What we’re about
Welcome to Triangle Skeptics. Our mission is to promote critical thinking, scientific literacy and skepticism as tools for advancing knowledge and decision making. We are skeptical but not cynical.
Our focus is on identifying good and bad examples of critical thinking, so that we can hone our own powers of observation, inquiry and deduction. We discuss, critique and attack ideas, but not people or personalities. Please be respectful of others and ideas different from your own. They might present an opportunity for you to learn something new. Also, please share your thoughts but be mindful of the length and frequency of your sharing so that everyone gets a chance to speak.
For more information on what skepticism is visit http://www.theskepticsguide.org/
Here's a good definition of skepticism from Steven Novella:
"A skeptic is one who prefers beliefs and conclusions that are reliable and valid to ones that are comforting or convenient, and therefore rigorously and openly applies the methods of science and reason to all empirical claims, especially their own. A skeptic provisionally proportions acceptance of any claim to valid logic and a fair and thorough assessment of available evidence, and studies the pitfalls of human reason and the mechanisms of deception so as to avoid being deceived by others or themselves. Skepticism values method over any particular conclusion."
Discussions usually revolve around science headlines, the latest paranormal scams and anti-science propaganda, but often veers off into subjects like naked mole rats, Dragon*Con and Doctor Who.
We're not conspiracy theorists, moon landing deniers, climate change deniers, or 9-11 Truthers. If you're looking for that sort of stuff in this group, you'll probably be disappointed.
We're also not a singles group. OK, sure, a lot of us are single and we do get together to socialize, but dating isn't the primary function of the group. Creepy / aggressive / stalkery behavior is frowned upon and will get you booted from the group. Be polite and show respect.
Although we're mostly agnostic/atheist/secular we are not, strictly speaking, an atheist group.
Likewise, we're probably a bit left-leaning politically but the group as a whole doesn't endorse one particular party.
And yes, we tend toward the nerdy/geeky side but it isn't a requirement.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Culture Club – Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (chapters 7–15)Link visible for attendees
This month’s cultural selection is chapters 7 through 15 of the fan-fiction work Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality. It is available to read online, as a PDF or ebook, and as a podcast. We covered chapters 1 through 6 in March, and decided as a group to enjoy another installment.
From Wikipedia:
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (HPMOR) is a Harry Potter fan fiction by Eliezer Yudkowsky... It adapts the story of Harry Potter to explain complex concepts in cognitive science, philosophy, and the scientific method. Yudkowsky's reimagining supposes that Harry's aunt Petunia Evans married an Oxford professor and homeschooled Harry in science and rational thinking, allowing Harry to enter the magical world with ideals from the Age of Enlightenment and an experimental spirit. The fan fiction spans one year, covering Harry's first year in Hogwarts.About Culture Club:
Our fourth-Wednesday meetups are dedicated to discussion of a piece of culture – be it a book, a movie, an outside lecture, or something else – that is of interest to the group. Even if you have not read, listened, or watched this month's selected work but merely think it sounds intriguing, we hope that you will join us, since an outsider's perspective enhances every conversation.You can browse the list of works we have already covered, and peep the queue of candidates for future meetings, here. If you would like to suggest a work for consideration, please check the link above first, and if you don't see it already listed, use this form.
Agenda:
6:30 - 7:00: Meet and greet
7:00 - 8:30: Discussion of featured work
8:30 - until: General discussion and selection of next workHow to be:
Come with an open but critical mind, awareness of your own biases, and respect for your fellow humans. We're here to have a good conversation and a good time, and to that end we ask that everybody abide by the rules of civil conversation. - Skeptics in the (Virtual) Pub - Third WednesdaysLink visible for attendees
[Intro blurb goes here]
Agenda:
6:30ish - 7:00: Meet and greet; logical error of the month
7:00 - 8:00: Featured presentation
8:00 - until: General discussionHow to be:
Come with an open but critical mind, awareness of your own biases, and respect for your fellow humans. We're here to have a good conversation and a good time, and to that end we ask that everybody abide by the rules of civil conversation.Logical error of the month:
Drop a comment in the meeting chat highlighting a link you've collected recently that shines a light on a logical fallacy, trap, or paradox impacting your world. We'll have a chat about as many as we can get to before the formal start time! - Skeptics in the (Virtual) Pub – Culture ClubLink visible for attendees
[Short identifying introduction for cultural work of the month]
[URL for work of the month]
From the publisher:
[Another paragraph selling the cultural work of the month to the undecided]About Culture Club:
Our fourth-Wednesday meetups are dedicated to discussion of a piece of culture – be it a book, a movie, an outside lecture, or something else – that is of interest to the group. Even if you have not read, listened, or watched this month's selected work but merely think it sounds intriguing, we hope that you will join us, since an outsider's perspective enhances every conversation.You can browse the list of works we have already covered, and peep the queue of candidates for future meetings, here. If you would like to suggest a work for consideration, please check the link above first, and if you don't see it already listed, use this form.
Agenda:
6:30 - 7:00: Meet and greet
7:00 - 8:30: Discussion of featured work
8:30 - until: General discussion and selection of next workHow to be:
Come with an open but critical mind, awareness of your own biases, and respect for your fellow humans. We're here to have a good conversation and a good time, and to that end we ask that everybody abide by the rules of civil conversation.
