Atlanta Skeptics in the Pub

Jonathan Strickland will be discussing gadgets and devices that are either based on pseudoscientific claims or are used incorrectly in pseudoscientific ways (like the ghost hunting tech).

Jonathan is a senior writer and a blogger at HowStuffWorks.com, co-host of the popular TechStuff podcast and a technology enthusiast since his first computer: an Apple ][e. While fascinated by the technical aspects of computers and electronics, his main interest focuses on the social impact of technology.

[ A PDF of Jonathan's slides is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0017.pdf ]

The Atlanta Skeptics are proud to be participating in the 10:23 challenge this year. We will be presenting a demonstration and presentation on homeopathy and its uses.

When you hear the term "nuclear power" what do you think? Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are probably the first two things that pop into your head. It's scary stuff. But how much does the average person actually know about nuclear power? How much do you know???Jennifer Henning has a BSE in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and works for a consulting firm in the nuclear power industry. Her job is to design various process and mechanical systems in nuclear power plants, including cooling water and feedwater systems which feed the reactor vessel. She will explain how a nuclear power plant works, compare nuclear to fossil fuel plants, explain how nuclear safety in the United States has changed as a result of Three Mile Island, weigh the pros and cons of nuclear power, and look at some of the new technology for future power plants.??[ A PDF of Jennifer Henning's slide presentation can be found at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0015.pdf ]

Bart Farkas is the development officer for the James Randi Educational Foundation. He is also an author and is currently working (in conjunction with James Randi) on a book that deals with the 40 year history of the Million Dollar Challenge. Bart used to be a Registered Nurse and therefore has a strong interest in alternative medicine and medical quackery in general.

Bart's talk discusses the 40-year history of the Million Dollar Challenge and then focuses on the challenges the JREF faces in administering the Million Dollar Challenge and shows some examples of some of the more bizarre applications.

[ Editors Note: This is a video version of this podcast. An audio-only version is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.1.m4a

A PDF file of Mr. Farkas' slides is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.pdf

Some of the slides Mr. Farkas used during his presentation were not available for the podcast production and therefore they are not included in the accompanying PDF, nor in this podcast. ]

Bart Farkas is the development officer for the James Randi Educational Foundation. He is also an author and is currently working (in conjunction with James Randi) on a book that deals with the 40 year history of the Million Dollar Challenge. Bart used to be a Registered Nurse and therefore has a strong interest in alternative medicine and medical quackery in general.

Bart's talk discusses the 40-year history of the Million Dollar Challenge and then focuses on the challenges the JREF faces in administering the Million Dollar Challenge and shows some examples of some of the more bizarre applications.

[ Editors Note: This is an audio-only podcast. A video version, including the presentation is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.m4v

A PDF file of Mr. Farkas' slides is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.pdf

Some of the slides Mr. Farkas used during his presentation were not available for the podcast production and therefore they are not included in the accompanying PDF, nor in the video version of this podcast. ]

Bart Farkas is the development officer for the James Randi Educational Foundation. He is also an author and is currently working (in conjunction with James Randi) on a book that deals with the 40 year history of the Million Dollar Challenge. Bart used to be a Registered Nurse and therefore has a strong interest in alternative medicine and medical quackery in general.

Bart's talk discusses the 40-year history of the Million Dollar Challenge and then focuses on the challenges the JREF faces in administering the Million Dollar Challenge and shows some examples of some of the more bizarre applications.

[ Editors Note: This is an audio-only podcast. A video version, including the presentation is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.m4v

A PDF file of Mr. Farkas' slides is available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0014.pdf

Some of the slides Mr. Farkas used during his presentation were not available for the podcast production and therefore they are not included in the accompanying PDF, nor in the video version of this podcast. ]

Information Security has seen more media attention than ever in the last couple of years. Stories hit regularly about identity theft, the latest virus or the most recent company to have hundreds of thousands of accounts compromised. The methods employed to create the problems are usually technically deep and not easily summarized in the articles.

In this discussion, we will strip away the technical layers and attempt to look at the basic concepts. They are actually pretty basic and you probably instinctively identify them when you see them already.

Nate has worked in Information Technology for 14 years. The last seven of which have been spent helping companies implement enterprise software by advising them on what infrastructure to build and how to secure it. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance. He currently holds multiple IT and security certifications including being a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP.)

[ Slides of Mr. Shoemaker's presentation are available at http://podcasts/abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0018.pdf ]

Information Security has seen more media attention than ever in the last couple of years. Stories hit regularly about identity theft, the latest virus or the most recent company to have hundreds of thousands of accounts compromised. The methods employed to create the problems are usually technically deep and not easily summarized in the articles.

In this discussion, we will strip away the technical layers and attempt to look at the basic concepts. They are actually pretty basic and you probably instinctively identify them when you see them already.

Nate has worked in Information Technology for 14 years. The last seven of which have been spent helping companies implement enterprise software by advising them on what infrastructure to build and how to secure it. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance. He currently holds multiple IT and security certifications including being a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP.)

[ Slides of Mr. Shoemaker's presentation are available at http://podcasts/abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0018.pdf ]

Dr. William Atkinson is a Medical Epidemiologist in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. He has worked for CDC for 23 years, with most of this time spent in immunization-related activities. His current principle responsibility is the development of technical and training materials for immunization providers - he teaches doctors and nurses how and when to give vaccines.??He practiced his skepticism in solitude for more than 20 years. This all changed after a chance encounter with Maria Walters at his first Amazing Meeting in July 2010.??Bill will be discussing the "Hug Me, I'm Vaccinated" promotion - how and why it started, and it's first big project: a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination clinic at Dragon*Con 2010. Come see Angels and Enchanters (and Maria and DJ and Matt and a host of others) get protected from pertussis!??[ Slides of Dr. Atkinson's presentation are available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0012.pdf ]

Dr. William Atkinson is a Medical Epidemiologist in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. He has worked for CDC for 23 years, with most of this time spent in immunization-related activities. His current principle responsibility is the development of technical and training materials for immunization providers - he teaches doctors and nurses how and when to give vaccines.??He practiced his skepticism in solitude for more than 20 years. This all changed after a chance encounter with Maria Walters at his first Amazing Meeting in July 2010.??Bill will be discussing the "Hug Me, I'm Vaccinated" promotion - how and why it started, and it's first big project: a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination clinic at Dragon*Con 2010. Come see Angels and Enchanters (and Maria and DJ and Matt and a host of others) get protected from pertussis!??[ Slides of Dr. Atkinson's presentation are available at http://podcasts.abruptmedia.com/AtlantaSkeptics/asitp-0012.pdf ]