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June 2019
Cryonics: wishful thinking or cold reality?
Skeptics member Michael Clark will take us through the topic of cryonics. He says: "When I die I plan get my head frozen and shipped to a facility to be put in liquid nitrogen. But on their popular sceptics show Pen and Teller say that cryonics is bull****. I would like you to examine my belief with your best sceptical techniques, for and against cryonics. I promise I won't be offended :). If cryonics is false, I want to believe…
Find out more »July 2019
Perception deception – why seeing should not be believing
From pareidolia (Jesus on a cheese toastie) to auditory apophenia (perceiving of patterns in sensory input and linking it with preconceived ideas) to failing to see a gorilla-suited person cross a stage, our senses are not as reliable as we may have been taught to believe. It's important for skeptics to understand this, so we can better evaluate the veracity of personal accounts. We could also have a discussion of some cognitive biases, which are kind of related to sensory…
Find out more »August 2019
Skepticism vs. Cynicism – the nuances of ideology
"Is how I'm thinking skepticism or cynicism?" Both effectively mean one is questioning facts or motives. But one comes from the point of view of an open mind, and the other from a closed mind. Both trace themselves to ancient Greek philosophers, but what are their places in our politics, modern society and our lives? Join us for a presentation by new member and MC Elizabeth Willow, and stay for a discussion on evolving ideologies, how we change the views…
Find out more »September 2019
Why does fiction trump truth?
We humans know more truths than any species on earth. Yet we also believe the most falsehoods. What is the relationship between truth, fiction and power in human societies? Why do people often feel drawn to stories that are not based in truth? We'll go on an exploration of this topic, based on an article by historian Yuval Noah Harari, amongst other sources. Free parking on street or behind the hotel. Order food and drink downstairs; food will be brought…
Find out more »October 2019
Water ‘divining’ – what’s it all about?
Some time ago the Australian Skeptics made a video on water divining (aka 'dowsing'); we'll view some of this content (selected parts) and have a discussion about how it appears to work and why people want to believe it does. The DVD consists of 4 parts, one of which is the historic 1980 James Randi test, which is worth watching as the event that sparked the Skeptics movement in Australia. 1. 2003 An Introduction to Water Divining 25 minutes 2.…
Find out more »November 2019
Memory and truth
As the arbiter of truth, memory carries enormous weight: but is it reliable? This is a very big question for skeptics, who often encounter some fairly extraordinary claims by people who insist they remember unlikely events. Neuroscientist Prof Alan Harvey will give us a guided tour of how our memories work, the physiology of our brains and exactly why your memory can’t be trusted. Free parking on street and behind the hotel. Order food and drink downstairs - food will…
Find out more »December 2019
End of year get together
We'll get together for an informal 'skeptics-in-the-pub' meeting to celebrate the end of the year. I'll probably give a short summary of the Skepticon highlights. Bring a funny anecdote, cartoon, YouTube clip or other item to amuse your fellow skeptics (optional). Let me know if you'll need the A/V equipment. Please bring $2 cash for the contribution tin.
Find out more »January 2020
Planning for 2020
At the first meeting of the year we'll talk about how we might be more active in combating 'truthiness' and other BS in 2020, as well as discussing possible meeting topics for the rest of the year. Put your thinking hats on! We meet upstairs in the Conference Room, on RHS of the building as seen from the street. Order food & drink downstairs. Remember to bring $2 coin for the tin.
Find out more »February 2020
The TGA – how does it work & is it any use?
Skeptics member Neil Raine will talk to us about Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – how it works & whether it's any use in keeping non-evidence-based products out of the marketplace. We meet upstairs in the conference room. Order food & drink downstairs.
Find out more »March 2020
“Psychics” involvement in criminal cases
We'll take a look at 'psychics’ and their involvement in criminal cases, with a particular focus on the Claremont serial killer case. Speaker will be Bret Christian, editor and publisher of "The Post" newspaper. Bret is also the author of "Presumed Guilty: When cops get it wrong and courts seal the deal" He has had a long association with this case and is a long-term skeptic. Bret's talk will form the basis for us to discuss how psychics frequently manipulate…
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