Skepticamps are terrific events where the audience participates in the fun: instead of just inviting speakers, attendees give talks and help out. On Saturday, March 20 from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m., there will be a (free) Skepticamp in Vancouver, BC. I know a few of the skeptics from around there, and as you’d expect of Canadians they are warm, fun, and very polite. If you’re in that area, I suggest you go; Skepticamps are a great way to meet new like-minded folks and also hear some great talks about topics you might not hear about otherwise. I’ve been to one and had a great time, so go!
March 17th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Thanks Phil!
Anyone wanting to attend: please register on the site so we know how many people to expect. Still plenty of space left! Also, registering lets you preorder a tee-shirt and makes you eligible for door prizes.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
O_O
Skepticamp in March? Bring your rain gear..
(I’m assuming by “camp” it’ll be by a lake with lodges and nature hikes etc)
March 17th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hey cool, I’m in the Vancouver area. Maybe I’ll check it out. Ya know, to verify its existence lol
March 17th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Wow, thanks for the shout-out!
PS. For those of you who are concerned about bears, SkeptiCamp is indoors and doesn’t involve any actual camping.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
#4: Minus points.
The outdoors is the best place to hold a camp. Kids get into the woods and mountains, and learn about the beauty of nature. I got exposure to that stuff in Boy Scouts/Explorers. My daughter, who’s now an adult, went to two outdoor camping sessions over a summer, then to one more camp the following summer. She’s still outdoorsy, and is married to a guy who enjoys the outdoors as well.
Skeptic Camp can be outdoorsy also.
March 17th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
It’s not Skeptic Camp – we’ve had one of those in Vancouver, and it was outdoors in tents as camping should be. This is SkeptiCamp, which has nothing whatever to do with camping. It’s a conference modeled after the tech conference BarCamp.
http://skepticamp.org
March 17th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
@2. Mike Says:
I’m assuming by “camp” it’ll be by a lake with lodges and nature hikes etc ..
Well there is another meaning to “camp” isn’t there? Perhaps they should clarify ..
March 18th, 2010 at 12:25 am
This sceptics conference has been happening at my own University for three years, and I was completely unaware. Thanks for the info Mr Plait. I’ll be there.
March 18th, 2010 at 2:08 am
I’ll be honest with you folks, I have a hard time trying to work out how ‘skeptics’ add value to the already proven scientific method (which is not just limited to science of course). Can anyone help me out here? And yes, I know the difference between a skeptic and a cynic.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:49 am
@Ian
Sceptics aren’t exactly involved in adding value to the scientific method, they’re involved in countering anti-scientific issues brought up by the general public. Many individuals foolishly or deliberately misrepresent scientific principles, or ignore them completely. Science serves little purpose if these people prevent it from improving the human condition.
March 18th, 2010 at 7:09 am
@10, But that’s my point – Science stands on its own merit, it doesn’t need a crutch. Science can fight its own battles.
If people make claims in a scientific context then let them show that the scientific method has been followed and their work subject to peer review. if it hasn’t then it isn’t Science – no skepticism needed, just plain common sense.
March 18th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Ian, you are totally correct. However, many people are not aware of what science really is, and why an evidence-based approach to claims is important. Skeptics try to make people aware of that process, and expose fraud where they see it.
I don’t think skeptics seek to be a “crutch” for science. We seek to be promoters of science, and exposers of the opposite.
March 18th, 2010 at 11:29 am
[...] entity in Vancouver has helped contribute to this project. Not to mention our good buddy Phil Plait blogged about us over at Bad [...]
March 18th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
This isn’t like JesusCamp, is it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_camp
March 18th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
See you there!
March 19th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Anything like this appearing in Toronto anytime?
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:08 am
I had a great time at skepticamp. There’s some more science advocacy news coming out of BC you may be interested Mr Plait. To make movie science not suck so much some real scientists are being paired up with producers for a contest to see who can make the most entertaining and accurate short film.
http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Contest+pairs+producers+with+scientists/2710495/story.html