Notice: If you want to sign up for a speech, you MUST email us at Skepticamp5280@gmail.com and ask about availability. The schedule is now very full, and we can no longer accept speech signups from this page. We will try to accommodate everyone who wants to speak, but we will need to speak with you over email.

Contents 1 When and where is the event? 1.1 Directions and parking 2 Register to attend! 3 Schedule of Events 3.1 Registered participants 3.2 Registered talks 4 Participate by giving a talk 4.1 Scheduling policies and guidelines 4.2 Room layout and A/V setup 5 External links

edit When and where is the event?

When: February 26th, 2011

Where: Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Lory Student Center, Cherokee Ballroom

edit Directions and parking

This event will be held in the Lory Student Center on the CSU campus. From College Avenue, turn west onto Laurel St. Take a left on Meldrum, which will take you into the parking lot in front of the student center. Parking is free on the weekends.

If you enter the building on the north end, you will need to take two flights of stairs up to the top level. The opening ceremony will take place at 8 am in the Cherokee Ballroom. There will be signs near every entrance with instructions to the room. Admission is free.

edit Register to attend!

This is the official signup page for this event. There is no cost to attend. See Registered Participants below.

edit Schedule of Events

8:00am

Cherokee Ballroom: Opening Remarks

8:40am

LSC 230: Michael Deschenes, How Much Easier It is to Be Critical Than to Be Correct
LSC 228: Larry Sarner, Looting the Treasury: How Quacks Will Use ObamaCare to Pick Your Pocket
LSC 224-6: Josiah Haswell, Latent Semantic Analysis: Geeks, Come Here!
LSC 220-2: Mike Vincent, Science is Cool! Promoting Science to Non-Scientists

9:10am

BREAK

9:20am

Cherokee Ballroom: Skepticism in the Media Panel, Seth Yoder, Nigel Aves, Matthew Baxter, Bryan Bonner, Brian Walsh, Bryan Hineser

9:50am

BREAK

10:00am

LSC 230: Sarah Powell, The Value of Knowledge and Skepticism in the Beef Industry
LSC 228: Bernie Rollin, Misplaced Science Community Skepticism, Re: Ethics and the Animal Mind
LSC 224-6: Mark Edward, Guerrilla Skepticism
LSC 220-2: Joel Guttormson, Early Christian Feminism

10:30am

BREAK (LSC 228 will continue running during this time)

10:40am

LSC 230: Jo Ann Hedleston, The Seven Tenets of Feminist Ethics
LSC 228: Bernie Rollin, cont.
LSC 224-6: Susan Gerbic, Wikipedia is Skepticism's Friend: My Adventure as a Skeptic Editor
LSC 220-2: Chalmer Wren, The Numbers Game: The Misuse and Abuse of Statistics

11:10am

BREAK

11:20am

Cherokee Ballroom: Religious Skeptics Panel, Wendy Heath, Robert Baty, Sarah Powell, Mike Vincent, Gabriel Tait, Kevin Stanton

12:00pm

LUNCH (Maps will be provided to nearby restaurants, some of which are within easy walking distance. There are also a few food vendors within the Lory Student Center.)

1:00pm

LSC 230: Norman Schultz, The Gains and Perils of Secular Morality
LSC 228: Robert Baty, FFRF Challenge to IRC 107
LSC 224-6: Cheryl Abbate, The Arduous Road to Veganism: The Invaluable Rewards of a Challenging Lifestyle
LSC 220-2: Brian Hineser, The Mechanics of Astrology

1:30pm

BREAK (LSC 230 will continue running during this time)

1:40pm

LSC 230: Norman Schultz, cont.
LSC 228: Reed Esau, The Pathologies of 'I don't know
LSC 224-6: Logan Baxter, High School Relationship Class
LSC 220-2: Kai Haswell, How to Argue Effectively

2:10pm

BREAK

2:20pm

Cherokee Ballroom: Diversity in Skepticism Panel, Joel Guttormson, Amy Maass, Jamie Folsom, Logan Baxter

2:50pm

BREAK

3:00pm

Cherokee Ballroom: Bryan & Baxter, For Entertainment Purposes Only
LSC 230: Linda Rosa, Colorado Bill: Into the Breech with Lay Midwives
LSC 228: Rod Adams, Refuting the Infinite Regress Argument
LSC 224-6: Marcus Schultz-Bergin, The University, Pluralism, and Opposing the Totalitarian Mindset
LSC 220-2: Amy Maass, The Excess Horse Problem: or the Consequences of not being Skeptical

