European Skeptics Congress 2019 – The Joy of Skepticism

The next European Skeptics Congress 2019 will be held from 29 August to 1 September 2019 in Ghent, Belgium.

Location: Academieraadzaal of Ghent University, Voldersstraat 9, 9000 Ghent, Belgium The hall is located in this building, next to the “Aula”. It’s not the neoclassic circular hall, but the auditorium next to it. The entrance hall (“Foyer”) will be used for the reception of the participants. Next to it lies the “Peristylium” where a variety of side events and the coffee breaks will be held.

Organisers: SKEPP vzw, Comité Para asbl in cooperation with ‘Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij’ and ‘Stichting Skepsis’

The Official European Skeptics Congress 2019 Website

	September 2019
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
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2 KALMAR: Skeptiker- och humanistpub KALMAR: Skeptiker- och humanistpub 2nd September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Humanisterna Kalmar Kalmar, Sweden Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/882105035499613/ Kom och diskutera skepticism, vetenskap och humanism över god mat och dryck! Alla är välkomna! See more details LONDON (Camden): Why Diets Don’t Work, Pixie Turner LONDON (Camden): Why Diets Don’t Work, Pixie Turner 2nd September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Monarch Bar 40-42 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London NW1 8BG, Link: http://www.london.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24893/Why-Diets-Dont-Work Despite a wealth of information at our fingertips there are still so many things we get wrong about our health, and with a new diet book out every other day it’s no wonder people are confused. What should we be eating? When? How often? Just how important is food when it comes to our overall health? Humans have always been a bit weird around food. We’re told eating certain foods are the key to living longer, some foods are ‘sinful’ or ‘bad’, that ‘you are what you eat’, and that we must seek to obtain health at all costs. All this means we follow crazy diets that make things worse rather than better and have a population where most of us dislike our bodies. Pixie Turner will unpack why diet and nutrition misinformation is so problematic, on social media, in mass media, and on a public health level, and why we could all benefit from taking a moment to assess our personal relationship with food. Expect some myth-busting, diet rants, and lots of fully-referenced evidence-based science. Pixie Turner is a nutritionist (ANutr), food blogger, and science communicator. She graduated with a First Class degree in Biochemistry, and went on to complete a Masters in Nutrition with Distinction. She has been featured as a nutrition expert on BBC and Channel 5, and in publications such as Red magazine, Evening Standard, Grazia, the Telegraph and more. Her second book, ‘The No Need to Diet Book’ was published in 2019 and will be available to buy at the talk. Please get there early for a table and to order your food and drinks. The pub is reserved for SitP attendees from 5pm. £3 donation to cover costs and speaker expenses. No booking or tickets required. Just turn up. See more details • •	3 KÖLN: Wie functioniert eigentlich die Welt der Wikipedia? - Annika Merkelbach KÖLN: Wie functioniert eigentlich die Welt der Wikipedia? - Annika Merkelbach 3rd September 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Herbrand's ehrenfeld, Herbrandstraße 21, 50825 Köln, Germany Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/313747272649282/ Wie funktioniert eigentlich die Welt der Wikipedia? – Ein Blick hinter die Kulissen der Online-Enzyklopädie Die Wikipedia – eine weltumspannende Organisation mit vielen geheimen Mitarbeitern, die die Meinung der Menschheit beeinflussen? Oder ist sie doch nur ein besseres Forum, in dem jeder seine Meinung kundtun kann? Wie funktioniert eigentlich die größte Online-Enzyklopädie unserer Zeit? Selbst unter Skeptikern hat sich der Argwohn Wikipedia gegenüber nicht gelegt. Doch wie verlässlich ist die Wikipedia? Gibt es Mechanismen, die die Informationen auf Wikipedia schützen oder verbessern können? Wie kann jeder Einzelne aktiv werden? �Viele offene Fragen begleiten die Enzyklopädie. Die Vortragende wird versuchen, alle diese Fragen zu beantworten und berichtet zudem von kleinen und größeren Erfolgsgeschichten der Arbeit an der Wikipedia. Annika Merkelbach (29), ist Englisch- und Geschichtslehrerin und ist seit zwei Jahren Mitglied der „Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia“, die es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht haben, die Wikipedia wissenschaftlicher und fundierter zu gestalten. Sie schreibt außerdem Interviews für den Skeptical Inquirer. See more details NOTTINGHAM: Food advertising and Children's eating behaviour, Laura von Nordheim NOTTINGHAM: Food advertising and Children's eating behaviour, Laura von Nordheim 3rd September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Canalhouse 48-52 Canal St, Nottingham, NG1 7EH Link: http://www.nottingham.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/19739/Food-advertising-and-Childrens-eating-behaviour It is essential to celebrate health and beauty at every size, shape and weight. Obesity, however, is a serious health condition that affects more than 42 million children worldwide. Rather than driven by personal choice, weight gain is closely linked to our environment. Media clearly affects our food choices, eating behaviours and exercise habits - and can be used for better or worse. Find out how food advertising impacts our eating behaviour - and how we can use this powerful influence to improve children’s diets! Laura has always had a passion for health and wellbeing - the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and of our planet as a whole. Nutrition quickly became the focus of her career path and she worked as a health interventionist, cooking instructor and chef for a wide range of community and governemental projects. Working in clinics for children and adults affected by eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and obesity gave Laura valuable insight into eating behaviour while completing her BSc Psychology and MSc Health Psychology in London. As a postgraduate researcher at University of Sheffield, Laura investigates ‘Media influence and Childhood Obesity’. See more details • •	4 HELSINKI: Jaakko Leppänen: Tšernobyl – Mitä oikeasti tapahtui? HELSINKI: Jaakko Leppänen: Tšernobyl – Mitä oikeasti tapahtui? 4th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Tieteiden talo Kirkkokatu 6, 00170 Helsinki Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/465270234024832/ VTT:n Reaktoriturvallisuuden tutkimusprofessori Jaakko Leppänen luennoi Skepsis ry:lle otsikolla: Tšernobylin ydinvoimalaonnettomuus – Mitä oikeasti tapahtui? Chernobyl TV-sarja on yksi vuoden katsotuimmista televisio-ohjelmista. Ohjelman myötä suurella yleisöllä on herännyt jälleen kerran monia kysymyksiä siitä miten asiat oikeasti ovat. Tällä luennolla kuulemme tarkemmin Tšernobylin onnettomuuden tapahtumista sekä sen erilaisista seurauksista parhaan tieteellisen tutkimuksen valossa: • Miten ydinreaktori toimii? • Minkälainen reaktori oli kyseessä? • Onnettomuuden kulku ja tarkemmat tapahtumat vaiheittain? • Onnettomuuden vaikutukset lähialueella? • Mitä radioaktiivinen laskeuma tarkoittaa ja mitä se tässä tapauksessa merkitsee? • Kuinka monta ihmistä kuoli tai sairastui onnettomuuden seurauksena? Mitä sairauksia onnettomuuden aiheuttaman laskeuman on todettu lisänneen, ja mihin ei ole havaittu vaikutuksia? • Onnettomuuden muu jälkiselvittely ja alueen nykytilanne? Lisätietoa luennoitsijasta: https://www.vtt.fi/medialle/uutiset/jaakko-leppänen-vtt-n-reaktoriturvallisuuden-tutkimusprofessoriksi Tšernobylin ydinvoimalaonnettomuuden syyt ja seuraukset avautuvat tarkemmin syyskuun ensimmäisenä keskiviikkona 04.09.2019 klo 18.00, Tieteiden talon pääsalissa (Kirkkokatu 6, Helsinki). Yleisön kysymykset ja rakentavat kommentit otetaan vastaan avosylin, sana on vapaa ja sisäänpääsy ilmainen, tervetuloa! http://www.skepsis.fi/ http://www.facebook.com/groups/skepsisry/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/skepsisfinland/ https://www.youtube.com/user/SkepsisFinland/videos See more details GREENWICH: Cancer cures - are we nearly there yet?, Dr Alice Howarth GREENWICH: Cancer cures - are we nearly there yet?, Dr Alice Howarth 4th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Star and Garter 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NY Link: http://greenwich.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/19702/Cancer-cures--are-we-nearly-there-yet One in two of us will suffer with cancer in our lifetime and almost all of us have some experience of the disease. But do we really know what cancer is and how we can work towards a cure? Is a cure even possible? And how can we arm ourselves with the right information to help us prevent and treat cancer? Alice is a researcher who works in the Institute of Translational Medicine at the University of Liverpool and has worked with both non-profit and for-profit organisations. In this talk she will discuss what cancer is, how it works and just how we are working towards understanding and curing the disease. She will talk about the complexities of research and some of the big success stories that relate directly to some of the many types of cancer. Only when we understand the difficulties we face can we discern between bogus cancer treatment claims and genuine scientific advancement in this field. See more details HIGH WYCOMBE: Skeptics in the Pub - Social HIGH WYCOMBE: Skeptics in the Pub - Social 4th September 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am Mad Squirrel Tap & Bottleshop, 4-5 Church St, High Wycombe HP11 2DE, UK Link: https://www.meetup.com/high-wycombe-skeptics/events/xbtvgqyzmbgb/ Join us the first Wednesday of each month for a social. There will be beer, there will be skeptical chat and there will be more beer! Please note we have changed location! We will be trying out the Mad Squirrel Brewery Shop (the old Red Squirrel shop) opposite All Saints Church, as Bootlegger was getting a bit noisy and sports obsessed! Skeptics in the Pub is a place for inquisitive people of all ages to meet and converse in the High Wycombe area. Skeptics are people who yearn to discover the truth behind extraordinary claims that people or groups may make, this can be in areas of alternative therapies, the paranormal, religion and faith, the afterlife and many other areas of life. We we often end up talking about superstition, science, religious fundamentalism, health, censorship and conspiracy theory We make no claims to balance, and actively promote science, freedom of expression and secular humanism.. You are welcome to come along and just sit and listen to others, or if you are braver get stuck right in with conversation and views! Our Website is at wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org (http://wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org/) where you will find links to join our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighWycombeSkeptics/) page and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wycombesitp). See more details • • •	5 SOFIA: Ratio представя: A Star is Born SOFIA: Ratio представя: A Star is Born 5th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Kino Cabana National Palace of Culture, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1261884607316560/ Звездите, както и хората, се "раждат", "съзряват, "живеят" и "умират", но какво означават тези думи за най-големите термоядрени реактори във Вселената? В момента можем да наблюдаваме отблизо само една звезда - нашето Слънце. Но благодарение на постиженията на астрофизиката все пак сме разнищили доста от тайните на повечето негови "събратя". На "A Star is Born" ще научите някои от тях, например: - до къде се простира разбирането ни за звездите, защо дължим собственото си съществуване на тях и какво предстои да научим от тях; - защо и как "умират" звездите и какво ще се случи със Земята, когато времето на Слънцето настъпи; - както и най-важното - как да си направим звезда! >>> За лектора <<< Виктор Данчев е физик в ЕндуроСат и магистър по Теоретична Физика в Софийски Университет. Основните му интереси са в сферата на гравитацията, физиката на високите енергии и авиокосмическото инженерство. От 2016 г. е координатор на най-голямата практическа образователна програма, свързана с Космоса, на Балканите - Космически Предизвикателства, която подготвя следващото поколение учени, инженери и предприемачи за космическия сектор чрез работа по реални проекти. Като част от тази програма, Виктор участва и в разработването на най-големия безплатен онлайн курс за космическо образование - Spaceport. Вход: свободен Image Credit: ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser See more details TEESSIDE: Sportsball-ocks, Brian Eggo TEESSIDE: Sportsball-ocks, Brian Eggo 5th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm O'Connells Pub 29-41 Bedford Street,, Middlehaven,, Middlesbrough, TS1 2LL , , http://www.oconnellspub.co.uk/, Link: http://www.teesside.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24859/Sportsballocks As the rewards of fame and fortune increase, so does the dedication and desperation of those in the sporting world who will do whatever it takes to win. Science is playing an ever-increasing role in the march towards maximising our athletic potential. Unfortunatley, wherever science goes, quackery is never far behind. Brian Eggo is the main organiser and primary mouthpiece of Glasgow Skeptics. As such he has an unhealthy interest in the equally amusing and frustrating realms of woo and pseudoscience. This has caused him to spend way too much of his own money on the type of things he encourages other people not to spend their money on. He occasionally dabbles in skeptical activism when prompted and has been known to make some awful puns on podcasts. His day job is in training and development and that explains a lot! O'Connells is on Bedford Street and there are parking spaces outside on the road. If they are full Baker street always has some space, next street along. We are a five minute walk from the bus station and 15 minutes from the railway station. Entrance is free but kind donations towards expenses is always welcome. See more details LIVERPOOL: Skeptics in the Pub Social LIVERPOOL: Skeptics in the Pub Social 5th September 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am Doctor Duncan's, St John's Ln, Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1HF, UK Link: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/meetup-event/skeptics-in-the-pub-social-2/ Join us for good times and good conversation at Dr Duncan’s in Liverpool City Centre. Don’t be shy, come along and say hello! See more details • • •	6 PRAHA: Petr Pavel: Česko v (ne)bezpečné Evropě PRAHA: Petr Pavel: Česko v (ne)bezpečné Evropě 6th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/437150640196663/ Milí přátelé. Přijměte prosím co nejsrdečnější pozvání na první páteční přednášku po letníc prázdninách. Tentokrát bude naším vzácným hostem armádní generál Petr Pavel, bývalý náčelník generálního štábu Armády ČR a bývalý předseda vojenského výboru NATO. Přednáška se koná v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK v Praze, Viničná 7, posluchárna B7 zoologie, druhé patro u hlavního schodiště. See more details DELFT: Join our monthly meeting and get introduced to other skeptics DELFT: Join our monthly meeting and get introduced to other skeptics 6th September 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bierhuis De Klomp, Binnenwatersloot 5, 2611 BJ Delft, Netherlands Link: https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-a-Pub-Delft-edition/events/xgspllyzmbjb/ Skeptics in the Pub is your chance to get together with other Skeptics, Freethinkers, and Atheists in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to talk, debate, and just hang out. What can you expect at our events? Interesting talks, lively debate, a chance to hang with people who have a rational outlook, and people willing to listen to you and answer your questions. See more details • •	7	8
9 AMSTERDAM: To be determined AMSTERDAM: To be determined 9th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Café de Doffer, Runstraat 12-14, 1016 GK Amsterdam, Netherlands Link: https://www.meetup.com/Amsterdam-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/sjcmnqyzmbmb/ This is a placeholder for our future meetups, which usually are on the second Monday of the month. You can RSVP, but these will be deleted without notice and replaced by the actual meetup once the speaker is confirmed. As usual, we'll start at around 20:00 in the back room (around the corner behind the bar). Feel free to walk in from around 19:30! We organize these meetings for free! If you don't agree with this feel free to leave Stichting Skepsis, our sponsor, a small donation: www.skepsis.nl/doneren See more details GRONINGEN: Quantum mechanics: "Still crazy after all these years" GRONINGEN: Quantum mechanics: "Still crazy after all these years" 9th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Buckshot Café, Gedempte Zuiderdiep 58, 9711 HK Groningen, Netherlands Link: https://www.meetup.com/Groningen-Skeptics-In-The-Pub/events/264546507/ Groningen Skeptics in the Pub is back! We're kicking things off with a talk from Prof. Dr. Rob Timmermans, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics & Gravity at the RUG. An accomplished researcher and teacher, he will tell us about the weird ways that the 'quantum' world behaves... but also how this is often misunderstood. Join us at 8pm on Monday at the Buckshot Cafe to hear more! Quantum mechanics: "Still crazy after all these years" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quantum mechanics is the most successful theory in science, yet after more than 100 years it continues to baffle both students and experienced physicists. Some of its implications are so counterintuitive that, to the general public, quantum mechanics has a reputation of being metaphysical and even mystical. Ideas from quantum mechanics, such as Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schroedinger's cat, and parallel worlds, pervade popular culture, but are often misunderstood or misrepresented. Certain forms of pseudo-science, such as quantum healing, even claim a basis in quantum mechanics. In this talk, Prof. Dr Timmermans will try to shed some light on quantum mechanics and argue that in a sense the truth is stranger than fiction. He will also argue that it is important to be educated in the general ideas of quantum mechanics, since in engineering we are close to quantum supremacy, and thus at the beginning of a technological revolution in society. See more details GLASGOW: Chernobyl, Fukushima and Nuclear Energy GLASGOW: Chernobyl, Fukushima and Nuclear Energy 9th September 2019 @ 8:15 pm - 10:00 pm The Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 7DA, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/340358423511270/ HBO's mini-series Chernobyl recently became the highest rated TV show ever on IMDb, bringing new-found attention and insight into the disaster. But, did they accurately depict the facts, and particularly the after-effects? The Fukushima disaster is also hitting the headlines again with talk of space for storing radioactive water running out by 2022. In this talk we will take a look at both the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters - and Nuclear energy in general. Let's see how bad (or not) things really are! About the speaker: Dr George Loumakis is a Lecturer and Researcher in the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University. His teaching and research interests include Renewable Energy, Conventional Energy Sources, Energy in Buildings, Energy Sustainability, Life Cycle Analysis, Energy Systems and the Environment, Quantitative Research Methods. He teaches at various levels ranging from undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD and ProfDoc students and his background is in Physics, Renewable Energy Technology with a PhD in Solar Energy. He is leading the Power and Renewable Energy Systems research group and currently supervises 3 PhD and 1 ProfDoc student. He is a fellow of the higher education academy (FHEA), is involved in various public outreach events such as the Glasgow Science Festival, SmartSTEM, Primary Engineer and Explorathon and is also a science communicator with the STEM ambassador programme and an e-mentor for high school pupils. Twitter - @gloumakis === Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30 This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users. See more details BERN: Skeptics in the Pub BERN: Skeptics in the Pub 9th September 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm Schmiedstube, Schmiedenpl. 