Skeptrack - Skeptics at Dragon Con

Derek Colanduno on LinkedIn: DeepMind scientists win $3 million 'Breakthrough Prize' for AI that… DeepMind scientists win $3 million 'Breakthrough Prize' for AI that predicts every protein's structure

@ 1 pm Sunday Wrap-Up & Feedback

Come & join us for a discussion about the past weekend.

Up in 15 min @ 11:30 Satanic Panic and the Pulling Report

Patricia Pulling, known for having mounted a brave campaign against the diabolical forces that have been unleashed in America today in the form of Dungeons and Dragons. Her claims of 'cult crimes' surrounding kids who were being seduced into Satanic groups via Role Playing Games was highlighted across the media. Find out more about the reality of the so called 'culy crimes' and the claims made by Mrs. Pulling.

Monday @ 10 am - Everything You Wish You Learned in Science Class But Didn't.

Explore how scientific knowledge is properly gathered, vetted, and improved on. We'll debunk some common myths about science and discover how to distinguish fact from fiction to safeguard ourselves against harmful pseudoscience.

@ 10 GEEKAPALOOZA COMEDY TOUR!!!

The Geekapalooza Comedy Tour features faculty and students from Georgia Tech setting out to prove that nerds can be funny and not just funny-looking.

Coming Next @ 8:30 Science Looks at Transgender Cultural What are the scientific facts relevant to the culture wars over being transgender? Although the politicians, journalists, and ideologues may not care about facts, Skeptics do care. Of concern are transgender causation, trans kids' treatment, and other issues which are constantly in the news.

Up Next @ 7 They Believed What?!? Ideas of Extra-Terrestrial Life from Copernicus to the Canals of Mars.

The idea that there might be beings on other worlds is not new, it goes back centuries. A discussion on the academic perspective about how our ideas of extra terrestrial life developed as our understanding of the universe changed.

What You’ve Been Waiting For Coming Up @ 5:30 Addressing White Supremacy in the Secular Community and What to DO About It!

As we see the rise of Christian Nationalism, it is important that we address White Supremacy within our own community. Mandisa will discuss some ways that nonbelievers and skeptics may be upholding supremacist ideals, and what we can do to change this.

Up Next @ 4:30 How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake!

Learn more about the creation of the all-encompassing guide to skeptical thinking by the Skeptics Guide to the Universe crew.

Up Next @ 2:30 Academics and Skepticism

In what ways is skeptical thought being used in organized acedemics, and how it is being recieved.

Up Next @ 1 pm Holy Koolaid!

The founder of an anti-cult organization describes how he got involved in making animated videos promoting scientific skepticism & critical thinking, and how you can also make a difference.

Up Next @ 11:30 Debunking The Most Common Excercise Myths

A fitness expert who has been featured in major publications such as PopSugar, Bodybuilding,com, Muscle and Fitness, and more for her incredible 60 pound weight loss transformation will discuss some of the common myths surrounding excercise and weight loss.

Up @ 10 am The Big Questions!!!

Skeptics tend to be a group which follows the evidence. Have no issue tackling on issues such as past lives, psychic fraud, debunking shoddy thinking of all stripes. However, when it comes to some of the big questions, like God and some other supernatural questions... many otherwise science minded individuals will shy away or refuse to take a stand on some of these topics.

Up Next @ 10 Wait, Wait, Don't Fool Me!

A skeptical take on the popular NPR Quiz Show

Coming Up Next!!! Magic & Wonder @ 8 pm!!!

Stunts & mental challenges with magic and mind-reading to create a mind-blowing experience.

Up Next @ 7 Cratering the Moon Landing Hoax

According to a recent poll, five percent of Americans strongly believe that NASA faked the Moon landings in the 1960s. In this presentation, Apollo hoax claims are used to illustrate the phenomenal (but not impossible) accomplishments of the Moon landings and explore the nature of conspiracy theories in general. Learn the chant that will help you manage encounters with hoaxers.

Up @ 5:30! Think, Talk, WIN - Again!

Better critical thinking and communication skills taught through gaming.

Up Next @ 4 pm! Where Gaming and Critical Thought Collide

Several well known gaming authors and creators are also self-proclaimed skeptics or critical thinkers. A discussion on this tends to be the case, and how you might be able to use some critical thought in your own gaming sessions.

