I just got back from England and while visiting a pub in London I noticed something interesting on the £10 note. We’re all familiar with the words “In God We Trust” that is printed on United States bank notes. Well it looks like the British have once again out done the Americans by placing Charles Darwin on the £10 note.
Compare this with the United States $10 Greenback.
I have been to countless museums all over the world, but I have never once seen an interactive exhibit with a warning sign that says “This exhibit may be traumatic for young children or sensitive persons.” until I visited Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in London. When a museum exhibit comes with a content warning you know it’s going to be good.
Who would have thought pulling the lever on a museum attraction could be so fun? There where a few visitors who appeared unnerved by this exhibit, but they can’t say they weren’t warned.
I’m stepping out of the country for 3 weeks to go to Europe, and on the way over I will be stopping at Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It turns out that blasphemy is a crime in the UAE so I hope they don’t put my name into Google and find this site; even more so “The Muhammad Picture Gallery” not that I think they would really care much about a foreign site in the unlikely event that passengers were screened in this fashion.
Unfortunately this means I may not get the opportunity to update this blog for the month of July and my Twitter stream is also likely to be fairly silent as I am not sure what Internet access; if any will be available to me while I am away. But at least my 18hrs and 25mins of flights over there will give me an opportunity to catch up on some reading. I have Carl Sagans demon haunted world with me for the flight to London.
The Amazing Meeting is finally coming to Australia. It is to be held at the Masonic Center in Sydney from the 26th to the 28th of November and will be the largest Skeptical event in Australia. I will be in Sydney from the 24th to the 30th. After “The Rise of Atheism” I learnt that being early in and late out is best practice as you get a chance to attend the side-events that people inevitably organise. I have booked all my flights and accommodation and will be staying at Ibis World Square which is on the same city block as the Masonic Center and appears to be within 100m. That’s another lesson learnt; don’t have your accommodation across the CBD on a higher elevation. It doesn’t work in your favor.
With news that only 600 tickets would be available and news that TAM London in 2009 sold out in one hour people were rushing to grab tickets as soon as they became available. The sudden rush caused the ticketing server to become over whelmed in just minutes and the Twitter hashtag #TAMoz became bombarded with people bitching about the situation. It took me 38 Minutes to connect and secure my ticket.
The ticketing was handled by an events company called ASN Events and one frustrated individual even tweeted:
I want to see what happens how this amazing event organiser website copes with their alleged ‘25000 attendees’ for larger conferences #tamoz –MoviusC
To which an immediate response was:
@MoviusC 25000 people probably registered by fax or had their P.A. do it for them 🙂 Most likely not fanatics like #TAMoz attendees. –dingram
Fanatics seems like a good word to describe the mob rushing to to by Tickets at 7am but now 12 hours later there are still tickets available so the morning rush seems to have been rather pointless. But that’s what you get when you announce that there are only 600 seats available to a bunch of fanatic Skeptics.
In addition to the official schedule we (attendees) are in the progress of organising side-events. It’s early but people seem keen to become a little more organised than we were at the Atheist Convention in March. Now instead of people just stumbling across the side events on Facebook or Twitter we have a Meetup.com group setup to collaborate all the events into a single calendar. The TAM Australia meetup group can be found here.
The official TAM Australia site can be found at: http://www.tamaustralia.org
The unofficial side events can be found at: http://www.meetup.com/TAMAustralia/
Meryl Dorey and supporters of the Australian Vaccination Network are showing their true colours and it’s not a pretty sight. On the 1st of June this year I witnessed first hand the AVN poisoning the minds of concerned parents who came to the Perth AVN Seminar expecting to receive some useful information about vaccines. Unfortunately for them Meryl was only interested in pushing absurd paranoid conspiracies and making all sorts of false claims such as citing a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of vaccines. Of course anybody old enough to remember Polio or smart enough to conduct some research at the Library will discover that Meryl’s claims about vaccines are complete and utter crap.
I wrote about my expirience at the Perth Seminar here. Apparently my presence did not go unnoticed.
Buzzard, I was perfectly well aware of your presence and that of your 2 little friends as well.
The library excluded the television cameras – not us. They said that due to the threats they had received from people you associate with, no media were allowed at the seminar.
We welcomed cameras and welcomed your presence too. We hoped that if more people are able to access information from both sides of this issue, they would be better able to make an informed choice about vaccination for their children and for themselves.
Remember Buzzard-you Skeptics are the ones trying to deny others access to both sides of this debate-not the AVN.
Oh, also, we had to pay an extra $100 to the library for extra security due to the threat posed by the Skeptics. Maybe, since you Skeptics are responsible for that expense, you might have one less case of beer this week and instead, donate the funds to the AVN to make up for the extra expense you’ve caused us?
On second thought however, don’t bother. You’ve done our cause a great favour. Because of all the extra publicity due to your group’s ravings, instead of just talking to 100 people in some quiet little church hall, we spoke to twice that many in a gorgeous venue at the state library and have at least that many again who have already expressed interest in our next seminar in Perth so-well done and we’ll call it even.
I do want to ask you though, while we are on this subject, How does it feel to be associated with a group of bullies who force organisations like the State Library and the AVN to have to hire protection just to enable us to exercise our right to free speech? Does it feel good to belong to the thought Gestapo? To be associated with the anti-democracy SS?
Lastly,we have taped the entire seminar and will be publishing it free of charge on the Internet so watch this space. If your own recording was not of good quality, you are free to listen to ours.
Yours in health,
Meryl
This is odd for the simple reason that there where only two Skeptics in the auditorium. Unless Meryl know something that I don’t which seems unlikely given the crap this woman comes up with. You will notice that she wastes not time in launching accusations, all of which are unfounded. An email was sent to the Library requesting comment on Meryl’s claims. If she is going to make such accusations towards us then of course we are going to follow up on those claims. However after some inquiry no evidence has been found to establish if any threat was even made let alone where it may have originated from.
Did a threat ever exist? If so did it originate from anyone with whom I associate? Did it originate from anyone who associates with the Australian Skeptics? In the absence of any evidence and the AVN’s unwillingness to cooperate in backing up their claim I have reached the conclusion that Meryl is once again inventing stories so she can play the sympathy card to her supporters.
Her post is titled “You can judge an organisation by their actions“
But it’s not just her spitting venom; now her supporters are showing their true colours and it is not a pretty sight. On the AVN Facebook Page; Susan Jones writes: “They really are an anti choice hate group. A despicable bunch of thugs really.” and Joanna Jow Hellier write: “Skeptics that don’t believe in freedom of speech or freedom of choice – thats just not right.“. Joanna’s response could easily be misconstrue in a number of ways. So I won’t elaborate on it; but you should go and check out the page of comments yourself.
I highly recommend checking out the AVN’s Facebook Page because it will give you an incite into their members. I will allow you to draw your own conclusions but the group as a whole seems very anti-skeptic. Which is bizzarre coming from an organisation that goes on and on about “informed choice”. Another interesting quirk is the way the AVN claims to be open to debate, just try commenting on their Blog or Facebook Page
I will however agree with Meryl Dorey on one thing; you can judge an organisation by it’s actions. We skeptics do it all the time, much to the frustration of this anti-vax AVN.
;)
The Panopticon is a concept in prison design where by every cell and inmate can be monitored from a central tower; the all seeing eye. However this concept now extends beyond the design of prisons. In the 21st century the Panopticon is creeping into mainstream society where the everyday lives of ordinary citizen are increasingly under the surveillance of government authorities. While there may be no observation tower planted at the centre, our society is increasingly reliant on technology that improves many aspects of our lives but unfortunately this technology can also be used against us and often without our knowledge or consent.
In our modern technology driven lives we are seeing an increasing intrusion into our private lives, everything from Surveillance Cameras to Biometrics to Phone Tracking is being used to track and identify us as we go about our daily lives.
It is important that we take the time to consider the ramifications of our governments increasing obsession to watch over us. Especially when it comes to our use of technology as a primary form of communication; in particular the Internet. As many of you will be aware the government is currently launching an all out assault on the Freedom of Speech that our society has always valued and taken for granted in the form of Internet Censorship. As if this undemocratic attack on our most basic human rights was not appalling enough the Department of the Attorney General is launching a fresh blow against Australian Citizens by announcing plans to force ISPs to track all internet users by keeping a log of activity for up to 2 years. This gross invasion of privacy comes just days after Attorney General: Robert McClelland demanded that the federal police investigate Google for daring to collect publicly broadcast information from Wireless (WiFi) networks.
It is not yet time for the tin-foil hats however this alarming trend of increased government surveillance and attempted suppression of speech needs to be watched very closely. Because freedom has a price as Thomas Jefferson once said:
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
This is my account of the Australian Vaccination Networks seminar that was held at the State Library of Western Australia on the 1st of June 2010. Both myself and Kylie Sturgess who is more commonly known online as Podblack attended the lecture. We also had @LuminousMonkey and 3 others to help out with flyers, I apologise for my failure recall their names hopefully I can rectify that to give them acnowledgement.
