Minnesota Skeptics

Meet the Skeptics

Brianne Bilyeu, , , , , , , 4,071 Comments

Earlier this month I went to a Minnesota Skeptics meetup. Drinking Skeptically takes place on the second Thursday of every month at Be’wiched Deli in downtown Minneapolis, 5pm-8pm. Afterwards some of us walk next door to Club Jager to share some drinks and more skepticy good company. Mostly it’s a chance to hang out and have fun. We share stories that relate to skepticism that we’ve read online or heard on podcasts, share announcements, upcoming events and personal projects, eat yummy food, et cetera, et cetera.

This month I asked a few of the attendees if I could chat with them about who they are, why they started coming to skeptics events and if they are working on any special projects. So, with any further ado, meet some skeptics! Continue reading “Meet the Skeptics” →

Meet the Skeptics
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Happy Friday!

Brianne Bilyeu, , , , , 680 Comments

No time for a real blog post. I have to get into work early so I can get out of work early so some friends and I can drive down to Omaha, Nebraska this evening. Just a few things:

If you live between Minneapolis and Omaha (including Des Moines, Iowa) download Patient Zero onto your Android smartphones! I’m coming your way and I look forward to spreading Dorkiness to all of you and maybe bringing back some foreign viruses to Minneapolis. UPDATE: I’m responsible for spreading Dorkiness to 38 people so far and I’m currently carrying the Kellis-Amberlee cold, Dr. Who Syndrome, Hypocaffeinatia, Judaism and LameCarl.

It was lovely to see everyone at the Minnesota Skeptics meetup last night.

Mike Brown’s talk “How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming” was a lot of fun. I’ve said it before but I love when scientists are also entertaining educators! Also, a ton of science nerds showed up for the event; the main auditorium AND the overflow lecture hall were completely filled and had people standing against the walls and on sitting on the stairs.

Keep those submissions coming for Sloganizing Atheism. So far I’ve received a handful of emails containing signs that have been well-circulated on Facebook and Twitter. I’m not against using them, but my preference is to put up original, corny photos from where YOU live.

And here’s a wonderful video that’s been on my mind since I saw it over at Le Cafe Witteveen on Tuesday. This is the kind of stuff that makes me dream.

Happy Friday!

Stuff to Do in Minneapolis Tonight

Brianne Bilyeu, , , 1,591 Comments

Minnesota Skeptics presents Drinking Skeptically: RSVP at meetup.com and come down to Be’wiched Deli (800 Washington Ave N) tonight at 5pm for casual conversation and excellent food and drink. We’ve got an entire “wing” of the deli for us, and this meetup usually draws about 20-30 people. Let’s talk about whatever skeptical topics might be on your mind. In the past we’ve discussed astrology, psychics, homeopathy, chiropractors, ghost hunters, aliens, conspiracy theory, creationists, snake oil salesmen, magic, critical thinking, science, and the psychologies of belief and perception.

Continue reading “Stuff to Do in Minneapolis Tonight” →

Stuff to Do in Minneapolis Tonight

George Hrab at House on the Rock!

Brianne Bilyeu, , , , 363 Comments

I originally posted this at Minnesota Skeptics

 Skeptical musician/humorist George Hrab will be performing at House on the Rock Resort March 31st. The Chicago Skeptics have set up this special concert, and skeptics from all over the midwest are invited. Earlier in the day a lot of people are going to tour the nearby amazingly cool House on the Rock. I cannot do justice to how incredibly bizarre, eclectic and fascinating the House on the Rock is. I visited this past summer for the first time and cannot wait to go back.

Jennifer Newport from Chicago Skeptics has this to say about the George Hrab concert: “While the ticket price is $20, if this seems out of your range, feel free to contact me…sliding scale/grants available. This is all about trying to get a bunch of midwestern skeptics together for a fun event!” More details about the concert, HOTR visitor information and lodging options can be found at www.chicagoskeptics.net (this is also where you buy concert tickets) or at the Facebook event page.

Please note: The HOTR tour and the concert are separate events. If you head down that way you can do one or the other or both (or neither).

One of the (IMHO awesomest!!!!) rooms at HOTR.

So start planning your car pools, load up your mp3 players with skeptical podcasting and music, and get ready to rock at the Rock! (I apologize for that. It’s been a long day and it’s late).

George Hrab at House on the Rock!

Minnesota Skeptics Meetup TONIGHT

Brianne Bilyeu, , 527 Comments

Tonight I’m hosting the Minnesota Skeptics “Drinking Skeptically” meetup. Now, this group has been around for years longer than I’ve involved, and the regulars would show up even if I didn’t, so what makes me the host? Because I have the free T-Shirts!

I’m going to be sharing some photos and talking about my experiences at Chicago Skepticamp, which I attended two weekends ago. As The Official Host In Charge Of Talking About Skepticamp And Handing Out Free T-Shirts, I invite you to join us if you’ll be in the area (or if own a molecular transporter. Actually, if you own one of these, contact me even if you don’t feel like coming to Drinking Skeptically, okay?)

You can get more details of the event at the Drinking Skeptically event page, but here’s the skinny: People start gathering at Be’Wiched Deli (the food, OMFSM, the food!) in Minneapolis at 5pm. At about 7:30, some of the group members wander across the street to Jager to continue our discussions. Here’s what our group is all about:

Had enough of astrologers, psychics, homeopaths, ghost hunters, aliens, conspiracy theorists, creationists, and snake oil salesmen? Yearning to talk with someone rational for a while? Skeptics are interested in critical thinking, science, and the psychologies of belief and perception. Come meet with local skeptics for some refreshing and sane conversation.

If you can make it, I’ll see you there!

Minnesota Skeptics Meetup TONIGHT