Bay Area Skeptics’ first SkeptiCamp

SETI Institute Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak

10 a.m.-5 p.m., February 9, 2025

Join us in person or online at the first SkeptiCamp hosted by the Bay Area Skeptics. SkeptiCamp is an informal, in-person, free conference where you can learn about science and skepticism, meet fellow skeptics, and enjoy the company of friends old and new. One of Humanists’ shared values is critical thinking.
Here are the presenters and their topics:

  • Patrick O’Reilly, “False Confessions”
  • Russell Wilcox, “Postmodernism and science education”
  • Susan Gerbic, “Psychics and wildfires”
  • Erica Byrne, Workshop on everyday skepticism
  • Seth Shostak, “Aliens!”
  • Norman Sperling, “The anti-horoscope”
  • Raleigh McLemore, “Skeptical humor”
  • Jay Diamond, “Skepticism and philosophy”

Attend in Person:
The Huddle, Google Visitor Experience, located in Google Gradient Canopy, 2000 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

Free parking is available at:
Shoreline Amphitheatre Parking Lot C, which is located north of the Google Visitor Experience at 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy (~4 minute walk. Parking is not allowed on concert days, but, as of now, there are no concerts scheduled.)
Alta Garage, which is located at 1001 Alta Ave (~8 minute walk). EV charging is available at Alta Garage.
ADA parking is available at both Lot C and Alta Garage. Additionally, an ADA-accessible drop off zone is located at the western building entrance in front of the Google Store.
Public Transportation: The VTA Route 40 bus operates daily, and stops at Charleston & Huff.
Bicycle Parking: There are bicycle racks located outside of Gradient Canopy for your use. Please bring your own lock to secure your bike.
Rideshare: Using Uber or Lyft, set your location as Gradient Canopy, and you will be dropped off in front of the building, off Joaquin Rd.

Food/Drink
There will be a 45-minute lunch break during SkeptiCamp. There is a restaurant on site for food and drink, but nothing very close in the surrounding neighborhood. If you wish to bring a lunch, that is permitted. We hope to bring pizza, cookies, and coffee, and suggest a ten-dollar donation to help defray costs.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

See you Sunday at SkeptiCamp. And bring a friend!


Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

You can also call any of the following phone numbers and then enter the above Meeting ID and the Passcode in order to join the meeting by phone.
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
You can find international phone numbers to call here.


Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
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Add this event to your Google calendar:

Like us on Facebook:
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Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-02-09/

RSVP on Meetup:
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Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250202/3cc819c9-ce00-4a36-b9da-944eb290aedd/the-rise-of-the-ultra-right-in-the-us

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1887303861402255580

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/hcsv/

The rise of the ultra-right in the US

8/1/1983 President Reagan talks with Newt Gingrich during a trip via Air Force One to Atlanta Georgia

11 a.m., February 2, 2025

Join us in person or online as we watch and discuss the documentary, The rise of the ultra-right in the US.

The tightening of abortion laws, the 2021 storming of the Capitol, a flare-up in racist violence: The US far-right has never been more powerful and visible than it is today – and that’s not just due to Donald Trump. The ultra-right has managed to gain a foothold at the very heart of US politics.

The triumph of the radical right is the outcome of a well-thought-out strategy set in motion more than 40 years ago by a conservative minority thirsty for power. And this group has pushed through its agenda under the nose of the world.

Written by Alice Cohen and Gilles Biasette, this film was a coproduction of Arte France, Radio Television Suisse, CBC Radio Canada, Al Jazeera, and posted in English by DW, Deutsche Welle, a public, state-owned international broadcaster funded by the German federal tax budget.

You can preview this 51-minute video at:
https://youtu.be/jrhREluLdBs/


Attend in Person:
On the first and third Sunday of the month, such as this Sunday, you can attend our forum in person with fellow humanists at the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040. Lunch will be served after the forum. We request a $10 donation for lunch.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.


Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

You can also call any of the following phone numbers and then enter the above Meeting ID and the Passcode in order to join the meeting by phone.
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
You can find international phone numbers to call here.


Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar:

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-02-02/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/305906119/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250202/3cc819c9-ce00-4a36-b9da-944eb290aedd/the-rise-of-the-ultra-right-in-the-us

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1885129739507257431

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/hcsv/

Political Polarization: Can We Overcome It?

Carl Angotti

11 a.m., January 26, 2025

Join us this Sunday, either in person or online, as we welcome Carl Angotti to speak and lead a discussion.

Few countries face polarization as deep as America’s. Sometimes, conflicts seem insurmountable. We look at societal issues and political polarization, and it’s hard to see a way forward.

Democrats and Republicans used to disagree on policy issues — Disagreements are the normal, helpful tension that drives democracy. Today, each side of this polarity gap fears the other will destroy the nation if they achieve power. Partisanship becomes equated with patriotism, and destroying the other side becomes the ultimate goal. This is how democracies fall apart.

Join us for a lively discussion on how we might bridge the gaps between us and learn to see others as humans responding to experiences they have, not as gullible, stupid, irrational, or even evil.

Speaker Bio
Carl Angotti is the current Treasurer of the Humanist Community. He is a long-time member of the Community and has been active for over 30 years. He has spoken at several Forums in the past. Carl also characterizes himself as a member of the “Radical Middle” and wishes us to learn to break down the present political and personal barriers to the current divided political environment.
Carl consults in High Tech Product Development, and he holds an MBA from San Jose State University, an MSEE from the University of Southern California, and a BSEE from Carnegie-Mellon University.