I arrived at the Aroma Cafe situated in the foyer of the library a little later than intended but we still had plenty of time before the Seminar started, so it worked out ok. Before going in @Podblack checked the Names list outside the auditorium, my name was on the list as both our Tickets had been booked under my name. She didn’t notice any asterisk or marks near my name that might suggest the AVN could be onto us. In either case I would not expect much of a response if they did realise who we where except perhaps some closer monitoring. The truth has a tenancy to hurt the AVN so the last thing they really need are some Skeptics reporting back to other Skeptics. This is of course exactly what we were intending to do. I even publicly announced this intention a week before the seminar so it would not be at all surprising if the AVN were alert to our presence.
Going into the Auditorium was interesting as there were two security guards by the door in all black suits and wearing communication earpieces on the side of their heads. They resembled the stereo type Mafia/Gangster body guards. I don’t know if they were AVN security or Library security but either way I don’t think they where intended to present the Mafia image; I just watch to many movies.
I had my video camera with me but the AVN explicitly forbid cameras from being used in their seminar. Even channel 7 was denied access to film so I decided that the consequences of filming outweigh the benefit because not only would I be kicked out but it would also provide ammunition for the AVN to cry persecution by “the Skeptics” and could reflect badly on both myself and Podblack.
Dave the Happy Singer @happysinger added some speculation as to why this might be.
The first thing that happened as we got into the auditorium was the AVN distributing flyers in response to an article in ‘The West Australian’ newspaper. Unfortunatly I have not read that article yet but I will post the flyer that the AVN was handing out (you can click it on the right). If anyone has a copy of the newspaper article that the AVN is trying to refute I would really appreciate it.
During the entire seminar there was a distinct “Clickity, Click Click” sound coming from my left hand side as Podblack was attempting to transcribe and tweet the entire seminar. Using a computer she was able to take notes and tweet much faster than I ever could using a phone for twitter, Pen&Paper for notes. I only got a page of notes, she got at least 8 plus more numerous and detailed tweets.
At last the power began to fail on Podblack’s MacBook. No more “Clickety Click Click”, plus I would now have the monopoly on live tweeting. But alas she found a power outlet and the MacBook was destined to live on.
Throughout the seminar Meryl Dorey kept trying to draw a link between ‘Big Pharma’ and financial profit. The real agenda of this seminar was to propagate conspiracy theories against organisations who are in the progress of saving lives. There is nothing inherently evil about making a profit and if anyone disagrees with me I strongly suggest they move to a communist country. If you can save lives while making that profit then shouldn’t you be regarded as the exact opposite of evil; Not according to Meryl Dorey. Not only did she pick on Big-Pharma but she also tried launching absurd unfounded attacks against the health authorities by trying to tie them up in her wack-job conspiracies. Not a single representative of the WA Department of Health turned up, despite being invited by the AVN. Personally I suspect the reason that the seven empty seats set aside for them remained empty is because our Health Officials do not want to be seen endorsing the anti-vaccination movement, but of course to Meryl Dorey this is just evidence of a conspiracy between the Government and Big-Pharma; and she didn’t hesitate to point this out.
Near the end of the lecture Meryl Dorey announced that there were two people who she would like to acknowledge. Podblack who was busy Twittering stopped immediately, I was writing notes at the time and also stopped at this point. Was she about to out us as Skeptics? No, she wasn’t instead she was acknowledging two of her fellow anti-vaxers. However I have just noticed the following comment on the AVN Blog.
Dan – I really look forward to meeting you and the black cat on Tuesday – you are both such interesting characters.
How can you claim that “Freedom of Speech is the greatest freedom we have and it applies to all of us on equal terms.” as a way of justifying the fact that you and your henchmen consistently try to get our seminars cancelled using the argument that we don’t deserve freedom of speech?
I believe that you skeptics represent the epitome of hypocrisy and truly wonder what your real motivation is. I don’t view any of you are the caring, sharing types because a person who cares about other people would never treat anyone with the disrespect and disdain that I see you treating informed parents with. You should be ashamed of yourselves but I think that none of you has any shame or conscience. –No Compulsory Vaccination
Perhaps we should have made ourselves known after all. Then again she had all her bullshit cannons loaded. Who knows what her response might have been. Because telling the truth is certainly not on Meryl Doreys agenda. Unfortunately the average person is poorly informed about vaccinations and might not see through Meryl Doreys bullshit.
It seems that Conroy may be ok with privacy invasion so long as it’s the Government and not Google. Last week he accused both Google and Facebook of violating users privacy.
