Talks

Join us for our monthly talk with our exciting guest speaker. We haven't announced who will be joining us yet, but please look back at our previous events for examples of our excellent previous speakers. If there's anyone you'd like to see speak for us, or any topic you'd like covered, why not contact us (https://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/contact) to let us know.

Join us for our monthly talk with our exciting guest speaker.

We haven't announced who will be joining us yet, but please look back at our previous events for examples of our excellent previous speakers.

If there's anyone you'd like to see speak for us, or any topic you'd like covered, why not contact us (https://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/contact) to let us know.

Alcohol is something of a national obsession - deeply ingrained in many aspects of British culture and available on almost every street corner. Yet we are regularly faced with conflicting messages about the impact alcohol has on our health - will a glass of wine a day keep the doctor away, or give you cancer? Deaths caused by alcohol have increased sharply in recent years, yet young people are drinking less than ever. In this talk Colin will examine the data behind the health impacts of alcohol, the evidence behind drinking guidelines and try and make sense of recent changes in our relationship with the demon drink.

Join BBC journalist Alistair Coleman as He guides us through the world of fake news and its consequences, and how the corporation separates fact from fiction. And hear about countries where the news is so tightly controlled at the whim of ruling dictators that citizens only ever hear one voice, be they North Korea's Kim, Turkmenistan's Berdimuhamedovs or - of course- Russia's Putin.

As skeptics, it's easy for us to warn people about the harms of alternative medicine at an individual level, but what can we do when quackery is being pushed by authorities, or when the problem is to widespread for a one-on-one approach? From NHS homeopathy to midwifery alt-med, via quack charities and dubious overseas cancer clinics, professional skeptical investigator Michael Marshall will explain how a dogged approach to analysing publicly-available data can help us understand what we're up against, and provide the media with the evidence they need to publish stories that make a difference.

Join us for another of our annual multiple speaker events, featuring some people you may have heard talk before (about different subjects), some you will have never heard speak.

How to Be Insufferable – Robert Green and His Guide to Being Obnoxious Bob Brady Have you ever wished you could command the awe and respect of your lessers? Wield the power of nations and have women swoon at the mention of your name? Then Robert Greene has the answers for you, and all you need to do... is buy his books, apparently.

AC/DC History Ian Harrison For over 100 years AC won the battle of the currents, but with newer technology is that now changing? How an understanding the history of AC vs DC might help guide our future.

Phineas Gage - The lesser known facts of a well known case Kat Ford The story of Phineas Gage is one of the most well known medical case studies, taught the world over to students of psychology and neuroscience, but the story of Phineas' injury and subsequent recovery is often told full of myths and inaccuracies. So what really happened to Phineas, and what can his story tell us about the human brain?

#Triggered? Lana Donaghy Buckle up snowflakes, we're delving into the complexities surrounding PTSD and online culture wars. From one side the appropiation of 'triggered' has rendered a serious condition a joke, while from the other is the dismissal of PTSD by those who prioritize 'facts over feelings'. Let's explore the scientific approach to PTSD, the efficacy of content warnings, and other methods of managing the condition.

Why we love to hate Liz Shaw Oxytocin is colloquially known as the love hormone, bringing us bonding, a love of cuddles, not wanting to eat our children, and a sense of belonging in a community. So why does it also make us despise one another?

A Boney M to pick: debunking Rasputin Tom Williamson In 1978, Boney M. released their single Rasputin. Finally, their lies and propaganda will get a thorough debunking, and the true story of Grigory Rasputin and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna will be told.

The Actual Dangers of AI Phil Armstrong When we talk about the dangers of AI, you're likely to picture Skynet, but there are far more pressing and immediate dangers we should be more concerned with.

Mystery Talk Alice Howarth ???

Ever wonder what happens to people who seek medical care for ailments that evidence-based medicine has failed to study in-depth? Or to provide treatments or ‘cures’? They are at the mercy of the ‘appeal to authority’ fallacy, perpetuated by the medical profession as it stands. Come and find out if you are at risk of misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting!