Interactive Event + Open House
December 1–3, 2023
THEME: Truth—What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Matters
The Skeptics Society and Skeptic magazine are pleased to present our first-ever in-person interactive event, with:
- workshops
- live podcasts with audience participation
- talks with practical advice
- open house
- lunch + dinner
Program
- Applied Skepticism (AKA Skepticism 101) workshop with Dr. Michael Shermer. How to think like a scientist. Based on his Chapman University college course taught to thousands of students.
- Truth in Journalism: Environmentalism, nuclear power, homelessness, addiction, and politics. Live Podcast recording and Q&A with Michael Shellenberger. How can we know what is true in the news we read and see?
- Challenge your own beliefs: Live demonstration of Street Epistemology with Dr. Peter Boghossian. Get on stage and reason through your own deepest-held beliefs. Plus: Dr. Boghossian will be practicing Street Epistemology at our open house and during lunch breaks — examine your own beliefs throughout the day in a more casual setting.
- Truth in Science: What can science tell us about the world, society, and culture? Live podcast recording and Q&A with Dr. Jared Diamond, one of the most acclaimed scientists of the 20th century.
- Fundraising Dinner with our speakers: exclusive dinner in support of the Skeptics Society.
- Open house at the Skeptic magazine HQ: Taco food truck and drinks, chat with the speakers, staff, and guests in a relaxed setting, get signed books and selfies, and enjoy some Southern California sunshine!
Across from our event are the gorgeous beaches of Santa Barbara with its perfect climate and temperatures, even in December!
Come for the knowledge and wisdom, stay for the glorious scenery and climate!
Host Hotel & Venue
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
633 E Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
805-564-4333
Skeptic room rate: $239/night (more than $200 off the full price!)
Reserve your room
About the Speakers
JARED DIAMOND is a multidisciplinary scientist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel. His work has largely focused on understanding human behavior, cultures, societies, and civilizations. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the past century.
PETER BOGHOSSIAN is a philosopher and author of bestselling books A Manual for Creating Atheists and How to Have Impossible Conversations. He pioneered the wide application of a critical thinking method termed Street Epistemology—using the Socratic Method to examine everyday beliefs.
MICHAEL SHELLENBERGER is an investigative journalist and environmentalist. Earlier this year, he worked with Elon Musk to expose the role of government in social media censorship and was invited to testify about his findings in Congress. He placed third in the 2022 gubernatorial election in California and was named Time magazine Hero of the Environment.
MICHAEL SHERMER is the author of Why People Believe Weird Things, Editor-in-Chief of Skeptic magazine, and director of Skeptics Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting science and reason. He’s the host of the popular podcast The Michael Shermer Show.
Detailed Program
December 1
Friday Night 6pm–9pm
Open house at the Skeptic magazine office
Included:
- Catered tacos and drinks (adult beverages plus non-alcoholic drinks)
- Book sales of Michael Shermer’s signed books plus other books from our catalog and titles from the Michael Shermer Show podcast guests
- Magazine sales of current and back issues of Skeptic
- Tombola — win exclusive prizes!
- Fun and conversation with the Skeptic magazine staff, friends, and colleagues
December 2
Saturday Morning 9am–12pm
Hilton Santa Barbara Ballroom
- 9:00am–9:10am: Welcome by Michael Shermer
- 9:10am–10:30am: Michael Shermer What is Truth, Science, and Skepticism? Learn about Bayesian Reasoning. How can we practice it?
- 10:30am–10:45am: Coffee Break
- 10:45am–12pm: Peter Boghossian Street Epistemology live on stage. Practice challenging your own beliefs (audience participation required)
Saturday Lunch 12:00pm–1:30pm
Catered lunch for everyone on the beachside lawn of the Hilton
Saturday Afternoon 2:00pm–5:00pm
Hilton Santa Barbara Ballroom
- 1:45pm–3:30pm: Michael Shellenberger. Live Podcast recording and Q&A. Truth in Journalism: the Twitter Files, environmentalism, nuclear power, homelessness, addiction, and politics. How can we know what is true in the news we read and see?
- 3:30pm–4:00pm: Bathroom/coffee break
- 4:00pm–5:00pm: Michael Shermer Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational
Saturday Night Fundraising Dinner 7pm–10pm
Rodney’s Event Room, Hilton Santa Barbara
- $499 a plate catered dinner (wine included!) to raise money to support your Skeptics Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization (so it is tax deductible).
Saturday Evening Recommendations
Explore the Santa Barbara beachfront, Stearns Wharf, and State Street restaurants and nightclubs with fellow skeptics.
December 3
Sunday Morning 9:00am–1:00pm
- 9:00am–10:30am: Michael Shermer on Irrationality, Why People Believe Weird Things, and Why Science and Skepticism Matter
- 10:30am–11:00am: Coffee/bathroom break
- 11:00am – 1:00pm: Jared Diamond. Live Podcast recording and Q&A. Truth in Science: What can science tell us about the world, society, and culture? Plus, how our use of science evolved throughout Jared Diamond’s career, and where he sees it go in the future.
Sunday Afternoon 2:00pm–5:00pm
- A second open house at the Skeptic magazine office for those who could not attend the Friday night event. Practice some more Street Epistemology with Dr. Boghossian.
- Drinks included, but not food.
Admission Tickets
- $399 per person non-member rate
- $349 per person for Skeptics Society members (it only costs $30 to join!)
- $199 student rate (valid student ID required)
We want to keep our ticket prices affordable to everyone. Suggested tax-deductible donation to add at checkout: $50.
Fundraising Dinner
- $499 a plate fundraising dinner with Michael Shermer, Peter Boghossian, and Michael Shallenberger. Ticket availability is strictly limited.
