Greater Manchester Skeptics Society

Just Skeptics Episode 33

Jamcalli — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:32:16 +0000

Episode 33 of Just Skeptics is now available on itines, libsyn (or listen below), with Mr Mykie of the Wondercat Bakery amongst many wonderful things. Janis, Rick, Gavin and Mykie discuss the recent ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Bill rather than a soapbox this week.

Also, Rick discusses Sally Davies (England’s Chief Medical Officer) and her recent stance on homeopathy.

And Janis shares the wisdom of a couple of Radio Hosts, who think there may be a graveyard inhabiting your body… but only if you’re a family-destroying feminist whore.

If you’re interested in knowing more about what your MP is up to, or would like to contact them; here are some useful links mentioned in the show:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

http://skeptical-voter.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://www.writetothem.com/

Just Skeptics Episode 32

Jamcalli — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:57:57 +0000

We’re a little late with this post… this episode went up at the end of January, and we’ll be recording again this week.

“Janis, Gavin and Rick are joined by local author and organiser of the GMSkeptics Bookclub ‘Skeplit’, Joely Black for a Soapbox on ‘The Secret’.

Meanwhile, Rick discusses the recent news on four cases brought to the European Court of Human Rights by Christians who said their employers had discriminated against them because of their beliefs, Gavin fills us in on some creative parking payment thinking, and Janis is still talking about boobs.”

Just Skeptics Episode 31

Jamcalli — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:10:54 +0000

This week’s episode is full of… well something…

Janis, Gav and Rick are joined by Wes from The Atheist Nomads, as he gives us a soapbox on protests and activism. As always, it’s available on Libsyn and iTunes.

Here’s the links!

Gavin on Newtown conspiracies

Shocking truth revealed – Chemtrails present in sky on day of press conference!

Natural News

Breaking news – eyewitness accounts are often at odds with official stories!

Rick on the uptake of witchcraft

Janis on squeezing breasts to stop cancer

And here’s Gav as Emperor Palpatine

Just Skeptics Episode 30

Jamcalli — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:21:46 +0000

Hello! Welcome to the End of the World and/or Christmas 2012!

This week we don’t have a Soapbox, but we’re discussing all things apocalyptic-y and have some light-hearted festive fun around our potential last day on the planet, with regulars Janis Callister, Gavin Schofield and Rick Owen, and almost regular Geoff Whelan.

GMSS Skeptics in the Pub regular, Nick, tells us his best candidate for disaster, whilst at the Pub.

Janis asks if we should tell our kids the truth about Santa (that he farts and steals money out of Dot Cotton’s purse).

Rick dutifully explains what we really might have to worry about here on planet earth (glad someone is thinking ahead).

Gavin… well… it’s hard to describe some days. You’re probably better off just listening.

Oh and while I’ve got you, here’s a link to the wonderful Astronomycast Podcast. No Cheating, get right in at episode 1! http://www.astronomycast.com/

Just Skeptics Episode 29

Jamcalli — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:09:33 +0000

Join us for Episode 29 of Just Skeptics, now available as usual via itunes, libsyn, or your favourite rss client. This episode is a little late due to a pesky little nerve, we hope it won’t spoil your enjoyment.

This week, Janis, Rick and Gav are joied by returning guest host Geoff Whelan ranting about something he saw on the internet, of all places!

We also discuss ‘The Bloop’, underwater monitoring, submarines and Operation Ivy Mike, plus Gav fills us in on an interdimensional rift in North Yorkshire, important for the future of mankind. Miss this episode at your peril!

We’ll be back in just over two weeks for an end-of-the-world/christmas special, when we’ll be joined by local author and organiser of the GMSS Book club ‘Skeplit’, Joely Black.

Just Skeptics Episode 28

Jamcalli — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:36:59 +0000

Episode 28 of the official GMSS podcast “Just Skeptics” is upon us!

In this episode, Gav, Alex and Rick and myself (Janis) are joined by blogger and SitP speaker, Tom Williamson AKA Skepic Canary for the fortnightly general news round up and gentle piss taking of anything which grabs our fancy.

