Australian Skeptics
The Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organisation based in Australia which investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies.
History
The Australian Skeptics were founded in Victoria in 1980, after a visit to Australia by James Randi, who encouraged its establishment based upon the American organisation Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP).[1] It grew from a Melbourne-based organisation, founded by Mark Plummer and James Gerrand, to a national one over the following years. As of 2007 it has some 2100 members from all Australian states and territories. Each state and territory has its own branch, and most have their own newsletters.
The Skeptic
The journal of the Australian Skeptics is called The Skeptic and has been published since 1981. The first issue, edited by the first President of the Australian Skeptics, Mark Plummer, and produced by founding Secretary, James Gerrand, appeared in January 1981 [2]. Three issues appeared in 1981 and it has appeared quarterly since 1982. The Skeptic is used extensively by the media in Australia seeking an alternative view on many of the issues examined by the Australian Skeptics. Since 1987, The Skeptic has been published by Australian Skeptics Inc, in New South Wales. From 1990 to 2008 it was edited by Barry Williams. The current editor (as of June 2009) is Tim Mendham.[2]
Internet radio and podcasts
The Skeptic Tank
Hosted by Stefan Sojka and Richard Saunders, The Skeptic Tank started as a weekly radio programme on the internet radio station netFM in October 2001.[3] The programme consisted of discussions on skeptical and science related topics, as well as guest inteviews. Some regular guests were Peter Bowditch, Richard Lead and Helen Vnuk. The Skeptic Tank stayed on netFM until October 2002.[4]
The Tank Vodcast
The Skeptic Tank was revived in 2005 as a podcast, and was in 2006 renamed The Tank Podcast. The podcast was produced and hosted by Richard Saunders, with Stefan Sojka as the co-host. The format remained much the same as The Skeptic Tank radio programme, but the podcasting format also made it possible to record segments, or entire episodes, out of the studio.
In 2007 The Tank became a video podcast, and renamed The Tank Vodcast. Reporters for the vodcast include Jayson Cooke, Karen Stollznow, Kylie Sturgess and Michael Wolloghan. Previous guests have included James Randi, Eugenie C. Scott, Phil Plait, Rebecca Watson and Alison Smith from SAPS.[5]
The Skeptic Zone
The Tank Vodcast was, in September 2008, replaced by a new podcast, The Skeptic Zone. Though still hosted by Saunders and Sojka, the podcast featured a new format with clearly defined segments. Episodes usually feature an interview, or several shorter interviews, along with one or more regular segments. The regular segments are:
- A Grain of Salt: A segment where Eran Segev talks about a topic relevant to skepticism and critical thinking.
- Dr Rachie Reports: In this segment Dr Rachael Dunlop examines one branch, or modality, of alternative medicine. Topics discussed include: Live Blood Analysis, detox, ear candling, homeopathy and the anti-vaccination movement.
- The Roundup: Michael Wolloghan discusses recent news stories, and shares his views on the topic.
- The Think Tank: Relevant skeptical issues are discussed in a less formal manner, at a pub.
Some notable guests interviewed on The Skeptic Zone are: Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Richard Wiseman, Ben Goldacre, Jon Ronson, Benjamin Radford, Steven Novella, Eugenie Scott and Phil Plait.[6]
Public Action
In June 2005, members of the creationist group Answers in Genesis – Australia debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website.[7]
In response to a large increase in pertussis cases during a 2008/09 outbreak,[8] the organization focused efforts on countering information from Meryl Dorey's Australian Vaccination Network. This included supporting a complaint lodged[9] by a private individual, Ken McLeod, against the organization with the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission[10] and running a national ad (funded by Dick Smith) in The Australian.[11]
Awards and prizes
Australian Skeptics is offering $100,000 (Australian) for proof of psychic or paranormal powers. $20,000 of it goes to the person who nominates the successful claimant (which may be the same person).
Annually, the Australian Skeptics award several prizes including an essay prize for young writers, a $10,000 cash prize for challenging paranormal beliefs and advancing scientific thinking, Skeptic of the Year, and the Bent Spoon Award. The Bent Spoon Award is given to "to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of paranormal or pseudo-scientific piffle" - only Australian individuals and groups are eligible for these awards.[12] [13] [14]
No Answers in Genesis
No Answers in Genesis is a website affiliated with the Australian Skeptics organisation that provides information to defend the theory of evolution, and, more specifically, counter young Earth creationist arguments put forward by Answers in Genesis. It was founded by Australian atheist and skeptic John Stear, a retired civil servant. The website contains links, essays and other postings that rebut creationist arguments against evolution. Stear states that the site is meant for educational purposes as well as to illustrate the problems with Young Earth Creationism. The site also contains simple introductions to evolutionary concepts.[15]
Prominent members of the Australian Skeptics
- Phillip Adams A.O.
- Peter Bowditch
- James Gerrand (co-founder)
- Professor Colin Groves
- Dr Donald Laycock
- Dr Steve Roberts aka 'Dr. Bob'
- Richard Saunders (Chief Spoon Bender)
- Dick Smith
- John Stear
- Karen Stollznow
- David Vernon
- Barry Williams (Past Editor)
References
- ^ The Skeptic, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1981
- ^ a b "Brief History of the Skeptic". June 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ Saunders, Richard (2001), "Take an Internet Dip in The Skeptic Tank" (PDF), the Skeptic, 11 (4): 65
- ^ The Tank - Skeptics on the radio at skeptics.com.au
- ^ The Tank Vodcast at mysteryinvestigators.com
- ^ The Skeptic Zone Podcast
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald debate
- ^ "Pertussis in Australia". Center for Disease Control. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
- ^ Hall, Louise (August 16, 2009), "Vaccine fear campaign investigated", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved August 16, 2009
- ^ McLeod, Ken (July 14, 2009), Complaint Pursuant to the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 that the "[[Australian Vaccination Network]]" is Providing a Health Service That Endangers Public Health (PDF), retrieved August 28, 2009
{{citation}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Dick Smith pushes immunisation, Macquarie National News, Brunero, Tim. August 6, 2009
- ^ The Science Show, ABC
- ^ News from The Australian
- ^ 6 Minutes
- ^ No Answers in Genesis Official Site