Inexplicable Phenomena: A Mathematician Responds скачать в хорошем качестве

Inexplicable Phenomena: A Mathematician Responds

As humanists and sceptics, none of us feels comfortable if we are told by a friend that they have seen something unbelievable, such as fairies at the bottom of their garden. We may wonder whether they have gone mad, or are lying, or are the victim of a practical joke. But how can we be sure that they really haven’t seen something which can’t be explained? And whose job is it to prove whether or not what they’ve described is an illusion? In this two-handed talk, Simon Whipple describes some apparently amazing events and Barney Maunder-Taylor (image above) explores how he, as a mathematician, might respond. Each member of the audience can decide whether they are persuaded to believe that Simon's reports are true, or Barney's sceptical responses. Whatever you decide, after you have heard this talk, you will be well-equipped to respond the next time you hear that someone has seen the Loch Ness Monster. Barney Maunder-Taylor has a double first in maths from Oxford University, is a former Champion of Countdown, runs the East Dorset Maths Jam, and still holds the title of Jester of Bournemouth. A former cabaret juggler, Barney now divides his time equally between tutoring maths to university level in Dorset, and presenting maths shows. He has been a member of Dorset Humanists for several years and he has previously given an amusing maths presentation to Bournemouth Skeptics in the Pub. Simon Whipple is a former Army Officer and is now a solicitor. He is a member of Dorset Humanists Committee. Many years ago he studied Philosophy at the University of St Andrews. He has always been interested in inexplicable phenomena, and he always wants to make sure that, however bizarre a theory may appear, it is not rejected by sceptics without a good reason. Dorset Humanists are a non-religious group of Humanists, Atheists & Agnostics who meet in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. www.dorsethumanists.co.uk