Coming Up Next @ 2:30! Writing, Creativity, and Skepticism

Several Skeptical Minded Artists, Authors, and others who make a living creating for the masses talk about how they approach their respective crafts.

PLEASE don’t forget to donate to this year’s charity Open Hand Atlanta, delivering over 5,500 meals per day in Metro Atlanta & rural Georgia.

Coming Up @ 1 pm!! Argo: The true story of the plan to free US hostages in Iran.

"The movie Argo starring Ben Affleck tells the story of how in 1980 the CIA - with
the Canadian government’s help – smuggled out a group of Americans diplomat
from Iran. The group had narrowly escaped the US Embassy after it was overrun
by protestors. And that was the easy part. Come learn the true story."

Coming Up Next! @ 11:30 Weird Earth: Flat-Earth, Geocentrism, and other Crazy Ideas about our Planet

In this age of conspiracy thinking and unfiltered garbage on the internet, crazy ideas about the earth (flat earth, geocentrism, expanding earth, hollow earth, etc.) has proliferated in popularity. What does this say about the state of science education, and about our culture? And how do we REALLY know about the earth?

Saturday 10 am!! Getting Past Small Things Like God

Religious people are generally distancing themselves with the strict beliefs of their religion and becoming more open and tolerant. He attributes this trend to the mobile and interactive tendencies of modern America and concludes with an emphasis on shared values rather than shared beliefs.

Up NEXT!! 10 pm - The Majestic Hour featuring Greydon Square

Come enjoy an evening of music and freethought.

Up Next @ 7 pm!

Religious people are generally distancing themselves with the strict beliefs of their religion and becoming more open and tolerant. He attributes this trend to the mobile and interactive tendencies of modern America and concludes with an emphasis on shared values rather than shared beliefs.

Up NOW!!

Ballot Box Conspiracies w/Loren Collins!!

NOW!!!

Co-authors of the third book in the “Hollyweird Science” series, discuss some of these logical fallacies & biases that appear in TV and film. Are the skeptics doing something wrong? What are these ghosts anyway?

NOW!!!

Well known stage magicians converse about how the foundations of performing illusion on stage relate to critical thought and how it relates to everyday life.

AT 5:30 PM!!! BALLOT BOX CONSPIRACIES

Are American elections overrun with millions of illegal voters? Is there a nationwide network of ballot traffickers? Is China forging and smuggling in fake ballots? Come learn about the conspiracy theorists, con artists, and criminal actors who claim elections can’t be trusted…when their candidates don’t win, that is.

Up Next!

In 430–429 B.C.E., Athens was devastated by a mysterious epidemic, which reared its head again a few years later. Tens of thousands of people died, perhaps as many as one-third of Athenians. Some say that it is a mystery, find out more about the 'Plague of Athens'.

Up Next!

In recent years, public education, medical science, and facts themselves have come under attack by a well-funded, well-connected network of religious extremists across the country and at all levels of government. Unfortunately, they're winning. So here's what we can do.

Up next!
In recent years, public education, medical science, and facts themselves have come under attack by a well-funded, well-connected network of religious extremists across the country and at all levels of government. Unfortunately, they're winning. So here's what we can do about it.

Wednesday is the new Thursday here at Dragon Con!

Watch the next Skeptrack - Skeptics at Dragon Con LIVE session now about real witch hunting in modern times with Leo Igwe and Jamy Ian Swiss.

Watch the next Skeptrack - Skeptics at Dragon Con LIVE session now about real witch-hunting in modern times with Leo Igwe and Jamy Ian Swiss.

Skeptics Track The Skeptics Track is intended to promote critical thinking and science. This channel will host live streams from the Skeptics Track at Virtual Dragon Con 20...

Next up, LIVE, “The Relaxing Sounds of Infection: COVID, Cons, and Comedy”.

Learn how to be safe at conventions and large events with Infectious Disease expert Dan Ketterer.

http://www.skeptrack.org/

Skeptics - Dragon Con The Dragon Con Skeptic Track celebrates the world of critical thought, the examination of extraordinary claims, and the promotion of good science over the vast array of supernatural and paranormal claims. We offer live entertainment, topical discussion panels, and talks for science lovers, free thin...