5, 3011 Bern, Switzerland Link: https://www.skeptiker.ch/event/skeptics-in-the-pub-bern-8/ Der «Skeptics in the Pub (Bern)» findet in der «Schmiedstube» in Bern statt. An diesem Anlass wird das Thema des letzten Treffens weiterdiskutiert “Digitalisierung in Staat und Gesellschaft: Chancen, Risiken und rechtsstaatliche Herausforderungen in einer zunehmend digital vernetzten Welt” See more details COPENHAGEN: Christina Toldbo: Det “nye” månekapløb COPENHAGEN: Christina Toldbo: Det “nye” månekapløb 9th September 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Heidi's Bier Bar - Copenhagen, Vestergade 18A, 1456 København, Denmark Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2470826506301797/ Christina vil kommer og fortælle om det “nye” månekapløb og planerne for at vende tilbage til månen i 2020’erne. See more details • • • • •	10 SOFIA: Ratio presents: Fighting Medical Pseudoscience SOFIA: Ratio presents: Fighting Medical Pseudoscience 10th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm City Stage НДК основен подлез, вход от Пилоните, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/488472711939346/ --------- Събитието ще се проведе на английски. The event will be held in English - scroll down for the English version. --------- На 10 септември ще разберем как можем да се борим с псевдонауката в полето на медицината. Скептикът Майкъл Маршал ще сподели своя опит в борбата с хомеопатията, която има голяма подкрепа от британските държавни институции. Той ще ни покаже как активният скептицизъм може да допринесе за това да живеем в едно по-рационално общество. Хомеопатията е една от най-често развенчаваните форми на алтернативната медицина. Дори и само начални познания по химия са достатъчни, за да разберем защо хомеопатията няма как да работи. Как бихте реагирали обаче, ако научите, че благодарение на финансиране от здравната каса, в страната съществуват хомеопатични клиники? Или че голяма част от лекарите в страната ежедневно предписват хомеопатични средства, които могат да бъдат намерени в почти всяка аптека и разходите за които се поемат от здравната каса? За щастие, в България здравната каса няма такъв принос към популярността на хомеопатията. Но точно в такава действителност преди около пет години Майкъл Маршал започва активно да се занимава със скептицизъм в Обединеното кралство. Благодарение на неговите усилия и съдействието на скептичното движение на Острова хомеопатичните клиники са затворени. Разходите на NHS (британската здравна каса) за хомеопатия намаляват значително, макар и да не са нулеви дори и днес. Майкъл Маршал е директор "Проекти" на Good Thinking Society и вицепрезидент на The Merseyside Skeptics Society. Също така, той често разговаря с поддръжници на псевдонауките в подкаста Be Reasonable. Вход: свободен ENGLISH Pseudoscience has long enjoyed a privileged position in the UK establishment: taxpayer funds have been spent providing homeopathic remedies at the National Health Service. Countless charities enjoy tax breaks for promoting unproven treatments for serious conditions. Pseudoscientific industries routinely make thinking claims with little action from their regulators. Higher learning institutions hire out their credibility by hosting quackery conferences. Vets across the country promote ineffective homeopathic alternatives to vaccination with little professional consequence. The state-funded BBC's aim for neutrality inserts false 'balance' into settled science. Wherever you turn, it seems, quackery is condoned by many organizations designed to protect the public from thinking claims. Since 2012, the Good Thinking Society has been challenging the acceptance of pseudoscience across the UK. In this talk, Good Thinking Project Director Michael Marshall will highlight the successes of charity work since he joined in 2014, including victories in their campaign against NHS homeopathy funding; securing a review of the legality of charities that promote pseudoscience; putting the issue of homeopathic vets on the agenda of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; highlighting university institutions who hire facilities to house quackery; publishing exposés of pseudoscience in the media and challenging false balance on issues of scientific consensus. Marshall will outline the tactics and techniques employed by charity, and explain how targeted skepticism can be effective in standing up to the acceptance of pseudoscience in the heart of the establishment. Michael Marshall is the Project Director of the Good Thinking Society and the Vice President of the Merseyside Skeptics Society. He regularly speaks with proponents of pseudoscience for the Be Reasonable podcast.) See more details CAMBRIDGE: Skeptics Social & Volunteer Drive CAMBRIDGE: Skeptics Social & Volunteer Drive 10th September 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/430855677638908/ We're going down the pub! Come join us and meet fellow like-mind skeptics, critical thinkers, humanists, altruists, philosophers and... well, who-knows! You're all welcome. As we've had a number of people express an interest in getting involved with Cambridge Skeptics, we'll be using this as an opportunity to discuss some of the opportunities available for coming on board and joining the community. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (ramp access, 76cm doorway opening) However, please note there is currently no wheelchair accessible toilet. See more details BOURNEMOUTH: Smashing Physics, Jon Butterworth BOURNEMOUTH: Smashing Physics, Jon Butterworth 10th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm TBA Link: http://bournemouth.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/21821/Smashing-Physics Jon Butterworth will explore our current state of knowledge of particle physics, the so-called standard model, which was completed by the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. This gives us a map of the invisible world of subatomic physics. But what does the map reveal, what lies beyond its limits and what are the latest experiments telling us? -------- Jon is a physics professor at University College London who works on the Atlas experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. He won the Chadwick prize of the Institute of Physics in 2013 for his “pioneering experimental and phenomenological work in high-energy particle physics, especially in the understanding of hadronic jets”. See more details GUILDFORD: Group Meeting GUILDFORD: Group Meeting 10th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm The Guildford Institute Guildford Institute, Ward Street · Guildford, GU1 4LH Link: https://www.meetup.com/Guildford-Woking-Humanists/events/mhwzglyzmbnb/ Our monthly group meeting at the Guildford Institute is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We'll usually have a speaker or a topic for this meeting, if you have any suggestions send me a message on Meetup and I'll forward them to the committee! See more details EDINBURGH: Tom Chivers - The AI Does Not Hate You EDINBURGH: Tom Chivers - The AI Does Not Hate You 10th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Banshee Labyrinth, 29-35 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/844297969260813/ Monthly Talk format with Q&A. FREE ENTRY. Room open from 7:25. Voluntary donations are welcome to help cover costs. Tom Chivers - The AI Does Not Hate You: How much should we worry about an AI apocalypse? Fears around "superintelligence" and the AI apocalypse usually bring up pictures of the Terminator, and Skynet rebelling when it achieves consciousness. But a group of people worry that the truth is both more prosaic and more frightening: that a superintelligent machine will do exactly what we ask of it, but in doing so will kill us all. In my book – and in this talk – I look at whether their worries are worth paying attention to. Tom is a science writer. He worked for seven years for the Telegraph and three for BuzzFeed UK before going freelance in 2017. He has won several awards for his writing, including a Statistical Excellence in Journalism prize from the Royal Statistical Society, and was nominated for Best Science Journalism at the British Journalism Awards 2017. Terry Pratchett once told him that he was ""too nice to be a journalist"", but he has struggled on regardless. His debut book, The AI Does Not Hate You: Superintellligence, Rationality, and the Race to Save the World, is due to be published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in June 2019. See more details • • • • •	11 CHELMSFORD: Chirality and the future of electronics CHELMSFORD: Chirality and the future of electronics 11th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm The Woolpack, 23 Mildmay Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0DN, UK Link: http://essexskeptics.co.uk/?page_id=8 From wearable sensors to personalised medicines and solar panels, nanostructures made from functional materials are already enhancing our lives. Nonetheless, science is still playing catchup as nature has been nailing nanostructures for hundreds of millions of years. Whether it is peacock feathers or butterfly wings, science can only aspire to manipulating matter at the subatomic scale. In particular, the consideration of molecular chirality in the creation of next generation electronic devices will pave the way to exciting new applications. I will explain how the LEDs in your next television will be inspired by beetle shells, and why plastics can still be fantastic. Speaker: Jess is an excitable scientist with an enthusiasm for equality. She works in the Physics Department at Imperial College London, developing new materials for light emitting diodes. She has been involved in several projects to improve diversity in science. Jess won the Institute of Physics (IOP) Early Career Communicator Prize (2015), Jocelyn Bell Burnell Award (2016) and Daphne Jackson Medal and Prize (2018), as well as the Institution of Materials, Mineral and Mining’s ‘Robert Perrin Award’ (2017), the Imperial College Dame Julia Higgins Certificate and Medal (2017, 2019) and was named by Nature as one of the 10 people who mattered in 2018. In 2017, Jess was the UK representative on a US State Department International Visitor Leadership Program, travelling across America for a month looking at initiatives to recruit and retain women in ‘STEM’. She is a keen Wikipedian, and every day helps to upload the biographies of women, LGBTQ+ and POC scientists – to date she’s made almost 700. See more details BIRMINGHAM: Fascist Thought In Britain, Past And Present BIRMINGHAM: Fascist Thought In Britain, Past And Present 11th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Victoria, Birmingham, 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BN, United Kingdom Link: https://birminghamskeptics.org/events/fascist-thought-in-britain-past-and-present/ Dr Victoria Stiles - Fascist Thought in Britain, Past and Present Fascism in its various forms did not spring from nothing and what it sprang from was not eradicated by the Second World War. It was an international phenomenon, with each national variation drawing on elements from other countries. Focusing on several Anglo-German examples, this talk will explore the links between elements of fascist thinking in the past and present, covering British influences on the development of Nazi ideology, sympathisers and collaborators during the war, and the legacies of these ideas in politics today. Through these links we can examine how biases in our thinking around nationhood, citizenship and international relations can help fascist ideas to gain ground. Victoria Stiles holds a PhD in History and has read more Nazi-approved books than is recommended for a person of nervous disposition. She has worked as a tutor, translator and educational consultant, and has been giving public talks on history for over five years. She also hosts and edits the history podcast "1066 Wasn't All That". Twitter - @violettacrisis http://1066podcast.blogspot.com/ This is a free event, however we suggest a £3 donation to help cover our speaker’s expenses. See more details WINCHESTER: Skeptics of the Round Table WINCHESTER: Skeptics of the Round Table 11th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Bishop on the Bridge, 1 High St, Winchester SO23 9JX, UK Link: http://www.hampshireskeptics.org/?page_id=1374 See more details • • •	12 ÖREBRO: Föreläsning med Maria Gunther ÖREBRO: Föreläsning med Maria Gunther 12th September 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm ABF Örebro, Fredsgatan 18, 703 62 Örebro Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/665263457301197/ Är du riktigt klok – vad forskningen säger om IQ och intelligens Vad intelligens egentligen är har diskuterats under en mycket lång tid. I vilken mån är intelligens ärftligt, finns det olika sorters intelligens, finns det könsskillnader, finns det skillnad mellan olika befolkningsgrupper och kan intelligensnivån i samhället påverkas? Maria Gunther är vetenskapsjournalist på Dagens Nyheter och kommer snart ut med en bok om intelligensforskning. See more details PORTSMOUTH: A Unifying Theory of Gay, Cerys Bradley PORTSMOUTH: A Unifying Theory of Gay, Cerys Bradley 12th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Rifle Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0AW Link: http://www.portsmouth.