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Skeptical societies in UCD

  • 29-08-2008 9:06pm
    #1
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭


    Hello, greeting and salutation

    I am starting in UCD next week and I require some information regarding skeptical societies. I am a member of the Irish Skeptics society, and I am wondering if there is a similar society in existence in UCD, obviously on a smaller scale. If this isn't the case, could somebody please point me in the direction of a similar society which hold critical thinking and scientific inquiry as its central philosophy.

    Many thanks!


«1

Comments

  • #2
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    I'm also an ISS member, and the short answer to your question is: there isn't anything like that at UCD... yet. I'm tempted to try and start one, though I'm not quite sure what that entails.

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #3
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


  • #4
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭CursedSkeptic


    bnt wrote: »
    I'm also an ISS member, and the short answer to your question is: there isn't anything like that at UCD... yet. I'm tempted to try and start one, though I'm not quite sure what that entails.

    Get a meeting together for that, I would offer any possible assistance. I think skepticism is a difficult concept to sell at the best of times, so in a college setting I think it would require a lot of effort to get it off the ground. Skeptical soc would be a great addition to UCD, of that I am certain. We need to replace pop culture idiocy with some critical thinking.


  • #5
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    OK: general instructions for starting a society have been posted elsewhere, such as here.

    Enrolling members for a society happens during "Freshers Week", which is the 2nd week of the semester proper (15-19 Sep), so it would have to be set up before that. That would leave a week to gather signatures.

    (Not much can happen during induction week - only 1st years are on campus (mostly)

    As for what the society would be about: I propose starting with the principles behind the Irish Skeptics Society, here. They also have a forum on boards.ie, here.

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #6
    Inglorious
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭Inglorious


    Feel free to contact me if you need any help with this. I'd be extremely interested...


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  • #7
    conbob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 175 ✭✭conbob


    CursedSkeptic wrote: »
    Hello, greeting and salutation

    I am starting in UCD next week and I require some information regarding skeptical societies. I am a member of the Irish Skeptics society, and I am wondering if there is a similar society in existence in UCD, obviously on a smaller scale. If this isn't the case, could somebody please point me in the direction of a similar society which hold critical thinking and scientific inquiry as its central philosophy.

    Many thanks!

    hmm id be a little sceptical about the idea :pac:


  • #8
    rainbow kirby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    Sounds quite interesting.


  • #9
    The_Minister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    What would a Skeptics society DO?

    Just sit around and laugh at the religious?
    Picket Islamic week?


  • #10
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    The_Minister wrote: »
    What would a Skeptics society DO?

    Just sit around and laugh at the religious?
    Picket Islamic week?

    That's up to the members to decide, but I already suggested the Irish Skeptics principles as a possible model to start with. Why do you assume scepticism is focused on religion?

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #11
    The_Minister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    I know its not just religion, but I really don't see what the point of the society would be.

    Again, what would it do?


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  • #12
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


  • #13
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    I wouldn't really be arsed helping with setting it up or anything, but I'd join if one was indeed set up :) Not sure what exactly the society would do besides perhaps organise debates and invite well known 'skeptics' to give talks.

    It'd be good for meeting like-minded individuals anyways :)


  • #14
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    The_Minister wrote: »
    Again, what would it do?

    At this early stage I wouldn't say that there needs to be an "agenda", or that we need to answer a question such as "what would we do". We can start from the idea, the principles, and see how it develops. What do you think we should do? Do you have something positive to contribute to the idea, or are you just going to be negative?
    Dave! wrote: »
    Not sure what exactly the society would do besides perhaps organise debates and invite well known 'skeptics' to give talks.
    Sounds like a plan to me.

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #15
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    Was anyone at the God debate last year actually? I seem to remember Michael Shermer (of the American Skeptics' Society) speaking at it, but I'm not sure... can anyone verify this? Coulda sworn it was him, but I wasn't that familiar with him at the time


  • #16
    Raphael
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,880 ✭✭✭Raphael


    bnt wrote: »
    At this early stage I wouldn't say that there needs to be an "agenda", or that we need to answer a question such as "what would we do". We can start from the idea, the principles, and see how it develops. What do you think we should do? Do you have something positive to contribute to the idea, or are you just going to be negative?


    Sounds like a plan to me.

    Eh...an "agenda" as you call it is the very first thing htere needs to be. The recognititino committee isn't likely to approve a society that will do absolutely nothing, Especialyl when it's being funded by the university to do so.


