Sunday, February 18, 2018

March 10 - "Science Moms" - Documentary and Talk by Science Writer Jenny Splitter

Science Moms" - Documentary and Q&A by filmmaker Natalie Newell and science writer Jenny Splitter



Science Moms is a film that will give a voice to the science- minded moms - the women who are too often drowned out by the fear mongers, the shamers, and the CelebMoms. Through interviews with "science moms" who are on the front lines of this struggle, we’ll dissect the bogus claims of these celebrities one by one and explain in simple language what the science really shows about GMOs, vaccines, homeopathy, and any of these topics that are often in the headlines, yet even more often are misunderstood.

We can’t change everyone’s minds, but we can make our voices heard. One mom at a time.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with film maker Natalie Newell and science writer/film participant Jenny Splitter.

Natalie Newell is the director and producer of Science Moms, as well as one of the hosts of The Science Enthusiast  Podcast. Natalie holds an MEd., and worked for a decade in the field of Montessori education before choosing to become a stay-at-home parent, and pursue her interests in science and secular  activism.

Jenny Splitter is a food, science and health writer whose work has been published in Slate, New York magazine's Science of Us, Parents, Salon and other outlets. She's also the mom of two kids who, fortunately and unfortunately, question everything.


Saturday, March 10, 2018
1:30 pm
Argosy University 1550 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 712 Arlington, VA
Near Rosslyn Metro. Parking garage accessible from N. Pierce Street. There is controlled building access so please arrive on time.

FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members



For more information, call the 24-hour Skeptic Line at 240-670-NCAS (6227). www.ncas.org, ncas@ncas.org

Friday, February 16, 2018

Shadow of a Doubt - February 2018

The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics

  • February 17 lecture - The Science Behind Mind-Boggling Images and Mystifying Brain Puzzles
  • March 10 lecture - 2017 documentary film about mothers who advocate for science-based decision-making concerning the health and nutrition of children.
  • NCAS Board Elections: Call for Candidates
  • NCAS YouTube Channel
  • AmazonSmile: Thanks to our members who are supporting NCAS!
  • Shadow Light
  • Member renewals

NCAS Public Lecture Series

February 2018

Champions of Illusion:
The Science Behind Mind-Boggling Images and Mystifying Brain Puzzles

Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik
State University of New York
Downstate Medical Center

Saturday, February 17, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Argosy University
1550 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 712
Arlington, VA [map] [directions]
(Near Rosslyn Metro stop)
Enter parking garage from N Pierce Street.
FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members
Please arrive before 1:30 so we can provide passage through the building access control system.

Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik have studied the neuroscience of sensory and cognitive illusions in their laboratories for almost two decades, and promoted those illusions to general audiences as an exciting and spectacular tool to confront our wider misperceptions and sharpen our critical thinking skills in our so-called "post-truth" era.

In their new book, Champions of Illusion, Professors Martinez-Conde and Macknik present a smorgasbord of mystifying images, many selected from their Best Illusion of the Year Contest. If you have ever found yourself face-to-face with an utterly bewildering illusion, you know the powerful effect such images have on the mind. The question we often ask ourselves is, How is that possible? Martinez-Conde and Macknik, who study the intersection of neuroscience, illusions, and stage magic, explain just why we think we see the things we see.

The Best Illusion of the Year Contest draws entries from vision scientists, artists, magicians, and mathematicians. Champions of Illusion features the contest’s most bizarre effects and unbelievable mind tricks, along with classic illusions and illuminating descriptions of what is actually going on in your brain when you are deceived by visuals on the page. Champions of Illusion is an electrifying mix of science and magic that you will not soon forget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3diwcnPdWk



Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik are award-winning neuroscientists and professors at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. They are the authors of the international bestseller Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Everyday Deceptions, and have written for publications such as Scientific American, the New York Times, the Sunday Times (London), and How It Works. Their Scientific American contributions include three special editions of Scientific American: Mind dedicated to their work. Their research has been covered by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, NPR, PBS's NOVA, and more. They produce the Best Illusion of the Year Contest. They live in Brooklyn.

Copies of the Champions of Illusion book will be available for sale for $25 (cash only).

Refreshments and socializing after the talk.

http://www.ncas.org/2018/01/february-17-champions-of-illusion.html

WEATHER CANCELLATION STATUS:
The Arlington weather forecast for Saturday indicates a chance of snow between 1 PM and 4 PM, then snow and sleet.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Check http://www.ncas.org, the NCAS Facebook and Meetup sites (and your inbox, if you received the Shadow by email) to see if the event is still on.  The status will be announced no later than 10 AM on Saturday.  You can also phone the 24-hour Skeptic Line at 240-670-NCAS (6227).