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24895/A-Unifying-Theory-of-Gay For decades, science has been fascinated by the LGBTQ community. What makes gay people gay? How does sexuality affect one's behaviour, appearance, or ability to raise children? These are the questions that science has asked and the answers have had an impact not only within the scientific world, but also on public policy and the rights of LGBTQ citizens. Given the highly politicised nature of the topic, it is perhaps not surprising to discover biases and prejudices hidden in the construction, conduction, and conclusions of these studies but are they still valuable contributions to science? Join scientist Cerys Bradley, a part time comedian and full time gay, as they look at the science conducted in answer of these questions. £3 on the door Doors 7pm Talk 7:30pm See more details BEDFORD: Voyage to the Cosmos, Sam Gibbs BEDFORD: Voyage to the Cosmos, Sam Gibbs 12th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm North End Social Club 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW Link: http://bedford.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24913/Voyage-to-the-Cosmos Note the change of date for this month's Skeptics - we've been lucky to grab Sam while he was in the UK, so we've had to change the date to make it possible. ‘Voyage to the Cosmos’. The talk will focus on the latest discoveries that have revealed tantalizing details of the workings of the Universe. Our cosmic voyage will look into some of the BIG questions such as the acceleration of the universe, extra-terrestrial life, black holes, supernovae, and the extraordinary realm of the quantum universe and the nature of matter. Amateur Astronomer and Informal Science Educator Sam Gibbs brings with him a wealth of experience. With 40 years as an amateur astronomer and over 20 years developing and conducting public outreach and informal science programs for the public domain, he has delivered engaging educational exhibitions, lectures, astronomy programs and special outreach services to over 250,000 people in 7 countries. Remember that the talk will be one week earlier than usual, on Thursday, 12th September. It will still be at the North End Social Club, doors open at 19:00 for a start at 19:30. See more details MANCHESTER: September Social MANCHESTER: September Social 12th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Pie & Ale, Units 1 & 2 the Hive, 47 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN, UK Link: https://www.gmss.uk/events/september-social-19 We've reserved the pictured small room on the far right front. A few of us order a meal in an informal 'as we feel' fashion. The pies are very good. Join us as you feel - staggered arrival and leaving are common, with a core group usually there from start to finish. Chatting topics include science, religion, morals and values, geek stuff, gaming, board games, movies, podcasts, and much more. See more details • • • •	13 GÖTEBORG: Fredagen den 13 GÖTEBORG: Fredagen den 13 13th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Kungsportsplatsen, Gothenburg, 411 10, Sweden Link: https://www.vof.se/kalendarium/fredagen-den-13/ Då var det dags igen. Dags att ge sig ut på stan, dags att hålla stegar och att prata fredagen den 13 med folket. Vi samlas vid Kopparmärra kl 17.00. Efter evenemanget tar vi en gemensam fika på närbeläget ställe. Varmt välkomna! See more details PRAHA: Klára Bártová: Sex. orientace z pohledu psychologie a sexuologie PRAHA: Klára Bártová: Sex. orientace z pohledu psychologie a sexuologie 13th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/397331980875646/ Milí přátelé. Přijměte pozvání na páteční přednášku, která se uskuteční v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK v Praze, Viničná 7, posluchárna zoologie B7 ve druhém patře u hlavního schodiště. See more details PADOVA: CICAPfest 2019 PADOVA: CICAPfest 2019 13th September 2019 - 15th September 2019 @ Padua, Province of Padua, Italy Link: https://www.cicapfest.it/2019 See more details • • •	14 PADOVA: La Società della Pseudoscienza al Cicap Fest PADOVA: La Società della Pseudoscienza al Cicap Fest 14th September 2019 @ 3:20 pm - 3:50 pm Università degli Studi di Padova via 8 febbraio 2, 35122 Padua, Italy Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/352813992061200/ Quali meccanismi sociali presiedono alla formazione di reazioni allarmate verso gli inceneritori, il Tav in Val di Susa o il Tap in Salento? Come vengono promossi comportamenti che portano molti a rifiutare i vaccini o la chemioterapia e, al contempo, a dare credito a cure alternative prive di supporto scientifico? Dal caso Bonifacio al metodo Di Bella o a quello Stamina, una parte dell'opinione pubblica italiana, istigata da alcuni media e opinion leader a interagire con tutti su qualunque argomento e alla pari, non cessa di subire il fascino delle spiegazioni pseudoscientifiche. Uno sguardo lucido sui motivi che alimentano tali cortocircuiti. See more details GÖTEBORG: Månpub med VoF GÖTEBORG: Månpub med VoF 14th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Haket - Bar å sånt Masthuggstorget 5, 413 27 Gothenburg Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1132279920315970/ Fullmånen lyser som var den av glas och skeptiker från när och fjärran vandrar mot Haket för att umgås och ha det bra! Medlem eller ej spelar ingen roll. Alla är varmt välkomna! See more details • •	15 READING: Sunday Assembly Reading - Jokes READING: Sunday Assembly Reading - Jokes 15th September 2019 @ 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Reading Irish Centre, 96-104 Chatham St, Reading RG1 7HT, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1346133085559555/ Why do we laugh? What makes something funny? Does the morality of a joke affect how good a joke is? Why is breaking the rule of three important? A broad overview at some of the contemporary academic questions about humour, laughter and jokes. Alex Farrow is a stand-up and former school teacher. He has a deep interest in jokes and the broader questions behind humour and stand-up. As a stand-up Alex has been invited to perform everywhere from Mervyn Stutter’s pick of the Edinburgh Fringe, the National Museum of Scotland, the Oxford University Teaching Awards, and comedy clubs throughout the UK. After the Assembly, we will either go for a picnic or to Brewdog depending on the weather. About Sunday Assembly Sunday Assembly Reading is free to attend and runs entirely on donations. The Sunday Assembly Reading is a secular congregation that celebrates life, meeting once a month at The Reading Irish Centre. Members of the Assembly believe in Living Better, Helping Often and Wondering More, for no other reason than to make the most of the one life we know we have. The morning is a lively combination of group singing, silly games, interesting words, and eating cakes, in the company of a lovely diverse bunch of people. The Sunday Assembly welcomes all - of all ages and of all backgrounds. The best way to meet new people is to come early and enjoy some tea, coffee, homemade cakes and savouries (vegan-friendly). We can always do with a few extra help, so if you want to really feel part of our community, offer a hand or two. Either contact us now or arrive a bit earlier on the day and we'll find you something fun to do. Travel The Assembly is at Reading Irish Centre. Doors open at 10:30 am with the Assembly starting at 11. A 10-minute walk from Reading train station. The closest car park is Q-Park Chatham Place There is free parking on Sundays on nearby streets. Try Weldale, North and Great Knollys Streets but get there early. There is a footpath that leads from Weldale Street to Chatham Street, and then its a short walk to the Irish Centre. Travel issues? Post in our Facebook group page, there are sure to be others travelling in your direction. More Info https://www.sundayassemblyreading.uk If we go for a picnic it will be at Forbury Gardens at about 13:15. If the weather is poor we will go to BrewDog is at 11 Castle Street. It is a 3 min walk from the Assembly and we typically get there about 13:15. NOTE This event replaces the previously scheduled "Ponder Aloud 2" See more details •
16 GLASGOW: Moon Landing Hoaxers Greatest Hits - Debunked GLASGOW: Moon Landing Hoaxers Greatest Hits - Debunked 16th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm Waterstones Sauchiehall St 153-157 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3EW Glasgow, United Kingdom Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/496239154486783/ Just over fifty years ago we landed on the moon ... or did we??? Yes, we did. We really did. Honest. Unfortunately we live in a time where a disturbingly large proportion of the population happily spread misinformation, distrust (real) experts, and fuel the flames of conspiracy despite overwhelming evidence. If you delve into the unpleasant world of moon hoaxer websites and discussion forums you'll see that the same set of claims crop up time after time. So, we're going to take an express tour through their 'top' items - with your help! About the speaker: Brian Eggo is most definitely NOT a rocket scientist. He is however the primary mouthpiece of Glasgow Skeptics, and he's even got a degree in Engineering. === Kickoff at 7pm sharp. No tickets required ... just turn up and join the fun! This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: The talk is on the top floor of the store, however there is however a lift available for customers to use. See more details SHEFFIELD: The Case for a "Body Farm" in the UK, Anna Williams SHEFFIELD: The Case for a "Body Farm" in the UK, Anna Williams 16th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Farm Road Sports & Social Club Farm Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S2 2TP, , (Press the buzzer to be let in. We are in the back room of the Club.) Link: http://www.sheffield.