  • #17
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    Raphael wrote: »
    Eh...an "agenda" as you call it is the very first thing htere needs to be. The recognititino committee isn't likely to approve a society that will do absolutely nothing, Especialyl when it's being funded by the university to do so.
    My point was that here & now we are still some way off from the recognition committee. We need Aims, and signatures, but do we need a specific agenda (events, dates, etc.)?
    If so, who decides all this stuff? Just the few of us who happen to be on this forum now? I would hope it was a bit more democratic than that. IMHO we need more input, which we can get on campus while gathering signatures.

    One of us should contact Richard Butler on Monday and get some more details about the process and exactly what's needed. I can do it, but I think members need to be involved in deciding any specific agenda - not have it dictated to them by a few people who have nothing better to do on a Saturday night! I think we should avoid getting bogged down in specifics on this forum, at least not until we know more about how to do this. I agree that it needs an offline meeting of all interested parties. Anything we propose here will get sniped at from the peanut gallery. :rolleyes:

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #18
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    OK: I've written to Richard Butler, and got more details back from him. Short version:
    - it's possible to get something up and running before Fresher's Week. It can be done.
    - The devil is in the details, but the requirements are fairly clear, and there will be a Recognition Committee meeting before Fresher's Week.

    I wrote up a lot of details and suggestions that I was going to PM to a lot of people, but thought it best to gauge interest first. If we are really serious about making a go if it, we have to start NOW. What will NOT work is: sitting back and waiting for others to do the hard work, so you can pay your €2 and have a few free lunches. :P

    It will only happen if we get solid expressions of support, and volunteers prepared to work at it, including spending a little of their own money. For a start, can we get some constructive comments on the following?

    - we would need to agree on the name: I suggest UCD Skeptics Society, meaning "a society of Skeptics"; as opposed to "Skeptical Society", which makes it sound like the society itself is skeptical (which is impossible)!
    - the spelling: Sceptics (UK) or Skeptics (USA)?
    - using the Irish Skeptics goals as a starting point for further discussion:
    • To promote a scientific and rational point of view.
    • To promote the teaching and application of critical thinking skills.
    • To promote the active questioning of claims in a variety of areas, which is noticeably absent at present.
    • To provide a forum for debate, discussion and rational argument on a range of relevant topics.
    • To provide an access point for media UCD students and staff for skeptical responses to questionable claims.
    • To encourage the active involvement of people from a wide range of backgrounds.
    What the Society will NOT be (in my opinion):
    - not anti-religious, atheist, or political in its aims. (What's that they say about Religion and Politics?)
    - not a cynical, muck-raking society that tries to insult or offend people. (Anyone can shout "fake!" - just look at YouTube.)
    - not for abstract high-falutin' philosophical discussions: we already have PhilSoc for that. Anyone should be able to attend a meeting or discussion and get something useful out of it.

    I have an idea for a fun discussion: take a skeptical look at the "plane and conveyor belt" myth, and why it's so hard to get people to agree on it. (A little physics would be involved, but not too much.)

    So, who thinks this is worth pursuing, and can actively contribute in the next two weeks? I couldn't do it all by myself, even if I wanted to... :o

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #19
    Riamfada
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    em....you certainly wont be up and running in the next two weeks. Have you a staff member of UCD assigned as a senior treasurer? Have you spoken to Butler about opening a bank account and getting recognition. Arts soc had alot of money and alot of people and that took alot of time ...


  • #20
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    Grimes wrote: »
    em....you certainly wont be up and running in the next two weeks. Have you a staff member of UCD assigned as a senior treasurer? Have you spoken to Butler about opening a bank account and getting recognition. Arts soc had alot of money and alot of people and that took alot of time ...
    Yes, I did speak to Butler - I thought I said so, didn't I, at the start of the last post.

    Are you deliberately trying to put people off? Everything has to start somewhere, and you tackle a big problem by breaking it down in to smaller problems. I have a lot more detail about the requirements, even if I didn't dump the whole lot on everyone in one go. Or do you think it's up to me to do everything myself?

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #21
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


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  • #22
    Pride Fighter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,729 ✭✭✭Pride Fighter


    You wont be getting any English students joining anyway:p


  • #23
    Riamfada
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    bnt wrote: »
    Yes, I did speak to Butler - I thought I said so, didn't I, at the start of the last post.

