What is it?
For those of you new to Atlanta Skeptics you might be asking what this SkeptiCamp thing is all about:
SkeptiCamps are informal, community-organized conferences born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. Everyone from people who have never heard about skepticism, to the experienced skeptic participates, gives talks, and gets to know each other. In a nutshell, SkeptiCamp is BarCamp adapted to the domain of scientific skepticism.
Skeptics are lovers of all forms of rational thinking and science; as such the presentations will cover a wide array of topics. Come learn about anything from the history of Greek philosophy, the dangers of believing in homeopathy, the importance of teaching evolution, all the way to the usage of newspaper in wrapping fish, and the latest claimed monster “sightings”.
Atlanta SkeptiCamp is a two day grassroots conference run by you, for you. Think for yourself. Share what you know!
Note: The Friday night dinner is now full! Anyone who RSVPd but did not already receive the confirmation email with location, please contact Shaune Beattie
So when and where is it?
Atlanta SkeptiCamp will be held May 4th and 5th at the office location of MD Tech Pro, 3580 Pierce Dr, Atlanta GA 30341
The event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. We do of course accept donations and anything over $5 will get you a custom SkeptiCamp T-Shirt.
For people bringing children, please note that the main location is smoke free and there will be a small breakout room available with sofas/table and a TV. However we can not offer childcare in any form and parents will need to use their own discretion over presentation subject matter.
For people wishing to stay near the location (with transport provided) we will be staying at the Residence Inn Atlanta Perimeter/Dunwoody, 1901 Savoy Drive, Atlanta GA 30341. They have large 2 bathroom suites that can accommodate up to 6 people from $25/person/night for people wanting to save gas, or enjoying a drink at the social events. Please email shaune.beattie@gmail.com for details.
Agenda – subject to change
Friday, May 3, 2013
| Time | Name | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | MD Tech Pro | Speaker and Volunteer Orientation |
| 7:00 PM | FULL | Social event and dinner – Sold out |
Saturday, May 4, 2013
| Time | Name | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | BREAKFAST | |
| 10:00 AM | Various | Welcome to SkeptiCamp Day 1 |
| 10:20 AM | Blinn Combs | Descartes and the Foundations of Early Modern Skepticism |
| 10:40 AM | Danny Haworth | Logical fallacies, what they are and how to avoid them |
| 11:00 AM | BREAK | |
| 11:20 AM | Rich Hammett | Moar brains! |
| 11:40 AM | Tim Farley | The Ninjutsu of the Internet-Savvy Skeptic |
| 12:00 PM | Shaune Beattie | Audio Pareidolia |
| 12:20 PM | LUNCH | |
| 1:20 PM | Alex Hammett | Is It Solid or Is It Liquid: An Exploration of Non-Newtonian Fluids |
| 1:40 PM | Lisa Hammett | Pet food myths |
| 2:00 PM | Jeremy Diem | Introduction to the Climate System and Climate Change |
| 2:20 PM | BREAK | |
| 2:40 PM | Mark W. Gura | Philosophical comparison of Materialism, Theism and Spiritual Nontheism |
| 3:00 PM | Chris Jones | Sleep Paralysis: What it is, and why it explains things from succubi to alien abductions |
| 3:20 PM | Brandon Givens | Politics and Reason |
| 3:40 PM | BREAK | |
| 4:00 PM | Devidyal Givens | Good Intentions Gone Awry: DFCS |
| 4:20 PM | Chuck Miller | It’s Elementary — What I Learned About Critical Thinking in the First Grade |
| 4:40 PM | Cindy Henry | Divination Demo: Why dowsing rods might not be your best friend in a desert |
| 5:00 PM | DINNER | |
| 6:30 PM | Derek Colanduno | Game Show |
| 9:00 PM | Social Event. Location to be announced at the event |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
| Time | Name | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | BREAKFAST | |
| 10:00 AM | Various | Welcome to SkeptiCamp Day 2 |
| 10:20 AM | Dwight Lyman | The problems with foundationalism |
| 10:40 AM | Jeffrey Selman | Evolution Denial in Schools |
| 11:00 AM | BREAK | |
| 11:20 AM | Christian Walters | At Least You Can Still Wrap Fish: The Death of Journalism |
| 11:40 AM | Katie | Feminism and Skepticism |
| 12:00 PM | LUNCH | |
| 1:20 PM | Veronica Kyle | Narconon: Valid treatment center or Scientology front? |
| 1:40 PM | Laura Ross | Drama in Social Media, and What to Do About It |
| 2:00 PM | Aaron Mercer | Photoshoppery: Is this photo real or faked? |
| 2:20 PM | BREAK | |
| 2:40 PM | Deepak Gupta | Homeopathy: What it is and why it is potentially dangerous |
| 3:00 PM | John Clements | Martial Arts |
| 3:20 PM | Ed Neubaum | Recreation of ghost photos |
| 3:40 PM | BREAK | |
| 4:00 PM | Ken Garrison | Those Wacky Politicians |
| 4:20 PM | Various | Open Discussion |
| 5:00 PM | Shaune Beattie | WRAP UP |
Register for Atlanta SkeptiCamp
Please register and indicate your food preferences and TShirt size.
Contact
Lead Organizer: Shaune Beattie
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