Skepsis ry or the Finnish Association of Skeptics is a Finnish scientific skepticism organization founded in 1987.
Purpose
Its mission is to promote objective, impartial and critical investigation of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. Skepsis ry organizes public lectures and publishes articles and books related to skepticism, including a quarterly magazine Skeptikko. Skepsis ry works in collaboration with other scientific skepticism organizations and is a member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations. Skepsis ry is known for its annual Huuhaa Prize which is awarded to a person or an organization that has diligently promoted pseudo- or fringe science, and for its Socrates Prize which is awarded for work promoting Socratic, rational thinking. Skepsis ry also offers a prize of €10,000, sponsored by the astronomer Hannu Karttunen and the magicianIiro Seppänen, to anybody in Finland who can produce paranormal phenomena under satisfactory observing conditions. The same sum is also offered as an ET scholarship to anyone who can prove that she/he/it is an extraterrestrial by providing a DNA sample for investigation.
Huuhaa Prize
The Huuhaa Prize has been given annually by Skepsis since 1989 to a person or an organization who has actively promoted pseudoscience. The recipients since 2004 are the following:
2006: All those pharmacies and pharmacy organizations who promote the sales of homeopathic products and offer them as alternatives for science-based medicine
2007: Suomen Kinesiologiayhdistys ry for successfully promoting applied kinesiology
2008: Publisher Uusi Tie for promulgating pseudoscience by publishing books by Finnish intelligent design supporter Tapio Puolimatka
2009: Rokotusinfo ry for promoting one-sided and pseudoscientific claims on vaccines
2012: Valkee Oy for successfully marketing a poorly researched bright light headset which they claim cures a multitude of symptoms such as jet lag, migraine and seasonal affective disorder
2013: GMO-Vapaa Suomi, a non-governmental organization promoting the ban of GMO crops from Finland. The price was given for twisting scientific knowledge and their fear-mongering style of discussion.
2014: Suomen Terveysjärjestö for divulging misleading information about health issues such as nutrition, vaccination and homeopathy
Socrates Prize
The group's Socrates Prize is given annually to a person or an organization who has actively promoted rational thinking or public understanding of science. Recipients include:
