Month: September 2021

October’s Puzzles are now at the top of the  PUZZLES PAGE.

The Crossword Puzzle this month has another look at Weasel Words, with particular attention to “ad-speak”, the sometimes tortuous use of the English language in commercial advertising.

Don’t forget that our Logic Problems now come with solutions as well as answers, and “may” have educational as well as entertainment value. (Now there’s an example of “ad-speak!)

Previous puzzles going back to May 2021 may be accessed by scrolling down through the puzzles page. Hundred of earlier puzzles are available from the archives links at the bottom of the Puzzles page.

Enjoy!

We posted a lot of special puzzles last year for those experiencing a COVID-19 stay-at-home regime. The first lot of NEW “lockdown” puzzles has just been posted to the top of the PUZZLES PAGE.

They include the ever-popular Picture Puzzles and some “Crossword Clues” to test your vocabulary.

Last year’s special puzzles are still available from the archives links at the bottom of the Puzzles page. They’re in archive 9.

Enjoy!

Richard Wiseman from the UK and New Zealander of the Year Siouxsie Wiles are two key speakers for this year’s Skepticon convention, to be held on November 20-21. This year’s event will be a joint venture between Australian and New Zealand Skeptics.

Held in Sydney and Wellington, the convention will feature presentations live in-person at both venues, streamed between the two countries, and from around the world. (Note that, of course, should the current situation in Sydney re COVID and lockdowns continue, then we may be forced to have an online-only convention for the Sydney component. Hopefully the same won’t apply in New Zealand.)

Prof Wiseman (London), experimental psychologist, is well-known in skeptical circles, author of a number of books including Paranormality, a scientific look at the supernatural.

Microbiologist Assoc Prof Wiles is probably one of New Zealand’s most famous scientists, a regular in media explaining the details of COVID, science communicator, and 2021 New Zealander of the Year.

Other speakers will include
• Dr Alexander Panchin (Moscow) – computation biologist, member of the Commission on Pseudoscience of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and author of Defense Against the Dark Arts, a guide to the world of paranormal phenomena.
• Annie McCubbin (Sydney) – actor, writer, director, corporate communication consultant and coach, and author of the 2021 book Why Smart Women Make Bad Decisions … and how critical thinking can protect them.
• Dr Paul Willis (Sydney) – Adjunct Associate Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders University and one of Australia’s best-known science communicators.

Details of the speakers and ticket prices will be available soon, but in the meantime please register your interest at skepticon.org.au so you can receive the latest info.