Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net A friendly place for critical thinkers! :) Fri, 18 May 2012 20:43:49 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 2011 11/12 Carl Sagan Day, Chicago http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/05/carl-sagan-day-chicago/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/05/carl-sagan-day-chicago/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:32 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=165 Continue reading →]]> Saturday, November 12, 2011, 6:00 PM

Hughes Auditorium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center of NWU
303 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL (map)

Chicago Skeptics have been cordially invited to join in the fun at a Sagan Day event sponsored by several university secular groups and the Women Thinking Free Foundation. There will be a panel on Science, skepticism, and the Legacy of Carl Sagan, apple pie, and Cosmos (21+).Full details at meetup.com.
]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/05/carl-sagan-day-chicago/feed/ 0 2011 11/17 Skeptical Salon: The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/skeptical-salon-the-psychopath-test-by-jon-ronson/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/skeptical-salon-the-psychopath-test-by-jon-ronson/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:08:57 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=175 Continue reading →]]> Thursday, November 17, 2011, 7:30 PM

Jen’s Place
5 E. 14th Place, #1705, Chicago, 60605, Chicago, IL (map)

Note: this is a week earlier than our usual salons ‘cus of Thaksgiving; look for Newport on the call-up box.

A fairly quick read (I know…I read it on Sunday…yes…I’ve already finished it, Nik ;) ), this is a book that can prime your skepticism in a number of areas. It’s a good reminder of repeatedly checking our own biases. And the sources that we put trust in…how science-based are they? And the gut feeling we get when someone is, well, just too off, but you don’t have evidence, but maybe is it sometimes okay to say…hey…they’re not reality based. And is Jon Ronson a journalist or an autobiographer? These questions–and many others–will be answered at the same bat time, same bat place, slightly different bat date (i.e. a week earlier than our usual salon). (I think I just combined a “Soap” and a “Batman” (the TV series) reference…both before most of your times…I think that makes me a retro-hipster?)

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/skeptical-salon-the-psychopath-test-by-jon-ronson/feed/ 0 2011 11/19 Chicago Skeptics Meetup: The Anti Birth Control Movement http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/chicago-skeptics-meetup-the-anti-birth-control-movement/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/chicago-skeptics-meetup-the-anti-birth-control-movement/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:21:48 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=183 Continue reading →]]> Saturday, November 19, 2011, 12:30 PM
Black Rock
3614 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL (map)

we’ll be in the back room

Chicago Skeptics member Corina is getting together a talk to discuss the science and skepticism of the anti-birth-control movement that has been quietly (and not so quietly) been growing in parts of the country. More details to come!

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/11/06/chicago-skeptics-meetup-the-anti-birth-control-movement/feed/ 0 2011 12/17 Not an endorsement! http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/201-121-not-an-endorsement/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/201-121-not-an-endorsement/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:12:41 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=218 Continue reading →]]> Saturday, December 17, 2011, 12:30 PM

Location: Black Rock
3614 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL
(we’ll be in the back room)

Hosted by: Jairus

Not an endorsement! (or “How I learned to stop worrying and love the electoral process.”)

Are you concerned that you are voting for the hair and not for the candidate? Is one single issue clouding your ability to judge debate performance? Does the constant flood of soundbites dull your sense and make you start daydreaming about the good old days of monarchy?

You’re in luck! On December 17th, Jairus will share with us one crack-pot scheme to increase objectivity, structure our choices, and reduce the influence of spin, marketing, and mudslinging in choosing our elected officials.

More info at meetup.org.

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/201-121-not-an-endorsement/feed/ 0 2012 01/14 A Festivus for the Rest of Us http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0114-a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0114-a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:03:30 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=206 Continue reading →]]>

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 7:00 PM

Location: Jen’s Place, 60605

Keep an eye on this post in case of venue change.

Work in progress toward fun! This is a Party where the extent to which you delve into heady thoughts is entirely up to you! Maybe we’ll try to gather a few bucks to offset the cost of Skepticamp. Aluminum pole? Check! Feats of strength? Check! Airing of grievances? Check. Fun? Check Plus! More details ahead…

Depending on the number of RSVP’s, we may need to change the venue. If you mark ‘yes’ but really mean ‘maybe’ please post a comment indicating likelihood of attendance so I can predict food/drink.

More info on meetup.org.

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0114-a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us/feed/ 0 2012 01/24 Let’s Talk Skeptically Abt Free Will – please note *NEW* date change http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-01-1/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-01-1/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:26:29 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=224 Continue reading →]]>
ANOTHER DATE CHANGE  (Apologies. This will not change again, even if Elmer can’t be there.)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 7:00 PM

Location: Goose Island Brew Pub1800 N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL

Hosted by: Elmer

Here’s a link to a current article: http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/201… “Because everyone is demanding, rightly, that one define one’s concept of free will before discussing it, I will offer one here, subject, of course, to modification if it proves incoherent or useless: A person makes a decision. Now rewind the tape leading up to the moment of that decision. Everything remains exactly the same as before: the history of the universe, the person’s entire life, experiences, and body, and so on. If on the rewind the person makes a decision different from the one before, then that person had free will.”

More info at meetup.org.

