Stockton Atheists

Do you crave critical thinking over conspiracy theories? A fan of facts and evidence over conjecture and anecdote?

Join us on the first Wednesday, every odd month, for a casual gathering to discuss favorite topics, books, articles, podcasts, and anything relating to scientific skepticism. Be sure to check the event chat for discussion topics for each meeting.

Our mission is to promote critical thinking in the greater community.

The Secret Sauce of Snake Oil Salesmen and how they made Millions

This presentation will cast light on the origins of the patent medicine shows that were started in England, then bloomed in the US. Learn about small time operations to sophisticated shows that used clever marketing and engaging performances to sell "Snake Oil" including devices. The shows were especially entertaining to the nation before the arrival of radio and film.

This is a special opportunity to visit Doctor R. Snick’s private collection of strange and dangerous medicines and a glance at dime museum lore.
Learn more about the “Doctor” at www.doctorrsnick.com

🎟 About the Free Event

Our colloquiums are free events, open to the public, normally at the Manteca Library. Those of all worldviews and faiths are welcome

⚠️ NOTE: Special Location in Lodi

Doors open at 6:45 PM and our featured talk starts at 7:00 PM sharp. We expect most Colloquiums to last until about 8:30 PM followed by mingling and cleanup.

A suggested donations of $10 supports this and future events.

🍜 Dinner Before

For those interested in having dinner first, head to the GK Mongolian BBQ (in Lodi, near Food 4 Less) prior to the event.

2314 W Kettleman Ln, Lodi, CA 95242

People typically arrive for dinner around 5:30 and leave at 6:30 to head to the event.

😋 Dinner and Ice Cream!

Join us the first Friday of every odd-numbered month as we enjoy dinner and ice cream in Downtown Lodi.

We'll start with dinner at the lovely Dancing Fox restaurant (great for vegetarians, vegans, and beer and wine lovers). Please bring cash to split the bill. If the weather is nice, we'll grab one of the outside tables.

At about 7:15 or so, we'll stroll through Downtown Lodi for about 10 minutes (0.3 miles).

We'll arrive at the Double Dip Art Gallery, featuring Gunther's Ice Cream and an always-changing gallery of wonderful art.

📅 RSVP

Your RSVP is important so that we get a table large enough at Dancing Fox. When you arrive, look for a table with the SAAF sign.

January's book is:
The Shamshine Blind
By: Paz Pardo

📔 About this Month's Book

In an alternate 2009, the United States has been a second-rate power for a quarter of a century, ever since Argentina’s victory in the Falkland’s War thanks to their development of “psychopigments.” Created as weapons, these colorful chemicals can produce almost any human emotion upon contact, and they have been embraced in the US as both pharmaceutical cure-alls and popular recreational drugs. Black market traders illegally sell everything from Blackberry Purple (which causes terror) to Sunshine Yellow (which delivers happiness).

Psychopigment Enforcement Agent Kay Curtida works a beat in Daly City, just outside the ruins of San Francisco, chasing down smalltime crooks. But when an old friend shows up with a tantalizing lead on a career-making case, Curtida’s humdrum existence suddenly gets a boost. Little does she know that this case will send her down a tangled path of conspiracy and lead to an overdue reckoning with her family and with the truth of her own emotions.

Told in the voice of a funny, brooding, Latinx Sam Spade, The Shamshine Blind is “a rip-roaring beautifully crafted mash-up of cop noir, sci-fi, and alt-history that left me dazzled by its prescience and literary zing” (Leah Hampton, author of F*ckface).💻 Joining the Online Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4572138174