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/19736/The-Case-for-a-quotBody-Farmquot-in-the-UK This highly illustrated talk (graphic images) describes the unique outdoor forensic laboratories known colloquially as 'Body Farms' in the USA and Australia, and discusses how the research that has been conducted at them has helped criminal investigations. It details how there isn't a similar facility in the UK and explores the reasons for and against them, and discusses public opinion towards them, in order to stimulate healthy debate. Dr Anna Williams is Principal Enterprise Fellow in Forensic Anthropology at the University of Huddersfield. She read Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford University, and specialised in Forensic Anthropology through a Masters, PhD and lots of casework. She's an expert in forensic osteology (bones) and decomposition. She has appeared on TV and radio discussing anthropology and forensic science. She was a 2014 British Science Association Media Fellow for New Scientist. You can find out more about Dr Anna Williams and body farms below: Twitter: @Bonegella and @HTF_4_UK Website: http://htf4uk.blogspot.com/ See more details • •	17 UMEÅ: GMO-debatten UMEÅ: GMO-debatten 17th September 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ABF Umeåregionen Rådhusesplanaden 16B, 903 28 Umeå, Sweden Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/436131490333353/ Föreläsare: Stefan Jansson, Umeå Universitet. See more details SOFIA: Ratio presents: Weird(er) Psychological Disorders SOFIA: Ratio presents: Weird(er) Psychological Disorders 17th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Muzeiko ул. Проф. Боян Каменов 3, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2921892191215875/ --------- Събитието ще се проведе на английски. The event will be held in English - scroll down for the English version. --------- Хората са очарователни! Някога струвало ли ви се е, че може да сте били отвлечени от извънземни? A страхувате ли се, че непрекъснато пропускате нещо (FOMO)? Имали ли сте чувството, че важните хора в живота ви са били заменени от идентично изглеждащи измамници? Може би се чувствате привлечени от трупове или пък имате непреодолимо желание да се отъркате в непознатите в автобуса? Възможно е да изпитвате нужда да ампутирате напълно здрав крайник? Ако отговорът на някой от тези въпроси е „да“ – не сте сами! Д-р Брайън Шарплес се завръща на сцената на Ratio, за да ви представи още от странните примери за неща, които хората си мислят, чувстват или правят. Той ще разкаже както за изброените, така и за други необичайни състояния, ще ни обясни как те влияят на хората, които страдат от тях, и ще обобщи какво знае психологията за причините за развитието им и възможните начини за лечение. По време на неговата презентация ще научите, че сте по-малко странни, колкото сте предполагали :) >>> За лектора <<< В момента Д-р Брайън Шарплес е гост-изследовател със стипендия за изследователска дейност в Goldsmiths, University of London. Преди това е преподавал в Pennsylvania State University, Washington State University, както и в Американската школа по професионална психология (American School of Professional Psychology) в университета Аргоси, Северна Вирджиния. Получава докторска степен по клинична психология и магистърска степен по философия от Pennsylvania State University, а постдокторантурата си изкарва в University of Pennsylvania. Д-р Шарплес има широки интереси в сфертата на абнормната психология и психотерапията. Той е публикувал над 40 статии за популярни и по-малко известни разстройства, психодинамична терапия, професионални проблеми и история / философия на клиничната психология. Автор е на три книги: Sleep Paralysis: Historical Psychological, and Medical Perspectives съвместно с д-р Карл Дограми); Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders: A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Research и Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques: A Guide to Expressive and Supportive Interventions. Д-р Шарплес често е лектор на конференции и публични събития както в Америка, така и в Европа. В свободното си време обича да свири пънк и метал на китара и да посещава древни исторически обекти и замъци. Вход: 10 лв. В деня на събитието: 15 лв --------- ENGLISH VERSION --------- People are fascinating... Have you ever thought that you were abducted by aliens? Do you have a fear of missing out (FOMO)? What about believing that the important people in your life have been replaced by identical-looking imposters? Maybe you’re attracted to corpses or have the strong desire to sexually rub up against strangers on the bus. Perhaps you’ve felt the need to amputate a completely healthy limb. If so, you’re not alone. Dr. Brian Sharpless will be returning to Ratio to introduce you to some more unusual things that people think, feel, and do. He will discuss these and other intriguing conditions, explain how they affect the people who suffer from them, and summarize what the field knows about the possible causes and treatment options. During this talk, you might learn that you’re a bit less strange than you thought. About the speaker: Brian Sharpless currently holds a visiting research fellowship at Goldsmiths, University of London and was formerly on faculty at Pennsylvania State University, Washington State University, and the American School of Professional Psychology. He received his PhD in clinical psychology and MA in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Sharpless has broad interests in abnormal psychology and psychotherapy. He has published articles and chapters on common and lesser-known disorders, psychodynamic therapy, professional issues, and the history/philosophy of clinical psychology. His three books, Sleep Paralysis: Historical Psychological, and Medical Perspectives (co-authored with Dr. Karl Doghramji), Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders: A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Research, and Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques: A Guide to Expressive and Supportive Interventions are all available through Oxford University Press. This research been featured on TV, radio, and in other media outlets and he is a frequent speaker at conferences and public events in the United States and abroad. In his free time he likes to play punk and metal guitar, visit ancient historical sites, and chat with interesting people in pubs. Entry: 10 BGN See more details LEICESTER: Climate emergency and what we can do about it, Jack Humphries LEICESTER: Climate emergency and what we can do about it, Jack Humphries 17th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Brewdog, Leicester 8 Friar Lane, , Leicester, LE1 5RA Link: http://www.leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24881/Climate-emergency-and-what-we-can-do-about-it Cimate change is happening faster than expected and yet global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. The International Panel on Climate Change conservatively warned that we must halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 or else face catastrophic consequences. Extinction Rebellion are an international protest group who are using non-violent direct action to demand that governments shift towards a zero emissions, sustainable society. We are not a body of experts offering solutions (although we all have our own ideas on this), rather a movement that is dedicated to holding our governments to account. They have a responsibility to act now to prevent unprecedented global chaos. Come and find out about the latest climate change science, the power of protest and the principles of Extinction Rebellion. Jack is a representative of Extinction Rebellion and a PhD student at the University of Leicester. See more details CHICHESTER: Frozen Aliens & Superpowers, Dr Jess Spurrell CHICHESTER: Frozen Aliens & Superpowers, Dr Jess Spurrell 17th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm Chichester Inn 38 West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RP, , Tel: 01243 783185, Email: info@chichesterinn.co.uk, Website: www.chichesterinn.co.uk Link: http://chichester.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24886/Frozen-Aliens-amp-Superpowers When Dr Jess Spurrell says she works in cryogenics, the first thing people ask is, "Do you freeze dead people? Or aliens?" At very low temperatures, all sorts of unusual things can happen. Electrical resistance can disappear, frogs and surfers can levitate, liquid can climb out of its container, biological processes can be slowed almost to a halt. Dr Jess Spurrell is School-University Partnership Officer at the University of Southampton. She has a PhD in Cryogenic Engineering and Superconductivity. Jess is an ambassador for women in engineering and has given numerous talks and demonstrations. £5 entrance on the door. See more details • • • •	18 PRAHA: C. Klingenberg: Evropský skeptický kongres 2019, plenární schůze PRAHA: C. Klingenberg: Evropský skeptický kongres 2019, plenární schůze 18th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Akademie věd České republiky Národní 3, 117 20 Prague, Czech Republic Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/396278447558047/ První poprázdninové setkání má dva body. 1. Přednáška o evropském skeptickém kongresu v Belgii. 2. Plenární schůze klubu skeptiků. See more details CAMBRIDGE: PechaKucha CAMBRIDGE: PechaKucha 18th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm CUC Wine Bar Granta Place Link: https://www.pechakucha.com/cities/cambridge/events/5c98886c24d40940fb86d4a9 Tonight's PechaKucha is a joint event with Cambridge Skeptics! PechaKucha (or chitchat in Japanese) is a creative style of presenting that was started by two architects in Tokyo in 2003 as way for young creatives to show their work and network. Since then the concept has grown and PechaKucha talks now run in over 1120 cities around the world bringing together people from all creative backgrounds. PechaKucha Cambridge has featured a wide range of speakers from many different disciplines including science, art, design, photography, fashion, architecture, mental health, sport and tonight ... skeptics! If you'd like to get involved, please get in touch! See more details NORWICH: Academia - A skeptical look., Dr Heather Lynn NORWICH: Academia - A skeptical look., Dr Heather Lynn 18th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Kings Arms 22 Hall Rd, Norwich NR1 3HQ Link: http://norwich.