User:Boneso/sandbox/Barry Williams: Difference between revisions
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==Skeptical activism== |
==Skeptical activism== |
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Williams first realised that he was a skeptic when he read ''[[Chariots of the Gods?]]''; he thought it was fascinating, until he read to the section about the pyramids. He is quoted as saying about the section "''This is tripe''".{{R|SMH1987Aug13}} He later heard [[Dick Smith]] say in an interview that things like UFOs needed to be challenged; he wrote to Smith and said that if he got anything off the ground he was interested. Until then Williams thought that he was the only person who believed that such things did not exist.{{R|SMH1987Aug13}} |
Williams first realised that he was a skeptic when he read ''[[Chariots of the Gods?]]''; he thought it was fascinating, until he read to the section about the pyramids. He is quoted as saying about the section "''This is tripe''".{{R|SMH1987Aug13}} He later heard [[Dick Smith]]{{Rp|redlink!}} say in an interview that things like UFOs needed to be challenged; he wrote to Smith and said that if he got anything off the ground he was interested. Until then Williams thought that he was the only person who believed that such things did not exist.{{R|SMH1987Aug13}} |
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In 1980 Williams formed the New South Wales branch of the [[Australian Skeptics]]. In 1986 the head office of the [[Australian Skeptics]] moved to [[Sydney]] and Williams served as their president until 1996. In 1990 Williams took up the role of editor of the [[Australian_Skeptics#The_Skeptic|Australian Skeptic magazine]], and remained in that role for 18 years.{{R|Acorn|Vale}} |
In 1980, Williams formed the New South Wales branch of the [[Australian Skeptics]]. In 1986, the head office of the [[Australian Skeptics]] moved to [[Sydney]] and Williams served as their president until 1996. In 1990, Williams took up the role of editor of the [[Australian_Skeptics#The_Skeptic|Australian Skeptic magazine]], and remained in that role for 18 years.{{R|Acorn|Vale}} |
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In 1995 the Australian Skeptics received a bequest which enabled them to create the position of executive officer, which Williams took up. He relinquished his position of president and took up the full time position of executive officer in 1997, becoming the first paid employee of the Australian Skeptics.{{R|Change}} |
In 1995, the Australian Skeptics received a bequest which enabled them to create the position of executive officer, which Williams took up. He relinquished his position of president and took up the full time position of executive officer in 1997, becoming the first paid employee of the Australian Skeptics.{{R|Change}} |
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During his time as president and executive officer of the Australian Skeptics, Williams appeared in various media outlets and became the face of Skepticism in Australia.{{R|Vale}} He was often called on for comment about psychics,{{R|DelV}} UFOs,{{R|SanMck}} ghosts,{{R|JacqMc}} [[New Age| new age beliefs]],{{R|HugATree}} [[Creationism|creationism]],{{R|GregRob}} the [[Peter_Brock#Car_Modifications|energy polariser]],{{R|Polarised}} which won racing driver [[Peter Brock]] the 1986 [[Australian_Skeptics#Bent_Spoon_Awards|Bent Spoon Award]].{{R|PolSpoon}} |
During his time as president and executive officer of the Australian Skeptics, Williams appeared in various media outlets and became the face of Skepticism in Australia.{{R|Vale}} He was often called on for comment about psychics,{{R|DelV}} UFOs,{{R|SanMck}} ghosts,{{R|JacqMc}} [[New Age| new age beliefs]],{{R|HugATree}} [[Creationism|creationism]],{{R|GregRob}} and the [[Peter_Brock#Car_Modifications|energy polariser]],{{R|Polarised}} which won racing driver [[Peter Brock]] the 1986 [[Australian_Skeptics#Bent_Spoon_Awards|Bent Spoon Award]].{{R|PolSpoon}} |
