The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #680 - 17.October.2021 Oct 16, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Part #1 Famed science communicator Dr Karl tells us about snipers, TikTok, Anti-Vaxers and the way in which social media companies pander to the advertising dollor. Dr Karl is an Australian science communicator and popularizer, who is known as an author, and as a science commentator on Australian radio and television. Dr Karl is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow in the Science Foundation for Physics at the School of Physics, University of Sydney. http://www.drkarl.com http://www.tiktok.com@drkarl 0:31:52 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. Sundry seekers after truth. Vol 32 No 2 - September 2012 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:00 Interview with Tim Mendham Join Tim in the portable Skeptic Zone studio to chat about life in lockdown, predictions and the upcoming Skepticon 2021. 0:44:50 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the 'UFOs and Aliens'. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https://www.skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #679 - 10.October.2021 Oct 10, 2021

Show notes

The Skeptic Zone #679 - 10 October 2021

Dedicated to the memory of Michael Wolloghan The Skeptic Zone is very sad to inform you that one of our founding reporters Michael Wolloghan died unexpectedly in October 2021. Episode #679 is dedicated to his memory, including a replay of one of his reports. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Thank you Michael for being there at the beginning.

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 The Round Up. With Michael Wolloghan From December 2008, founding reporter Michael Wolloghan with skeptical news of the day. 0:10:52 Planets and Predictions We look at and try to make sense of some of the predictions made by Milton Black using astology. Is Pluto playing games? Where is Mars when you need it? 0:19:20 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to evil curses! http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Skepticon 2021 https://www.skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #678 - 3.October.2021 Oct 03, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The Herman Cain Freedom Award (HCFA) is reminiscent of the Darwin Awards. Taken directly from the sub-Reddit it says "Nominees have made public declaration of their anti-mask, anti-vax, or Covid-hoax views, followed by admission to hospital for Covid. The Award is granted upon the nominee's release from their Earthly shackles." https://www.reddit.com/r/HermanCainAward 0:13:00 YouTube Boot Anti-Vaxers YouTube is blocking anti-vax content when it somes to COVID-19, including content that contains misinformation about other approved vaccines as well. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-30/youtube-blocks-all-anti-vaccine-content/100502612 0:18:22 Maynard's Spooky Action Meet Maynard's dad on his 93rd birthday! What was life like in Australia after the last pandemic? Maynard chats to his dad about the good old days and not so good old days. http://maynard.com.au 0:27:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Palm Reading. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https://www.skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #677 - 26.September.2021 Sep 25, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 All Shook Up! What happens when a team of skeptics meet to analyse earthquake predictions? An earthquake! Skeptic Zone reporter Michelle Bijkersma (a friend of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet) tells us about the 'moving' experience. 0:09:33 TikTok Tarot A look at the hundreds of TikTokers taking to Tarot Cards. What do they have in common and why is it so popular? 0:26:25 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Tarot Cards". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #676 - 19.September.2021 Sep 19, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Potential Harm of Psychics A dissussion with Susan Gerbic and Rob Palmer about the potential harm of believing in, and taking the advice of those who claim to be able to see into the future. Prediction Talk for Bay Area Skeptics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Emu-p0vIPU https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/belief-in-psychics-whats-the-harm-and-whos-to-blame https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com 0:24:30 Take Stock... with Shelley Stocken From 2017, Shelley gives us her unique take on actions of Robert De Niro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding their anti-vaccination campains. Sounds just like the plot of a 'B Grade' Hollywood movie. This is another tribute to our dear late reporter. 0:31:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the 1919 Flu Epidemic. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https://www.tiktok.com/@richard_saunders?

The Skeptic Zone #675 - 12.September.2021 Sep 12, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Bigfoot Found! An interview with podcaster Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com, who comissioned a local artist in Bend, Oregon to create a giant figure of the mythical Bigfoot. Brian also updates us with the latest information on his documentary "Science Friction". 0:20:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "psychic" and "spoon". 1987.10.08 - The Big Spring Herald - Texas 1985.07.24 - Herkimer Evening Telegram NY 1987.05.20 - Syracuse Herald-Journal NY 1976.07.24 - The Las Vegas Sun 1986.09.16 - Record Argus - Greenville PA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:56:30 The Sound a Duck Makes Musician Nathan Eggins presents his new hit song. https://www.conspiracyofonesolo.com Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #674 - 5.September.2021 Sep 05, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:28 Threats made to GPs We read out a letter being sent to GPs in Australia which threatens legal action and other dire consequences if they keep administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Yet another example of what we call "COVID Crazy" by conspiracy theorists. 0:19:07 Freeman on the Land. With Shelley Stocken Shelley looks at a small but noisy movement that started in the US and Canada at the turn of the century and has been simmering in Australia for about a decade. This is another tribute to our dear late reporter. We miss you Shelley. http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/the-seriously-weird-beliefs-of-freemen-on-the-land/news-story/cd91441f8f406a48457d5450b0a264f9 0:36:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to paranormal research. 1953.07.29 - The Courier-Mail - Qld 1995.11.30 - The Canberra Times 1938.04.18 - The Newcasle Sun http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #673 - 29.August.2021 Aug 28, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. This week Adrienne reports on her visit to the famous tourist area of Jasper in Canada. What she discovers there, apart from the beautiful views, is a classic example of a new-age store. http://jasperrockandjade.com/Rocks/rocks.html 0:13:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Thought Reading". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:24:58 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:18 Maynard's Guide to the Lockdown On the phone from Newcastle, Maynard gives us his free advice about beating the COVID-19 lockdown blues. Was it a mistake to call him? Find out! Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #672 - 22.August.2021 Aug 22, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 5G Disinformation Special guest Pascual Romero from the 'Squaring the Strange' podcast gives us his opinions on a full page of 5G misinformation that appeared in the pages of the 'Byron Shire Echo' newspaper from the Northern Rivers of NSW, the heartland of conspiracy theorists in Australia. https://issuu.com/echopublications/docs/byronecho3609/14 https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4677 0:14:00 "Freedom" Protests in Australia As the Delta variation of COVID-19 leads to the extention of lockdowns in Australia, we report on some of the violent "freedom" and protests in Melbourne and Sydney. Also a live cross to Darwin where our reporter Michelle Franklin updates us on more peacful protests in the Northern Territory. 0:24:45 More COVID-19 Crazy Customers shun masks in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay post offices and the union takes action. Also the bizzare silent protest in the city of Perth in Western Australia by a group of Anti-Vaxers. With comments by Susan Gerbic, Adrienne Hill, Leonard Tramiel, Louis Hillman and Kelly Burke. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/security-guards-sent-to-mullumbimby-byron-bay-post-offices-as-customers-shun-masks-check-ins-20210817-p58jf7.html https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/awkward-shopping-centre-antivax-protest-ruthlessly-mocked-online-over-confusing-signs/news-story/666cd6e7ec627cbd672f76ff000f8957 0:44:50 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers and YouTube on a search for references to 'Jack the Ripper' Part 2. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #671 - 15.August.2021 Aug 15, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 COVID-19 As the COVID-19 situation grows worse by the day in Australia, we look at some of the related news stories from the past week. People travelling while infectious and those who still think protesting in the streets is a smart move. Also the frightening story of a COVID-19 healthcare worker being attacked for doing her job. 0:18:55 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Jack the Ripper'. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

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