wandapec
Sr. Member
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« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2008, 11:01:43 AM » |
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Well done James, I am reall sorry to have missed it. No more magic lessons this year, so hopefully will be able to make it to the next one.
Steve
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AcinonyxScepticus
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« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2008, 11:13:13 AM » |
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It's great to hear that you are interested in joining us. We haven't set a firm date for the next meeting yet (and the venue is up for discussion if it is inconvenient for anyine) but we thought that once a month would be a good start.
See you soon.
James
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BluEGrAY
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« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2008, 13:01:30 PM » |
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Sounds like I'm missing out  Anyone left in Stellenbosch over the next few weeks, give me shout! |
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skepticdetective
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« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2008, 16:59:48 PM » |
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James! I thought you weren't going to tell anyone about the tequila. Oh well, then I might as well mention the body shots you were enjoying off that hot waitress, hey?
Seriously though, it was great to meet you and with any luck we will have more participation next time around.
If anyone is available on the 15th of December I'd like to have Skeptics in the pub 2.0.
Well, I still don't have my ADSL router back so I have to log off now before I finish the cap on the office 3G card!
See you soon.
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Owen Swart
Officer in Charge, SciOps
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Fleet Captain Owen Swart of the Starship Dauntless
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« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2008, 10:42:37 AM » |
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Approaching Mensa might be an option but my own experiences with SA’s Mensa chapter have been uniformly less than encouraging, comprising such things as free energy machines, the nutritional woo-woo of a prominent but self-styled SA “expert,” Feng Shui and several other fanciful subjects. While these things can readily be dismissed as “discussion of interesting topics,” it is simply alarming how many Mensans are at least equally prone to woo-woo as the average Jane and Joe. The essential problem, I think, is that Mensans are hard to disabuse of their ill-founded notions because they are on average more able and inventive when deploying quasi-defences of nonsense, and compounding such ability with more-than-occasional “Oh, I’m so very clever” puffery. Members tend to drown out criticism with sheer weight of intellect.
I'm a member of the local Mensa. While there's certainly a woo component among them (even at least one young Earth creationist), there's also a strong sceptical focus, particularly among the members who participate in the email forum. They do invite woo speakers from time to time, but this is largely for the entertainment value, and less for the intellectual value of the speaker's content. There's currently no Sceptical SIG that I know of, but I'm fairly confident that quite a few Joburg Mensans would be interested in a Sceptics in the Pub event. When the plans firm up for the next one, I'll gladly send an invitation to the Mensa email forum, and see what transpires. |
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AcinonyxScepticus
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« Reply #20 on: December 12, 2008, 21:57:50 PM » |
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If anyone is available on the 15th of December I'd like to have Skeptics in the pub 2.0. Wow, the month has flown-by. I'm still definitely keen on attending on Monday. Same pub is absolutely fine with me. I know many people are away on holiday so I don't expect a huge turn-out. Show of hands? Also, looking to the next one, we also have a query from a visiting Sceptic from Durban (who will be here in the first two weeks of January) whether our January meeting will be during that timespan. We can discuss it, a month is a long time.  James |
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AcinonyxScepticus
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« Reply #21 on: December 15, 2008, 15:12:48 PM » |
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Sorry for calling this off so late (and even though one of my favourite things is drinking alone ) but SD can't make it tonight and there doesn't appear to be enough interest to go ahead with the Jo'burg Sceptics in the Pub tonight. We will have to plan for January instead because most people will be away for December. Are there interested parties for the 5th of January? Michael Meadon will be up from KZN that week and I might have mentioned that we'd try to have a meeting that week. Michael is the brains behind the drive for more South African Science and Scepticism blogs so join us for a chat about this and all other sceptical goodies on the 5th. James |
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skepticdetective
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« Reply #22 on: December 17, 2008, 11:37:25 AM » |
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Hey there Skeptics!
Yes, it's me! the SD is finally back online and ready to rock the sceptical community! Or any community for that matter, I just wanna rock!
James, the 5th of Jan is good for me. Where shall we meet?
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Michael Meadon
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« Reply #23 on: December 22, 2008, 21:01:22 PM » |
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I'm keen to come, what are the details? (I'm not on Facebook anymore -- long story).
Thanks...
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AcinonyxScepticus
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« Reply #24 on: December 23, 2008, 09:54:28 AM » |
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Oh yeah. More details ... 5 Jan 2008 from 18h30 at Tony's Bar in Randburg. The shopping centre is called Malanshof shopping centre and it's at the corner of Hans Strydom street and Philip Le Roux avenue. Pop on to Brabys Maps to get directions (click on the "Directions" title near the top). James |
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skepticdetective
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« Reply #25 on: January 07, 2009, 19:41:01 PM » |
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Hey there, so Monday was a real blast! check out my blog for a few pics. www.skepticdetective.wordpress.comStay tuned for details of the next meeting. SD |
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wandapec
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« Reply #26 on: January 08, 2009, 13:47:46 PM » |
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Well done guys, great achievement! I really hope I can make it to the next one!
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scienceteacheragain
godlike, humble, know-it-all
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« Reply #27 on: January 09, 2009, 00:11:40 AM » |
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Can't believe I am offline for a while and miss getting to meet you guys.
Probably won't make the next one either as I am going back to the US at the end of the month.
Have one for me...
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skepticdetective
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« Reply #28 on: January 09, 2009, 18:03:36 PM » |
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Well, I guess it is time to start planning for the February installment of Gauteng Sceptics in the Pub. As we have a strong Pretoria contingent I have been advised not to call it "Jo'burg" sceptics anymore (thanks Mike). Furthermore, we will also be holding the meetings a little further north. Midrand was suggested as the gathering point. I do not know Midrand very well anymore (having moved out of the town about 3 years ago), if you do know of a pleasant meeting place in Midrand, please do suggest it. I suggest that we hold the get together on the 2nd of February at 18h30 as usual. Also, don't forget that February is bring-a-friend month, so please lure an unsuspecting acquaintance with promises of cookies  SD |
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Mefiante
Defollyant Iconoclast
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In solidarity with rwenzori: Κοπρος φανεται
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« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2009, 21:03:00 PM » |
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I do not know Midrand very well anymore if you do know of a pleasant meeting place in Midrand, please do suggest it. One possibility is Ogilvy’s. It’s spacious and has a garden but can get quite loud. It’s located on Tonnetti St, just up from where it T-junctions with De Winnaar, behind The Boulders shopping mall. From both Jhb and Pta, it’s better to take the New Rd off-ramp rather than Allandale Rd, which should be avoided. 'Luthon64 |
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