Archive for May, 2022

Skeptics with a K: Episode #328

Posted by Mike in Podcast, Skeptics with a K on May 12, 2022

Marsh and Alice present part one of their experiences at the Great Awakening Tour in Birmingham, a nexus of conspiracy theories, anti-vaccine activism, sovereign citizens, and amateur poetry. Meanwhile, Mike is excited for the casting of the new Doctor.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Note: we made an edit to the show after publication to remove some comments about a statue that was made by a problematic sculptor (which we did not realise until after publication).

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:27:43 — 40.3MB)

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*CANCELLED* Mike Hall – The Placebo Myth

Posted by Alice in Skeptics in the Pub on May 7, 2022

We regret to announce that our talk on Thursday this week is CANCELLED.

We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to reschedule “Mike Hall – The Placebo Myth” for later in the year.

Keep an eye on our social media for a new date and we look forward to seeing you at a future event.

When:  Thursday, May 19th 2022, 7.30pm – 11.00pm

Where: The Casa Bar, 29 Hope Street

Mike Hall on stage at QED conference. Mike is a tall, white, bald man who is wearing his tradmark black suit with a white shirt and red tie. He's smiling and holding a mic to his face.

The placebo effect is one of the most powerful medical responses there is. Demonstrating the amazing power the mind has over the body, the placebo effect can help you lose weight, cure your knee pain, or relieve your asthma. They bring you up when you think they’ll bring you up, and sedate you when you think they’ll take you down. They’ll even cure your gastric ulcers.
This isn’t wishy-washy alternative New Age nonsense. The placebo effect really does improve symptoms through our beliefs and expectations. It works in animals, it works in children, and it even works when think it won’t. There seems to be no end to it’s amazing healing power.
So why, then, does the best evidence tell us that none of this is true? Why does the data show that placebos are no better than doing nothing at all? And how can this myth be so deeply ingrained and unquestioned in modern medicine?
Mike Hall is producer and co-host of the long running skeptical podcast Skeptics with a K, a director of The Skeptic, and co-organiser of the popular science and skepticism conference QED. He has a lifelong interest in science, and has been involved in organised skepticism for over twelve years. He has spent most of his career working in technology (but still thinks Bitcoin is a scam) and has a particular special interest in Doctor Who.

More information:

**COVID Security**
Although the rules have changed somewhat – we’re still being cautious about the threat of COVID-19.

Here are some things you could do to help look after yourself and our other attendees:
• If you have access to a lateral flow test, why not take a test before you join us? If it’s positive for COVID-19, please stay at home.
• If you have new symptoms of COVID-19, even if a lateral flow test is negative – we’d prefer you stay at home. We’ll have other social events in the future that you can join in when you’re feeling better.
• If you feel comfortable and able to wear a mask while moving around the venue then please do wear one. We’ll bring some spares if you’d like to wear one but forgot to bring one.
• We’ll also bring some hand sanitiser that you’re free to use any time.
• Please be respectful of other people’s boundaries. Give each other plenty of space and be considerate. If you need to cough or sneeze, cough into your elbow or a tissue and throw the tissue away before sanitising your hands.

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