The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #730 - 2.October.2022 Oct 01, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Claire Klingenberg for Skepticon 2022 Claire Klingenberg is the president of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations. She has been involved in the skeptic movement since 2013 as co-organiser of the Czech Paranormal Challenge. https://www.clairek.com 0:14:04 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Does Naturopathy work? The truth about 'natural' medicine. Recent reports of a Sydney naturopath allegedly endangering the life of a baby; the son of a naturopath shunning radiotherapy for "alternative therapies"; and a disgraced Gold Coast doctor turning to naturopathy rather than maintaining her registration raises the question, what's the deal with naturopathy? (From 2016) http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/does-naturopathy-work-the-truth-about-natural-medicine/news-story/ebba033e2bad6801f736db1a9235cc9e 0:20:56 A Major Battle Won in the Continuing War on Homeopathy Fraud On Thursday, a three judge panel for the D.C. Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of suits the Center for Inquiry brought against Walmart and CVS over claims that they deceived customers by marketing fake medicine as if it were real. Walmart and CVS shelve homeopathic products alongside real medicine. This placement is deceptive to consumers who can easily confuse it for scientifically-tested products that provably work – which they are not. https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/score-one-for-the-good-guys-a-major-battle-won-in-the-continuing-war-on-homeopathy-fraud 0:27:50 Alternative health clinics face closure The NSW health watchdog has been given the power to shut alternative health clinics, including naturopaths and chiropractors, for not complying with its code of conduct. https://www.facebook.com/AustralianSkepticsIn Press Conference NSW Minster for Health 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pXs4Gwy3o0 0:34:04 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Ghosts in Canada". With special guest reader Adrienne Hill.

The Calgary Albertan - 22nd June, 1912

The Vancouver Province - 24th November, 1996

The Winnipeg Free Press - 28th October, 2012

https://www.calgary.ca/arts-culture/heritage-sites/city-hall-ghosts.html Also Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #729 - 25.September.2022 Sep 24, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 You Can Count on Adrienne Pseudoscience in Education In this discussion, Adrienne Hill, Kelly Burke, and the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the internet, aka the tooth fairy, aka Michelle Bijkersma, get together to discuss pseudoscience in education within their three countries of Canada, the USA and Australia. This is an edited version of the conversation, only touching on a few of the topics they cover in the full recording. But you can hear the unedited version by going to the Skeptic Zone YouTube page or by clicking on the link in this week's show notes. We also ask you to tell any teachers you might know about this conversation. Full version here: https://youtu.be/EVRvs01tXPQ 0:22:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Kebrina Kinkade". Sydney Morning Herald - 16th March 1980 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:40:22 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:50:54 Maynard's Spooky Action What's on Maynard's Podcast? A new book from longtime music industry insider Jane Gazzo fills in Australian music history from a time before oversharing became endemic. Sound As Ever: A celebration of the greatest decade in Australian music (1990-1999), a book with Andrew P Street covers most things that you should know about the optimistic musical decade that was dashed against the uncaring digital rocks of the 21st century. http://www.maynard.com.au Also https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #728 - 18.September.2022 Sep 17, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:18 Did Nostradamus Predict death of the Queen? Some claim Nostradamus predicted with accuracy the year in which Queen Elizabeth II would die, but also that he foresaw the crowning of Prince Harry as king. It turn out either is true. We look into the claim and hear from some who believe it to be true. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nostradamus-king-charles-harry 0:17:14 The Skeptical Fairy on a Train Appearing from a thunderclap and a puff of smoke, the Skeptical Fairy reminds us that we can enjoy skeptical events online. 0:19:34 King Charles III - Predictions With the accession to the British throne of King Charles III, we take a look at some of the predictions made about him (as the Prince of Wales) over the last 20 years, catalogued in the database of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. 0:31:46 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem The Donor 0:32:46 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers and other publications. This week "What's Happening in ESP Today?" from 1980. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Vic Skeptics https://vicskeptics.wordpress.com/events

The Skeptic Zone #727 - 11.September.2022 Sep 10, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Queen Elizabeth II - Predictions With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we take a look at some of the predictions made about her over the last 20 years, catalogued in the database of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. 0:11:52 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 3 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:22 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Beneath a Black Balloon 0:36:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Telepathy". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #726 - 4.September.2022 Sep 03, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:30 A Psychic in Court With a guilty verdict handed down in the Chris Dawson murder trial, Richard Saunders recounts the day he was in court in 2020 to hear the testimony of a so-called 'Psychic' who has a tenuous link to the case. This report, together with comments form Nicholas Cowdery AO, QC, appeared in the March 2020 issues of 'The Skeptic'. 0:25:52 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 2 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:38 Anti-vaxxers to pay $214,023 in legal costs A group of Australian anti-vaxxers who tried to sue governments citing fears over "a new world order" have been slugged with a $214,023 legal bill after the case was thrown out of court. https://tinyurl.com/29vy2zrt 0:40:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Zodiac". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:55:12 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Zodiac Man https://youtu.be/Mi5Z9MTTuuU Also Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au

