Skeptics in the Pub, Oxford
Thinking and drinking. That is unlikely goal of our meeting. Each month we invite a speaker to talk about an area of belief and to invite critical debate. We encourage sceptical thought and we enjoy challenging discussions. We also welcome humour and we intend to have a good time.
The meetings are open to all, no matter what your prior beliefs. We ask that you come along with a willingness to be challenged in your beliefs and we provide an opportuity for you to challenge others - and to enjoy a drink or two.
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Our next topic is...
The indefatigable campaigner against nonsense comes to Oxford
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When?
Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30PM
Where?
Who?
Simon Perry
What's the talk about?
Simon Perry is an active campaigner against nonsense. Using the ASA, Trading Standards, other regulatory bodies and even gaining help from MPs, his campaigns have helped shut down dodgy allergy test services, prevented traditional chinese medicine salesmen from claiming to cure cancer, and exposed psychic scams.
His largest involvement in a campaign, coined the "Quacklash" by Jack of Kent, involved almost 600 separate letters being sent to trading standards to report claims to treat childhood diseases with a back rub. 60 of the letters gained 500 signatories. Further complaints were issued with the General Chiropractic Council.
Simon will explain the techniques he's used to fight woo, what works and what doesn't and tell stories about some of the crazy nonsense he's encountered along the way.
Simon runs Leicester Skeptics in the Pub, blogs at http://adventuresinnonsense.blogspot.com/ and writes a skeptical column in the Leicester Mercury. You can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Simon_Perry.