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24901/Academia--A-skeptical-look Heather is an Author, Archaeoligist & Broadcaster - .Can the published evidence of Universities be trusted? Plus news, featured 'Skeptic Commandment' and Q&A. Free, but donations very welcome. See more details HIGH WYCOMBE: My journey from Islam to no religion - Hassan Radwan HIGH WYCOMBE: My journey from Islam to no religion - Hassan Radwan 18th September 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Wycombe Arts Centre, 19 Desborough Rd, High Wycombe HP11 2RQ, UK Link: https://www.meetup.com/high-wycombe-skeptics/events/264480617/ Hassan Radwan is a living legend in many religion-skeptic and ex-Muslim circles. Beginning his journey many years ago, he made some incredible videos for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain when the organization began in 2007. Today he continues to share his invaluable insights—which are as brutally honest as they are movingly compassionate—in a world where they are more needed than ever. Hassan is a graduate of SOAS University of London where his specialist subjects were Tafseer and Pre-Islamic Poetry. He spent 15 years as a teacher at the Islamia Primary School in London founded by Yusuf Islam. He has written four books for Muslim children as well as translating the book "My Ordeal with the Qur'an," from Arabic to English. He runs the blog: Agnostic Muslim Khutbahs and founded the Agnostic Muslims & Friends group on Facebook. Hassan is often a guest at various ex-muslim and skeptic related podcasts and youtube interviews including Secular Jihadists Hassan has a youtube channel where he posts episodes on Islam and issues related to Islamic texts. As it happens Hassan's daughter and son in law run also have well subscribed ex-muslim related youtube channels titled Veedu Vidz and Mimsy Vidz so there is a little family dynasty of ex-muslim activism at play! Who are we? Skeptics in the Pub is a place for inquisitive people of all ages to meet and converse in the High Wycombe area. Skeptics are people who yearn to discover the truth behind extraordinary claims that people or groups may make, this can be in areas of alternative therapies, the paranormal, religion and faith, the afterlife and many other areas of life. We we often end up talking about superstition, science, religious fundamentalism, health, censorship and conspiracy theory We make no claims to balance, and actively promote science, freedom of expression and secular humanism.. You are welcome to come along and just sit and listen to others, or if you are braver get stuck right in with conversation and views! Our Website is at wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org (http://wycombe.skepticsinthepub.org/) where you will find links to join our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighWycombeSkeptics/) page and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wycombesitp). See more details • • • •	19 ZÜRICH: Vorstandssitzung September 2019 ZÜRICH: Vorstandssitzung September 2019 19th September 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Restaurant Oase Hauptbahnhof Zürich Bahnhofplatz 15 Zürich, 8001 Schweiz Link: https://www.skeptiker.ch/event/vorstandssitzung-september-2019/ Vorstandssitzung der Skeptiker Schweiz Wann: jeden 3. Donnerstag im Monat um 19 Uhr Wo: Oase, Hauptbahnhof Zürich Mitglieder sind herzlich willkommen. + ZU GOOGLE KALENDER HINZUFÜGEN See more details EDINBURGH: Kevin Precious: Unholier Than Thou EDINBURGH: Kevin Precious: Unholier Than Thou 19th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Banshee Labyrinth, 29-35 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/324437545149924/ SPECIAL EXTRA EVENT - Monthly Talk format with Q&A. FREE ENTRY. Bar opens at 7, room open from 7:25. Voluntary donations are welcome to help cover costs. Kevin Precious is a former religious studies teacher and non-believer turned stand-up comedian, who attends his local humanist group. Featuring jokes and stories about teaching religious studies as a non-believer, being a humanist, the God-shaped hole, as well as the philosophy of religion Twitter -@KevinPrecious www.kevinprecious.com See more details LIVERPOOL: Marlon Solomon – Conspiracy Theory: A Lizard’s Tale LIVERPOOL: Marlon Solomon – Conspiracy Theory: A Lizard’s Tale 19th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Casa, 29 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BQ, UK Link: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/meetup-event/marlon-solomon-conspiracy-theory-a-lizards-tale/ Marlon’s a Jew. This didn’t bother him much until he discovered that some people he knew didn’t believe the Holocaust happened. From 9/11 to shape-shifting lizards and Holocaust denial, this is a darkly comic tale of one man’s journey through the conspiracy underworld. Marlon explores why conspiracy theories are more popular than ever; examines how fake news gives fresh currency to ancient slander and how this all related to current issues in the Labour Party. A comic tale which is no laughing matter. WINNER: Best Spoken Word – Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2018 “A devastating show. Informative, absorbing and very funny. The funniest show about antisemitism on the fringe. Or anywhere I suspect” – David Schneider. “Compelling, shocking, essential.” – Al Murray Marlon Solomon is an actor/musician from Manchester. His first one-man show has hit the zeitgeist and has been picking up accolades wherever it has been performed, discussed in political pages in The Guardian, New Statesman as well as being featured on Channel 4 News and even becoming the first one-person show to be in The Houses of Parliament. WATCH the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/274454949 See more details • • •	20 PRAHA: Klára Bártová: Sex. orientace z pohledu psychologie a sexuologie PRAHA: Klára Bártová: Sex. orientace z pohledu psychologie a sexuologie 20th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/397331980875646/ Milí přátelé. Přijměte pozvání na páteční přednášku, která se uskuteční v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK v Praze, Viničná 7, posluchárna zoologie B7 ve druhém patře u hlavního schodiště. Je sexuální orientace vrozená, nebo ji může ovlivňovat i okolí a výchova? Jaký je rozdíl mezi sexuální orientací, chováním a identifikací? Je pravda, že je většina žen bisexuálních a naopak muži jsou většinou orientováni heterosexuálně či homosexuálně? Kolik je vůbec populaci heterosexuálních, homosexuálních a bisexuálních mužů a žen? A existují i další sexuální orientace? Přednáška se bude zabývat nejen etiologií sexuální orientace, ale rovněž i dalšími aktuálními tématy a poznatky z oblasti psychologických a sexuologických výzkumů. See more details •	21 KALMAR: Humanist-café KALMAR: Humanist-café 21st September 2019 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Kullzénska caféet, Kaggensgatan 26, 392 32 Kalmar, Sweden Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/690077651495001/ Välkommen till humanistcafé. Vi diskuterar aktuella humanistiska frågor och allmänt om en icke religiös livsåskådning. Passa på att träffa oss från Humanisterna Kalmar, vi bjuder dessutom på kaffe. See more details •	22
23 GLASGOW: Arthritis Treatment: The Future of Precision Medicine GLASGOW: Arthritis Treatment: The Future of Precision Medicine 23rd September 2019 @ 8:15 pm - 10:00 pm The Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 7DA, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/362869424392322/ Within the last decade there has been an explosion of new therapeutic options for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The challenge is to identify those patients that will respond to classical drug regimes, and those that need to go directly on to the newer therapeutic options. We will discuss exciting precision medicine research from the University of Glasgow that aims to identify “biomarkers” for the stratification of patients to the treatment that they are most likely to respond to. We aim to remove elements of 'trial and error' from treatment in favour of more precise medicine. * No tickets required ... just show up! About the speaker: Professor Carl Goodyear studied molecular biology at the University of Glasgow and graduated with honours. He then gained a PhD in molecular immunology. Upon completing his PhD, he moved to the US and worked in the Department of Medicine at the University of California at San Diego where he eventually held the position of Assistant Professor. During this period, he was awarded a Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship, became a National Blood Foundation Scholar, and received several awards including the National Blood Foundation David B. Pall Prize for Innovative Research in Transfusion Medicine and an Arthritis Foundation Investigator Award. In 2006 he was awarded a prestigious Arthritis Research UK Fellowship and returned to work in the UK at the Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation in the University of Glasgow. His research is currently focused on understanding immunopathogenesis of disease (i.e., Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis) and translating this knowledge into viable therapeutic agents for patients. He leads a Translational Immunology programme that provides the critical interface between clinical and basic science, with a specific focus on precision medicine. In parallel, he is also the Director of the GLAZgo Discovery Centre, a collaboration between the University of Glasgow and AstraZeneca to drive innovative academic/industry research. Professor Goodyear has published widely in the areas of immunobiology and rheumatology. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2016 and is a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, University of Newcastle and Visiting Professor at the University of the West of Scotland. === Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30 This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users. See more details YORK: Bad worms, good worms? , Dr. James Hewitson YORK: Bad worms, good worms? , Dr. James Hewitson 23rd September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Phoenix Inn 75 George Street,, York,, YO1 9PT Link: http://york.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/24914/Bad-worms-good-worms- More than 1/4 of the global population are infected with a parasitic worm. These large pathogens range from a few millimetres in length to more than a metre, and can be thread-like creatures or finger thick. They can live in many of our organs, such as intestines, blood and even eyes. We will talk about some of the different diseases these parasites cause, the current approaches to stopping infection, and how likely this is to succeed. At the same time, it is becoming apparent that infection with worms may actually be beneficial in some situations, so we will also discuss how “helminth therapy” could help reduce allergies and autoimmunity. See more details • •	24 RIGA: Vai Tevi jau apstaroja? RIGA: Vai Tevi jau apstaroja? 