3:30pm

BREAK (The Cherokee Ballroom will continue running during this time)

3:40pm

Cherokee Ballroom: Bryan & Baxter, cont.
LSC 230: Theron Sax, Chaplaincy in the Military
LSC 228: Howard Landman, Having Fun With Non-Classical Logic / Making Fun Of Classical Logic
LSC 224-6: Jeric Harper, Santa is a Tool (For Critical Thinking)
LSC 220-2: Jeffrey Davis, Concepts in Cold Reading

4:10pm

BREAK

4:20pm

Cherokee Ballroom: Closing Remarks

5:00pm

AFTER PARTY

Please join us after the event at the Wild Boar Cafe, on College Avenue (map will be provided). We will meet in the downstairs area, which has been reserved exclusively for our group. Everyone is welcome, admission is free. Relax with us after a busy day!

edit Registered participants

to add your name (individuals only please!) click the 'edit' link to the right and add yourself to the end of the list

1. Reed Esau @reedes on Twitter - looking for carpooling from Golden/Denver
2. Brian Walsh
3. Kai Haswell
4. Jeffrey Davis
5. Amy Maass
6. Mike Vincent
7. Cheryl Abbate
8. Michael Deschenes
9. Robert Baty: theist, retired IRS Appeals Officer (Speech Topic: FFRF Challenge to IRC 107)
10. Josiah Haswell
11. Joel Guttormson
12. Laura Johnson
13. Kirsten Johnson
14. Dana Miller
15. Bryan and Baxter
16. Logan Baxter
17. Kimberly Saviano
18. Jamie Folsom
19. Dallas Heltzell
20. Jo Ann Hedleston
21. Nigel Aves
22. Sarah Powell
23. Jeric Harper
24. Caleb Hendrich
25. Howard A. Landman (talk "Having Fun With Non-Classical Logic")
26. Steve Graham
27. Linda Rosa
28. Larry Sarner
29. Kevin Stanton
30. Seth Yoder
31. Doug Holland
32. Wendy Heath
33. Megan Moore
34. Susan Forsyth
35. Mark Edward
36. Theron Sax
37. Carrie Whiting
38. Charles English
39. Joshua Inkeles
40. Karen Stollznow
41. Laura Urynowicz
42. Michael Caffrey
43. Norman Schultz
44. Revae Hackett
45. Scott Lee
46. Rod Adams
47. Bernard Rollin
48. Gabriel Tait
49. Chalmer Wren
50. Bill Snow
51. Mary Snow
52. Graydon Wheeler
53. Ben Prytherch
54. Magic John
55. Matt Law
56. Erica Quihuiz
57. Ken Cline
58. Rich Ludwig
59. Natalie Jones
60. Robert Walker
61. Mike Trujillo
62. Joyce Trujillo
63. Ivy Hunt
64. Joe Martin
65. Dorothy Lorig
66. Arthur Rickard
67. Eric Skousen
68. Courtney Stone
69. Max Stark
70. Alyssa Margolis

edit Registered talks

• Reed Esau: The Pathologies of "I don't know"

Among skeptics there's an almost universally-accepted maxim that it's okay to say "I don't know" when confronted with a difficult question. However, in certain circumstances (which I'll cover) to say "I don't know" should raise warning flags.

• Bryan and Baxter: For Entertainment Purposes Only

The Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society was formed in 1999 to help people and study paranormal phenomena. We conduct our investigations with a scientific approach. We feel that an open mind is the most important tool that you can use. Our talk is about the honesty and reality of paranormal tv shows and entertainers. We target Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and Paranormal State (with Chris Moon).

• Logan Baxter:

This presentation will be on the value (or lack of) a high school relationship class.

• Joel Guttormson: Early Christian Feminism

This presentation examines the feminist themes, imagery and interpretation of the Acts of Paul and Thecla. Written in the 2nd century C.E., the Acts of Paul and Thecla was a popular (albeit non-canonical) text recounting the public life of the early Christian saint, Thecla. A strong woman who maintained her independence through itinerancy and virginity, Thecla describe miraculous defeats of attempts to kill her and even the public rebuffing of an attempt at rape. Thecla became the source of devotion among many early Christian women’s communities. Surprisingly little has been written about Thecla by contemporary feminist scholars of religion. This presentation explores the potential for empowering messages in Acts of Paul and Thecla and interrogates the historic suppression of this religious narrative.

