Skeptics in the Pub: Difference between revisions
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The usual format is that a speaker is invited to give a talk on a specific topic, which is followed by a question-and-answer session. Other meet-ups are informal socials, with no fixed agenda. |
The usual format is that a speaker is invited to give a talk on a specific topic, which is followed by a question-and-answer session. Other meet-ups are informal socials, with no fixed agenda. |
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The group has conducted experiments on the [[paranormal]] as part of [[James Randi]]'s million-dollar challenge<ref>http://www.randi.org/jr/060305be.html#6 |
The group has conducted experiments on the [[paranormal]] as part of [[James Randi]]'s million-dollar challenge<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.randi.org/jr/060305be.html#6|title=A Preliminary Test for the JREF PRIZE is Completed|last=Randi|first=James|publisher=''Swift''|date=3 June 2005| accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref>, co-organised the UK's largest skeptical event, ''An Evening with James Randi & Friends''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/an_evening_with_james_randi_and_friends|title=An Evening With James Randi & Friends|last=Cohen|first=Jon|publisher=''Skeptical Inquirer''|date=23 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://itricks.com/randishow/?p=23|title=Preview Of The Amazing Meeting with [[James Randi]] on iTricks|publisher=''The Amazing Show''|date=15 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article3798760.ece |title=Homeopathy - what a waste of time|last=Singh|first=Simon|publisher=''The Times Online''|date=23 April 2008}}</ref>. |
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The groups usually meet once a month with the venue being a local pub. There are now as many as 50 different "SitP" groups running around the world<ref>http://skeptic.org.uk/events/skeptics-in-the-pub |
The groups usually meet once a month with the venue being a local pub. There are now as many as 50 different "SitP" groups running around the world<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skeptic.org.uk/events/skeptics-in-the-pub|title=Skeptics in the Pub website}}</ref>. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The group's earliest and longest-running event is the award winning<ref>http://www.timeout.com/london/features/4273/5.html |
The group's earliest and longest-running event is the award winning<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/features/4273/5.html|publisher=''Time Out, London''|title=Best Communities/Best Website 2008|last=Barber|first=Sonya|date=18 February 2008}}</ref> London meeting, established by Dr. Scott Campbell in 1999 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonist.com/2008/02/why_dont_creati.php|title=Why Don’t Creationists Just Shut Up?|last=Brown|first=Matt|publisher=''The Londonist''|date=19 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://network.nature.com/hubs/london/blog/2008/02/19/skeptics-in-a-pub|title=Skeptics in the pub|last=Brown|first=Matt|publisher=''Nature''|date=19 February 2008|accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://network.nature.com/people/bron/blog/2007/10/17/a-post-a-day-wednesday|title=Taking Grief Seriously|last=Dekker|first=Bronwen|publisher=''Nature''|date=17 October 2007|accessdate=05 January 2010}}</ref>. This group claims to be the "World's largest regular pub meeting", with around two-hundred people in attendance at each meeting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/318162-jennifer-cox-signs-up-for-skeptics-in-the-pub|title=Jennifer Cox signs up for...Skeptics In The Pub|last=Cox|first=Jennifer|publisher=''The Metro''|date=21 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://london.skepticsinthepub.org/|title=London Skeptics in the Pub}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/big-smoke/blog/7921/London_social-Skeptics_in_the_Pub.html|publisher=''Time Out, London''|date=9 June 2009|title=The Big Smoke, London Social: Skeptics in the Pub|last=Brown|first=Matt|accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref>. |
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Scott Campbell based the idea around ''Philosophy in the Pub'' and ''Science in the Pub'', two groups which had been running in Australia for some time<ref>http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/philosophy/people/scott.campbell |
Scott Campbell based the idea around ''Philosophy in the Pub'' and ''Science in the Pub'', two groups which had been running in Australia for some time<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/philosophy/people/scott.campbell|title=Scott Campbell's Homepage}}</ref>. |
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The inaugural speaker was the editor and founder of ''The Skeptic'' magazine, Wendy M. Grossman in February 1999. |
The inaugural speaker was the editor and founder of ''The Skeptic'' magazine, Wendy M. Grossman in February 1999. |
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Campbell ran the London group for three years while on a teaching sabbatical in London, but the group was succeeded after his returned to Oz by two sci-fi fans and skeptics, Robert Newman and Marc LaChappelle, then from 2003 - 2008 by Nick Pullar, who has made a [[television]] appearance as "Convener of Skeptics in the Pub" on the infamous BBC spoof show ''Shirley Ghostman''. |
Campbell ran the London group for three years while on a teaching sabbatical in London, but the group was succeeded after his returned to Oz by two sci-fi fans and skeptics, Robert Newman and Marc LaChappelle, then from 2003 - 2008 by Nick Pullar, who has made a [[television]] appearance as "Convener of Skeptics in the Pub" on the infamous BBC spoof show ''Shirley Ghostman''. |
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The London group is now organised and chaired by Sid Rodrigues, who has co-organised events in several other cities around the world<ref>http://www.csicop.org/si/show/skepticism_2.0/ |
The London group is now organised and chaired by Sid Rodrigues, who has co-organised events in several other cities around the world<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/si/show/skepticism_2.0/|title=Skepticism 2.0|last=Grothe|first= D.J.|publisher=''Skeptical Inquirer'' Volume 33.6|date=November / December 2009|accessdate=05 January 2010}}</ref>.<br> |
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The ease of use of the internet via social networking sites and content management systems has led to over fifty active satellite chapters around the world, including over forty in the USA, and about fifteen in the UK. |
The ease of use of the internet via social networking sites and content management systems has led to over fifty active satellite chapters around the world, including over forty in the USA, and about fifteen in the UK. |
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Revision as of 12:40, 5 January 2010
Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and other like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics and rationalists to talk, share ideas in a casual, relaxed atmosphere, and discuss whatever topical issues come to mind, as well as having fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.