Learn how gaming can help teach your kids critical thinking on now LIVE! With Curt Anderson and Tweet

http://www.skeptrack.com/

Skeptics Track The Skeptics Track is intended to promote critical thinking and science. This channel will host live streams from the Skeptics Track at Virtual Dragon Con 20...

Skeptrack - Skeptics at Dragon Con – Events 1,526 followers

Plan your viewing for Monday!

Broadcast begins on Sept. 7th, 2020 at 9:45 AM EDT

Today's broadcast schedule (all times EDT):

10:00 AM Be Skeptical of Your Brain -- Mark W Gura, Tara Heaton
**How brain chemicals override our will and rule our lives.
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11:30 AM Real Witch-Hunting -- Leo Igwe, Jamy Ian Swiss
**Learn about the deadly efforts to combat 'witches' in Nigeria and other areas.
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1:00 PM Dillahunty - Live discussion and Q&A -- Matt Dillahunty
**Skeptic, humanist, atheist, lecturer, debater, magician, gamer....it's all on the table! The 15-year host of The Atheist Experience will be offering his thoughts and taking your questions.
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2:30 PM Secular Humanist Community in Pandemic Times -- Ross Llewallyn
**Sunday Assembly members, discuss the purpose and value of a secular humanist, evidence-based community; we share how we responded to the pandemic and our communities' needs; and we ponder what lessons this new world and environment can teach us, especially including the new connections we've created as we try to get through it together.
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4:00 PM Evolution for Kids -- Jonathan Tweet

Plan your viewing ahead for Sunday!

Broadcast begins on Sept. 6th, 2020 at 9:45 AM EDT

Today's broadcast schedule (all times EDT):

10:00 AM Conspiracy theories - What, Why, Whereto? -- Claus Larsen
**What are conspiracy theories, why do people believe in them, where do we go from there? Presentation by Claus Larsen, co-editor of 911facts.dk, the go-to site for a critical look at conspiracy theories concerning the terror attack on September 11, 2001.
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11:30 AM Adventures in Skepticism -- Michael Stackpole
**The stories we all grew up and admire, those involving heroes, and other fantastic elements have been part of humanity for much longer than you may realize. In this presentation, you will find out just how ancient these heroic tales really are
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1:00 PM The Satanic Panic: The Witch Hunt of the Late 20th Century -- Seth Andrews
**Think we can't be part of a witch hunt in the modern age? Think again.
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2:30 PM Heroes, Monsters, and Ghosts -- Bernie Taylor
**The stories we all grew up and admire, those involving heroes, and other fantastic elements have been part of humanity for much longer than you may realize. In this presentation, you will find out just how ancient these heroic tales really are.
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4:00 PM What Cartooning taught me about Skepticism -- Celestia Ward
**Celestia Ward, cartoonist, and cohost of Squaring the Strange podcast, discusses what basic arts education can teach us about skepticism. In the case of cartooning, one learns about pareidolia, the Dunning-Kruger effect, and many more skeptical concepts without necessarily learning the technical terms. Like magicians, cartoonists rely on how the brain works (or fails to work) in order to ply their trade, which is perhaps why so many cartoonists end up skeptics.
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5:30 PM Can Miracle Claims That Are Asserted without Objective Evidence be Dismissed? -- John Loftus
**John will be talking about the lack of God.
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7:00 PM Gaming as a Skeptical Gateway -- Michael Stackpole, Johnathan Tweet, Curt Anderson
**How games and gaming is being used to promote critical thinking and a more skeptical outlook by many families. Find out how turning play into a great foundation for skeptical reasoning.
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8:30 PM Skeptic’s Guide to TikTok from controversy to COVID -- Derek Ellington
**Understanding the cultural phenomenon that is TikTok. A look at the privacy and political concerns and question whether the rise of TikTok is another sign of blurred lines between us and our technology and whether the COVID 19 quarantines are rapidly accelerating the process.
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10:00 PM The Relaxing Sounds of Infection: COVID, Cons, and Comedy -- Dan Ketterer
**An Infectious disease doctor discusses how to remain safe at conventions.