On the bill this week, Alex has something new, both to celebrate, and to get in a skeptical tizz about. First on the list: Vitamin K. We also hear more from Gavin about a certain skeptic-hater with a love of google image search (don’t try this at home, kids), Rick discusses politics, and guest host Tom waxes lyrical about Brass Eye (and why not!).

Don’t forget, questions and comments are always welcome, and if you get a chance, leave us a review on itunes!

Download directly by clicking here, or find us and SUBSCRIBE on itunes, or use your favourite rss client here!

*And it was the Daily Star!

Just Skeptics Episode 27

Jamcalli — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:44:06 +0000

Episode 27 of the official Greater Manchester Skeptics Society Podcast “Just Skeptics” is now available.
Find it in itunes, on Libsyn or subscribe to our RSS feed at Libsyn.

For Halloween, we’re joined by guest host Ayesha, who gets on her soapbox about Jeremy Hunt, plus we discuss how sitting on your backside helps burn calories, hear from Rick about video game ghost stories, and have an update on some feedback we received from episode 26.

In relation to the films mentioned in the podcast, here is the breakdown on the numbers:

1.The Shining: 184 calories 142m : 77.7ph
2. Jaws: 161 calories 124m: 77.9ph
3. The Exorcist: 158 calories 122m: 77.7ph
4. Alien: 152 calories 117m: 77.9ph
5. Saw: 133 calories 103m 77.5ph
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street: 118 calories 91m: 77.8ph
7. Paranormal Activity: 111 calories 86m:77.4ph
8. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 107 calories 83m 77.4ph
9. The Blair Witch Project: 105 calories 81m 77.8ph
10. [Rec]: 101 calories 78m 77.7ph

I said on the podcast that this wasn’t on churnalism.com… but it is now!

See you again in two weeks!

SkepLit: The Choosening – Update

Joely — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:37:41 +0000

First of all, a massive apology that this didn’t go up right after we did The Choosening officially. I decided that since we now have regular members and a bit more of a routine, we wouldn’t open up the list to general voting. Instead, all the books presented at the group would have a chance to be read. We’re a small club and it means nobody has to miss out on having their book added to the list.

In September, we read Mark Henderson’s The Geek Manifesto, which spurred one of the most prolonged discussions we’ve ever had at SkepLit – and for once, it wasn’t about gaming. These are the books we’ll be reading over the next few months. We start this Sunday – I’ve booked the table and everything – so you’re welcome to come along. New members don’t need to have read the book in advance, although it definitely helps if you have.

October: Kevin Warwick – Artificial Intelligence: The Basics

November: James Martin – The Meaning of the 21st Century

December – no meeting

January: Bruce Hood – The Self Illusion

February: Larry Rosen – iDisorder

March: Lawrence Krauss – A Universe from Nothing

April: Richard Wiseman – Rip It Up

Don’t forget, we meet in Waterstones 2nd View restaurant on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

Just Skeptics Episode 26

Jamcalli — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

After an 8-month Break, Just Skeptics is back with episode 26. This week, we’re getting back into the flow of things with discussions on the Daily Mail’s reporting of The End of Global Warming, the ‘Gay Agenda’ behind an anti-bullying campaign, and things you shouldn’t worry about in regards to your children and the HPV Vaccine.

With Janis, Gavin, Rick and Geoff of the Greater Manchester Skeptics Society.

Tonight: Is philosophy relevant to science?

Joely — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:44:26 +0000

Tonight at Greater Manchester Skeptics monthly SiTP, we’re proud to host Dr Clio Bellenis. After philosophy was dismissed by physicist Brian Cox, she decided that she had to speak out in favour of this oft-misunderstood subject. Addressing philosophical concepts such as personal identity and free will, Dr. Bellenis will talk some modern philosophical thought and the transferable arguments between the two disciplines. She hopes to establish that philosophy can be of huge worth to scientists, skeptics and in developing critical thinking.

Dr. Bellenis is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with an MA in Philosophy. She is also an atheist, a skeptic and a feminist.

As usual, we’ll be in the basement at Tv21 in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. We ask for a donation to help our running costs and will be kicking off at around 8pm. If you’d like to come along, we recommend you show up around 7.30pm.