Bob Nixon investigation https://youtu.be/6n0S8ENMlEo

The Skeptic Zone #725 - 28.August.2022 Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:34 Tik Tok Astrology Hundreds of Tik Tok videos are dedicated to Astrology. What do they tell us about this ancient belief system? What can we learn? Find out as we review a small selection of those who claim to read the stars. 0:18:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 1 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:12 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem God's Dad https://youtu.be/es95UEpQmDY 0:41:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The Bermuda Triangle". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #724 - 21.August.2022 Aug 21, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Maynard's Spooky Action Family Science Day at Parramatta The Mystery Investigators team take part in Family Science Day at Parramatta Square. No spoon is safe as Richard Saunders, Ian Bryce and Maynard entertain hundreds of mums, dads and kids. Maynard also asks the big question "What does science mean to you?" With special thanks to Frankie Lee, the City of Parramatta, Western Sydney University and The Powerhouse Museum. 0:19:38 Mind Body Wallet 20 years of predictable surprises. From so-called psychics to quack medical machines, Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirit never fails to trot out the same old tired nonsense. 0:26:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Little People Tim looks at those micro nations and principalities that spring up around the world. You too can be a monarch of your own country... sort of. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 40 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Min Min Light. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:53:58 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Min Min Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqo5nPig3NY

The Skeptic Zone #723 - 14.August.2022 Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Interview with Jon Guy Put simply, Think Straight is an owner's manual for the human brain. Drawing from the vast history of scientific and cognitive research, this book is a tour de force through the science and philosophy of the human mind, and what it means to think as a rational human being in the 21st century. https://twitter.com/SkepticJonGuy https://www.amazon.com/Think-Straight-Owners-Manual-Mind/dp/1633887979 0:15:34 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Tim and Richard talk about the Bent Spoon Award from Australian Skeptics. Nominations are now open for 2022. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon/ 0:23:16 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:36 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Bachelor of Seance 0:35:02 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Prof. Ray Hyman. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

1993, Secrets of the Psychics - NOVA PBS https://youtu.be/41hJ6DY8xLI?t=1427
1988, 4th February - The Alton Telegraph
1995, 24th October - Arlington Heights News - Daily Herald
1994, 4th December - The Brazosport Facts - Texas

The Skeptic Zone #722 - 7.August.2022 Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Ben Radford America the Fearful National panics about crime, immigrants, police, and societal degradation have been pervasive in the United States of the 21st century. Many of these fears begin as mere phantom fears, but are systematically amplified by social media, news media, bad actors and even well-intentioned activists. There are numerous challenges facing the U.S., but Americans must sort through which fears are legitimate threats and which are amplified exaggerations. This book examines the role of fear in national panics and addresses why many Americans believe the country is in horrible shape and will continue to deteriorate (despite contradictory evidence). https://www.amazon.com/America-Fearful-Marketing-National-Panics/dp/1476687722 0:25:25 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Never Ending Story By Anthony Garrett - Part 2 A report on the never ending search for perpetual motion and free energy. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 36 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:42 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Mostly Ghostly 0:42:24 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the day the city of Adelaide was not destroyed in 1976. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

1976, 1st January - The Canberra Times
1976, 12th January - The Canberra Times
1976, 14th January - Papua New Guinea Post Courier
1976, 15th January - The Canberra Times
1976, 17th November - The Canberra Times
1976, 20th November - The Canberra Times

Also Tests of the paranormal by Australian Skeptics over the decades https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsudGI1mVCMPpxJt0PP8ZQ2ouzO8uCejx

The Skeptic Zone #721 - 31.July.2022 Jul 30, 2022

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 VALE Jim Wilshire A tribute to our late voice-over man and decades long friend of producer Richard Saunders. Video: Jim in action recording for The Skeptic Zone in 2011 https://youtu.be/nFByyeTIqEQ 0:14:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:02 Maynard's Spooky Action We catch up wtih our roving and raving reporter. What's up next for Maynard? What does he have on his own podcast and where will he be appearing? Find out as we sip a coffee with our man in the street. https://maynard.com.au 0:30:48 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Pyramid Power". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

1979, 18th November - The Canberra Times
1977, 19th October - The Australian Women's Weekly https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58588545

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