Event Listing
Why Sharks Matter: the Science and Policy of Saving Threatened Sharks – Dr David Shiffman
Sharks are some of the most fascinating, most ecologically important, most threatened, and most misunderstood animals on Earth. More often feared than revered, their role as predators of the deep have earned them a reputation as a major threat to humans. But the truth is that sharks are not a danger to us — they’re in danger from us.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
Ivermectin for Covid-19: A Tale of Science Gone Wrong?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for a whole host of scientific triumphs but also some failures and declining reputations. One of the pandemic’s many victims is ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication that had enjoyed a stellar reputation as a ‘wonder drug’ for decades prior. As this talk will examine, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin was trumpeted as a miracle COVID-19 cure before being revealed to have little effect.
A history of human emotion – Richard Firth-Godbehere
We like to think of humans as rational creatures, who have relied on calculation and intellect to survive. But many of the most important moments in our history had little to do with cold, hard facts and a lot to do with feelings.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
November Social
Casual chats and laughs. Talk about the recent QEDcon, or the latest scientific news, question the universe or have a friendly debate. Or just natter about casual stuff like podcasts, films, and comedy.
JWST: from launch to first science – Dr Emma Curtis-Lake
After an incredibly exciting release of images this summer, JWST has settled into science mode. This talk will take you on a journey from our own galaxy to the beginnings of the Universe via images from this incredible new telescope, highlighting some interesting scientific discoveries along the way.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
QED 2022
Tickets to QED 2022 are currently on sale! To get your ticket to Europe’s largest weekend celebration of science and reason, visit qedcon.org/tickets.
QED, the long-running festival of critical thinking and skepticism, returns for 2022 after a four-year hiatus, with another exciting line-up of main stage speakers, live podcast recordings, panel discussions and more.
Jonathan Jarry — How to Effectively Push Back Against Misinformation
Are we living in a post-truth world where facts no longer matter? Scientific research into “debunking” misinformation shows that there is still a place for facts. But when facts are not enough, what can we do? This talk will address fears of the backfire effect, as well as provide evidence-based recommendations on how best to push back against misinformation, using examples drawn from the ivermectin saga, Havana syndrome, and multiple chemical sensitivity.
October Social
October social for Skeptical People to discuss significant and insignificant topics in a friendly environment.
A great way to start getting prepared for QED!
Endless Forms: The secret world of wasps – Seirian Sumner
There are wasps that have sex inside plants; there are wasps that turn cockroaches into zombies. Wasps taught us how to make paper; wasps are architects, guardians of microorganisms, invaders, pollinators, seed dispersers and predators. A journey into the secret world of wasps will blow your mind.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.
Mathematical Intelligence: What we have that machines don’t – Junaid Mubeen
There’s so much talk about the threat posed by intelligent machines that it sometimes seems as though we should surrender to our robot overlords now. But Junaid Mubeen thinks we have the edge over machines because of a remarkable system of thought developed over the millennia – maths.
This event will be online, on the Skeptics in the Pub Twitch channel.