    Are you deliberately trying to put people off? Everything has to start somewhere, and you tackle a big problem by breaking it down in to smaller problems. I have a lot more detail about the requirements, even if I didn't dump the whole lot on everyone in one go. Or do you think it's up to me to do everything myself?

    No im not trying to put people off. Im asking questions that you havnt given any indication that you have thought of. I certainly wont be joining your society with your obvious attitude problem especially with two auditors who are speaking to you about this. Who know the system alot better than you. Good luck anyway always good to see new organisations set up.


  • #24
    bnt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,074 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    Grimes wrote: »
    No im not trying to put people off. Im asking questions that you havnt given any indication that you have thought of. I certainly wont be joining your society with your obvious attitude problem especially with two auditors who are speaking to you about this. Who know the system alot better than you. Good luck anyway always good to see new organisations set up.
    Right... I'm making suggestions, asking for input, and your response is to throw water on ideas. If you know so much about this, why are you asking questions, instead of supplying answers and getting involved?

    Besides, where are you getting the idea that it would be "my society"? If you think I'm viewing this as some kind of personal project, then you've really misunderstood what I've said. By focusing your negativity on me, you are missing the point entirely. It's not about me. I didn't start this thread, or any of the previous threads on the topic.

    Still, you're a moderator, so I can see where this is going. If anyone else wants my opinion or involvement, PM me, because I'm obviously a liability. :rolleyes:

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • #25
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


  • #26
    Pride Fighter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,729 ✭✭✭Pride Fighter


    Rafa and Grimes are just realists so no need to say they are being unhelpful. I think they are being very helpful to you, it is near impossible to set up a new society. Arts Soc was even opposed by the University top brass until a lot of hard work got it back. Trying to create a society which will have so few members will be a very tall order. Even if you did it I doubt it would last.


  • #27
    Raphael
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,880 ✭✭✭Raphael


    Grimes is a mod on the archaeology forum, he's just a normal user here. As regards my "pissing on the parade", if you don't want informed advice and help then that's grand, I'll step out of the thread. Best of luck, hope you can get it done in time.


  • #28
    Riamfada
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    Raphael wrote: »
    Grimes is a mod on the archaeology forum, he's just a normal user here.

    Ah here now.Im a god around palaeontology aswell. :D


  • #29
    annie1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭annie1000


    I've avoiding getting an account here for about a year because I never wanted to post (UCD is too small a place!) but you should contact Gary O'Reilly from the School of Psychology, he's heavily involved in the Irish Skeptics Society and a really nice guy. I don't know how much a role he'd be willing to play but you could ask him for advice or to give a talk, his lectures are really interesting.


  • #30
    ChocolateSauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭ChocolateSauce


    I'm also an ISS member and I have actually obtained permission from the uni to set up a UCD skeptic's soc. I haven't done it because I'm too busy, but maybe this year?

    Butler and a large group ("The board") held a meeting with me at the end of first year and said that if I could prove to them I'd actually do it, they'd approve me. What needs to be done is a whole year of meetings and talks must be given, ie. it must be a real society for a year with tangible results.

    I was thinking topics like
    1. Nuclear power
    2. GM food
    3. "Energy"
    4. Alternative medicine after alternative medicine, etc.
    5. Evolution

    Originally it was going to be the atheist and agnostic soc (AA meetings anyone?), but I decided to shift the focus from religion to science so as to appeal to a wider audience.

    This year I've only got 3 modules per semester...I'm less busy. Anyone wanna have a meeting to see if we can get this project going?


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  • #31
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


  • #32
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭CursedSkeptic


    Xhristy wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    Capital idea. Put up a proposed meeting time and place. I will swing by and start going Hitchens on people


  • #33
    the evil lime
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 356 ✭✭the evil lime


    Xhristy wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    What you may or may not know is that they are three either present or past society auditors. As am I (well, I'm one past society auditor, not three). I've also been on one of the committees that govern the whole societies lark. We aren't saying it can't be done, just that it's a damn sight harder than you think it is and getting it done by freshers' week is... improbable. Best of luck though.


  • #34
    ChocolateSauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭ChocolateSauce


    Aye, it is a damn sight harder than one might think, and getting it done by Freshers week is only realistic if you're talking about next years'.

    I'll post a time and date then, so check this space. I'll give us all a week to settle in, I still don't know my schedule because my job has been dragging its feet in relation to telling me when I'm in.