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In 1993 Williams successfully predicted the winner of the Australian Federal election. He said that "the winner would have a campaign manager whose name had four letters, the second letter being "o" and the last two letters being identical." The Labor Party won the election under campaign manager [[Bob Hogg]]. Williams claimed a "double whammy" when, in 1996 the Liberal Party won the election under campaign manager [[Andrew Robb]].{{R|Col8}} |
In 1993 Williams successfully predicted the winner of the Australian Federal election. He said that "the winner would have a campaign manager whose name had four letters, the second letter being "o" and the last two letters being identical." The Labor Party won the election under campaign manager [[Bob Hogg]]. Williams claimed a "double whammy" when, in 1996 the Liberal Party won the election under campaign manager [[Andrew Robb]].{{R|Col8}} |
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As editor of The Skeptic, Williams contributed to every edition of the magazine not only in an editorial role, but also a writer and investigator. His investigation "UFO was IPO"{{R|UFOIPO}} was cited in Martin Bridgstock's book ''Beyond Belief: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal'' and describe as a " |
As editor of The Skeptic, Williams contributed to every edition of the magazine not only in an editorial role, but also a writer and investigator. His investigation "UFO was IPO"{{R|UFOIPO}} was cited in Martin Bridgstock's book ''Beyond Belief: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal'' and describe as a "rather elegant example" of using "scientific knowledge to explain paranormal phenomena".{{R|Beyond|p=98}} |
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Williams was a [[cricket]] tragic and he wrote a piece on the "[[87_(number)#In_sports|Devil's number, 87]]" in [[Australian cricket]] which was first published in the ''Australian Skeptic'' in 1993 and re-printed ''the Skeptic'' in March 2012.{{R|Eighty7}} The piece was published in ''The Best Ever Australian Sports Writing: a 200 year collection''.{{R|HitFor6}} |
Williams was a [[cricket]] tragic and he wrote a piece on the "[[87_(number)#In_sports|Devil's number, 87]]" in [[Australian cricket]] which was first published in the ''Australian Skeptic'' in 1993 and re-printed ''the Skeptic'' in March 2012.{{R|Eighty7}} The piece was published in ''The Best Ever Australian Sports Writing: a 200 year collection''.{{R|HitFor6}} |
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Revision as of 02:51, 11 October 2018
Barry Williams | |
|---|---|
 Barry Williams speaking at an Australian Skeptics conference in the 2000s | |
| Born | 10 November 1938 |
| Died | 20 January 2018 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Skeptical activism |
Barry Justyn Williams, born 10 November 1938, was a cricket tragic: typo? , skeptic and writer, who was the president and Executive Officer of the Australian Skeptics from 1986 until 2009. He was involved in many investigations of paranormal claims and the editor of the Australian Skeptic magazine for 18 years. Williams was often called on by Australian media outlets for comments relating to paranormal claims. Williams died on 20 January 2018.
Life and career
Williams was born on 10 November 1938. : I don't think it is standard to repeat the birthrate after its use in the lead. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and served in various places, including Butterworth and Williamtown. He attained the rank of Flight Sergeant.[citation needed] After leaving the RAAF, Williams worked for the US Department of Commerce in Sydney in sales and as an exhibition manager.
