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DAVID AARONOVITCH Debunking the myths that help feed a frenzy

W e all love a juicy conspiracy theory. There have been many books, DVDs, TV programmes, films and websites dedicated to poring over the minutest technical details in order to try and debunk the official story on everything from 9/11 to 7/7, Wacko Jacko to Waco and JFK to AIDS. The fact is, of course, that all kinds of governments have been caught out and proven to be liars and bandits when they denied otherwise (Watergate remains the touchstone). But if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, just about every single thing we are told from anyone in authority

is a brazen fib protected by a convoluted cover-up. Journalist and broadcaster David Aaronovitch was so sick of such ill-informed scaremongering that he wrote Voodoo Histories which wondered why relatively sane people would be caught up in the myriad webs of conspiracy theories. Aaronovitch will be holding court in this event arranged by Edinburgh Skeptics who promote ‘science, reason and critical thinking’. (Brian Donaldson) The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Thu 20 Dec.

HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS

Alexander McCall Smith A night of music and literary chat as the multi-

disciplinary AMS introduces lively performances of the music that has either inspired or appeared in his novels. Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Tue 18 Dec.

✽Fail Better A fresh new monthly

performance night named after a Beckett quotation with the launch night featuring William Letford (pictured), Becci Wallace and Ian MacPherson. See preview, page 76. McChuills, Glasgow, Thu 13 Dec.

David Aaronovitch Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory. But the renowned journo and broadcaster wonders if it’s all gone a bit too far. See preview, left. The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Thu 20 Dec.

Rally & Broad A literary-flavoured new cabaret night featuring the spectacularly

named The Church Of When The Shit Hits The Fan. Counting House, Edinburgh, Fri 21 Dec.

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Stuart MacBride Aberdeen’s foremost

crime scribe gets busy as he celebrates the publication of Close to the Bone, his new Logan MacRae affair. Blackwells,

Edinburgh, Thu 17 Jan.

Jo Caulfield Presents . . . The Speakeasy A diverse bill of performers

here with Alan Bissett, storyteller Fiona Herbert and poet/author Elspeth Murray representing the literary faculty. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Tue 22 Jan.

Melvin Burgess Hammer gets a shot in the arm with Hunger, a cultural reference-

heavy pacy chiller from the acclaimed author of Junk. See review, page 74. Hammer.

13 Dec 2012–24 Jan 2013 THE LIST 73

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