The usual format is that a speaker is invited to give a talk on a specific topic, which is followed by a question-and-answer session. Other meet-ups are informal socials, with no fixed agenda.
The group has conducted experiments on the paranormal as part of James Randi's million-dollar challenge[1], co-organised the UK's largest skeptical event, An Evening with James Randi & Friends[2][3][4]. The groups usually meet once a month with the venue being a local pub. There are now as many as 50 different "SitP" groups running around the world[5].
History
The group's earliest and longest-running event is the award winning[6] London meeting, established by Dr. Scott Campbell in 1999 [7][8][9]. This group claims to be the "World's largest regular pub meeting", with around two-hundred people in attendance at each meeting[10][11][12]. Scott Campbell based the idea around Philosophy in the Pub and Science in the Pub, two groups which had been running in Australia for some time[13]. The inaugural speaker was the editor and founder of The Skeptic magazine, Wendy M. Grossman in February 1999.
Campbell ran the London group for three years while on a teaching sabbatical in London, but the group was succeeded after his returned to Oz by two sci-fi fans and skeptics, Robert Newman and Marc LaChappelle, then from 2003 - 2008 by Nick Pullar, who has made a television appearance as "Convener of Skeptics in the Pub" on the infamous BBC spoof show Shirley Ghostman.
The London group is now organised and chaired by Sid Rodrigues, who has co-organised events in several other cities around the world[14].
The ease of use of the internet via social networking sites and content management systems has led to over fifty active satellite chapters around the world, including over forty in the USA, and about fifteen in the UK.
Skeptics in the Pub would later serve as the template for other skeptical, rationalist, and atheist meet-ups around the globe, including The James Randi Educational Foundation's "The Amazing Meeting", Drinking Skeptically, The Brights, and the British Humanist Association social gatherings.
Groups
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Hampshire
- Ipswich
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Liverpool
- London
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Sheffield
External links
References
- ^ Randi, James (3 June 2005). "A Preliminary Test for the JREF PRIZE is Completed". Swift. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Cohen, Jon (23 May 2008). "An Evening With James Randi & Friends". Skeptical Inquirer.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Preview Of The Amazing Meeting with [[James Randi]] on iTricks". The Amazing Show. 15 May 2008.
{{cite web}}
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(help); URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Singh, Simon (23 April 2008). "Homeopathy - what a waste of time". The Times Online.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Skeptics in the Pub website".
- ^ Barber, Sonya (18 February 2008). "Best Communities/Best Website 2008". Time Out, London.
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(help) - ^ Brown, Matt (19 February 2008). "Why Don't Creationists Just Shut Up?". The Londonist.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Brown, Matt (19 February 2008). "Skeptics in the pub". Nature. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Dekker, Bronwen (17 October 2007). "Taking Grief Seriously". Nature. Retrieved 05 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Cox, Jennifer (21 September 2008). "Jennifer Cox signs up for...Skeptics In The Pub". The Metro.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "London Skeptics in the Pub".
- ^ Brown, Matt (9 June 2009). "The Big Smoke, London Social: Skeptics in the Pub". Time Out, London. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Scott Campbell's Homepage".
- ^ Grothe, D.J. (November / December 2009). "Skepticism 2.0". Skeptical Inquirer Volume 33.6. Retrieved 05 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
and|date=
(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help)