Skeptoid

Speaking Gigs

Brian Dunning, producer and host of the Skeptoid podcast, is available to speak at your event or organization on a variety of topics pertaining to critical thinking.

Speaking Fees

Email me at brian[at]skeptoid.com.

Costs

I am located in Orange County in southern California, and am happy to travel to your location at no charge if it's nearby.

If your event is anywhere else, you will need to cover all travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

Remote Presentation

It is possible to do a remote video appearance via Skype or iChat, assuming you have the needed hardware on your end. This option eliminates all travel costs.

Two screens are needed, one for video and one for Powerpoint. Two-way video is required. At a minimum, this can be accomplished with two computers — one for video chat, and a second one with someone clicking through the slides when I prompt them. (It can all be done on one Mac computer running iChat with remote presentation.) You'll probably need a microphone so I can hear questions. It's a bit awkward, but it does work.

Audiences

I will come and speak for any group, no matter who you are, so long as there are enough people to make it worthwhile (consider 10 to be the minimum).

Usually I present at university clubs and organizations with secular or skeptical themes, or local and civic clubs. But I have also been invited by church groups or people who completely disagree with me as a way to "know their opponent".

Topics

Please choose from one of the topics below. Or, if you prefer a different topic (anything from the list of episodes), I look at it as a great opportunity to build my repertoire of Powerpoints, so please feel free to request it.

1 hour - Introduction to Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena. An introductory talk describing numerous phenomena (paranormal, pseudoscientific, urban myths) and presenting of understanding of why they are fallacious and why it's so important that they be debunked. Great for youth groups, colleges, and critical thinking newbies.
1 hour - Debating with a Creationist. Learn the standard Young Earth Creationist arguments, and become familiar with the responses from the scientific consensus.
30 minutes - The Detoxification Myth. Everywhere in society, hucksters are selling products and services to "detoxify" our bodies. Learn why this is pure pseudoscience with no potential health or wellness benefits. At best it hurts only your wallet; at worst it can (and does) kill.
30 minutes - Homeopathy. Why this most ridiculous of all holistic medical modalities is so stupid, and why it can't possibly help anyone.