Leeds Skeptics in the Pub

Leeds Skeptics is a friendly group of rationalists and critical thinkers who like to get together to talk and be skeptical about things like homoeopathy, creationism, psychics, aliens, alternative medicine, conspiracy theories, and what's going on in "real" science, medicine, etc. More importantly we like to do this "in the pub."

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Events

This page contains a complete archive of our previous events.

Previous Events

1. 
   Synthetic Biology - A Brave New World?
   21 April 2012
   Imagine a world in which we could make fuels or pharmaceuticals in the same way we ferment malt to make beer. A world in which materials as strong as steel are made without industrial waste, or artificial viruses can be used to administer anti-cancer drugs without the usual side-effects of chemotherapy. Synthetic biology promises new technologies that could change our lives through the design and construction of new biological parts and devices, and the redesign of existing, natural biological organisms for new purposes. [More].
2. 
   Bad Science in the Developing World
   18 April 2012
   Martin Robbins, of the Guardian's Lay Science blog, reports on dangerous pseudo-medical practices outside the Western world, from homeopaths in East Africa to flat earthers and anti-vaccine campaigns in Nigeria. [More].
3. 
   The Natural History of the European Werewolf
   16 April 2012
   The first event of the Festival of Reason is a talk by Skeptic magazine editor Deborah Hyde on the "The Natural History of the European Werewolf". [More].
4. 
   Arms regulation
   17 March 2012
   Talk by Dr Neil Cooper from the University of Bradford.
5. 
   Why Nothing Matters
   18 February 2012
   Why should nothing matter? If anything matters, why should nothing matter? And yet it does, for there isn't anything, it seems, that nothing does not touch, or anything that does not touch nothing. History, philosophy, religion, science, art, literature, music - all look towards nothing at some point, stimulating questions that would otherwise not be asked. [More].
6. 
   Is there life out there?
   21 January 2012
   Two years ago the description of the Universe was changed from billions of stars in each of billions of galaxies to billions of planets in each of billions of galaxies. The probability of finding intelligent life out there looks like a certainty and however improbable life is, it looks as if we will find it sooner rather than later. How will it change our world? [More].
7. 
   Personalised medicine
   17 December 2011
   In 2001 President Bill Clinton stood on the front lawn of the White House flanked by Francis Collins and Craig Venter. That day he announced the completion of the draft human genome, the first ever map of human genetic variation. At the time grandiose pronouncements were made about the coming genomic revolution concerning new cures for diseases and the eradication of cancer. Ten years on many have failed to be impressed by the impact of this scientific milestone, including equal sensationalising from the British media on this decade anniversary. [More].
8. 
   Neuroscience for the Soul
   19 November 2011
   Dr. Craig Aaen-Stockdale (Optometry, Bradford) will give an introduction to the field of neurotheology, which attempts to relate religious behaviour and experience to the workings of the brain. He will review the current literature and give his own thoughts on what, if anything, this tells us.
9. 
   Dealing Reasonably with Irrational Fear
   15 October 2011
   Danger - risk of harm to ourselves or our loved ones - is a compelling element in storytelling. Conspiracy theories, alternative medicine and urban legends all thrive on hints of secret danger. [More].
10. 
    Brainwashed! A Cult Survivor's Tale
    17 September 2011
    Arthur Chappell, now aged 49, describes how he was seduced into an Eastern meditation cult in the early 1980's, despite being an ex-Catholic atheist. The talk takes you step by step through the process of conversion, so that you can see step by step how the cult world wraps itself around you, cutting off exits, making rational thinking and doubt difficult and later near impossible. [More].
11. 
    All you wanted to know about the credit crunch but were too afraid to ask
    20 August 2011
    Simon Wellings presents a talk on the problems with money and how we might reform it.
12. 
    Dr Jim Wild - Weathering solar storms
    16 July 2011
    Space isn't quite as cold and empty as you might first think. The Earth is embedded within the outer atmosphere of the Sun and is constantly buffeted by the solar wind and bathed in the remnants of the Sun's massive magnetic field. While generally imperceptible to humans here on Earth, changes in the space environment, so-called "space weather", can have an impact upon man-made technologies under, on and above the surface of the Earth. [More].
13. 
    An Introduction To Psychological Operations and False Flag Attacks
    25 June 2011
    This talk will provide an introduction to the generally ignored programs of psychological operations and social conditioning used by governments, militaries and intelligences groups in conjunction with the media and the education systems on populations at large. [More].
14. 
    Secular Ball
    27 May 2011
    Join us for the fourth annual Secular Ball (formally the End of Year Ball) for a night of dinner, dancing and entertainment. Your ticket includes: [More].
15. 
    The Zeitgeist Movement
    21 May 2011
    Dan Dewsnap presents a talk on The Zeitgeist Movement.
16. 
    April event
    16 April 2011
    Join us at Mr Foleys for the monthly Skeptics in the Pub meeting. No topic this month - just a social. But the usual news round-up will be included.
17. 
    Climate change
    19 March 2011
    Pauline Neale has been campaigning for Oxfam since 2007 as well as supporting a number of other environmental organisations. In this talk she will dispel some of the myths surrounding climate change. [More].
18. 
    Creationism
    19 February 2011
    According to Creationism, the Earth was created 6,000 years ago. However, science seems to suggest the world is a little older. The talk will be presented by Mark Edon who sits on the British Centre for Science Education committee.
19. 
    Designed for the dump?
    15 January 2011
    Annie Leonard and her band of environmentalists at The Story of Stuff Project have provided some widely commented on films evoking both positive and negative reactions. [More].
20. 
    Why do people do weird things?
