Starting a Skeptic's Club on Campus, Need Activitiy Ideas

[DrugFreeAlcoholic]

I want to start a "skeptic's club" at my community college, but I don't have many ideas on activities that we could do. So far I have:

- Initial meeting (probably just gather to socialize and introduce members to the club)
- My old biol. Prof. speaking about creationism and ID
- My old psychology Prof. speaking about belief systems and magical thinking
- An "Ask an Atheist" discussion panel where we answer any questions theists might have for us
- Minature JREF challenge for anyone who believes they have paranormal abilities? This assumes someone will take upon our challenge.
- One of my magican friends can perform magic for the last meeting of the semester. (He'll cost about $80 though)

Although it's "skeptic's club," I would like to remain in the area of existence of god(s) and evolution/creation. I've been in that game since I was 17, but I'm relatively new to psychics, cryptozoology, conspiracy theories, etc. But I'm also open to venturing in those areas.

I also thought about bending a spoon, but I can't do that every meeting - people would get bored. But then again, Geller's been doing that for 30+ years and people are still entertained.

Seriously, I need help on potentional activities we could do that can help educate people, and activities we could do so skeptics can gather and socialize.

Also, many factors will be stacked against me in forming this club. Newly formed clubs only recieve 50% from school sponsored fundraising activites (not to mention the fact we'll start off with $0). And since it's a community college, I expect the skeptic population to be low (not to mention skeptics that are interested in joining the club will be even lower). The only audience members for guest speakers might be the club members themselves.

Well, I know me and the "Campus Crusade for Christ" club are gonna be best buddies. Which reminds me, no burning bibles. There's already enough predjudice surrounding the word "atheist" or "skeptic."

 

[Legalduck]

Whatever it is, advertise that alcohol will be present. In law school, I went to tons of meetings for various clubs that I had no interest in joining (including the Christian Legal Society). The reason: they had free booze.

My best suggestion would be outings to local natural attractions. State parks, caves, canyons (my state happens to have grand version of this), etc. People are usually eager for any type of off campus trip and you highlight the skeptical angle. Each of the above places can be used to promote evidence based thinking (i.e. skepticism).

 

[mrich]

Whatever it is, advertise that alcohol will be present. In law school, I went to tons of meetings for various clubs that I had no interest in joining (including the Christian Legal Society). The reason: they had free booze.

Amen!

Er, um....

I agree!

I've also gone to some pretty unlikely events just because there was either free food or there was a cute student of the opposite gender passing out flyers.

 

[UnrepentantSinner]

Although it's "skeptic's club," I would like to remain in the area of existence of god(s) and evolution/creation. I've been in that game since I was 17, but I'm relatively new to psychics, cryptozoology, conspiracy theories, etc. But I'm also open to venturing in those areas.
{truncate}

Well, I know me and the "Campus Crusade for Christ" club are gonna be best buddies. Which reminds me, no burning bibles. There's already enough predjudice surrounding the word "atheist" or "skeptic."

If you want to focus on atheism and Crevo, but are worried about the stigma surrounding the appellations, why don't you start out focusing on Crevo, then move out into other areas as you get people interested/involved? Call your group "Students for Sound Science" or something accurate, but with enough spin to not be duplicitous. Adverstize that your first discussion will be Creationism and Evolution and bring some cryptozoology into that first meeting. Stick with the science angle and discuss PSI (TRV, telekenesis, clairvoyance), psychics (mediums, mind readers) and faith healers at the second meeting.

You'll be able to gage interest in future topics/direction based on attendance and feedback and even if you get some crazies, you'll probably get more average folks who won't start spouting Bible verses or screaming that Sylvia Browne is real.

 

[JJM]

One thing you could do is get Randi's video "Secrets of the Psychics." It is inexpensive and licensed for institutional display. I suggest building around particular segments. For example, Ray Hyman is shown "cold reading" the palms of two subjects, and then the success is analyzed. You could also go to www.csicop.org and buy "The Outer Edge;" it is inexpensive and has a chapter by Ray Hyman on how to do cold reading.

Another part of the video has Randi talking to a class about astrology, and other claims, in which he demonstrates the Forer Effect. That is, if you give people a list of characteristics that most of us want to believe about ourselves (you are a loyal friend, you are strict but fair) they will think it describes them well.

Look through "The Psychology of the Psychic"
http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Ps...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201805600&sr=1-1
I think you will find some things in there you can demonstrate for the group. Caution, Susan Blackmore did some demonstrations of this sort and found her class believing more in psychic phenomena!? Even though she explained the trickery in her demonstration, they thought that she really was psychic!! (Randi has had similar experiences.)

In Skeptic magazine, look in the Jr. Skeptic part for an article with Randi explaining some of the methods for reading the contents/picture on a paper sealed in an envelope. In Skeptical Inquirer, Massimo Polidori has several essays on the subject. You can start with a demonstration, or description, of doing it, and then challenging the group to figure out other ways.

You may be able to book a seminar by a chiropractor or naturopath. If the group does advance reading in the critical literature, they may find the presentation reinforces their misgivings. On any "alternative med" subject, www.quackwatch.org is a great source. Also, be sure to check www.skepdic.com for just about anything.

If you choose some specific topic, someone here probably can offer more specifics.

 

[blutoski]

Get in touch with Campus Free Thought Alliance / CFI-on-campus. They'll juice you up.

 

[blutoski]

dp

 

[CFLarsen]

Lots of tips here:

You Are Not Alone
If you have ever thought you are the only person in your community who doesn't believe in astrology or talking with the dead consider joining your local skeptic group. You can rant all you want about the ludicrousness of magnet therapy, and you will be met be understanding nods instead of the blank looks to which you are accustomed.

 

[JJM]

A highly abbreviated version of Ray Hyman's bit on cold reading is here: http://www.skeptics.com.au/articles/coldread.htm