Life on Mars: Then and Now

Wednesday 23^rd July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With astronomer James Fradgley FRAS

Serious searches for evidence of life on Mars began in the 19th century and for many years it was believed there were canals on the planet’s surface. Astronomer Percival Lowell, even suggested they were built by an intelligent civilisation, but famed British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace severely criticised his claims and concluded that complex life on the planet was impossible. However, the search for life on Mars is far from over and continues today via astronomical observation and exploratory space missions.

In this well-illustrated presentation, distinguished astronomer James Fradgley will recount the fascinating history of the search for life on our planetary neighbour, and explain our current knowledge of, and future plans to increase our understanding of this most intriguing red planet.

Join us for a fascinating tale of curiosity, imagination and scientific ingenuity.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Reconciling Altruism and ‘The Selfish Gene’

Thursday 24^th May 7.30pm
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth BH9 1TW

A presentation by James Fradgley

What do we mean by ‘altruism’ and how can we explain this type of behaviour if we are simply machines created by our selfish genes?

In this illustrated presentation, scientist James Fradgley looks for answers in an intriguing variety of places including genetics, statistics, multicellular organisms, social structures, philosophical dilemmas and religion.

Join us for “a fascinating introduction to how our genes influence behaviour”.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Life in the Universe – are the Aliens there? by James Fradgely - Saturday, 8th January 2.00pm

Are we alone in the Universe?
Come to our January talk to find out.

When: Saturday, 8th January 2.00pm
Where: Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown BH91TW


In this talk for Dorset Humanists, James Fradgely will assess the likelihood of there being complex life elsewhere in the universe. He will talk about exoplanets, the „Drake Equation., the development of the Universe and our own galaxy, how complex life may have developed, biological and environmental constraints on its development, and why human beings are so interested in this question. 


James Fradgely is Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Chairman of the Wessex Astronomical Society.

James Fradgley "Grumpy old Man" - Unscientific Science - 10 October 2009

“Bad Science – a Rant from a Grumpy Old Man” James Fradgely, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Chairman of the Wessex Astronomical Society talked about ignorance, objectivity, biased sampling, cherry-picking, forecasting, Ockham’s Razor, Darwin v Creationism, Martian canals, moon landings, conspiracy theories, alternative therapies, health and safety, politicians’ lies, bath water, luck, and much much more...!

Tessa

“ I thoroughly enjoyed the talk, it was a good balance between serious and amusing as well as very informative. James Fradgley kept me interested from begining to end. ”

Crabsallover

“ James was a grumpy yet humourus old man bemoaning scientific illiteracy, misuse of technical words, media disinformation and much more that's wrong with the world. Probably the best talk we've had at Dorset Humanists for a year! ”

;more photos - see column on right