Event Listing
February Social
Regular monthly socials are hopefully back on track. We'll be sitting inside unless there's a spike.
Turn up and leave as you feel. Some of us will be eating pie.
Examining Moon Hoaxers’ Greatest Hits – Brian Eggo
Just over fifty years ago we landed on the moon … or did we? Yes.
Unfortunately, we live in a time where a disturbingly large proportion of the population happily fuel the flames of conspiracy despite overwhelming evidence. So, we’re going to take an express tour through their ‘top’ items – with your help!
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
Science Friction – how surface interactions shaped the world – Laurie Winkless
From the bike tyre that grips the road to a non-stick pan, our lives are controlled by friction. In this talk, Laurie will explore the role of friction in both the manufactured and natural worlds and how surface science, and our ability to manipulate stickiness, have developed throughout history. If you’ve ever wondered how ancient Egyptians could move colossal stone blocks, or why earthquakes happen, you might find the answers here.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
Inside the White Rose: an anti-vaxx, Covid conspiracy theory ecosystem – Michael Marshall
While most people accepted the realities of the new coronavirus, little white stickers began to appear in public around the world claiming it was a hoax. It was co-ordinated grassroots campaign by a group calling itself The White Rose, urging members of the public to join their encrypted messaging channels. So that’s what Michael Marshall did. After months undercover, he has reported on the various conspiracy theories, and how groups radicalise vaccine hesitant people.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
December Social
Outside table, under the shelter of the "tunnel", so wrap up warm. We're taking our duty of care seriously, regarding ventilation.
Thinking Better: The Art of the Shortcut – Professor Marcus du Sautoy
You have a choice. There’s the long way: boring, repetitive, hard work. Or the shortcut: a cunning, less intuitive path to your goal. Shortcuts have enabled so much of human progress, whether in constructing the first cities around the Euphrates 5,000 years ago, using calculus to determine the scale of the universe or in writing today’s algorithms that help us find a new life partner.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
Annual General Meeting (2021)
As our annual general meeting is long overdue and we're starting to think about organising talks next year, we're scheduling a meeting to discuss this and any other concerns people have.
The woos and woes of Wikipedia: An opportunity for skeptical activism or a conspiratory club? – Annika Harrison
Is Wikipedia a worldwide network with secret members, seeking to influence humankind? Or is it a web forum, where one can publish their opinion? How does Wikipedia work? And how can you make a difference? Even among skeptics Wikipedia is still looked at with scrutiny. Is it reliable? Are there mechanisms and processes to make Wikipedia more valid and protected?
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
November Social
Outside table, under the shelter of the "tunnel", so wrap up warm. We're taking our duty of care seriously, regarding ventilation.
Star Wars and Critical Thinking, or, Why Must Luke Skywalker Turn off His Targeting Computer to Destroy the Death Star? – Professor Cyrus Patell
Why must Luke Skywalker turn off his targeting computer at the climactic moment of Star Wars? Despite starting a revolution in cinematic special-effects, the film shows a deeply rooted anxiety about the right uses of technology. So what can Star Wars teach up about Luddism?
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.