Navigation
JOIN UP

You are invited to Skeptipalooza: Science and Skepticism in Seattle - September 12-14, 2025

Skeptipalooza is the second annual gathering of skeptical-minded folks who believe in the scientific method. Skeptipalooza is sponsored by the Seattle Skeptics and Science Enthusiasts and the Committee for Scientific Inquiry (Publishers of the journal Skeptical Inquirer).

Attendance at all events is free!

The conference features talks from Susan Gerbic, visiting from California, who is known for her work on Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia, and her work with “Grief Vampires” She is a fellow on the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

Also attending is  Brian Dunning, visiting from Oregon, host and producer of the Skeptoid Podcast, the author of seven books, and writer and producer of the documentary films The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You to See (2023), Science Friction (2022), and Principles of Curiosity (2017)

The conference is a combination of social activities and public talks about skeptical and scientific thinking presented by a mix of local and nationally recognized speakers. All are welcome to attend any or all of the events.

 

Friday, September 12

2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Coffee at Green Lake Starbucks
7100 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
(About two blocks south of the Green Lake library on the east side of the lake)

3:30 PM to approximately 4:30 – 5 PM
Skeptical Stroll around Green Lake.
Leaving from the Green Lake Starbucks—approximately three miles of flat ground. We’ll be traveling counterclockwise (Right as you face Green Lake from the east side.) If you get a late start and want to meet us on the path, go left as you face the lake. 

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Dinner and socializing at Razzi’s pizza in Greenwood
8523 Greenwood Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98103

7:00 PM
Presentations

  • Scot Bastian, PhD: Introduction to the Conference and “What is Skepticism?”

  • Susan Gerbic: Interactive workshop on “Skepticism and Empathy” 

 

Saturday, September 13

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Coffee at Green Lake Starbucks
7100 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
(About two blocks south of the Green Lake library on the east side of the lake)

10:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday presentations
Green Lake Library
7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle, WA 98115
(on the east side of Green Lake, a couple blocks from Starbucks) 

  • Dan Green: Skeptical Junk Food: Outrageous and Wacky Ideas from the Wilds of the Internet

  • Craig Foster, PhD: Better Critical Thinking? What the Hell Does that Mean?

  • Erin Coté: Storytelling for Optimism around Global Challenges

  • David Frank, MSc: How to Market Tobacco (Despite Those Pesky Advertising Bans)

Lunch Break

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gates Foundation Guided Tour
Gates Foundation building near the Seattle Center
500 Fifth Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

Please note: Parking near the Gates Foundation can be very challenging. If you want free street parking I recommend you arrive early and explore the streets North of Mercer Street. I recommend carpooling. There is also paid parking adjacent to the Foundation on 5th Avenue or nearby on Mercer Street. 

Approximately 6:00 PM
Dinner and socializing
Racha Thai and Asian Kitchen (0.5 Miles West of the Gates Foundation)
12 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109

 

Sunday, September 14

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Coffee and socializing
The Birdhouse coffee shop
3507 SW Henderson St. Seattle, WA 98126
(Across the street from the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library)

Note: The Birdhouse has no indoor seating, but the library opens at 10:00 a.m. and you can bring drinks and treats into the meeting room.

10:30 AM to 3:00 AM
Sunday presentations
Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library
9010 35th Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98126

  • Brian Dunning: My Visit to Area 51

  • Susan Gerbic: Guerrilla Skeptics of Wikipedia and Mediumship

  • Josh Studor: How about Special Rights for Some: How SCOTUS Made Christians a Privileged Legal Class

 Lunch Break

  • Pat Pilcher: The Mount St. Helens Eruption

  • Scot Bastian, PhD: Schrodinger’s Embryos: The Legal and Ethical Status of the Leftovers from In Vitro Fertilization

 

4:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Stroll to the Lincoln Park Troll
Lowman Beach Park, 7017 Beach Dr SW, Seattle, WA 98136

We will meet at Lowman Beach Park (approximately eight-minute drive from the Southwest Library) at 4:00 p.m. and walk north to Bruun Idun (Way of the Bird King) Troll in Lincoln Park and then back to Lowman Beach. (Approximately a 40-minute walk, flat ground)

6:00 PM to whenever
Dinner and socializing
Cactus Southwest Kitchen and Bar in Alki
2820 Alki Avenue SW in West Seattle (A scenic eight-minute drive north of Lowman Beach)

 

------------

 

Please note: This event is not hosted, sponsored, or endorsed by The Seattle Public Library. Any views that are discussed in this meeting are not a reflection of The Seattle Public Library’s views.