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ActivitiesActivities | Skeptics Conference | Bent Spoon Awards | Bravo Awards MEETINGS and SOCIAL NETWORKINGThe New Zealand Skeptics is a national body with no formal branches. However, from time to time, local meetings are organised to bring members together, and these and other events are noted in the NZ Skeptic journal or via the Email News Alert (sign up here) Skeptics in the PubThese informal gatherings are for socially orientated skeptics in various cities. The events are organized independently of NZ Skeptics Inc, although many of the attendees are members and they are sometimes organised in conjunction with NZ Skeptic activities such as lectures.Skeptics in the Pub: http://skepticsinthepub.net.nz/ Auckland: http://auckland.skepticsinthepub.net.nz Hamilton: http://hamilton.skepticsinthepub.net.nz Hawkes Bay:http://hawkes-bay.skepticsinthepub.net.nz Palmerston North: >http://palmerston-north.skepticsinthepub.net.nz/ Wellington: http://wellington.skepticsinthepub.net.nz/ Christchurch: http://christchurch.skepticsinthepub.net.nz/ Dunedin: http://dunedin.skepticsinthepub.net.nz Email Alert ServiceUse the quick form in the left-hand column to sign up for the email alerts to keep in touch with the weird and the wonderful.NZ Skeptics Yahoo GroupThis is a discussion forum for members of NZ Skeptics and interested parties.View the home page NZ Skeptics Facebook GroupView the websiteSUBMISSIONSThe NZ Skeptics make regular submissions on regulatory matters which relate to our areas of interest. Here are some of our more recent ones: Should Traditional Chinese Medicine Be Regulated?The TCM industry wants to be included under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act, The NZ Skeptics believe that this
would give the industry a suprious legitimacy misleading to the general public. We argue that TCM is largely a culturally driven patchwork of
products and services, rather than an evidence-based set of health practices and, as such, should not be included under the Act.
The Royal Society of New Zealand's submission has been lambasted by Pharyngula columnist PZ Myers for failing to ask whether TCM works or not and recommending registration to try to reduce the harm that can occur from recognising TCM as a valid health practice.
Should Natural Health Products Get a Free Ride?We think New Zealanders deserve better consumer protection and greater oversight in the fast-gorwing area of natural health products and services, particularly with regard to health/therapeutic claims and misleading or deceptive labelling and advertising. Read our submission on the proposed Natural Health Products Bill here. And other jurisdictions are becoming concerned. See how the EU are rejecting 80% of unsupported health claims made by the industry. And the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities Position Statement states that Canadian pharmacists are obliged to hold the health and safety of the public or patient as their first and foremost consideration. When selling drugs, natural health products and homeopathic products, NAPRA has reminded it members that pharmacists should ensure the products they sell have been properly and formally checked for safety, efficacy and quality. In the US, herbal supplement sellers have been found to be dispensing dangerous advice and false claims. Other ActivitiesWhat Do We Do Next?Over 100 practical ways to promote science and advance skepticism and critical thinking.The big PDF: "What Do I Do Next?" More info on our Resources page $20,000 Challenge to Sensing Murder PsychicsAn invitation to the New Zealand Sensing Murder psychics to validate their psychic ability in an open, honest and definitive test that will be conducted without prejudice or malice. More info here.Annual ConferenceThe annual conference is one of the most entertaining and educational meetings around, usually covering a broad range of topics and with a number of interesting or amusing social activities (such as firewalks, trivia quizzes, magic shows). It is usually held in August or September and tends to alternate between North Island and South Island venues. Check out this year's conference information here. AwardsEach year the New Zealand Skeptics announces the Bent Spoon Award for the New Zealand organisation which has shown the most egregious gullibility or lack of critical thinking in public coverage of, or commentary on, a science-related issue. We can all think of publications which run ridiculous and unbelievable stories as a regular part of their material. These are not Bent Spoon candidates. Instead we look for organisations and media outlets that tend to command credibility in the mind of the public, and who should have an accurate approach to information gathering and distribution. They are the ones who are rapped over the knuckles with the Bent Spoon when their professional standards lapse. It's not all negative! We are also pleased to recognise excellence where it does occur, with our annual Bravo Awards. Each year the New Zealand Skeptics recognise a number of media professionals and those with a high public profile who have provided food for thought, critical analysis and important information on topics of relevance to our interests. Nominations are welcome from everyone, preferably accompanied by a clipping or video where appropriate so that those committee members not familiar with the material have a chance to check it out. To make your nomination, contact us today! Past Bent Spoon Awards can be seen here; Bravo Award winners are here. |