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-01-1/feed/ 0 2012 01/28 Skepticamp Chicago! http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/08/30/skepticamp-chicago-5/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/08/30/skepticamp-chicago-5/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:28:54 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=72 Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:00 AM – 6 PM.

Full details at our Skepticamp Page.

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/08/30/skepticamp-chicago-5/feed/ 0 2012 02/23 Skeptical Salon: How To Lie With Statistics http://chicagoskeptics.net/2012/02/01/2012-0223-skeptical-salon-how-to-lie-with-statistics/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2012/02/01/2012-0223-skeptical-salon-how-to-lie-with-statistics/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:03:43 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=266 Continue reading →]]>

Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:30 PM

Location:
Jen’s Place
5 E. 14th Place, #1705, Chicago, 60605, Chicago, IL (map) (Look up Newport on the buzzer :)

 

A brief and classic look at how statistics can often be misused to persuade/fool/confuse/convince. As folks with a fondness for the proper use of data, this is a fun and insightful way to see how statistics are used by those with an agenda. Even if you’re already familiar with the many ways statistics can be tweaked and shaded, it’s a nifty catalog of the old standbys that have worked for decades.

Homework: find some ways that you see suspicious use of stats on the news or in your life. 

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2012/02/01/2012-0223-skeptical-salon-how-to-lie-with-statistics/feed/ 0 2012 02/25 Skyping Skeptically with Skeptoid’s own Brian Dunning! http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0225-skyping-skeptically-with-skeptoids-own-brian-dunning/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0225-skyping-skeptically-with-skeptoids-own-brian-dunning/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:38:49 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=236 Continue reading →]]> Saturday, February 25, 2012, 12:30 PM

Location: Black Rock
3614 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL

Brian Dunning of Skeptoid podcast, InFact skeptical video series, Skepticblog and creator of “Here Be Dragons” (a 40 minute video introduction to critical thinking intended for general audiences) will be our guest via the magic of video Skype…we’ll get used to the slight lag pretty quickly. He’ll discuss one of his assessments of pop-cultural phenomena through a skeptical lens, followed by an interactive question and answer session.

More info at meetup.org.

]]> http://chicagoskeptics.net/2011/12/02/2012-0225-skyping-skeptically-with-skeptoids-own-brian-dunning/feed/ 0 2012 03/31 George Hrab: American God (at House on the Rock) http://chicagoskeptics.net/2012/02/28/2012-331-george-hrab-american-god-at-house-on-the-rock/ http://chicagoskeptics.net/2012/02/28/2012-331-george-hrab-american-god-at-house-on-the-rock/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:36:07 +0000 Chicago Skeptics http://chicagoskeptics.net/?p=274 Continue reading →]]> Streaming live now: http://t.co/1wL60M5C

For our nearly-annual hosting of George Hrab, we’re going to do something a little different, this year…hopefully a gathering of the Midwestern skeptical tribes at a classic of Midwestern tourist destinations, House on the Rock. Saturday, March 31-Sunday, April 1st in Spring Green, WI.

Saturday will be planned for a tour of House on the Rock. I wish the website were better. It’s an extended museum(?) of antiques, faux antiques, interesting objects, optical illusions, giant carousels (okay…just one giant carousel), music machines, architectural interest, roadside attraction that played a central role in Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”.

Saturday night will be George Hrab’s concert at the House on the Rock Resort nearby. (Do I wish I could arrange a concert with him playing while revolving on the giant carousel? Well, yes. But this is a fine second choice.) Appetizers included, cash bar. And Geo! Yay!

For those of you who don’t know George Hrab, some links for you:

The Geologic Podcast: Episode #254
The Assumption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtiUdF4sGY0
Far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF2HG1PVZok
Skeptic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncUDa6JCHk8
God is not Great:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orqBWCOZOGo

 

The House on the Rock Resort
400 Springs Drive, Spring Green, WI 53588

For those who do stay overnight, a fun Sunday excursion might be Cave of the Mounds, which is about a half hour from House on the Rock, and where I first learned the difference between stalactites and stalagmites as a wee child.

Ticket price for Geo is $20 with a very generous sliding scale for those who can’t afford that (i.e. if you can’t afford it, let me know…seriously); tour cost for House on the Rock is $22.50 (that’s just what it costs…subsidies may be available); lodging for those staying over Sat to Sun looks like it’ll cost somewhere between $45-$115 depending on what you want.

Buy Tickets Now!

Hotel Options:

The House on the Rock Resort
(You won’t have to leave the resort after the concert)
608-588-7000
$115 for king or double queen conference pricing (tell them it’s for the George Hrab concert, but check on the website for better pricing – have seen rates down to $108, hotel + House on the Rock tour $122.00.

Spring Green Motel
(keep expectations to a minimum, I’m guessing)
608-588-2141
one bed, one person  $45  one bed, two people $55
two beds $65

The Usonian Inn
608-588-2323
rates from $60-$135
(likely on the low end, as this should still be ‘off-season’)

Round Barn Lodge
(seems like a potentially nifty place)
608-588-2100
standard or deluxe $68.50
suite $96.00

Jairus Durnett is also getting together a group of people to rent a cabin..check on the Chicago Skeptics Group page on Facebook.

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