24th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Autentika (B2), Bruņinieku iela 2, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1010, Latvia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/957344497977109/ Kādēļ par 5G starojumiem un frekvencēm sacelta tik liela brēka? Noskaidrosim to sīkāk SkeptiCafe! Runās: Kristaps Bergfelds, LU Fizikas nodaļas pētnieks, ārējās komunikācijas speciālists "Jaunākās tendences bailēs no tehnoloģijām: elektomagnētiskā starojuma drošība." Normunds Kadiķis, Veselības Inspekcijas Vides veselības nodaļas vadītājs "Vai jāstreso par 5G ietekmi uz mūsu veselību?" Kur? Bārā Autentika, Bruņinieku 2 Kad? 24. septembrī 19.00 līdz 21.00 Ieeja ir bezmaksas, bet jānāk laicīgi, lai garantētu, ka tiksi iekšā. Tiekamies! *Ievērojot Vispārīgās datu aizsardzības regulas nosacījumus, informējam, ka apmeklējot pasākumu, pasākuma apmeklētāji var tikt fotogrāfēti un filmēti publicitātes nolūkiem. See more details CAMBRIDGE: How to Be A Psychic Conman - Ash Pryce CAMBRIDGE: How to Be A Psychic Conman - Ash Pryce 24th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:15 pm The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK Link: https://www.meetup.com/Cambridge-Skeptics/events/255478502/ Roll up! Roll up! Roll up! Gather ye round the traveling caravan, as Snake Oil Salesman Ash Pryce demonstrates the miraculous curative abilities of psychic surgery, taught to your humble trickster by a wise man in the Philippines (or a magicians tool book, whichever sounds more wondrous). See with amazement the telekinetic forces at work as you learn how to move objects with your mind, psychically manipulate your finest silverware and read the minds of your peers. Or maybe, it’s all just a trick? The show will involve demonstrations and explanations of telekinesis tricks, metal bending, psychic surgery and remote viewing as well as look at government funded research into psychic phenomena, and the shoddy protocols that allowed “psychics” to beat the legendary Zener card experiments in the 1930s. And if that wasn’t enough, interspersed throughout the show will be numerous on stage demonstrations of mentalism to add an extra layer of entertainment to the proceedings. Stagetime Promotions Magician of the Year 2017, and Edinburgh Horror Festival Sell out performer 2016 and 2017, Ash Pryce brings his crowd pleasing mix of paranormal illusions, comedy and entertainment to the UK as part of a summer tour of 2018. Described as “ a naturally funny guy [who] won’t allow his audience to be bored” (edfringereview.com) and “A great showman” (NottinghamLive), Ash presents a mix of entertainment, scepticism and magical treats. Find Ash on most social media as “Psychic Conman” and check out his website at www.psychicconman.co.uk Warning to those on the front row… there will be blood! Tickets: Not on sale yet. £3.00 in advance online (card/paypal) £5.00 on the door (cash/card/contactless) Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (ramp access, 76cm doorway opening) However, please note there is currently no disabled toilet. See more details • •	25 GÖTEBORG: Monterbyggande inför Bokmässan GÖTEBORG: Monterbyggande inför Bokmässan 25th September 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Svenska Mässan Mässans gata 20/Korsvägen, 412 94 Gothenburg Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1421432108008329/ Nu är det dags att bygga monter! Vi behöver ett gäng raska damer och herrar som hjälper till att bära in och montera upp det som ska på plats inför Bokmässan. See more details BRISTOL: Izzy Posen: Escaping Extreme Religion BRISTOL: Izzy Posen: Escaping Extreme Religion 25th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Smoke and Mirrors The UK's Only Boutique Magic Theatre Pub, 8 Denmark Street, Bristol Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/645120339330478/ Izzy Posen grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in East London. Despite the location, English wasn’t spoken either at home or at school. For his entire childhood, Izzy spoke Yiddish. It was the only language he knew. The school did not teach mathematics, science, history, or any other conventional subjects. Izzy’s days were spent studying religious texts from morning to night. Contact with those outside the community was prohibited. Breaking these rules was met with physical punishment: Izzy was hit almost daily. Meanwhile, the rules of those religious texts governed every minute of his life. He lived in a moment-to-moment psychology prison. Izzy eventually escaped the community, losing most of his family, his friends and his home in the process. But with time he built a new life. Izzy learned English at 18, took GCSEs at 20, and A Levels at 21. He is now a student at Bristol University studying physics and philosophy, and founder of the University’s Free Speech Society. DOORS: 19:00 START: 19:30 Admission is FREE and there will be a collection during the interval (suggested donation £3-5). See more details WORTHING: Going in the Right Misdirection, Cailleach Bheur WORTHING: Going in the Right Misdirection, Cailleach Bheur 25th September 2019 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 am Grand Victoria Hotel function room Link: http://www.worthing.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/23832/Going-in-the-Right-Misdirection See more details • • •	26 PRAHA: Schizofrenie jako infekční nemoc PRAHA: Schizofrenie jako infekční nemoc 26th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm center Pant, Čs. legií 1222/22, 702 00 Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/457933055056544/ Infekční nemoci způsobené viry, bakteriemi a parazity běžně ovlivňují chování zvířat i člověka. Nakazíme-li se chřipkou, zpravidla omezíme své sportovní aktivity a pobyt mezi lidmi vyměníme za pobyt v posteli. Vliv nákaz se ovšem v některých případech neomezuje pouze na naše aktuální chování, může se následně odrazit i v duševním zdraví našem, případně našich potomků. Parazitický prvok Toxoplasma gondii je kupříkladu podezřelý z manipulace chováním zvířat i člověka, jakož i z účasti na spuštění schizofrenie, případně dalších duševních poruch. A není v tom sám. Přednáška Mgr. Jeleny Lenky Příplatové představí průřez současným stavem poznání v této oblasti. Jelena Lenka Příplatová vystudovala teoretickou a evoluční biologii na Přírodovědecké fakultě Univerzity Karlovy, kde se na Katedře filosofie a dějin přírodních věd věnuje studiu vlivu parazita Toxoplasma gondii na lidské chování a rozvoj duševních chorob, a rozličným tématům z oblasti evoluční psychologie. Momentálně je předsedkyní popularizační sekce Sisyfa zvané Pátečníci a členkou výboru spolku Ateisté ČR. Kromě vědecké činnosti se věnuje především popularizaci vědy. Realizováno ve spolupráci s Sisyfos - Český klub skeptiků. Dobrovolné vstupné ---------------------------- Za podporu programu Centra PANT děkujeme: Statutárnímu městu Ostrava, Zastoupení Evropské komise v ČR, Česko-polskému fóru MZV ČR, Polskému institutu v Praze a firmám Fortemix produkce, ČEPS, MEGABOOKS CZ, Direct pojišťovna a Past productio See more details BERN: Vortrag “Ist was wir wahrnehmen wirklich immer wahr?” mit Rainer Rosenzweig BERN: Vortrag “Ist was wir wahrnehmen wirklich immer wahr?” mit Rainer Rosenzweig 26th September 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Uni Bern, Gebäude UniS, Raum A 022 Schanzeneckstrasse 1 Bern Link: https://www.skeptiker.ch/event/vortrag-ist-was-wir-wahrnehmen-wirklich-immer-wahr/ Was wir über die Welt bereits wissen oder zu wissen glauben, beeinflusst unsere Wahrnehmungen. Anhand verblüffender Phänomene wird demonstriert, wie Wahrnehmung funktioniert und wo ihre Grenzen liegen. Erst die Erkenntnis scheinbarer „Fehlfunktionen“ unserer Wahrnehmung ermöglicht eine sinnvolle Einordnung und Deutung unserer Erfahrungen und Erlebnisse. Die Veranstaltung findet statt in der Uni Bern im Gebäude UniS im Raum A 022. Der Eintritt is frei und keine Reservation ist nötig. Der Referent Dr. Rainer Rosenzweig ist Mathematiker und Lehrbeauftragter für Wahrnehmungspsychologie an der Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg. Er arbeitete am Max-Planck-Institut für biologische Kybernetik in Tübingen und promovierte mit einer Dissertation zur Psychophysik des Sehens an der Universität Würzburg zum Dr. rer. nat. Rainer Rosenzweig ist Initiator und Leiter des Instituts für populärwissenschaftlichen Diskurs Kortizes sowie einer der Gründer des Nürnberger Hands-on-Museums „Turm der Sinne“, dessen Geschäfte er seit dessen Eröffnung bis April 2016 führte. Er ist u.a. Mitglied im Wissenschaftsrat der Skeptiker-Organisation GWUP (Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften) und im Kuratorium der Giordano-Bruno-Stiftung sowie Vorsitzender des Koordinierungsrates säkularer Organisationen KORSO e.V. und Präsident des Humanistischen Pressedienstes. Beruflich ist er am Bayerisch-Kalifornischen Hochschulzentrum an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg als Wissenschaftsmanager tätig. See more details MAIDSTONE: When The Uncertainty Principle Goes To 11 MAIDSTONE: When The Uncertainty Principle Goes To 11 26th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm The Market House Earl Street Maidstone, ME14 1PS Kent, Kent, United Kingdom Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/625939497854475/ There are deep and fundamental links between quantum physics and heavy metal. I know that a Skeptics In The Pub audience will be deeply sceptical about that claim, but there are. Really. Far from being music for Neanderthals, as it’s too often construed, metal can be harmonically and rhythmically complex. That complexity is the source of many connections to quantum physics. You’ll discover how the uncertainty principle can be found in chugging guitar riffs, what the double slit experiment has to do with Iron Maiden, and why metalheads in mosh pits behave just like molecules in a gas. Philip Moriarty is a professor of physics at the University of Nottingham, a heavy metal fan, and a keen air-drummer. His research focuses on prodding, pushing, and poking single atoms and molecules; in this nanoscopic world, quantum physics is all. Moriarty has taught physics for almost twenty years and has always been struck by the number of students in his classes who profess a love of metal music, and by the deep connections between heavy metal, mathematics, and quantum mechanics. He’s a father of three — Niamh, Saoirse, and Fiachra – who have patiently endured his off-key attempts to sing along with metal classics for many years. Unlike his infamous namesake, Moriarty has never been particularly enamoured of the binomial theorem. He blogs at https://muircheartblog.wordpress.com , and the book on which this talk is based was published by Ben Bella last year: https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Uncertainty-Principle-Goes-11/dp/1944648526 £5 on the night with extra raised after costs going to charity See more details MANCHESTER: Matt Tompkins: The Spectacle of Illusion MANCHESTER: Matt Tompkins: The Spectacle of Illusion 26th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm The Kings Arms, 11 Bloom St, Salford M3 6AN, UK Link: https://www.gmss.uk/events/illusion Is seeing believing? Is believing seeing? How can we hope to conduct experiments on things that only exist within our minds, and, on a related note, can scientists ever be trusted to study deception without being deceived themselves? What can scientists learn about the mind from the illusions developed and practiced by professional magicians? Join magician and experimental psychologist Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins, author of The Spectacle of Illusion, for a fascinating talk exploring the psychology of magic. Everyone’s heard, and most of us have told, a story about an uncanny or