No Fraud, No God – Drinking Skeptically

In February 2009, I organized Harrisburg’s outlet for Drinking Skeptically – a casual, social meetup for those who value science and critical thinking. Drinking Skeptically has meetups all over the country (including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) with the numbers growing every month. Originally begun in the UK as Skeptics in the Pub, it served as a new way to get like-minded individuals together in a comfortable setting. It’s been a great success as part of what I view as a growing skeptical movement.

There is plenty of overlapping territory between skepticism and atheism. Several PA Nonbelievers members attend Drinking Skeptically – Harrisburg.

PAN members are skeptical of not only god(s) but also spirits, angels, faith healing, miracles and special creation/intelligent design. We reject the religious claims that a “sky father” affects us humans partially because no good evidence has been presented for this while considerable evidence exists to support reasonable, alternative explanations for nature. Skepticism is a method by which we can look for confirming or disconfirming evidence in other aspects of life.

I’ve been a skeptic since about age 20 when my science-prone mind, curiosity about the truth and intellectual influences poked gaping holes in the validity of claims about ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs and lake monsters. Ultimately, this epiphany led me to discard organized religion altogether. I’m now a secular humanist – agnostic.

Skepticism and non-theism are closely aligned but not mutually inclusive. There are nontheistic people who believe in an inordinate amount of new age goofiness. And, there are great scientists and skeptics who are people of faith. Harry Houdini is an example of someone who exemplified one who can be against fraud without being against God. He was a masterful debunker of psychics and spiritualist mediums while remaining respectful of his Jewish heritage.

I would be glad to ‘drink skeptically’ with other skeptics who accept religion. I think we all should be open to this for several reasons: Not all religious people are irrational – many are downright moderate and value science. We shouldn’t exclude via stereotype since we don’t like it when people do that to us. Exchange of ideas is good for everyone. Most importantly, we need allies to fight against teaching nonsense in schools, fraudulent health therapies, scams and magical thinking. If people wish to compartmentalize their faith in a separate area of the brain than the one that criticizes astrology, alien abductions and homeopathy, we can stand on some common ground. So, when you join us for Drinking Skeptically, don’t assume the entire group is of nonbelievers. It may be a diverse crowd in attendance enjoying some common doubt.

To pass on ideas or to get info on Drinking Skeptically events email idoubtit00(at)gmail.com (those are double zeros in the address) or visit the Facebook page for Drinking Skeptically – Harrisburg.

*This was originally published on the PA Nonbelievers blog and in PANViews.

New PA bigfoot sighting? Set your skeptical flags flying.

Oh, dear. Out of the news loop for a day or two and another Bigfoot sighting comes along.

Scholarly Saturday night: Singing ’bout Darwin

Last night was the Concert for Darwin – a special event presented by Jefferson Pepper, Lauri Lebo and folks from the Central PA ACLU. PA Nonbelievers helped with ticket sales. It was held at the incredible Midtown Scholar bookstore in Harrisburg. It was quite amazing that such an intelligent and unique event took place inside a new venue for a successful, independent bookstore. If you ever pass through downtown Harrisburg, you will notice blight, crime, garbage and poverty. Yet, in midtown, around the Broad Street Market, there is occuring a revitalization. Thanks to the Harrisburg Community College’s downtown campus and other investments, this place is shaping up. I’ll be visiting the bookstore again and again for books (of course) and what will certainly be more outstanding events such as this.

It would be hard to top this. Lauri Lebo was jumping around, getting stuff ready, saying ‘hi’ and signing autographs of her book. She began the night by introducing a very special guest, Dr. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education. Genie is a hero to so many of us. I was so, so pleased to meet her and have her back in Harrisburg for such a positive event. Genie played a pivotal role in the Kitzmiller v Dover trial. Many of the plantiffs, including some of the kids, were in the audience this evening. Smiles were all around.

Lauri then introduced Jefferson Pepper who played solo and with his band folk and americana tunes that expressed the raw feelings many in the audience had about the state of American culture. I DO NOT like country music but the lyrics and themes felt very personal to me. Plus, I’m partial to a fiddle (being a violin player a while ago). The sound was excellent and I enjoyed every minute. Find out more about Jeff’s music here.

Next, was the remarkable and unmatched Dr. Ken Miller. I’ve seen him speak before and would so love to have him as a teacher. Well, he is a teacher every time I listen to him. Dr. Miller sat in the front row to watch the incomparable Baba Brinkman – evolutionary rapper. I have never heard anything like this. I only wish I had such an exceptional grasp of language and rhyme. I was blown away.

If you missed it, YOU MISSED SOMETHING. I think everyone had an outstanding time. We should all do this more often.

Intermission – Idea for new kids site

That creepy picture of JesusJayZombie is freaking me out so I needed a post to bump it down.

I should be reading some papers for school but I’m not. They are BOR-ING. Why is academic writing so boring? I can read some long-haired stuff but, man, this crap puts me to sleep.

I’m in the process of starting yet another blog. But, it’s not very bloggy just yet. I am constructing a web site for kids (middle readers) about monsters and spooky stuff.

Of Zombies, Ghosts and Werewolves

Now that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead are thin this Hallows Eve, I ponder the surging popularity of zombies, ghosts and werewolves – the walking dead, the persistent dead and the wished-they-were-dead.

As you might guess, I’m quite doubtful of all three categories but what fun they are!

Trying to boost your local tourism? Become a hauntrepreneur.

I came across this story about “haunted” Lafayette, Indiana.

