at his findings in the haunted house.
Aside from haunted houses, lake monsters and the infamous Bigfoot are scheduled to be discussed Friday. What Radford says are actual casts of Bigfoot's foot from an investigation that he was involved in will be displayed during the event.
As an expert in lake monster mysteries, Radford will not only talk about the famous Nessy of Loch Ness, he will also share research about waters closer to home.
"Nessy gets all of the publicity but in fact there are a handful of lakes in the states that have monster mysteries, even Lake Erie has an alleged monster," Radford said.
In the past, the Center for Inquiry has hosted several other discussions and events on similar topics.
"We have had talks on lake monsters like 'Champ' of Lake Champlain, labyrinths and an actual walk through the labyrinth. We have even had poetry night at the Center," Radford said.
The lecture will be held at the Center for Inquiry on Sweethome Road in Amherst on Friday at 7 p.m. Admission to the lecture is free for students, $6 for non-students.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
