New Zealand Skeptics
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Skeptics comprises a network of New Zealand
ers including magicians, teachers, scientists, health professionals and many others from all walks of life. Members have a variety of worldviews, but are all interested in examining what objective scientific support there is for claims of such things as psychic
abilities, alternative health practices, creationism
and other areas where science
and pseudo-science interact.
Skeptics
question practices that take advantage of people at their most vulnerable - cancer patients seeking alternative cures, grief-stricken bereaved seeking contact with the dead. These kinds of practices often prey upon the trust, hopes and fears, and exploit the lay public's lack of specialist knowledge. Where the potential for harm exists - whether physical, mental, emotional or economic - sceptics consider it unethical not to challenge such claims.
, Denis Dutton
and others in 1986. Other similar organisations exist in the USA (Committee for Scientific Inquiry), Australia (Australian Skeptics
), and India (Indian CSICOP
). Denis Dutton was the first chair, Vicki Hyde
the first chair-entity (a title devised by Hugh Young both to be all-inclusive and to parody inclusiveness) from 1997–2010; the present chair-entity is Gold (his only name), who founded New Zealand Skeptics in the Pub
, but Hyde continues as media spokes-entity.
Bob Brockie
, a cartoonist, columnist and scientist is member. A prominent member was journalist Frank Haden.
.
On 30 January 2010, members in Christchurch
participated in a mass overdose, a protest against the selling of homeopathic remedies in pharmacies.
The protest was in line with similar activities held on the same day by the 10:23 campaign
in the UK.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
ers including magicians, teachers, scientists, health professionals and many others from all walks of life. Members have a variety of worldviews, but are all interested in examining what objective scientific support there is for claims of such things as psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
abilities, alternative health practices, creationism
Creationism
Creationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
and other areas where science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and pseudo-science interact.
Skeptics
Skepticism
Skepticism has many definitions, but generally refers to any questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or opinions/beliefs stated as facts, or doubt regarding claims that are taken for granted elsewhere...
question practices that take advantage of people at their most vulnerable - cancer patients seeking alternative cures, grief-stricken bereaved seeking contact with the dead. These kinds of practices often prey upon the trust, hopes and fears, and exploit the lay public's lack of specialist knowledge. Where the potential for harm exists - whether physical, mental, emotional or economic - sceptics consider it unethical not to challenge such claims.
History
The New Zealand Skeptics were co-founded (as the New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) by David MarksDavid Marks (psychologist)
David F. Marks is a psychologist who is largely concerned with four areas of psychological research - health psychology, cognitive psychology, parapsychology and IQ score variations...
, Denis Dutton
Denis Dutton
Denis Dutton was an academic, web entrepreneur and libertarian media commentator/activist. He was a professor of philosophy at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand...
and others in 1986. Other similar organisations exist in the USA (Committee for Scientific Inquiry), Australia (Australian Skeptics
Australian Skeptics
The Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organisation based in Australia which investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies.-History:...
), and India (Indian CSICOP
Indian CSICOP
Indian CSICOP is a well-known rationalist group based at Podanur, Tamil Nadu, India. Founded by Basava Premanand Indian CSICOP is in the forefront of the rationalist campaigns in India which attempt to expose perceived miracles and to eradicate superstitions.Indian CSICOP is an affiliate of the US...
). Denis Dutton was the first chair, Vicki Hyde
Vicki Hyde
Vicki Hyde is a New Zealand science writer and editor, and chair-entity of the New Zealand Skeptics. She is co-owner with her husband Peter of a New Zealand-based software and web development company, Webcentre Ltd....
the first chair-entity (a title devised by Hugh Young both to be all-inclusive and to parody inclusiveness) from 1997–2010; the present chair-entity is Gold (his only name), who founded New Zealand Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and other like-minded individuals...
, but Hyde continues as media spokes-entity.
Bob Brockie
Bob Brockie
Bob Brockie is a New Zealand cartoonist, scientist, columnist and graphic artist.He has been an editorial cartoonist to the National Business Review since 1975, specialising in political satire. As a biologist he is interested in animal populations, animal behaviour and diseases and did his PhD on...
, a cartoonist, columnist and scientist is member. A prominent member was journalist Frank Haden.
Activities
The New Zealand Skeptics hold an annual conference, usually in August–September during the school holidays, about one in the South Island for every two in the North Island. Each year the New Zealand Skeptics give awards, notably the 'Bravo Awards' for "critical thinking in the public arena", and a 'Bent Spoon' award for "the most gullible or naive reporting in the paranormal or pseudo-science area". The name "bent spoon" is a reference to the psychic power claimed by Uri GellerUri Geller
Uri Geller is a self-proclaimed psychic known for his trademark television performances of spoon bending and other supposed psychic effects. Throughout the years, Geller has been accused of using simple conjuring tricks to achieve the effects of psychokinesis and telepathy...
.
On 30 January 2010, members in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
participated in a mass overdose, a protest against the selling of homeopathic remedies in pharmacies.
The protest was in line with similar activities held on the same day by the 10:23 campaign
10:23 campaign
The 1023 Campaign is an awareness campaign & protest against homeopathy. The campaign is organised by The Merseyside Skeptics Society, a non-profit organisation of skeptics in the United Kingdom...
in the UK.