Image: Convenor Amelia Willmer, guest speaker Prof Alan Scott, and Executive of Australian Skeptics Inc, Tim Mendham.

Armidale’s first presentation as part of the national Skeptics in the Pub initiative on Wednesday 24 April, by Professor Alan Scott, was met with resounding applause. 

The series, which has run in Australia for 44 years, was also officially launched in Armidale by Sydney-based Executive Officer of Australian Skeptics Inc, Tim Mendham, at the event. It was strongly attended, with a turnout of 73 participants from the Armidale community. 

Professor Scott explored the typical profile of a ‘political strongman’ like Putin or Trump, such as their opportunism, pattern of over-promising and under-delivering, their reliance on cronyism and contempt for political institutions such as parliament and law courts, their charisma and performative way of presenting themselves in public to their followers, and they hold onto power as an end in itself, at any cost.

It’s the very qualities that repel many that attract followers of political strongmen, Professor Scott explained. 

Engagement and debate from the audience is encouraged at Skeptics in the Pub, with convenor Amelia Willmer telling the audience to “keep it friendly and respectful – but also don’t hold back – we need to kick this topic around and have a bit of fun with it!”    

The series is a casual, social event for anyone who values critical thinking, logic, ethical decision-making, and the scientific method. Topics range broadly across subjects such as health, medicine, science, technology, history, politics, the social sciences and the arts.

At the next Skeptics in the Pub, on Wednesday 22 May at the Wicklow, Dr Sandy Boucher, UNE’s Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Science, will deliver a humorous presentation on emotional thinking and many of the other common errors which even the most educated of humans are prone to make.