Skeptics in the Pub

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m (London<ref>http://www.skeptic.org.uk/pub/archive/index.php</ref>: linking to Phil Plait)
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*Prof. Richard J. Evans (author of the book ''The Third Reich in Power'' and [[expert witness]] in the David Irving libel trial)
 
*Prof. Richard J. Evans (author of the book ''The Third Reich in Power'' and [[expert witness]] in the David Irving libel trial)
 
*Prof. Steve Fuller (sociologist in the University of Warwick and [[intelligent design]] proponent who testified at the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District|Kitzmiller trial]] in Dover, [[Pennsylvania|PA]])<ref>http://www.lablit.com/article/139/ Into the lion's den: Steve Fuller at 'Skeptics In The Pub'</ref>
 
*Prof. Steve Fuller (sociologist in the University of Warwick and [[intelligent design]] proponent who testified at the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District|Kitzmiller trial]] in Dover, [[Pennsylvania|PA]])<ref>http://www.lablit.com/article/139/ Into the lion's den: Steve Fuller at 'Skeptics In The Pub'</ref>
*Dr. Phil Plait (creator of the  Bad Astronomy website)<ref>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/23/europe-days-4-and-5-and-going-home/
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*[[Philip Plait|Dr. Phil Plait]] (creator of the  Bad Astronomy website)<ref>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/23/europe-days-4-and-5-and-going-home/
 
  Europe: Days 4 and 5, and going home</ref><ref>http://network.nature.com/london/news/blog/matt/2008/04/22/more-skeptics-than-you-could-shake-a-crystal-pendant-at More skeptics than you could shake a crystal pendant at - Nature</ref>
 
  Europe: Days 4 and 5, and going home</ref><ref>http://network.nature.com/london/news/blog/matt/2008/04/22/more-skeptics-than-you-could-shake-a-crystal-pendant-at More skeptics than you could shake a crystal pendant at - Nature</ref>
 
*Nick Pope (former head of the Ministry of Defence division charged with investigating UFO sightings)
 
*Nick Pope (former head of the Ministry of Defence division charged with investigating UFO sightings)

Revision as of 22:51, 26 January 2009

Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and other like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics and rationalists to talk, share ideas in a casual, relaxed atmosphere, and discuss whatever topical issues come to mind. But most importantly, it's about having fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.

The usual format is that a speaker is invited to give a talk on a specific topic, which is followed by a question-and-answer session. Other meet-ups are informal socials, with no fixed agenda.

The group has conducted experiments on the paranormal as part of James Randi's million-dollar challenge[1], co-organised the UK's largest skeptical event, An Evening with James Randi & Friends[2][3] and has made a number of television appearances (including on the infamous Shirley Ghostman).

Contents

Origins

The group's earliest and longest-running event is the award winning[4] London meeting, established by Dr. Scott Campbell in 1999[5][6][7]. This would later serve as the template for other skeptical, rationalist, and atheist meet-ups around the globe, including Drinking Skeptically, The Brights, and the British Humanist Association.

Some past speakers

London[8]

  • Rev. Brian Austin (a creationist Pastor)
  • Mark Bennett of the Aetherius Society (founded by an Englishman named George King in 1954 who claimed contact with advanced intelligences from other planets within the Solar System)
  • Prof. Richard J. Evans (author of the book The Third Reich in Power and expert witness in the David Irving libel trial)
  • Prof. Steve Fuller (sociologist in the University of Warwick and intelligent design proponent who testified at the Kitzmiller trial in Dover, PA)[9]
  • Dr. Phil Plait (creator of the Bad Astronomy website)[10][11]
  • Nick Pope (former head of the Ministry of Defence division charged with investigating UFO sightings)
  • Prof. Victor J. Stenger (author of NY Times Best-seller "God: The Failed Hypothesis"[12])

Boston[13]

  • Marc Abrahams (Editor of The Annals of Improbable Research)
  • Science blogger "Mike the Mad Biologist"
  • Patty Pieniadz, an ex-Scientologist who left, after over 27 years

External links

UK

US

Canada

Australia

Footnotes

  1. http://www.randi.org/jr/060305be.html#6 A Preliminary Test for the JREF PRIZE is Completed
  2. http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/randi-and-friends.html An Evening With James Randi & Friends,
  3. http://itricks.com/randishow/?p=23 Notable mention by James Randi on iTricks
  4. http://www.timeout.com/london/features/4273/5.html Time Out London - Best Communities/Best Website 2008
  5. http://londonist.com/2008/02/why_dont_creati.php The Londonist Article
  6. http://network.nature.com/london/news/Q&A/2008/02/19/skeptics-in-a-pub Nature Interview
  7. http://network.nature.com/blogs/user/bron/2007/10/17/a-post-a-day-wednesday Nature Review - by Bronwen Dekker, Assistant Editor at Nature Protocols
  8. http://www.skeptic.org.uk/pub/archive/index.php
  9. http://www.lablit.com/article/139/ Into the lion's den: Steve Fuller at 'Skeptics In The Pub'
  10. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/23/europe-days-4-and-5-and-going-home/ Europe: Days 4 and 5, and going home
  11. http://network.nature.com/london/news/blog/matt/2008/04/22/more-skeptics-than-you-could-shake-a-crystal-pendant-at More skeptics than you could shake a crystal pendant at - Nature
  12. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402501_3.html In Europe and U.S., Nonbelievers Are Increasingly Vocal - Washington Post
  13. http://network.nature.com/boston/news/blog/U66E7CD1A/2008/03/11/skeptics-in-the-pub%E2%80%94coming-to-boston Skeptics in the pub—coming to Boston
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