It’s a typical soft news story about local authors and their new book of collected yarns. It also provided a little Fortean kick since, according to Mysterious America by Loren Coleman, place names that include “Fayette” or “Lafayette” have unusual activity or bad luck associated with them. I won’t go into depth about how that is totally selective cherry-picking and uninteresting. But, it is both.

In Lafayette, the authors rightly thought that a combination of interesting stories and local history would be winner. “I thought people would read about history if a ghost story was attached.” The article notes that the authors are “not ghost hunters, but writers who decided to document people’s stories about supernatural folklore.” They use the usual disclaimer, “We leave it up to the reader to decide whether they believe it or not.”

There’s a problem with that idea. These stories aren’t categorized outright as fiction. They get shelved under “local interest” or “travel”. The concept of ghosts as genuine entities lacks scientific validity. The stories, however, can fall nicely into folklore as suggested. So, file ghost stories under “fiction” or “folklore” and quit treating them as “true stories”.

Ghost hunting entertainment – Paranormal State lecture

Penn State’s Harrisburg campus hosted a presentation by Paranormal State’s Ryan Buell (with Sergey along) on October 2. The event attracted over 60 people of all ages. Primarily, the crowd was students, some with their parents. There were obviously several fans of the show.

I have never seen the show. I can’t be bothered with watching another ghost hunter show when there are already so many that have a similar formula – set up techie stuff, go into scary places, look all green and creepy on night vision camera and freak yourself out. I can’t see the value in shows about hauntings. It becomes formulaic, same old stuff.

I had several objectives in attending Ryan’s talk: to find out what makes his show different (if it is different at all), to see how the show and investigator group related to my alma mater PSU (if at all), and to see a presentation of evidence.

I got a lot of stories, some sound and video clips, pictures and more stories. To his credit, Ryan made clear that his idea of legitimate evidence is something that convinces them. That does not mean that it convinces you. “Nothing [he has] proves ghosts exists.” It comes down to a matter of trust – do you trust the person showing you the evidence has been truthful and interpreted it correctly – and belief in what you think caused it.

“Bridging the Chasm” follow-up for skeptics

This past week, a link to an article from Skeptical Inquirer was making its way around Twitter. The article from 2004 was by Karla McLaren, a New Age author who had stepped away from that community to take an objective look at it. She shared her unique viewpoint with skeptical readers providing insight as to why skeptics make no inroads communicating with New Age folks and advice on how we might be able to do that someday.

Running to keep up with the fast-paced skeptics

The skeptical movement is blossoming. This is good and bad. It used to be sort of easy to keep up with things. Now, there are so many new blogs and interesting forums to follow, one can’t possibly participate in all of them. I can just about keep up on all the podcasts!

NECSS Skeptics in the city

NECSS is the brand new skepti-con in the upper right quadrant of the country. I attended the event held this past weekend in Manhattan.

I was greeted by official “bouncer” Sean McCabe who gives hugs. [Note: skeptics don’t hug enough.] We noticed there were still too few skepchicks (a chronic problem) but there seemed to be a lot of students. Win.

I won’t be picky about logistics and such. I’ve helped arrange large conferences and it is difficult. So, big thanks to all who made this event go on schedule and VERY smoothly. However, I will reiterate Rebecca Watson’s Tweet that it was an epic geek fail that the venue had no cellular reception or wifi.

I always enjoy listening to Jamy Ian Swiss, Massimo Pigliucci, Richard Wiseman, Paul Offit, Carl Zimmer and the SGU crew. I was very entertained. The live podcast show was particularly funny and unusually adult-oriented. We’re all grown ups here so I didn’t mind. Steve and the Rogues work so well together. Add Wiseman as the special guest and it was prime stuff. Wiseman was perpetually accompanied by a banana (prop, snack?) and an aura of promotion for his new book. The title was mentioned no less than “59” times.

Regarding content, I was pleased. The overarching theme was science portrayed to the public – how the media delivers a message, how even scientists screw up and take missteps, how we can get better.

It doesn’t take many of inquirers to do a lot of good. Those who question bad science only need to produce the pin to bust the balloon.

I’m currently in a degree program for Science & the Public. Obviously, there was significant crossover in the content. Since enrolling in the program, I’ve added to, deleted and changed almost all my views on the relationship between the scientific community and the general public. That’s learning. Hearing from people who encounter this every day is vitally important. It becomes clear that the strategies used by anti-science proponents to manufacture credibility on every topic – anti-vax to environmental issues, creationists to ghost hunters – are essentially the same.

Conferences are meant to disseminate and exchange ideas but also to motivate and inspire. I’m inspired by Dr. Rachie talking about progress against anti-vaxxers in Australia and Dr. Wiseman making his own good luck in selling books that sneak in the skeptical viewpoint. I’m motivated by all the folks who volunteer their time and make huge efforts to produce content that makes a difference.

Some recommendations for future skeptic events—

Meet and greets. Hugs. Beers & cokes all around. Don’t let the VIPs cut out early (Geo – I mean you) and allow them to be accessible because we want to keep that space small between us. Sorry I missed the Drinking Skeptically the night before and the smaller meetups soon after. Arrange for events at a hotel and have a one stop shop for a weekend of skeptifun.

Nametags. Space to include our screen names. I’m sure I passed by 10 or more folks I’ve only encountered virtually. I caught up with a few I was expecting to find which is always nice. We could have used more time to get to know each other and cement that meaningful face-to-face connection.

While I’m waiting for the next event, lets Tweet, converse on FB, have a meetup when you are close by or chat (http://www.skepticsrock.com/). It makes me feel like part of the cool crowd.

(Twitter/Facebook ID: Idoubtit)