supernatural seeming experience. Accounts of wondrous and impossible phenomena can be found around the world throughout recorded history. These extraordinary events often seem to be facilitated by extra-ordinary individuals: sorcerers, spiritual mediums, psychic sensitives. Such phenomena have even been reported under ‘test conditions’, witnessed by scientists—men professionally trained in the practice of empirical observation. To date, such events have not led conventional scientists to embrace the reality of supernatural phenomena- but they have arguably led to scientific breakthroughs how we understand the psychology of illusion. This talk will feature a mixture of storytelling and magical scientific demonstrations to explore how scientists, past and present, have approached the study of illusion. Matt will discuss how magic played a weird but fundamental role in the in the establishment of psychology as a scientific discipline, and how he and other contemporary researchers have been using magic tricks to create new experiments in order to investigate human memory, perception, and reasoning. American magician-turned-psychologist Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins completed his DPhil in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. Previously, he had obtained a BA in Psychology at the State University of New York at Geneseo and an MSc in Psychological Research from Oxford. He is currently a Visiting Academic at The Queen’s College, Oxford and also works as a freelance writer. His research, which has been featured across various international media outlets, including the Washington Post and BBC Future, focuses on the cognitive psychology of illusions. Matt was working as professional magician before he began his academic career, and his experiences performing continue to influence his work. He is the first member of The Magic Circle to have been admitted on the basis of a peer-reviewed scientific publication. His new book, The Spectacle of Illusion, explores the historical and contemporary relationships between scientists, magicians, and fraudulent mystics. See more details WINCHESTER: Alex J. Oconnor – The Good Delusion WINCHESTER: Alex J. Oconnor – The Good Delusion 26th September 2019 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB, UK Link: http://www.hampshireskeptics.org/?page_id=4090 Alex J. O’Connor is a philosophical commentator and debater with over 230,000 subscribers to his videos on YouTube. A self-proclaimed atheist, Alex argues against theological apology, as well as discussing a range of philosophical topics such as the existence of free will, the nature of morality, and freedom of speech. Alex is currently reading philosophy and theology at Oxford University. Alex J. O’Connor offers a means to ground ethics in a way that allows us to determine what people should and shouldn’t do as a matter of fact, whilst dispensing with terms like ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ The concept of good may be delusory, but ethics does not have to be. See more details GÖTEBORG: VoF på Bokmässan 2019 GÖTEBORG: VoF på Bokmässan 2019 26th September 2019 @ 9:00 am - 29th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm Svenska Mässan Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1309994435848374/ Då var det dags igen! Årets händelse varje år - Bokmässan! Kom och häng med oss i monter D04:34, prata med skeptiker, kolla på trolleri och låt dig hänföras av vetenskap, folkbildning och litteratur i en salig blandning! Detaljerat program kommer inom kort! Varmt välkomna! See more details • • • • • •	27 PRAHA: J. Fábry: Rozbor díla Perspectiva corporum regularium PRAHA: J. Fábry: Rozbor díla Perspectiva corporum regularium 27th September 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Viničná 1594/7, 128 00 Praha-Nové Město, Czechia Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/476931673087336/ Milí přátelé. Přijměte pozvání na páteční přednášku, která se uskuteční v budově Přírodovědecké fakulty UK ve Viničné 7. Posluchárna fotochemie B3 v přízemí nalevo od vchodu. Rozbor díla Perspectiva corporum regularium z roku 1568 od Wenzela Jamnitzera Dílo Wenzela Jamnitzera Perspectiva corporum regularium z r. 1568 patří do řady děl ze 16. století, která zpodobňovala platónská tělesa. Jamnitzerovo dílo lze považovat za vyjádření kosmologického názoru, za apoteózu Stvoření. Platónská tělesa totiž symbolizují podstatu světa v duchu Platónova Tímaia. Mnohotvárnost vezdejšího světa je vyjádřena geometricky: Ze základních platónských těles a odvozováním polopravidelných a hvězdovitých těles spolu s prolínáním jejich forem lze dosáhnout komplikovaných tvarů. Tato část Jamnitzerova díla tvoří součást historie matematiky a jsou rámcem tehdejšího myšlení o přírodních jevech. Perspektiva je v Jamnitzerově díle pojednána jako součást geometrie, avšak zároveň v podřadné roli. Perspektiva v Jamnitzerově díle je totiž spojena se smyslovým pojímáním světa, zatímco geometrie (a aritmetika) odpovídá poznání rozumovému, abstraktnímu, jímž se člověk svým úsilím a vlohami může přiblížit k Bohu. Wenzel Jamnitzer reprezentuje epochu, která matematizovala svůj přístup k vezdejšímu světu. Přednáška ukáže i na souvislost mezi Jamnitzerovým dílem a dílem Luky Pacioliho De divina proportione s Leonardovými ilustracemi ze začátku 16. století. Wenzel Jamnitzer je sám protagonistou epochy, která započala s měřením různých veličin a parametrů. Tomuto aktivnímu přístupu ke světu vděčíme za dnešní bezprecedentně široké a hluboké poznání světa, avšak za cenu pociťované ztráty jeho jednotnosti. See more details VALENCIA: «¿Qué es la vida saludable?», charla de JM Mulet VALENCIA: «¿Qué es la vida saludable?», charla de JM Mulet 27th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm Max Max Pub Celta, Carrer del Vinalopó, 11, 46021 València, Valencia, Spain Link: http://www.escepticos.es/node/6784 See more details SOFIA: Ratio представя: Квантови компютри SOFIA: Ratio представя: Квантови компютри 27th September 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Carrusel Club ulitsa "Georgi S. Rakovski" 108, Sofia 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2968315676572544/ Квантовите компютри пристигат с обещание за следващата голяма революция в технологиите. Ще се включим в Европейска нощ на учените 2019, за да ви разкажем повече за тях. Квантовият компютър е коренно различен от тези, които познаваме. Той работи на база на квантово-механични явления, които класическата механика не може да ни помогне да разберем. Затова пък се смята, че квантовите компютри могат с лекота да разрешават проблеми, които биха отнели милиони години дори на сегашните суперкомпютри. Съвременният квантов компютър все още е експериментално устройство, но неговото усъвършенстване е един от приоритетите на съвременната физика. В началото на годината IBM представи първия комерсиален модел на такъв тип компютри, което ни дава още повече основания да вярваме, че скоро ще можем да ги видим и извън лабораторни условия. - Как биха изглеждали квантовите компютри и с какво се различават от бинарните машини? - Колко още трябва да се развие квантовата теория и какви нови материали ще са ни необходими, за да създадем напълно функционален квантов компютър? - Как ще се програмира квантовия компютър? - Кога такива компютри ще бъдат достъпни за широката публика? - Кои проблеми, които затрудняват стандартните компютри, предстоят да бъдат решени с квантовите компютри? Отговорите на тези и още въпроси ще научим от Деян Михайлов на 27 септември! >>> За лектора <<< Деян Михайлов е на 28 години, роден в София, израстнал в Русе, завършил Математическа гимназия. След дипломирането си заминава за Великобритания, където следва бакалавърска степен по физика в Оксфорд и магистратура и докторантура в Кеймбридж, свързани с изследване на фундаменталните закони на физиката. Към момента е научен сътрудник в Института Макс Планк в Потсдам. Паралелно с развитието на научните си проекти междувременно основава две компании - едната занимаваща се с квантови технологии, а другата – IT компания в България. Вход: свободен. See more details • • •	28 MADRID: EEEP - "El 5G tampoco te va a dar cáncer" a cargo de Víctor Pascual del Olmo MADRID: EEEP - "El 5G tampoco te va a dar cáncer" a cargo de Víctor Pascual del Olmo 28th September 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Moe Club, en Alberto Alcocer 32. Enlace a la convocatoria. Link: http://www.escepticos.es/node/6777 See more details BARCELONA: «Homicidio de un enfermo (2ª parte). Crítica a una sentencia» BARCELONA: «Homicidio de un enfermo (2ª parte). Crítica a una sentencia» 28th September 2019 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm Link: http://www.escepticos.es/node/6780 Las falsas terapias (y una sentencia) vistas por el afectado. See more details • •	29 EDINBURGH: Skeptical Sunday Lunch EDINBURGH: Skeptical Sunday Lunch 29th September 2019 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH3 9BZ, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/901026106926905/ Get together for a pub lunch on a Sunday afternoon, save the cooking and washing up, have a drink, some great food and discuss all things skeptical, science, pseudoscience, politics, religion, anything. We welcome like-minded individuals to join us. No need to book but please RSVP to help us confirm numbers. Menu - www.filmhousecinema.com/sites/filmhousecinema.com/files/inline-files/Food%20Menu%20Feb%202019%20Price%20changes.pdf See more details •
30 GLASGOW: AI, Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Industry 4.0 GLASGOW: AI, Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Industry 4.0 30th September 2019 @ 8:15 pm - 10:00 pm The Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 7DA, UK Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1095526110837730/ Will you be waking up tomorrow to the call form an autonomous group of bulldozers that collectively decided that your house needs to get moved to make way for a hyper-speed motorway through your smart city? Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems are the main driving forces behind the new fourth industrial revolution – a silent revolution that is already happening around all of us, changing the way we talk, shop, and perceive the world. This talk will give you an “in a nutshell”-insight into the latest developments of these technologies, how they work and where we are today. About the speaker: Professor Jorn Mehnen is working at the University of Strathclyde in the field of Digital Manufacturing and Industry 4.0. His research interests lie in Advanced Digital Manufacturing for industrial application. Professor Mehnen teaches Digital Manufacturing Concepts, Design for Industry 4.0, and Intelligent Sensing, Reasoning and Deep Learning. Event image via www.vpnsrus.com === Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30 This is a free event and no tickets are required: Just drop-in! === Please note: Although the event is free, we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield. === Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users. See more details •