  • #35
    Maxthedm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 113 ✭✭Maxthedm


    Just came across this thread now, sounds like something I'd be interested in myself =)


  • #36
    ChocolateSauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭ChocolateSauce


    Hello everyone who expressed an interest in this,

    I'd like to announce that I an a few other people will be meeting in the science hub at lunchtime 1pm this Thursday. Anyone who is interested please come along.

    I will fully explain what I did in first year regarding this, and will happily trade ideas, build contacts and so on and so forth. I also will be looking for people to provide drive, direction and ambition with the aim of promoting the idea.

    I have the leadership qualities of a lemming, and if I were the leader I'd get the society into trouble with my hotheaded and radical approach to life, so I'd also be looking for a person or group of persons to formally take charge, though I would still enjoy being involved of course.

    This is really the only time I can hang around (I'm off both work and college on Thursdays), and if no one shows I will consider the idea dead.

    We'll be sitting downstairs at one of the tables. Hmm...I've never described my appearence on boards before...and I won't start now. I'll just put up a sign above my head reading Skepsoc meeting.

    Hope to see people there!

    -David


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  • #37
    Xhristy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭Xhristy


    This post has been deleted.


  • #38
    shanegj
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭shanegj


    I would be interested but i'm in a lecture at this time so I shall not be present


  • #39
    ChocolateSauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭ChocolateSauce


    Yes, Thursday 2nd. I'll be there for several hours starting from 1. Thanks for the interest!


  • #40
    Theresalwaysone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,039 ✭✭✭Theresalwaysone


    Can I ask what Societies Rafael, Grimes and The_Minster were Auditors of?

    Its really not as hard as they are making out to start a society, as big of a goof as Butler is, he is very helpful and should/already has by the looks of it give you a clear indication of whats needed.

    Best of luck with this anyway.


  • #41
    rainbow kirby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    Raph is Gamesoc auditor, not sure about the others.


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  • #42
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭CursedSkeptic


    I guess I should have suspected that a skeptical society would have attracted so many geeks. Seriously why would anybody want to spend time with somebody who is in gamesoc, let alone its auditor. And for jaysus sake why follow the idiotic trend of taking a syllable from the first word of any interest and attach the pseudo word soc to the end when deciding the formal title of a society? Skepsoc? **** that anybody who would join. If it was comprised of and run by people who are interested in applying critical thinking and logic to areas beyond those usually the domain of science, not dungeons and dragons playing freaks who cannot interact on even a basic level without proving mind numbingly annoying, I would be interested in joining. Skepsoc? Why not UCD Skeptics society? ISS will have to suffice


  • #43
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    lol..... well that was random

    All the best with your society mate, I hope for your sake no geeks try to join!

    Nervous breakdown alert! :eek:


  • #44
    shanegj
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭shanegj


    CursedSkeptic wrote: »
    I guess I should have suspected that a skeptical society would have attracted so many geeks. Seriously why would anybody want to spend time with somebody who is in gamesoc, let alone its auditor. And for jaysus sake why follow the idiotic trend of taking a syllable from the first word of any interest and attach the pseudo word soc to the end when deciding the formal title of a society? Skepsoc? **** that anybody who would join. If it was comprised of and run by people who are interested in applying critical thinking and logic to areas beyond those usually the domain of science, not dungeons and dragons playing freaks who cannot interact on even a basic level without proving mind numbingly annoying, I would be interested in joining. Skepsoc? Why not UCD Skeptics society? ISS will have to suffice
    What has a person being in gamesoc got anything to do with their ability to contribute to the society, most members of gamesoc are there to relax from their studies and have fun. Maybe if you came to one of these events you might have a bit of fun. Plus not once have I seen or heard about dungeons and dragons (yet).


  • #45
    The_Minister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    CursedSkeptic wrote: »
    I guess I should have suspected that a skeptical society would have attracted so many geeks. Seriously why would anybody want to spend time with somebody who is in gamesoc, let alone its auditor. And for jaysus sake why follow the idiotic trend of taking a syllable from the first word of any interest and attach the pseudo word soc to the end when deciding the formal title of a society? Skepsoc? **** that anybody who would join. If it was comprised of and run by people who are interested in applying critical thinking and logic to areas beyond those usually the domain of science, not dungeons and dragons playing freaks who cannot interact on even a basic level without proving mind numbingly annoying, I would be interested in joining. Skepsoc? Why not UCD Skeptics society? ISS will have to suffice
    Infracted.

