"A skeptic is one who prefers beliefs and conclusions that are reliable and valid to ones that are comforting or convenient, and therefore rigorously and openly applies the methods of science and reason to all empirical claims, especially their own. A skeptic provisionally proportions acceptance of any claim to valid logic and a fair and thorough assessment of available evidence, and studies the pitfalls of human reason and the mechanisms of deception so as to avoid being deceived by others or themselves. Skepticism values method over any particular conclusion." - Dr. Steven Novella of The New England Skeptics and The Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast.

PAlmerston North Skeptics in the Pub, 7pm, Thurs 1st March at the Mao Bar, George Street

Submitted by mwilley on Mon, 2012-02-27 20:22

Looking forward to our regular meetup at this new venue!

Next Hawke's Bay Skeptics in the Pub Provedore 60 West Quay Ahuriri

Submitted by Steve D on Sat, 2012-02-25 07:40

Next Meet up Thursday 29th March 7pm - all welcome - bring a friend at the Provedore 60 West Quay. Will message with topic.

New Venue

Submitted by mwilley on Mon, 2012-02-06 20:15

Thanks to everyone who cam to the skeptics in the pub on Thursday. A fun evening. One of our members is unraveling a genetic mystery in algal dna that is a billion and a half years old. The evidence, not the actual dna. I am in awe of Barbara Schoenfeld. But don't tell her I said that. :-)
We had a great evening and we set about solving six mysteries that science cannot explain. I thought it would take about thirty minutes, 5 minutes per mystery, but I forgot how distractible skeptics are. But we nailed most of them, even with a pub quiz booming in our ears.
http://bit.ly/wBHJ6P

Hawke's Bay Skeptics in the Pub - Next Meetup

Submitted by Steve D on Mon, 2012-02-06 16:50

This topic will track Skeptics in the Pub meets for the Hawke's Bay Skeptics Group

PAlmerston North Skeptics in the Pub, 7pm, Thurs 2nd February at Rosie O'Grady's.

Submitted by mwilley on Mon, 2012-01-30 03:38

Skeptical discussion and an amount of liquid refreshment.
http://www.homeopathy.ac.nz/ "A homœopath does not promote a product because it has been in the news, or in a magazine article, but makes selections on serious scientific methods."

How to be skeptical without being a dick. Is it possible?

Point and laugh items. Bring in your own examples of critical thinking FAILs!

Do we need to consider alternate venues for SITP, considering that we now compete with a pub quiz? He has the upper hand since he has a microphone.

Thursday 26th January 7pm Gin Trap Ahuriri - Jan Meeting

Submitted by Steve D on Tue, 2012-01-10 18:45

Hi All

Welcome to the New Year. Hope you are all enjoying the break.
Just a quick reminder for the diary - Thursday 26th January 7pm Gin Trap Ahuriri - First Official Hawkes Bay Skeptics in the Pub. Feel free to invite people or forward me email addressing of people I should be inviting.
If you want to keep in touch through other media try
or Hawkes Bay Skeptics in the Pub
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HBSkeptics/

We are likely to discuss Fluoridation and Fire Walking amongst other things.
Look forward to seeing you there.

Best
Steve

Unsinkable rubber Wakefields

Submitted by Gold on Tue, 2012-01-10 08:21

It appears that the disgraced researcher, Andrew Wakefield, is at it again. This time he's suing the BMJ and Brian Deer in a Texas court. Why Texas? He's tried this before in the UK and failed. TheScientist magazine claim he said he'd be "vulnerable to being struck out as an abuse of process."

Perhaps there's a reason for that...

White wine in the sun

Submitted by Gold on Sun, 2011-12-25 09:53

Tim Minchin gave me back the joy for the season...

First meetup for 2012 - Jan 14, 2012 to be specific.

Submitted by misslilo on Tue, 2011-12-20 21:54

The end of the 5,125 year cycle of the Mayan Calender is approaching.

The idea that this heralds great change is a popular one among Conspiracy Theorists, New Agers and UFO believers, although what exactly this change will be is not certain.

Some claim it means the world will end, due to solar activity, or a planet crashing into the earth.

Some, that mankind will become more spiritually evolved.

Christopher Hitchens, 1949 - 2011

Submitted by Gold on Fri, 2011-12-16 18:13

Christopher Hitchens has just died.

The #RIPHitch and #hitch hashtags are going more than a little nuts right now, which is hardly surprising.

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