Getting To Know Bristol - Bristol Skeptics In The Pub
Posted on: 18 Aug 2015
Bristol Skeptics in the Pub is a monthly meeting and talk hosted by the Bristol Skeptics Society for those interested in science, history, psychology, philosophy, investigative journalism, and how to examine extraordinary claims of all types.
With meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month at Smoke and Mirrors, admission is free with a collection during the interval (suggested donation £3-5). There are often other events held at the same location on Wednesday evenings, with details available on their website and Facebook page.
It really caught our attention and imagination here at 365 Bristol so we spoke with them to find out more…
When did you set up Bristol Skeptics in the Pub?
Bristol Skeptics in the Pub was started by a group of like-minded people in late 2011, with the first full event happening at the beginning of 2012. Ever since then the events have been growing in size and scope, and now the evenings are run by the Bristol Skeptics Society, Bristol’s biggest scientific skepticism outreach group.
Are you from Bristol?
All of the organisers live and work in Bristol, and some are from Bristol originally.
Tell us a bit about the group?
Bristol Skeptics in the Pub is a monthly talk series held in Bristol, covering a range of topics from a skeptical, scientific, evidence-based perspective. Skepticism, from Scientific Skepticism or Skeptical Enquiry, is primarily concerned with asking for evidence for any claim made in any discipline, from medicine and science, to politics and history, and this approach is reflected in the nature of the talks we host. Past talks have covered topics such as pseudo-medicine, genetically modified food, modern policing, and ghost hunting, and have featured many notable speakers including David Nutt, Simon Singh, and Robert Llewellyn.
Bristol Skeptics in the Pub is hosted by the Bristol Skeptics Society as part of the national network of Skeptics in the Pub (skepticsinthepub.org).
Can anyone join?
Anyone is welcome to come to the events and take part. A big part of the Bristol Skeptics Society’s remit is to introduce the concept of scientific skepticism to people who are curious of it, or who have never heard of it before. All the events it puts on are in some way tied into that and made accessible to new people. Additionally, all Skeptics in the Pub events are free entry so anyone can come along.
What’s the best way for people to get in involved/ in touch with you?
Anyone who wants to get in touch can do so via emailing contact@bristolskeptics.com, or can visit our website. We’re also active over on our Facebook page and Twitter and there is an open Facebook group where our members share and discuss a range of news stories and topics.
The events are held at Smoke and Mirrors in the centre of Bristol. Why did you choose that venue?
Smoke and Mirrors is a fantastic venue right in the heart of Bristol city centre, and the staff are always friendly and helpful with hosting our events. That alone would be enough for us to choose it, but we also love the fact it is a magic bar which seems very appropriate for our events, considering that some of the best known skeptics are also famous magicians, including Derren Brown, James Randi, and Penn and Teller.
Where do you see Bristol Skeptics in the Pub in 5 years time?
In five years time Bristol Skeptics in the Pub will be even bigger and more popular than it is now, with even more high-profile speakers. If the events continue to grow like they have been for the past three years, that shouldn’t be a problem.
What advice would you give to any aspiring Bristol groups looking for more members and attendees to their events?
We’ve found that one of the best ways to grow events is to forge relationships - have a great relationship with your venue, and make relationships with people attending your events. People attending Bristol Skeptics in the Pub events (and all Bristol Skeptics Society events) don’t just show up once or twice a month, sit alone, and then leave again. There is a real sense of community between members, both at the events, and also online in the Facebook group.
If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
The first thing we would do is make sure there is enough evidence to support the policies made by the council. Politics can be driven by ideology, rather than data and evidence, and it is in the nature of skeptical enquiry to hold up decisions made by policy makers and review the supporting evidence.
We would also hold a week-long skepticism, science, and critical-thinking festival.