Archive for February, 2017
Skeptics with a K: Episode #192
Posted by Mike in Podcast, Skeptics with a K on February 23, 2017
Conferred legitimacy, interfering wizards, and blink reflexes. Plus burning rats, M-potencies, and arseholes. Exercising free speech, it’s Skeptics with a K (and Alice).
Podcast: Download (Duration: 59:18 — 27.3MB)
Be Reasonable: Episode #39 – Lee Piercy
Posted by Mike in Be Reasonable, Podcast on February 16, 2017
In this episode, Marsh is joined by paranormal investigator Lee Piercy, to discuss ghost investigations and Lee’s theory on the physics behind ghostly apparitions. You can find Lee’s Youtube at: youtube.com/user/leejonastattoo.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 45:31 — 20.8MB)
Skeptics with a K: Episode #191
Posted by Mike in Podcast, Skeptics with a K on February 9, 2017
Erectile dysfunction, handwriting analysis, secret topical cream, and skeptical ethics. Plus passports, guest hosts, tunnels, and casting Doctor Who. It’s the secret of eternal youth from Skeptics with a K.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:10:04 — 32.2MB)
InKredulous: Episode #042
Posted by Mike in InKredulous, Podcast on February 8, 2017
Episode 42 of our satirical, skeptical comedy podcast. Your host is Andy Wilson (@InKredulosi) of the Merseyside Skeptics Society and co-organiser of QED conference.
Appearing this time are:
- Co-organiser of QED Conference, Michael “Marsh” Marshall of Skeptics with a K, Be Reasonable and the Good Thinking Society (@MrMMarsh)
- Hayley Stevens of ghostgeek.co.uk, podcaster and ghost hunter (@HayleyStevens)
- Dr*T former blogger at Thinking Is Dangerous blog and fine guest on many podcasts (@Dr_star_T)
As ever, thanks for listening and for all the lovely comments.
Support the MSS, our work and all of our podcasts by making a monthly contribution via Patreon.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:12:04 — 33.1MB)
Cancelled: Tamasin Cave: Does Lobbying Distort Our Democracy?
Posted by Marsh in Skeptics in the Pub on February 7, 2017
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CANCELLED EVENT
Unfortunately for reasons beyond our control we have to reschedule this event. There will be NO talk taking place on Thursday 21st September. HOWEVER: please join us in DR DUNCAN’S for a drink instead!
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When: Thursday, September 21st 2016, 7.30 – 11.00 PM
Where: Dr Duncan’s, St John’s Lane, L1 1HF
Tamasin Cave
Tamasin Cave will talk about the UK’s £2bn lobbying industry and the tactics they use to bend government to their will: how lobbyists build relationships with government; their manipulation of the media; the way that they use academics, scientists, think-tanks, front groups and others to spread their messages; and their attacks on opposition groups. She will talk about how the private healthcare industry has lobbied to open up the NHS to more private operators – and how schools are going the same way; how energy companies have hired a small army of lobbyists to persuade government and local communities to support fracking; how the ‘revolving door’ works to support the arms industry; and more.
Tamasin is a writer, campaigner and commentator. Her new book, A Quiet Word: Lobbying, Crony Capitalism and Broken Politics in Britain, co-authored by Andy Rowell, shines a light into one of the darkest and least-understood corners of our political culture: the UK’s £2 billion commercial lobbying industry. She is a director of Spinwatch, which investigates corporate PR and lobbying, as well as government spin. Since 2007, she has also led the campaign for transparency regulations for lobbyists.
Our speaker events have wheelchair access, via a portable ramp which can be installed on-demand. If possible, please let us know you’re coming through contact@merseysideskeptics
Secrets & Lies: Psychology of Conspiracy Theories – Karen Douglas
Posted by Marsh in Skeptics in the Pub on February 7, 2017
When: Thursday, May 18th 2016, 7.30 – 11.00 PM
Where: The Vines, 81 Lime St, Liverpool
Professor Karen Douglas
Was 9/11 an inside job? Is climate change a hoax? Was Princess Diana murdered? Millions of people appear to think so, disbelieving official explanations for significant events in favour of alternative accounts that are often called ‘conspiracy theories’. In recent years, psychologists have begun to investigate what makes conspiracy theories appealing to so many people. In this talk, Prof. Karen Douglas will broadly overview what psychologists have found out so far, and will discuss some of her own findings on the causes and consequences of belief in conspiracy theories.
Karen Douglas is a Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent. In addition to conducting work on the psychology of conspiracy theories, she is involved in projects examining sexism in language, the influence of sexist ideology on attitudes toward pregnant women, and the psychology of internet behaviour.
Our speaker events have wheelchair access, via a portable ramp which can be installed on-demand. If possible, please let us know you’re coming through contact@merseysideskeptics