On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry held their monthly Member Gathering at the Main Public Library auditorium in downtown Charleston. The event drew 38 participants, an excellent turnout.
Featured speaker Coleman Watts gave an engaging talk on why people fall for cults, cons, and conspiracy theories, drawing on his own experience as a former conspiracy enthusiast who later became a skeptical commentator. His presentation explored how people get pulled into conspiratorial thinking and offered thoughtful ideas about how to have more productive conversations with those who hold such beliefs.
Watts is the host of the YouTube channel “Think This Through,” where he debunks cults, cons, and conspiracies with humor and insight.
The list of individuals who have managed to escape the rabbit hole of conspiracism is short, but there is an even shorter list of individuals who have then gone on to become popular skeptical podcasters. Former conspiracy enthusiast Coleman Watts discusses why people fall for cults and cons, and how he managed to climb out of the rabbit hole. What’s the best way to talk to a conspiracy theorist to dissuade – and persuade – them from their views? Is misinformation taking over, and if so, why?
For our M member gathering Coleman Watts will talk about all of this and more in an engaging talk about his experiences debunking the views he used to embrace.
Coleman Watts is the host of the YouTube show Think This Through. He debunks cons, cults and conspiracies with a humorous flair, drawing on his own experience of falling down the rabbit hole himself.
The meeting will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, March 15th in the auditorium of the Main Public Library downtown (68 Calhoun St in Charleston). It is free and open to the public.
Metered street parking is free on Sundays, and there is parking available in the garage under the library (garage closes at 5).