Drinking Skeptically with NCAS Wed Nov 5 at 7 pm

Drinking Skeptically Comes to the DC Area!
The first DC-area Drinking Skeptically event!

Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m
Jackie’s Restaurant (map)
8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
http://www.jackiesrestaurant.com

What is Drinking Skeptically, you may ask? (You are a skeptic after all, questions are expected.) Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical thinkers, and like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. Don’t drink? Don’t let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world’s most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you! Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there’s one thing science has taught us, it’s the effects of alcohol on the human body. http://www.drinkingskeptically.org

The Alien Grey: An Unnatural History

Saturday, Sep 13, 1:30 - 4 pm (Note New Time)
Public & FREE -- No RSVP (Flyer)

Richard Dengrove
U.S. Department of Agriculture Librarian
NCAS Member since 1987


Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)

The Alien Grey is associated with flying saucers, and flying saucer advocates want to keep it that way. They wish for you to believe that it is an objective phenomenon and not a cultural artifact. However, the Alien Grey has had another life – in novels, short stories, movies and TV. Also, there is more to this talk than the title suggests: I am not going to talk only about the Alien Grey but also the Future Man Grey and the MadScientist Grey. Each one is a kissing cousin of the others. Greys can come from under the ground as well. What the Grey does is try to answer questions often touted as deeply philosophical. However, I suspect the Grey strikes a chord in our emotions, and the answers the Grey gives as popular art and pulp are more satisfying than any philosophical tome.

(*) Parking at the library is free, but you must enter your parking space number into a kiosk in the lobby. Parking is automatically validated for two hours -- no need to return to your car. Your parking validation is extended for two hours each time your parking space number is entered at the kiosk.

NCAS Public Lectures Will Resume in September

Have a pleasant Summer and meanwhile enjoy our website, including our improved NCAS Bibliographies section.

May 10: Global Warming & Climate Change -- The Science Basis & Observations on Current Politics

Saturday, May 10
2 - 4 pm Public & Free
No RSVP

Stuart Jordan, Ph.D.
Emeritus senior staff scientist,
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD (map)
Near Bethesda metro (directions)

(image credit epa.gov)

Apr 18 Framing Science: Conflict & Consensus in Public Communication

Friday, April 18, 1 - 3 pm (arrive by 12:45 pm)
Public & Free
Easy Prior Registration Extended to April 17 (*)

Matthew Nisbet, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Communication,
American University

National Science Foundation, Room 375 (*)
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

(map)

Over the coming decades, as society faces major collective choices on issues such as climate change, biomedical research, and nanotechnology, scientists and their organizations will need to work together with the public to formulate effective policies and to resolve disputes. A major challenge for scientists will be to craft communication efforts that are sensitive to how diverse audiences process messages, but also to the way science is portrayed across types of media. In these efforts, scientists should adopt a language that emphasizes shared values and has broad appeal, avoiding the pitfall of seeming to condescend to fellow citizens or alienating them by attacking their beliefs. Part of this process includes "framing" an issue in ways that remain true to the science but that make the issue more personally meaningful, thereby potentially sparking greater interest or acceptance.

Matthew C. Nisbet, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at American University. As a social scientist he studies the nature and impacts of strategic communication in policy debates. His current work focuses on scientific and environmental controversies, examining the interactions between experts, journalists, and various publics. In this research, Nisbet examines how news coverage reflects and shapes policy, how strategists try to mold public opinion, and how citizens make sense of controversies.

NSF is one block south of the Ballston-Marymount University metro stop on the Orange Line. For most drivers, Route 66 to Fairfax Dr. to Stuart Dr is the easiest route. Parking is available in the Ballston Common mall, in the NSF building, and at other area parking lots and garages. Metered parking is also available on the surrounding streets.

(*) Easy Prior Registration For This Event
Non-NSF employees must register in advance for a guest badge for this event. By April 17, send an email to ncas-april18@ncas.org (or call 301 587-3827) giving the first and last name of each attendee and optionally their organizational affiliation for their guest badge. We will try to accommodate walk-in registration arriving before 12:45 pm but we will need to give priority to those with prior registrations arriving by 12:45 pm.

Enter the NSF building at the corner of 9th St. N and N Stuart Streets by 12:45 pm and show a photo ID to pickup your guest badge; then proceed past security to Room 375 for seating by 1 pm.