• Chalmer Wren: The Numbers Game: The Misuse and Abuse of Statistics

I will first attempt to demonstrate that statistics can often be counter intuitive. I will then discuss and give examples of the misapplication (sometimes intentional and sometimes not) of statistics in academic and commercial research science. The first half of my presentation will be interactive.

• Amy Maass: The Excess Horse Problem: or the Consequences of not being Skeptical

Due to non-skeptical, gut reactions from people, the horse industry is in crisis. Animal rights activists have lobbied and successfully closed down the horse slaughter plants in the US. Between the closure of the plants, the economic recession, and rising feed prices, the number of unwanted horses has risen significantly in the past few years. This has driven prices down and caused increased cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment. These issues and possible solutions will be discussed from an economic policy perspective.

• Jeffrey Davis: Cold Reading Tactics Via Tarot
• Norman Schultz: The Gains and Perils of Secular Morality

The secular worldview is almost always a product of examining the evidence for religious claims and employing a reasoned analysis of them. But critical thinking skills are not useful merely for debunking religion – they hold the power to judge all our beliefs. What happens when such skills are employed in an effort to make sense of morality? It will be argued that two things follow. First, the enterprise of justifying morality becomes generally more difficult (though not at all impossible). Second, some commonly-held moral views are shown to have no rational support. Unfortunately, some of these are values that even liberal naturalists want to retain. Keeping a sincere attitude of accepting what reason gives as it comes, therefore, results in having to rethink some of our treasured moral beliefs.

• Susan Gerbic: Wikipedia is Skepticism's Friend: My Adventure as a Skeptic Editor

I will be discussing Wikipedia rules that favor the skeptic movement, such as neutral point of view, balance, and citing facts only. Faith, opinion, and anecdotal evidence are Not Allowed. I will use one or two examples I've most currently worked on: Power Bracelets and the work of 'psychic' Sylvia Browne.

• Cheryl Abbate: The Arduous Road to Veganism: The Invaluable Rewards of a Challenging Lifestyle

Raised in a rural Christian farm town in Wisconsin, I never considered eating meat to be a moral issue. I grew up with pets, some of which I considered to be the best friends I ever had, yet I never took seriously, the moral inconsistency of providing shelter, food, and love, to one type of animal, while at the same time, consuming meat produced from a factory farm without any hesitation. After taking a graduate seminar in Animal Rights here at Colorado State University, I finally came to my senses. From two simple premises: (1) causing unnecessary pain and suffering to a sentient being is wrong, and (2) eating meat causes unnecessary pain and suffering to sentient animals, I logically concluded that our American lifestyle of consuming meat needlessly on a daily basis is morally wrong. In this talk, I will go over the simple principles that inclined me to become a vegetarian, and furthermore, a vegan. I will explain, from my point of view, why I believe that we, as rational human beings, are obligated to live a vegan lifestyle if we are to live in accordance with morality. Furthermore, I will describe the obstacles I faced from such a drastic lifestyle change: challenges internal and challenges external (from friends, family, and my Christian religion). I will conclude by offering advice for maintaining an effective, healthy, moral, and vegan lifestyle.

• Michael Deschenes: How Much Easier it is to be Critical than to be Correct
• Wendy Heath: Bridging the Gap: How To Effectively Treat Your Patients With Religious Needs and Maintain Your Own Beliefs Without Compromising Care (Or Your Sanity)

Ethics is one of our primary concerns in today's modern healthcare system; one ethical aspect that is often inadequately explored is the conflict that arises between medical providers and their patients where religion is concerned. Everyone is familiar with the idea of certain religious needs interfering with care, but what about providers who struggle with their perception of a moral conflict while providing care for patients whose beliefs differ from their own? Join me, as we explore the issue from both sides of the coin, in Bridging the Gap: How To Effectively Treat Your Patients With Religious Needs and Maintain Your Own Beliefs Without Compromising Care (Or Your Sanity). We will be exploring multiple viewpoints and hypothetical situations, from the atheist doctor treating the Fundamental Christian to the evangelical nurse struggling to connect with non-religious patients.

• Robert Baty: FFRF Challenge to IRC 107

A discussion of the in-process legal challenge by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to the income tax free housing allowance provided exclusively to "ministers": background, proceedings, the Grassley Report, and why it is that theists can support the the FFRF challenge.

• Mike Vincent: Science is Cool!
• Mark Edward: Guerrilla Skepticism
• Josiah Haswell: Latent Semantic Analysis
• Kai Haswell: How to Argue Effectively

You're right. You know you're right. You're the rightest right thing that ever righted right. The problem is, you can't seem to convince other people you're right. Maybe they keep circling back to those old, useless arguments that you've shot down five times now. Or they break off the conversation because they're convinced you're too close-minded to accept the truth. What the hell is going on? Why don't they just get it?! Well, it may be that you suck at arguing. Come learn the most common pitfalls you will encounter in debates, and how to avoid them. Make your arguments matter.

