Skeptics in the Pub began in London in 1999. It provided an opportunity for rational thinkers to meet and discuss all things skeptical as well as have a monthly presentation by a renowned skeptic or even believer followed by a Q&A. We are part of a growing number of groups in Scotland, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and St Andrews.
Coming along to a Skeptics in the Pub social is free though on the nights of guest speakers we appreciate a donation of £3.00 to cover speaker expenses.
The talks take place at Banshee Labyrinth, Niddrie Street (just off Royal Mile)
We run a book club and socials - check out our website www.edinburghskeptics.co.uk or our Facebook Page for details and to be alerted to events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/49320257971/. For the past two years we have also run events throughout August as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.
On the second Sunday we meet at Espresso Mondo at 2pm for our monthly "Skeptics between the Covers" book club, followed at 3pm by our cafe social- Skeptics in the Cafe.
For more details feel free to contact us, or just pop along to the next night.
When?
Thursday, February 16 2012 at 5:30PM
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Where?
The Banshee Labyrinth
29-35 Niddry Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LG
Who?
Dr Martin Tovee
What's the talk about?
Around Valentines Day, we investigate the psychology of beauty.
What determines whether we find someone else beautiful? Evolutionary psychology suggests that what we find attractive in potential partners are cues to health and fertility. But what are these cues? And how do they change depending on environment, culture and circumstance? Are there differences between what men and women are looking for in a partner?
Dr Martin Tovee is Reader in Visual Cognition in the School of Psychology at Newcastle University
"Don't come the raw prawn with me"
When?
Friday, March 2 2012 at 7:30PM
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Where?
The Counting House
38 West Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9DD
http://www.counting-house.co.uk/
Who?
Richard Saunders
What's the talk about?
Australia's foremost skeptical investigator (as seen on the national TV show "The One") will give an overview of some of his many adventures into the strange but not so mysterious world of the so-called paranormal. From stage psychics to water diviners to ghosts, Richard has been there, done that and is ready to share it with you.
Richard Saunders is best known as an international expert on skepticism and one of the stars of the top rating paranormal TV show
from Australia "The ONE", where he takes the role as the 'Skeptic Judge'.
A podcaster since 2005, Richard is now the producer and host of "The Skeptic Zone" with thousands of listeners world-wide.
He is also a regular guest on radio 2GB, the top rating commercial radio station in Sydney and on the ABC (the BBC of Australia)
He is a past President of Australian Skeptics and is now a Technology Consultant for "The Skeptic" magazine (Australia) and Chief Spoon Bender of the organization.
An author and origami expert with 30 books and 1 DVD published, he is also the creator of Origami Pigasus for James Randi.
Sponsored by QED . QEDis a two-day science and skepticism conference taking place in the Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester on the 10th-11th March 2012.http://www.qedcon.org/blog/richard-saunders-the-one-00039
*Please note the different date and location than normal*
Skepticism, miracle cures and the media
When?
Thursday, March 15 2012 at 7:30PM
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Where?
The Banshee Labyrinth
29-35 Niddry Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LG
Who?
Keir Liddle
What's the talk about?
Cancer quackery is a pernicious and dreadful thing selling false hope to the vulnerable and the desperate at an extortionate price.
Last year grassroots skeptics in the UK and internationally fought back against one such dubious treatment and exposed much more than they were expecting.
One of those grassroots bloggers at the centre of the Burzynski storm offers their blow by blow summary of how skeptics took on this cancer cure, exposed dubious legal and medical practices and battled to get the UK media to acknowledge its unwitting support for treatments lacking solid evidence.
Keir Liddle is Chair of the Edinburgh Skeptics Society and currently studying his PhD at Stirling University.