    I don't think that I have to explain why.


  • #46
    ChocolateSauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭ChocolateSauce


    CursedSkeptic wrote: »
    I guess I should have suspected that a skeptical society would have attracted so many geeks. Seriously why would anybody want to spend time with somebody who is in gamesoc, let alone its auditor. And for jaysus sake why follow the idiotic trend of taking a syllable from the first word of any interest and attach the pseudo word soc to the end when deciding the formal title of a society? Skepsoc? **** that anybody who would join. If it was comprised of and run by people who are interested in applying critical thinking and logic to areas beyond those usually the domain of science, not dungeons and dragons playing freaks who cannot interact on even a basic level without proving mind numbingly annoying, I would be interested in joining. Skepsoc? Why not UCD Skeptics society? ISS will have to suffice

    ??

    Skepsoc is short for The UCD Skeptics Society, just like Dutchsoc is short for The Dutch Gold Society, Pharmtox for the Pharmacology and Toxicology society, etc. It is a common and widely accepted contraction, and I'm really not understanding why you care so much about the name.

    As for the possibility of "geeks" taking over, first let me say that the only mention of gamesoc had to do with the auditor and was concerned with the mechanics of running a society. Second, let me publicly declare that I recently bought seasons 1-7 of both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space 9. I also like Final Fantasy games and science jokes.

    Geeky enough?


  • #47
    Tayto2000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 597 ✭✭✭Tayto2000


    CursedSkeptic wrote: »
    I guess I should have suspected that a skeptical society would have attracted so many geeks. Seriously why would anybody want to spend time with somebody who is in gamesoc, let alone its auditor. And for jaysus sake why follow the idiotic trend of taking a syllable from the first word of any interest and attach the pseudo word soc to the end when deciding the formal title of a society? Skepsoc? **** that anybody who would join. If it was comprised of and run by people who are interested in applying critical thinking and logic to areas beyond those usually the domain of science, not dungeons and dragons playing freaks who cannot interact on even a basic level without proving mind numbingly annoying, I would be interested in joining. Skepsoc? Why not UCD Skeptics society? ISS will have to suffice

    This is the funniest post I've seen for a loooong time... Interesting that a person who is claiming to be a critical thinker is essentially regurgitating an 80's media sterotype. hardly the way to win friends and influence people.

    Also, ISS are the UCD cleaning company so you might want to reconsider that name, god forbid such an exhalted society of free thinkers such as this be confused with our humble cleaners...


  • #48
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭CursedSkeptic


    ChocolateSauce wrote: »
    ??

    Skepsoc is short for The UCD Skeptics Society, just like Dutchsoc is short for The Dutch Gold Society, Pharmtox for the Pharmacology and Toxicology society, etc. It is a common and widely accepted contraction, and I'm really not understanding why you care so much about the name.

    As for the possibility of "geeks" taking over, first let me say that the only mention of gamesoc had to do with the auditor and was concerned with the mechanics of running a society. Second, let me publicly declare that I recently bought seasons 1-7 of both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space 9. I also like Final Fantasy games and science jokes.

    Geeky enough?

    Well fu*k me, your the exact kind of person I would not want be in a society with. Gamesoc being mentioned aside, the proposed meeting place is in exact place where the geeks and freaks of the university congregate, I have been here a few weeks and I know that. Also, I know what skepsoc is supposed to mean, its a stupid name


  • #49
    CursedSkeptic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 137 ✭✭CursedSkeptic


    Tayto2000 wrote: »
    This is the funniest post I've seen for a loooong time... Interesting that a person who is claiming to be a critical thinker is essentially regurgitating an 80's media sterotype. hardly the way to win friends and influence people.

    Also, ISS are the UCD cleaning company so you might want to reconsider that name, god forbid such an exhalted society of free thinkers such as this be confused with our humble cleaners...

    I am indeed upset that I won't be winning the influence and friendship of a crowd of geeks


  • #50
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    You sound like a hoot mate, I'd say the societies will be fighting to get you on board

    I do hope the irony of posting on an internet forum to criticise geeks is not lost on you though!

    One of us, one of us, one of us........!!!


  • #51
    The_Minister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    Cursedsceptic, cut the crap and be civil.


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