• Jo Ann Hedleston: The Seven Tenants of Feminist Ethics

A general overview on the current views on feminist ethics, and how they differ from the traditional views of Kantian and utilitarian ethics.

• Bernard Rollin: Misplaced Science Community Skepticism, Re: Ethics and the Animal Mind
• Theron Sax: Chaplaincy in the Military
• Howard Landman: Having Fun With Non-Classical Logic / Making Fun Of Classical Logic

Classical Logic is the most widely used formal reasoning method in the world today, but has serious problems. A single contradiction causes it to explode (every statement becomes provable, "Ex Contradictione Quodlibet"), and the way it models "if-then" statements is provably broken ("the paradoxes of Material Implication") and does not match the normal usage of if-then in natural human languages. In this talk we explore these problems, and take a quick look at some of the non-classical logics which have been proposed to address these issues, such as paraconsistent logics, relevance logics, and discursive logics. You may never think of "being logical" the same way again!

• Jeric Harper: Santa is a Tool (For Critical Thinking)
• Rod Adams: Refuting the Infinite Regress Argument

My topic is the Infinite Regress argument as presented by Michael Huemer (philosophy professor at CU-Boulder) in his book Skepticism and the Veil of Perception. The conclusion of the Infinite Regress argument is that no knowledge is possible. I critique the argument, by presenting a constructive dilemma that forces the skeptic to choose between two options: one option entails that the IR argument is unsound; the other option entails that the IR argument is invalid.

• Sarah Powell: The Value of Knowledge and Skepticism in the Beef Industry
• Marcus Schultz-Bergin: The University, Pluralism, and Opposing the Totalitarian Mindset

Our world is defined by pluralism, the fact of many different cultural, social and religious views. Pluralism, however, is angst-inducing and frightening for nearly everyone at least at some time in their lives. There are three possible responses to pluralism: accept the uncertainty and complexity of the situation, reject the existence of any values (nihilism), or embrace a single absolute simplistic worldview (totalitarianism). I argue that it is the role of the university to destabilize absolutism and nihilism, promoting pluralism. But more important, it is the university’s role to provide the tools necessary to accept the uncertainty and complexity that pluralism entails so as to militate against both nihilism and totalitarianism.

• Linda Rosa RN: Colorado Bill: Into the Breech with Lay Midwives

Lay midwives are uneasy about a bill in the 2011 legislative session that will determine their fate for the next five years. And they should be. They are asking for serious new privileges that would make them even more dangerous. Lay midwives are becoming major purveyors of anti-science and bizarre quackery.

• Larry Sarner: Looting the Treasury: How Quacks Will Use ObamaCare to Pick Your Pocket

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 has several provisions cobbled into it that financially advantage practitioners of "alternative" medicine (read "quackery"). The key to accessing these advantages is to achieve formal recognition at the state level. In Colorado this year, one small group of quacks seeks to gain exactly that recognition from the Colorado legislature, and if they succeed, they will extract tens of millions of dollars from Coloradans, insurance rates will go up, budgetary pressures will rise, there will be impetus for a two-tier system of health care in the state, the integrity of medicine will be compromised, consumer protection in health care will be thrown out the window, and legislative oversight for regulatory functions will be in tatters...Oh, and public health and individual well-being will suffer.

edit Participate by giving a talk

As SkeptiCamp is about sharing knowledge, we strongly encourage each participant to offer a short talk on a topic related to science or skepticism (though giving a talk is not required to participate.) Please email Kai at skepticamp5280@gmail.com if you're interested in giving a talk. Provide the title of your talk and a preferred speaking time. Please also include a short summary (paragraph in length or shorter) of your talk: this will be included in the schedule of events brochure handed out on the day of the event.

edit Scheduling policies and guidelines

Each talk will be limited to 20 minutes in length (the length of a TED talk). There will be 10 minutes following each talk for Q&A. There will also be 10 minutes between each talk to give speakers time to set up and participants the opportunity to change rooms.

edit Room layout and A/V setup

Each room will have approximately 50 chairs, set up in rows. LCD projectors and house sound are provided, although participants must use their own laptop. Please bring a VGA adapter if you use a Mac laptop.

edit External links

Leaders in Free Thought Homepage