Williams served as Vice President of the North Sydney federal electorate conference for the Liberal Party. In 1979 he was part of an investigation of Dr. Paul Solomon, a candidate who had been pre-selected for the federal seat of North Sydney, who had made false claims in his pre-selection dossier.[1]
In 1995 Williams became the first executive officer of the Australian Skeptics.[2]
On the 20th of January 2018, at the age of 79, after several heart operations.[3]
Skeptical activism
Williams first realised that he was a skeptic when he read Chariots of the Gods?; he thought it was fascinating, until he read to the section about the pyramids. He is quoted as saying about the section "This is tripe".[4] He later heard Dick Smith: redlink! say in an interview that things like UFOs needed to be challenged; he wrote to Smith and said that if he got anything off the ground he was interested. Until then Williams thought that he was the only person who believed that such things did not exist.[4] In 1980, Williams formed the New South Wales branch of the Australian Skeptics. In 1986, the head office of the Australian Skeptics moved to Sydney and Williams served as their president until 1996. In 1990, Williams took up the role of editor of the Australian Skeptic magazine, and remained in that role for 18 years.[5][3]
In 1995, the Australian Skeptics received a bequest which enabled them to create the position of executive officer, which Williams took up. He relinquished his position of president and took up the full time position of executive officer in 1997, becoming the first paid employee of the Australian Skeptics.[2]
During his time as president and executive officer of the Australian Skeptics, Williams appeared in various media outlets and became the face of Skepticism in Australia.[3] He was often called on for comment about psychics,[6] UFOs,[7] ghosts,[8] new age beliefs,[9] creationism,[10] and the energy polariser,[11] which won racing driver Peter Brock the 1986 Bent Spoon Award.[12]
In 1993 Williams successfully predicted the winner of the Australian Federal election. He said that "the winner would have a campaign manager whose name had four letters, the second letter being "o" and the last two letters being identical." The Labor Party won the election under campaign manager Bob Hogg. Williams claimed a "double whammy" when, in 1996 the Liberal Party won the election under campaign manager Andrew Robb.[13]
As editor of The Skeptic, Williams contributed to every edition of the magazine not only in an editorial role, but also a writer and investigator. His investigation "UFO was IPO"[14] was cited in Martin Bridgstock's book Beyond Belief: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal and describe as a "rather elegant example" of using "scientific knowledge to explain paranormal phenomena".[15]: 98
Williams was a cricket tragic and he wrote a piece on the "Devil's number, 87" in Australian cricket which was first published in the Australian Skeptic in 1993 and re-printed the Skeptic in March 2012.[16] The piece was published in The Best Ever Australian Sports Writing: a 200 year collection.[17]
References
- ^ "Liberal president traces steps in Solomon row". the Sydney Morning Herald. 27 October 1979. p. 27. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Williams, Barry. "Time for a change" (PDF). The Skeptic. Vol. 16, no. No. 4, Summer 1996. ISSN 0726-9897. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
{{cite news}}:|issue=has extra text (help) - ^ a b c Mendham, Tim (21 January 2018). "VALE – BARRY WILLIAMS". skeptics.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 13 March 2018 suggested (help); Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Cockerill, Ian (13 August 1987). "Its fun to shoot down UFOs and con men". the Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Edwards, Harry. "A Mighty Oak from a Tiny Acorn Grew: A Brief History of the Australian Skeptics" (PDF). The Skeptic. Vol. 14, no. No 3, Spring 1994. ISSN 0726-9897. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
{{cite news}}:|issue=has extra text (help) - ^ Delvecchio, Julie (18 August 1994). "Your future in their hands". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 13. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ McKnight, David; Sandilands, Ben (1 February 1986). "One light means hope for UFO believers". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 15. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ McArthur, Jacqueline (12 July 1998). "Ghosts busted by boffins". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 13. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Dayton, Leigh (18 January 1994). "Believers log on for a cosmic cuddle". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Roberts, Greg (12 May 1984). "Some Queensland schools teach Genesis as fact". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Robertson, David (19 February 1987). "Holden's, Brock fall out over energy box". the Sydney Morning Herald (Late ed.). p. 3. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ West, Andrew (31 May 1988). "The 1988 Bent Spoon Award is up for grabs". the Sydney Morning Herald. p. 28. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Column 8". the Sydney Morning Herald. 17 June 1996. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018 – via newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Williams, Barry. "UFO was IPO" (PDF). The Skeptic. Vol. 13, no. No. 1 Autumn 1993. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
{{cite news}}:|issue=has extra text (help) - ^ Bridgstock, Martin (October 2009). Beyond Belief: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521758932.
- ^ Williams, Barry (March 2012). "Unfounded fears of the flannelled fools" (location=Australia). The Skeptic. Vol. 32, no. 1. pp. 44–48. ISSN 0726-9897. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
{{cite magazine}}: Missing pipe in:|format=(help) - ^ David Headon, ed. (1 August 2001). The Best Ever Australian Sports Writing: a 200 year collection. Melbourne: Black, Inc. p. 131 ISBN=9781863952668.
{{cite book}}: Missing pipe in:|page=(help)
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