Tag Archives: richard wiseman

The Human Zoo – the social psychology of everyday life.

Posted on by

If you're familiar with the 1960s and 1970s seminal research into social psychology, obedience, and conformity by Milgram and Zimbardo, you might be interested in The Human Zoo. Originally broadcast in May 2000, this three part series examines the psychology of 'brief encounters', 'following the herd' and 'crimes of obedience'. The programme features Zimbardo alongside other social psychologists discussing first impressions, deception, conformity, group dynamics and more.

It's essentially a slightly more serious version of Richard Wiseman's BBC2 series The People Watchers.

Thanks to Tamas Borbely for the recommendation.

    You can’t get to a Skeptics in the Pub? Try the next best thing!

    Posted on by

    See Robin Ince’s School for Gifted Children on Tour this autumn instead!

    Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People will only be in London this year.

    However, something just as good  has turned up instead– New Humanist has teamed up with Robin as media partners for a tour of his School for Gifted Children comedy and science shows, which is what Nine Lessons and Carols started from in the first place. The show is travelling to six venues around England through October, November and December, so those of you unable to make it to London for Nine Lessons may like to consider getting hold of some tickets.

    It’s hosted by Robin, with Josie Long, Simon Singh and Gavin Osborn appearing at all the dates. There’ll be various special guests too, including Ben Goldacre and Richard Wiseman. Here’s a list of the dates, along with links to the venues which you can follow to buy tickets:

    23 October: Cambridge Junction
    25 October: Bath Komedia
    29 October: Brighton Komedia
    7 November: Folkestone Literary Festival
    19 November: Norwich Arts Centre
    9 December: Lowry, Salford

      Why Statues Weep: The Best of the Skeptic

      Posted on by

      We are in the final stages of producing a “Best of the Skeptic” volume by the title of “Why Statues Weep”. The Skeptic magazine is the UK’s longest running publication devoted to examining science, secularism, psychology, critical thinking and claims of the paranormal. This collection covers a wide range of topics such as popular myths, UFOs, psychic fraudsters, claims of psychic healing and alien abduction, near-death experiences, false memories, and much, much more. The book includes contributions from Susan Blackmore, John Diamond, Edzard Ernst, Ray Hyman, Richard Wiseman, and many other leading sceptical commentators, as well as interviews with Stephen Fry, Paul Daniels, and Joe Nickell.

      Advance orders are now be taken for delivery for Xmas 2009 at the special price of £9.99 within the UK and £11.99 elsewhere  (post free in both instances). The RRP for the book will be £11.99. Register with no commitment by calling 020 7841 1959 or by emailing matthew@philosophersnet.com

      Wendy M Grossman, Chris French & Simon Hoggart (eds.). (2009). Why Statues Weep: The Best of the Skeptic. London: Philosophy Press.

      The perfect Xmas present?

        NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR GODLESS PEOPLE – A RATIONAL CELEBRATION FOR CHRISTMAS

        Posted on by

        NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR GODLESS PEOPLE – A RATIONAL CELEBRATION FOR CHRISTMAS

        SOLD OUT- The Bloomsbury Theatre, London 15th – 19th December

        TRY HERE FOR THE HAMMERSMITH SHOW 20th December

        The return of 2008’s sold out show of science, song and some interpretative dance. Tickets, by the way, are selling fast, I think Fri and Sat are sold out already, so move quick if you want to come.

        This is not an attack on religion, but a celebration of science and the rational world.

        Last year saw Jarvis Cocker singing I Believe in Father Christmas with a 25 piece orchestra before Richard Dawkins took to the stage to talk of cobwebs followed by a Top of the Pops dance to Harry Nilsson’s Can’t Live if Living is Without You.

        This year promises to be even more eclectic. Every night will see physicist and code breaker Simon Singh, Bad Science author Ben Goldacre, acclaimed singer songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, multi award winning comedians Josie Long and Richard Herring, Thick of It star Chris Addison, and the Mini Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra appearing every night.

        Special guests will include pagan sock cat worshipper and the man who changed the face of the comic book, Alan Moore (16th), manmade climate change denier and legendary enthusiast Johnny Ball (there should be some interesting backstage arguments there) (15 -17th), Quirkologist and psychologist Richard Wiseman (15th and 19th), I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue Legend Barry Cryer with Ronnie Golden, one of the few singers to have a top ten science hit, John Otway, CERN scientist and former popstar, Brian Cox and many more.

        Other acts will include Richard Dawkins, Natalie Haynes, Christina Martin, Marcus Chown, Joanna Neary, Andrew Collins and some star comedians being kept under wraps.

        Tickets available here – www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1363

          Million Dollar Challenge

          Posted on by

          Following the official press release from the James Randi Educational Foundation advising that the most recent preliminary test for the Million Dollar Challenge had been lost, an article has today been published providing comments from the claimant regarding the non-significant outcome, here:
          http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/549-patricia-putt-mdc-test-protocol-failure.html

          Try to guess the explanations for the failure, before clicking that link.

          Details of the experimental protocol and its development, if you’re interested, are here:
          http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=118952