The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #660 - 3.June.2021 Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

A Grain of Salt. With Eran Segev Interview with Julia Galef Julia Galef is an author, podcaster, and speaker with a passion for good reasoning. Her first book, The Scout Mindset, is about the skill of looking at things honestly and objectively - why that's so valuable, why it doesn't come naturally to humans, and how we can get better at it. For over a decade, she has been the host of Rationally Speaking, a biweekly podcast featuring interviews with scientists and other thinkers. 00:01:10 Scout v. Soldier Mindset 00:05:47 Scout and Critial Thinking 00:15:10 Noticing Bias 00:16:13 Selective Skeptic Test 00:20:45 Status Quo Bias 00:23:34 Identities 00:26:58 Moral and Political 00:29:49 "Rigidity of the Right" 00:31:37 TED Talk 00:33:59 Rationally Speaking 00:35:02 Just Asking Questions 00:40:55 Cancel Culture 00:46:55 Finding the Truth 00:56:32 Contact Info https://www.amazon.com/Scout-Mindset-Perils-Defensive-Thinking/dp/0735217556/ https://juliagalef.com/

The Skeptic Zone #659 - 30.May.2021 May 29, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Saunders rolls up his sleeve Join Richard as he makes his way to the Sydney COVID-19 Vaccination Hub to get the first of two shots. Later we catch up with Susan Gerbic, Adrienne Hill, Kelly Burke and Leonard Tramiel as they relay their vaccination experiences. 0:18:46 Back to Mind Body Wallet After a year's break, the Skeptic Zone dives once more into the bizzare world of a new age festival in Sydney. Joining in on the 'fun' is Daryl Coloughn and from 'The Medical Republic' magazine, Penny Durham. https://medicalrepublic.com.au 0:30:28 Pete Evans Cooks his own Goose The Therapeutic Goods Administration, has issued infringement notices totalling almost $80,000 to Peter Evans Chef Pty Ltd. The TGA also issued a directions notice to the company and to sole Director, Peter Evans, for removal of alleged non-compliant advertising. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-25/pete-evans-company-fined-80000-for-repeated-breaches/100165090 https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/peter-evans-chef-pty-ltd-fined-79920-alleged-unlawful-advertising 0:37:55 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to 'the New Age' and 'Skeptic'. http://faginfamily.net/barry/psychic Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone

The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason - Since 2008

The Skeptic Zone #658 - 23.May.2021 May 22, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:09 Anti-Vax Hairdressers Gold Coast hair salon refuses customers who have had a COVID-19 vaccine. - 9News https://www.9news.com.au/national/gold-coast-hair-salon-refuses-customers-who-have-had-covid19-vaccine/15755f96-66c0-403f-b951-f3d9ca2bdd13 A hairdresser in south-west Victoria has come under fire from a local health authority for saying she won't accept customers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. - Matt Neal from the ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/anti-vax-hairdresser-bans-covid-jab-customers/100154936 0:13:50 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:25:30 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. 'The Scopes Monkey Trail'. Vol 34 No 2 - June 2014 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:24 Kelly Burke talks about Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia Join members of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project and find out about Kelly's recent online talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lkpSRTG2Jk&t=8622s 0:36:23 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the 'The Scopes Monkey Trail'. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #657 - 16.May.2021 May 16, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Maynard's Spooky Action An interview with Dr Sathana Dushyanthen. Cancer research and COVID-19 myths. Dr Sathana Dushyanthen is a Science Communicator and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. As part of her Sci Comm work, she has a YouTube channel through which she covers popular science topics and current research. Most recently, she has done a series on COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies. https://youtu.be/xe5HLfE8TEA https://pintofscience.com.au 0:17:50 The Long Arm of the Law The Federal Trade Commission (USA) charged St. Louis-based chiropractor Eric Anthony Nepute and his company Quickwork LLC with violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, by deceptively marketing products containing vitamin D and zinc as scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. This is the first case the FTC has brought under the new law. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/first-action-under-covid-19-consumer-protection-act-ftc-seeks 0:22:47 The Book of Tim Join Richard Saunders as he chats to Tim about what to expect in the upcoming issue of 'The Skeptic' magazine. 0:37:23 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Alien Abductions. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #656 - 9.May.2021 May 09, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Letter to the Editor A follow up to a story we mentioned a few weeks ago where a letter to the editor was published in the Byron Bay Echo newspaper. This week we feature the response from skeptic Ken McLeod. Just who is this mysterious midwife who is complaining about COVID-19 vaccinations? 0:10:20 Crazy COVID-19 Claim You will not believe the crazy claim the Australian government has had to rebut on their official COVID-19 website. Joining Richard to discuss this foolishness are Adrienne Hill and Leonard Tramiel. COVID-19 vaccines do not - and cannot - connect you to the internet. Some of the mRNA vaccines being developed include the use of a material called a hydrogel, which might help disperse the vaccine slowly into our cells. Bioengineers have used similar hydrogels for many years in different ways. For instance, they've used them to help stem cells survive after being put inside our bodies. Because of this, some people believe that hydrogels are needed for electronic implants, which can connect to the internet. https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true/is-it-true-can-covid-19-vaccines-connect-me-to-the-internet 0:26:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:44 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the The National Centre for Science Education and Dr Eugenie Scott. Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https://pintofscience.com.au Pint of Science is back! After the success of last year's festival (moved online at the very last minute) Pint of Science AU 2021 will run completely online again, with a range of new and improved activities. Our talented team has spent the last few months brewing up a variety of ways to enjoy a pint of science via video, social media, and across the airwaves. There will be even more ways to participate, with a mixture of pre-recorded and live events, including our wildly popular Pint of Science Trivia. With so much on, we decided to extend our run for two whole weeks, and we can't wait. Hope to see you there!