Speaking before a Senate committee hearing late on Monday evening, Conroy described Google as having committed the “single greatest breach in the history of privacy” by deliberately collecting private wireless data while taking pictures for its “Street View” mapping service.
He also had sharp words for Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, claiming that the latter had a “complete disregard” for users’ privacy. –The Registrer
However Conroy has raised no such concerns regarding the Governments intrusion into citizens private lives.
Australian customs officers have been given new powers to search incoming travellers’ laptops and mobile phones for pornography, a spokeswoman for the Australian sex industry says.
Fiona Patten, president of the Australian Sex Party, is demanding an inquiry into why a new question appears on Incoming Passenger Cards asking people if they are carrying “pornography”.
Patten said officials now had an unfettered right to examine travellers’ electronic devices, marking the beginning of a new era of official investigation into people’s private lives. –The Age
To be fair perhaps Conroy just hasn’t gotten around to commenting yet. But there seems to be a worrying trend that the government can “Do no harm” while the rest of us require constant control.
Well it seems the Australian Vaccination Networks anti-vaccination seminar is set to go ahead in Perth. Despite many Skeptics contacting the Library to warn them of the dishonest information that the AVN wishes to push onto parents. The next step to combating the AVN is to contact the Libraries board of directors and notify them of the misinformation that the AVN is going to use it for.
However if all else fails the next step is to attend and report on the seminar, which is exactly what I intend to do on June 1st. I expect many of the attendees will be anti-vaxers but some will be genuinely looking for answers and if skeptics are on hand perhaps we can help to minimise the damage that is caused by the AVNs misinformation. At the very least attending the seminar will provide an insight into the way the AVN operates.
Subject: FW: Upcoming Seminar
From: “Margaret Allen”
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 16:40:24 +0800
To: Dan@danscomp.netDear Mr Buzzard,
The State Library of Western Australia provides facilities and services
to the community of Western Australia as a whole; inevitably from time
to time this may include interest groups with views that some may find
controversial.The State Library does not make any judgment about individuals, groups
or organizations, unless there is a clear breach of law, policies or
procedures, in which case we may act to exclude clients.I acknowledge your opposition to the Australian Vaccination Network but
this does not provide grounds for the State Library to exclude this
group from using a public facility for lawful means.Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention.
Margaret Allen
Chief Executive Officer and State Librarian
E: margaret.allen@slwa.wa.gov.au
T: +61 8 94273328
F: +61 8 94273336—–Original Message—–
From: Dan Buzzard [mailto:Dan@danscomp.net]
Sent: Monday, 24 May 2010 16:03
To: Margaret Allen
Cc: meryl@avn.org.au
Subject: Upcoming SeminarDear Margaret,
I have concerns regarding the upcoming seminar on vaccination that is
being presented by the Australian “Vaccination” Network, who despite
their name are in fact opposed to the use of vaccination. They also
engage in the spreading of misinformation in an attempt to stop parents
from having their children vaccinated. Information is always important
but when people such as Meryl Dorey and her organization set out to
spread misinformation lives are put at risk.As a place of information and learning I believe the State Library
should make some serious reconsiderations about providing a venue for
The Australian Vaccination Network. As a Librarian you will of course
understand the importance of evaluating information from reliable
sources. I ask that the Library look into the claims being made by the
AVN and evaluate that information against credible academic journals
then I am sure you will see the AVN and dishonest information they wish
to spread.Best Regards,
~Dan Buzzard
The #antivax group deceptively called “The Australian Vaccination Network” are coming to Perth and will be using the State Library of Western Australia to hold their seminar on Influenza Vaccination. Their last venue the Uniting Church in Australia decided that they wanted nothing to do with the AVN, after being informed of the organisation’s questionable ethics.
The Australian Vaccination Network despite it’s name is an anti-vaccine organisation, which is almost as ridiculous as an anti-seatbelt organisation. Except that this is no laughing matter; peoples lives are put in danger by the spread of this misinformation. As we have already seen.
This unethical health meanace should not be entitled to use a Government building, especially a library to spread their misleading information. Their aim is to scare parents into skipping vaccinations that could save their child’s life. With vaccines being one to the greatest medical advancements in history the AVN has no justifiable grounds for it’s scare campaign.
I encourage everybody who reads this to contact the Library and inform them about what the AVN is really all about. (Be polite)
State Library of Western Australia
25 Francis Street
Perth Cultural Centre
Perth WA 6000
Australia
Ph: 08 9427 3111
Also take a moment to read the letter to Australian parents that is attached to this post; written by Australian Skeptics Inc.
Attached: Immunisation get the Facts.