Scott's Freethinker's Dinner

You are invited to Skeptipalooza: Science and Skepticism in Seattle
August 20-23, 2026
Skeptipalooza 2026 is the third annual gathering of skeptical-minded folks who believe in the scientific method. Skeptipalooza is sponsored by the Seattle Skeptics and Science Enthusiasts and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (publishers of the journal Skeptical Inquirer).
The four-day conference is a combination of social activities and public talks about skeptical and scientific thinking presented by nine distinguished speakers of various backgrounds, combined with ample opportunities to socialize.
All are welcome and attendance at any of these events is free!
Thursday, August 20
6:00 p.m.
Dinner and socializing at Razzi’s Pizzaria
8523 Greenwood Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98103
(Don’t confuse this with the downtown location of Razzis)
Presentations:

• Scot Bastian, PhD: Introduction and Welcome to Skeptipalooza 2026: Science and Skepticism in Seattle.

• Susan Gerbic: Behold, the Power of Wikipedia!

• Niki Desautels: The Truth About Bats.

Friday, August 21
5:30 p.m.
Gather at Retreat coffee house
6900 E Green Lake Way N Seattle
6:30 p.m.
Walk around Green Lake to the Bathhouse Theater (also called Seattle Public Theater). The walk from Retreat to Bathhouse is flat and approximately 1 mile each way (or 2.8 miles, if you take the circular walk around the lake). Or you can drive straight to the Bathhouse free parking lot
7:30 p.m.
Sunset demonstration of bat behavior near the Bathhouse Theater on the West side of Green Lake, courtesy of Bats Northwest.
Afterwards…
Gathering for libations somewhere near Green Lake.
VENUE TBD
Saturday, August 22
9:00 a.m.
Coffee and socializing at Retreat coffee house
6900 E Green Lake Way N Seattle
Then an optional 2.8 mile walk around Green Lake.
11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Green Lake Library
7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle, WA 98115
(on the east side of Green Lake, a couple blocks from Starbucks)
Presentations:

• Scot Bastian, PhD: Intro and Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit, Updated.

• Susan Gerbic: What every skeptic should know about cold-reading.

Lunch Break: SSSE will provide sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

• Pat Pilcher: Coyote: America’s Song Dog.

• Michael Hawrylycz: SEA-AD: The Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas.

• Dan Green: Cows In the Sky: A Short History of UFO Cattle Abduction.

Intermission for socializing.

• Keith Brown: Myths Regarding the Concept of Trauma.

• gReG Donohue: Where Are All the Little Green Men? Science Weighs In on the Possibility of Intelligent Life in the Universe.

5:30-6:00 p.m.
Library room cleanup
6:30 p.m.
Gather for dinner and libations at Jellyfish Brewing Company
6808 East Green Lake Way N.
(a short, walkable distance from the Library)
Sunday, August 23
12:00 p.m. Noon
Gather at Alki Coffee Co on Alki Beach followed by a walk on the waterfront.
2742 Alki Ave SW #100, Seattle
2:00 p.m.
Backyard potluck BBQ at Scot Bastian’s house in West Seattle. Exact location will be announced at the meetings. Or, email Scot at yacman2000@yahoo.com
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Please note: This event is not hosted, sponsored, or endorsed by The Seattle Public Library. Any views that are discussed in this meeting are not a reflection of The Seattle Public Library’s views.