The Skeptic Zone #655 - 2.May.2021 May 01, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Adrienne Hill 0:02:00 Crazy COVID-19 Flyers Dispite the roll out of varoius COVID-19 vaccines around the world and despite the terrible situation in countries like India and Brazil, there are still those in our society who are intent on fear moungering. We read out some typical COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy flyers that were placed on cars in an Australian Hospital car park. 0:13:21 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Not long ago on the Skeptic Zone, Adrienne looked at the myth that bad things happen in 3's. This week she turns the tables and looks for examples of good things happening in 3's. Is this a case of second time lucky for the number 3? 1, 2, 3 and off we go! 0:25:14 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers, this time from the USA, on a search for references to the 'Psychic Predictions' and the Bay Area Skeptics. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Sydney Skeptics in the Pub with Dr Paul Willis https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/AustSkeptics

The Skeptic Zone #654 - 25.April.2021 Apr 25, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:02 The Alien Space Ship... that wasn't. We chat to author and podcaster Mick West about his work in uncovering a far more realistic explanation of a UFO seen over the ocean and captured on night vision video from a US navel ship. It turns out that the aliens might well be riding in normal airliners, heading into LA airport. https://www.metabunk.org/threads/pyramid-ufos-in-night-vision-footage-maybe-bokeh.11695/ UFO caught on camera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfXwM3140Tg 0:21:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:32 COVID-19 India Update Abhijit Chanda from India with a report on the situation with COVID-19. Once again so-called alternative medicine is no match for a real disease. https://www.berationable.com/rationable-blog 0:41:48 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Poltergeist'. In ghostlore, a poltergeist is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #653 - 18.April.2021 Apr 18, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 King St. Newtown Join Richard Saunders has he walks the length of Newtown's (an inner west suburb of Sydney) main street, stopping along the way to investigate no end of New Age and health stores. https://www.google.com/maps/@-33.898499,151.1854725,16.1z 0:24:03 Fake Medicine - Book Launch We travel to Geebooks in Glebe, Sydney to attend the launch of the new book by Dr Brad McKay, 'Fake Medicine'. Joining Richard is Australian Skeptics Inc. President Jessica Singer, Josh Godbee and Lara Benham. https://www.hachette.com.au/bradley-mckay/fake-medicine-exposing-the-wellness-crazes-cons-and-quacks-costing-us-our-health 0:32:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Telekinesis'. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Tim Hunkin on youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/timhunkin1

The Skeptic Zone #652 - 11.April.2021 Apr 10, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 Maynard's Spooky Action UFOs wirh Dr Steve Roberts and Brian Dunning With the 55th anniversary of Australia's famous UFOs story, 'Westall 1966', Maynard chats to Brian Dunning and Dr Steve Roberts about this strange event. They also look at other famous UFO accounts including the case of the pancake cooking aliens. https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208 https://podcastufo.com/latest-podcast-irene-previn-stan-gordon https://westall66ufo.com.au 0:30:27 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:31 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Debunk". Including a report of quack medical devices from the 1950s. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131642713?searchTerm=debunk Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #651 - 4.April.2021 Apr 03, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill Migraines Adrienne has suffered from migraine headaches, with some mind-bending auras, for most of her life. What is a migraine? According to the Mayo Clinic, "migraine can cause severe, throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound." These attacks can last hours or days and many people experience a warning aura. 0:15:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:22:13 COVID-19 Clunkers More madness from the world of COVID-19 conspiracy theorists. https://coronaconspiracy.cloud 0:33:47 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Supersitions. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Maynard's Quiz - 8.30pm 4 April (Sydney Time) http://www.maynard.com.au Online Talks - Canberra Skeptics https://canberraskeptics.org

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