Skeptic

The Shorty Awards are coming.

Those of you who were around 12 months ago may remember the fun and games that happened during the Shorty Awards.  Those of you who weren’t around or don’t remember, I’ll cover that below.

The Shorty’s are only a few weeks away from opening up for nominations, and I’d like to get a jump on that quacks this year so lets start spreading the message already.  If you’re interested in helping out Science and Skepticism defeat the quacks, willingly ignorant and blatantly deceptive then please create a Twitter account (if you don’t have one already), get at least a few tweets out there and watch this space ready for the nominations and voting to commence. Continue reading →

#libelreform and small online activism.

Most people are too shy to get out there and do real activism, but you should be aware there’s always something you can do.  Even the smallest thing helps, especially when you get a large number of people doing the same thing.

A mate of mine who goes by the online name Drunken Madman has come up with a brilliant idea (inspired by this) for a bit of small-time online activism anyone can do, so I’d like to promote the idea as well and get as many people onboard as possible.

If you use any geolocation services such as Foursquare, then you’re all set.  I’m sure there’s plenty of other similar services out there, so choose which ever one suits you.

You can read the full details of this small bit of online activism at his blog, My Colleagues are Idiots.  If you’re curious about the phrase he’s put forward (this phrase is especially for chiropractors), then take a gander at LibelReform.org and Sense About Science and get tagging.

While you’re at it, also check out the Skepticator and the latest on the Australian Vaccination Network.

#TAMOz – Pricing, Website, Ticket Availability.

#TAMOz (The Amazing Meeting: Australia)’s website is now LIVE! Check it out now for all the official information on TAM Australia including confirmed speakers, venue details, accommodation, and most importantly … ticket pricing and availability!

For up to the moment information the three best ways to keep yourself in the loop are all via social networking methods.

I could repeat some of the details here to try and drum up support, but personally I think it’s easier if you just go to the official website.  I for one cannot wait.  Such big names from overseas I would not have had any way to see or meet beforehand, coming to my fair little town.  To quote The Cat from Red Dwarf “I’m so excited, all six of my nipples are tingling!”.

Catchup #3: World Homeopathy Awareness Week.

This week just gone has been World Homeopathy Awareness Week.  I would not be surprised if you didn’t.  For an event that is supposed to promote Homeopathy, they are sure doing their best to keep it quiet.

A week ago I decided to try to help them out a little.  I jumped on their facebook page and started posting useful information in regards to homeopathy.  Websites that have been used in the last year already to promote homeopathy and its efficacy, such as 1023.org.uk and What’s The Harm’s pages on Homeopathy.  Surprisingly, I was booted from their fan page and have been rejoining twice at day at the very least ever since.  Continue reading →

Catchup #1: Simon Singh wins!

Sense about Science - keep libel laws out of science.

Some fantastic news to start off the catchup with, and that is that in the case of Simon Singh vs the BCA, Simon has won!

I shouldn’t need to spell out the events to anyone, but just in case you’re not already aware from reading every other skeptical blog out there (I’m quite late to the party to say the least), Simon was sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association a few years back after an article he wrote for The Guardian.  The line in question was “This organisation is the respectable face of the chiropractic profession and yet it happily promotes bogus treatments.”.

Despite this line being clarified before and after it, the judge who was assigned this case decided to ignore that and use his own interpretation, that being, that Simon Singh meant the BCA knew these treatments to be bogus and his statement was a matter of fact.  This is not at all what he was saying. Continue reading →

Anti vaccination liars caught out again.

One of the more common lies spouted by the anti-vaccination liars is that vaccines are often pushed on people with no information about what the vaccine is, how it works, or possible side effects of them.  They often claim to be “pro information and pro choice”, saying they’re just giving the often hidden information in regards to vaccines.

Well, an email went around the office I’m working in today offering the yearly Influenza vaccine free to staff.  Lets have a quick look at the information given in that email and see just how fair the anti-vaxxers claims are.  Keep in mind this is just the annual flu booster, it’s not even one of the “dangerous” ones like the H1N1, Pertussis, or MMR vaccines that leaves anti-vaxxers running for the hills. Continue reading →

TAM Australia – First lineup announced.

TAM (The Amazing Meeting) is coming to Australia this year, the last weekend in November. This evening the first lineup of speakers has just been officially announced, and it is awe inspiring to say the least.

  • James Randi
  • D.J. Grothe
  • The Skeptics Guide to the Universe team — Dr. Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Rebecca Watson, Evan Bernstein and Jay Novella
  • Brian Dunning
  • George Hrab
  • Dr Eugine C. Scott
  • Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

The MC will be Dr. Paul Willis.

It is going to live up to its name and really be amazing, so keep an eye on the Australian Skeptics Inc. website for more details, or follow the #TAMOz tag on twitter.  I can’t wait.