    18 December 2010
    Human behaviour often appears to be maladaptive, pointless, ineffective for its expressed purpose, and even completely absurd. In this talk Michael Heap will examine, with the aid of demonstrations and videos, some examples of odd behaviour that is based on unusual and paranormal ideas and beliefs. These will include healing practices, dowsing, hypnosis, and communication with "the spirit world." [More].
21. 
    Not a Chimp
    20 November 2010
    Jeremy Taylor presents a talk based round his book "Not A Chimp: The Hunt For The Genes That Make Us Human."
22. 
    Beating the Bookies - Can you make money from gambling?
    16 October 2010
    The saying goes "the house always wins", but is that always true? This talk looks at the various ways people have tried over the years.
23. 
    How to be a Psychic Con-Man
    18 September 2010
    Ash Pryce, founder and President of the Edinburgh Skeptics Society, presents a fully interactive demonstration of various tricks that psychics have used over the years. [More].
24. 
    The Scientific Method: Uses and Abuses
    21 August 2010
    Dr. Tom Williamson presents an introduction to the scientific method itself, how science gets done (research, peer review process, etc), and the various scientific frauds and how the scientific method was used to uncover them. [More].
25. 
    The Mind, Illusion and the Need for Science
    17 July 2010
    Jonathan Lomax presents a talk on why people believe strange things and how often the what seems a logical belief can actually be anything but.
26. 
    Magnetic Bracelets for Arthritis: Separating Fact from Fiction?
    19 June 2010
    Stewart Richmond, a Research Fellow in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, will deliver a talk followed by Q&A on his research that has demonstrated that there are no medical benefits of either copper or magnetic bracelets in the treatment of arthritic conditions.
27. 
    Enquiry 2010 Conference
    4 June 2010
    This summer Birmingham, UK will play host to a national conference on atheism, reason and skepticism. Taking place Friday 4th to Sunday 6th the conference will feature a variety of speakers from the freethought movement as well as social and entertainment events running throughout the weekend. [More].
28. 
    End of Year Ball
    1 June 2010
    Join us, and the rest of the free thinking societies of Leeds' annual End of Year Ball. This year it will be hosted at Browns. [More].
29. 
    UFOology
    15 May 2010
    Trevor Prinn presents a talk on the UFO movement.
30. 
    Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard
    17 April 2010
    Scientology would have you believe that their founder, L. Ron Hubbard was an explorer, scientist, war hero and all round amazing guy. However what we actually know of his life doesn't quite live up to the picture that is painted.
31. 
    The Bermuda Triangle
    20 March 2010
    Wikipedia describes it as "a region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean in which a number of aircraft and surface vessels are alleged to have mysteriously disappeared in a manner that cannot be explained by human error, piracy, equipment failure, or natural disasters. Popular culture has attributed these disappearances to the paranormal, a suspension of the laws of physics, or activity by extraterrestrial beings." [More].
32. 
    Low Culture and High Ideas
    6 March 2010
    Comedian Robin Ince will be giving a talk to us on "Low Culture and High Ideas." Talking about topics such as "Why should comedians talk about science?", "Can comedy change anything?" and "What is bad taste?"
33. 
    Catholic Church - big church or big business?
    20 February 2010
    A talk by Mike Granville on the finances of the Catholic Church.
34. 
    What's That Coming Over the Hill?
    16 January 2010
    Steve Wade presents a talk on bigfoot.
35. 
    Ariane Sherine
    19 December 2009
    British comedy writer, journalist and the creator of the Atheist Bus Campaign Ariane Sherine will be speaking. [More].
36. 
    Comedy & Skepticism
    21 November 2009
    Daryl Marples presents a review of TAM London and discussion of the important role that comedians have in getting accross to the public the absurdity of many paranormal claims from homeopathy to religion.
37. 
    What the supermarkets aren't telling you
    17 October 2009
    A look at the various terms touted by supermarkets and food producers such as "organic" and "free range."
38. 
    How to win the lottery
    19 September 2009
    Last week Derren Brown correctly predicted the national lottery results. But of course - he didn't. This talk will use this as a starting point and go from there.
39. 
    Sexuality and religon
    15 August 2009
    Dr. Richard Parker discusses homosexuality and the devision between it and religion.
40. 
    Swine flu - will anyone survive?
    18 July 2009
    With swine flu now officially a pandemic and indeed an epedemic in the London area with the UK now having the 3rd highest case rate in the world this topical talk will look at the threat of swine flu and how much danger there really is.
41. 
    How to annoy a skeptic
    20 June 2009
    Dan Bye from the National Secular Society will be presenting a talk "how to annoy a skeptic."
42. 
    End of Year Ball
    2 June 2009
    The various freethought societies of Leeds will be uniting for a joint social at the start of June, taking the form of a meal in Leeds. [More].
43. 
    Can Dawkins and Darwin replace the Holy Bible?
    16 May 2009
    Dr Gijsbert Stoet presents a talk entitled "Can Dawkins and Darwin replace the Holy Bible? On the search for guidance and fulfillment in the life of non-believers." [More].
44. 
    Prescribing Religion: What's the harm?
    18 April 2009
    Dr Antony Lempert of the Secular Medical Forum will be delivering us a talk entitled "Prescribing Religion: What's the harm?"
45. 
    The Singularity is Near
    21 March 2009
    Daryl Marples from the University of Huddersfield looks at Raymond Kurzweil's book "The Singularity is Near" which predicts we will reach the technology singularity by 2045.
46. 
    The Unwoven Rainbow
    21 February 2009
    Dr. Richard Parker, city wide community diabetes manager in Leeds, tells his story of his journey to rational thinking.
47. 
    It's Only Water: An Introduction to Homeopathy
    17 January 2009
    Chris Worfolk, founder of the Leeds Atheist Society and AHS and head of the It's Only Water campaign presents an introduction to what homeopathy is and why it can't possibly work.