We kick off the new year with the usual mix of Picture Puzzles, Mixed Bag questions, Logic & Maths questions and a Skeptical Crossword with Astrology as its theme. They’re at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE.
Lower down the puzzles page you’ll find all 2001 puzzles from May. Earlier puzzles going back to 2010 are available from the archives links at the bottom of the Puzzles page.
Enjoy!
Belgian authors, Patrick Vermeren (56) and Bart Van de Ven (37) have won an action in the Appeals Court in Belgium. “Business Coach” Carl Van de Velde had previously unsuccessfully sued them for defamation in the Court of First Instance, but chose to appeal. At that stage the two author’s legal costs already stood at about A$85,000.
The Belgium-based Skeptical society SKEPP stepped in to support the authors and to seek international support for their on-going legal battles.
Patrick and Bart had written an article for SKEPP’s magazine about two highly successful companies that used dubious theories such as NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) and characterization of people based on their skull (phrenology) and physiognomy (interpretation of outward appearance, in this case of face and hair). One of the companies was the Carl Van de Velde Training Institute. The authors had criticized the content of its pseudo-scientific master classes as well as the marketing strategies it used to attract participants.
Paul De Belder, President of SKEPP writes: “It has taken quite some time but today the Appeals Court in Belgium judged that free speech and well-founded criticism are more important than the perceived wrongs of the commercial organization being criticized.”
Although additional legal defence costs of over A$100,000 have been generated by the Appeal process, SKEPP considers that its own “war chest” together with awarded costs and international support of over A$70,000 should enable it to cover its costs.
Vic Skeptics is proud to have contributed and to have publicised the issue locally. Apparently much of the money raised internationally by SKEPP’s fundraiser came anonymously via PayPal and bank transfer from small organisations and individuals in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The last word goes to Paul De Belder:
“Thank you so much for your support. If ever one of your organizations gets in trouble, we will stand by you.”
A new crop of Picture Puzzles, Mixed Bag questions), themed Crossword and Logic & Maths questions and a Skeptical Crossword are at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE.
This month’s Crossword is appropriately themed “Holidays and Festivals”
Scrolling down the puzzles page will get you all this year’s puzzles since May. Earlier puzzles going back to 2010 are available from the archives links at the bottom of the Puzzles page.
Enjoy!
New puzzles for November 2021 are now at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE. They include the usual Picture Puzzles, Mixed Bag set (Trivia / General Knowledge), themed Crossword and Logic & Maths set.
In addition there are some extra “Lockdown” sets (Picture Puzzles, Crossword Clues to test your vocabulary; and Logic & Maths sets).
Our Crossword Puzzle this month returns to the theme of Conspiracy Theories, concentrating on the weird and wonderful notions that have arisen in the last two years.
Previous puzzles may be accessed by scrolling down through the puzzles page. Earlier puzzles are available from the archives links at the bottom of the Puzzles page.
Enjoy!
Sad news from Australian Skeptics Inc. Martin was a good friend to, and helpful supporter of Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch).
“It is our sad duty to report the death of Martin Hadley, former president of Australian Skeptics and a stalwart of the skeptical movement.
Martin was a barrister, dealing mainly in commercial disputes. He joined the committee of Australian Skeptics Inc in NSW in 2000, and was president from 2005-2008, after which he became treasurer, a position he held until his death.
He made himself available to offer legal advice on skeptical issues to both ASI and other state committees, as well as on matters impacting on members of the broader skeptical community. As treasurer, he was instrumental in maintaining the funds held by the Australian Skeptics Science and Education Foundation, which was established in the mid-90s following a sizable bequest and which offers financial support and grants to worthy causes.
His approach ranged from stern advice to sly humour, mixed with an interest in languages, religion, wine, and sailing (in particular, the restoration of the 19th century tall ship, the James Craig).
He died of a heart attack on October 18. Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.
He will be greatly missed.”
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November.
Tickets are now available.
It has been decided to run Skepticon 2021 as an exclusively on-line event. Skepticon will continue to be a collaboration between Australian Skeptics Inc, operating from Sydney, and NZ Skeptics in Wellington.
Each $40 ticket buys you access for the weekend via one device.
by Ken Greatorex
You’d probably answer “QUACK!“
And indeed, you’d be right some of the time. Some ducks quack. Most don’t. Because I’m a Skeptic in insufferably pedantic mode, I just thought I’d point that out before proceeding.
If you’d like to hear a range of sounds made by different duck species, (including quacks), go here: https://www.soundboard.com/sb/Duck_Sounds_audio
Skeptics use the word “quack” to define a particular kind of person:
“a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill” or “a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, qualification or credentials they do not possess; a charlatan or snake oil salesman” – Dictionary.com
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.