NEW YEAR REALITY REVIVAL

January 1st

Not just for the end-of-the-world millenniums anymore, the New Year Reality Revival has become an annual celebration among skeptics, freethinkers, science-enthusiasts and others interested in getting Back to Reality

The New Year Reality Revival was partially inspired by an event held in California in the '90s by the Atheists United group. Further ideas were generated through CSICOP's Young Skeptics Program , when educators began discussing the need to impart understanding among young people with regards to what we know about the world we live in.

The event offers interested groups and individuals an opportunity to hold up to the world our current understanding of reality as illuminated by the discoveries and explorations of science. It is a chance to help educate the public about what we know and why, what mysteries have been solved and what questions we have answered.

The New Year Reality Revival also affords participants a chance to question the unrealistic ideas that circulate widely within our societies and play the "Back to Reality" theme song (musician forthcoming) at concert volume.

Other theme music like an improvised version of the Beatles "Get Back" and Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere" are also good accompaniments to the celebrations.

Science is our most precious tool, wrote Albert Einstein. Science provides us not just with one tool but an entire toolbox of skills and instruments that can help us to navigate through reality. Skepticism, critical inquiry, reason and rational thought can all be found within the tool kit of science and when we employ them throughout our lives we stand a better chance at reaching our goals and making our dreams come true. We have an advantage in that these tools allow us to probe the very fabric of reality, thereby steering our choices and behaviors in a way that fits well in such a reality as ours, and is more likely to work and get the results we desire.

Activity Suggestions

Solved Mysteries Production

Much like the Unsolved Mysteries prime-time television program, think about how you might put on a similar production, via radio, television, video, school project, or distributed on paper and via the Internet. Generate interest and excitement by first explaining the mystery to be solved and the odd and unusual characteristics this mystery may hold or the difficulties that exist in solving it. Explain the facts that have been observed and any details of the phenomena. Conclude with how science was able to solve this mystery and what details were gleaned from the scientific investigation. When all is said and done, stamp the mystery SOLVED with as much pomp and ceremony as you can muster.

This activity would be especially good with young people and will be highlighted in the CSICOP Young Skeptics Program where additional materials and activity suggestions will be available.

Annual Science Discoveries

In addition to the discoveries and explorations that have been made in the past, place special emphasis on the past year's achievements in science. Displays, exhibits and lists can be created to distribute, include at events and promoted in various outlets within your community.

Reality Revival Exhibition

The Reality Revival could be a small event or a big tent rally. It could include a variety of activity and information displays that focus on educating the public on what we know about reality and why it is important to understand our world through the use of science.

Send in your events and ideas!