01/26/2025 Political Polarization: Can We Overcome It? – Carl Angotti from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.


Attend in Person:
Join fellow Humanists to consider the propositions in Milpitas Library Group Study Room B, 160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035.
Often after our meeting, we find a nearby inexpensive eatery for a luncheon.
If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

———-

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

You can also call any of the following phone numbers and then enter the above Meeting ID and the Passcode in order to join the meeting by phone.
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
You can find international phone numbers to call here.

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar:

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-01-26/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/305139264/

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1881909846095941903

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

Share our event on Patch: https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250126/d681fc5b-107e-4039-8847-073bbb23a2ea/political-polarization-can-we-overcome-it

Our Own Secular Strategic Planning for 2025 and Beyond

Judy Banister

11 a.m., January 19, 2025

Join us for a combined meeting of The Atheist Community of San Jose and the Humanist Community, either in person or online, as we discuss how to approach 2025.

The change in our national leadership will likely bring with it a greatly increased influence of white Christian nationalism. Indeed, many in the new government may attempt to use the power and wealth of both the federal and state governments to enhance their religious views and embed them in our regulations and laws. Many secular values will continue to be under attack. As secular Americans, we can – and must – choose how we will respond to this situation, and what actions to take to encourage and expand the positive impact of non-religious Americans in these trying times.

How do you feel?

  • Are you discouraged and inclined to focus on your life and ignore the wider situation?
  • Are you angry and searching for effective ways to counter the current religious and political trends in the U.S.?
  • Are you looking for proactive strategies for continuing American progress in many realms even as Christian nationalists strive to turn back the clock?
  • How are you planning to strengthen yourself and our community to assure our effectiveness?

Judy Banister will lead us in a discussion of what our members are thinking and planning to defend ourselves, our views, and our practices. A special invitation goes to any other individuals or members of non-religious groups who are interested in this topic to join us.

Ms. Banister is on the Board of the Atheist Community of San Jose and a member of most of our local secular organizations. She became an atheist at age 18 and has never wavered from this clarity. Judy will present some strategic ideas for our secular community in these challenging times and help us all to explore your ideas for what we as individuals, families, and fellow nontheists can do in the coming months and years.

01/19/2025 Our Own Secular Strategic Planning for 2025 and Beyond – Judy Banister from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.


Attend in Person:
On the first and third Sunday of the month, such as this Sunday, you can attend our forum in person with fellow humanists at the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040. Lunch will be served after the forum. We request a $10 donation for lunch.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

———-

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

You can also call any of the following phone numbers and then enter the above Meeting ID and the Passcode in order to join the meeting by phone.
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
You can find international phone numbers to call here.

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar:

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-01-19/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/305604963/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250119/fcc8df10-53be-4035-9371-a17180f6f5fd/our-own-secular-strategic-planning-for-2025-and-beyond

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1879067791996993963

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508

David Frum on Trump’s “Predatory” Foreign Policy

David Frum

11 a.m., January 12, 2025

Join us this Sunday, either in person or online, as we discuss an interview with David Frum from Amanapour and Company, America’s Lonely Future: David Frum on Trump’s “Predatory” Foreign Policy. With Trump’s inauguration on the horizon, conversations continue about the impact of the President-elect’s policies both at home and abroad.

David Jeffrey Frum is a Canadian-American political commentator and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. He is considered a voice in the neoconservative movement. In his latest piece for The Atlantic, “America’s Lonely Future,” Frum warns that the U.S. could become a global bully.

Walter Seff Isaacson is an American journalist and an interviewer for the PBS and CNN news show Amanpour & Company.

Amanapour and Company is a late-night global-affairs interview television program hosted by Christiane Amanapour.

You can watch this 18-minute video on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIeUigGZktk


This Sunday, you can attend our forum in person with fellow humanists in the Orchard Room at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022. (On the first and third Sunday of the month, you can continue to attend our forum at the Mountain View Senior Center.)

We may choose, as a group, to visit a restaurant for lunch afterwards in downtown Los Altos near the library.

If you can join us in person, please email vp@humanists.org to help us make sure we have room for you. If you have symptoms that may be COVID, kindly attend on Zoom.

———-

Also, we will continue to present our forums on Zoom. To join and be able to ask questions and make comments, click here.
No password is needed — our host will admit you from the waiting room. Joining the meeting via the link will download and install the Zoom app on your desktop computer (if it’s not already installed), and then take you to the meeting. You can also install the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone, and then enter:
Meeting ID: 816 5389 0712
Passcode: 250634

You can also call any of the following phone numbers and then enter the above Meeting ID and the Passcode in order to join the meeting by phone.
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
You can find international phone numbers to call here.

———-

Subscribe to our events in your Apple Calendar:
webcal://p162-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/Mjk3Nzk1MTgyMjk3Nzk1MRBa7aU6zKSIJMfDjhqBP8r3muvKK3GLLCRnZoCneHpXv08CyGJAJRVI5yyh-SVWxGJE9xHfdUs72pmiBNlOBpY

Add this event to your Google calendar:

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/humanistcommsv/

Visit the Humanist Community web site:
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2025-01-12/

RSVP on Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/humanistcommunity/events/305532168/

Click the Interested button or share on Patch:
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/calendar/event/20250112/231bf693-cf61-46c7-8c97-d82f43d3efe4/david-frum-on-trump-s-predatory-foreign-policy

Retweet our announcement on the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter:
https://x.com/HumanistCommSV/status/1877612972962623905

Watch videos of our past Forums: https://vimeo.com/user2798508