The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #650 -28.March.2021 Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:23 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan Around 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia. Often, ovarian cancer feels like nothing. For that reason, most women are diagnosed when they are Stage III or IV. Siobhan tells us her story with this cancer and her advice for women. (With the help of Mr. Tom Toms the cat.) Siobhan O'Sullivan is an Australian political scientist and political theorist. Her research has focused, among other things, on animal welfare policy and the welfare state. She is the author of Animals, Equality and Democracy (2011, Palgrave Macmillan) and a coauthor of Getting Welfare to Work (2015, Oxford University Press). She co-edited Contracting-out Welfare Services (2015, Wiley) and The Political Turn in Animal Ethics (2016, Rowman & Littlefield International). She founded a regular podcast entitled Knowing Animals. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/what-i-learned-after-being-surprised-by-ovarian-cancer/13156080 https://knowinganimals.libsyn.com 0:32:30 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #3 Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:39:04 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for reports on Harry Houdini. On March 18, 1910, he made three flights at Diggers Rest, Victoria, near Melbourne. It was reported at the time that this was the first aerial flight in Australia, although this is contested. Nevertheless he is at least among the first people to fly in Australia. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au https://youtu.be/YtW36LBfoOY Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #649 -21.March.2021 Mar 20, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:08 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill Not for Prophet From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Adrienne reports on the ups and downs of checking thousands of mystical predictions covering the years 2000 - 2020. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2041%20(2021)%20No%201%20(Cover).pdf 0:24:06 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #2 Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:33:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for reports on Dr Carl Sagan. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud The 'V' Word https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/mullumbimby-anti-coronavirus-vaccination-changing-narrative/13109238

The Skeptic Zone #648 -14.March.2021 Mar 13, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #1 The return of Maynard. In this, the first of a three part interview with Dr Brad McKay, Maynard finds out about Dr Brad's new book and asks the big questions about Vampire Facials and much more. Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:18:08 Susan Gerbic Thomas John And The Believers. Susan talks about a 2019 article she wrote about how people keep believing even in the face of overwhelming evidence against their beliefs. In this case so-called psychic mediums contacting the dead. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/thomas-john-and-the-believers/ 0:30:51 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:17 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Biorhythms. 1951.11.01 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA 1978.12.20 - The Australian Women's Weekly 1979.01.25 - The Canberra Times 1983.05.19 - The Canberra Times 1985.02.06 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au http://skepdic.com/biorhyth.html

The Skeptic Zone #647 - 7.March.2021 Mar 06, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:06 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill A new segment for The Skeptic Zone. Do bad things really happen in 3s? Adrienne looks at some of the psychology about this "bad things" myth and finds how easy it is for people to come to believe there might be something in it, even something mystical. 0:11:40 Alert on Anti-Vaxxers Police are making a list of anti-vax protesters with concerns that they could target storage facilities. A Joint Intelligence Group, made of members from the AFP, Australian Security Intelligence Information, Australian Border Force and state police forces has also been set up by the Department of Home Affairs. It will be staffed around the clock and act as a central hub for information on the anti-vaccination movement and vaccine security. - by Sarah Sharples, reported at news.com.au 0:15:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at planets, days, dates and death. And so it goes, the almost inevitable realisation that all knowledge is connected and connectable. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:28 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. We hear the summing up of Canon Knight and L. A. G Strong as they give their opinions on the so-called psychics and mediums they encountered. Into the Unknown - Part #10 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #646 - 28.February.2021 Feb 27, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:45 Crystal Healing: The Science and Psychology Behind What Works, What Doesn't, and Why An interview with Dan Lynch and Julie A. Kirsch Whether you're new to the practice of crystal healing or have a level of experience with it, chances are you have questions: What works? What doesn't? How and when should I spend my money etc? Forget the magic, the mysticism, and the mythology. You've come to the right place for answers. Dan R. Lynch is a professional geologist and the author of many books about rocks and minerals. Julie A. Kirsch is a trained psychologist. Together, they delve into the fascinating study of crystal healing, and they share their answers with you. https://adventurewithkeen.com/product/crystal-healing 0:18:58 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at seeing things, insights and outsights. And so it goes, the almost inevitable realisation that all knowledge is connected and connectable. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:21 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:47 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. We hear the summing up of Dr Bendit and Mrs Haldane as they give their opinions on the so-called psychics and mediums they encountered. Into the Unknown - Part #9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #645 - 21.February.2021 Feb 20, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:43 Pete Evans Banned (Again!) Pete Evans' Instagram shut down for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Also his bid for a Senate seat has been widely criticised. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pete-evans-instagram-account-has-been-shut-down-for-spreading-coronavirus-misinformation 0:11:21 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Argument from Gibberish". This occurs when a person makes a claim that something is true, then supports that claim with an explanation that includes highly technical jargon from a field that is difficult to comprehend. It also occurs when a claim is based on pure gibberish in lieu of a strong argument. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:23:29 Facebook Puts Critical Health Information at Risk Like many organisations, Australian Skeptics Inc was affected by Facebook's changes to sharing and viewing news in Australia. While they are pleased to see that their Facebook Page and past posts have been restored, their own site content is still unable to be shared on Facebook. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2021/02/19/facebook-puts-critical-health-information-at-risk-by-blocking-legitimate-news-sources 0:30:58 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. "It'a All In Your Head!" - This week Tim looks at Phrenology, part #2 of 2 - by Michelle Cooper. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:07 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #644 - 14.February.2021 Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:23 Queensland Chiropractic Bad Advice Chiropractor forced to take down video on COVID-19, claiming 'nonsense' about 'big bad bug' and other bad advice. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/chiropractor-forced-to-take-down-video-on-coronavirus-claiming-nonsense-about-big-bad-bug/news-story/57390e8ab06cce03ba5eba8e23f7f694 0:09:12 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy of the Single Cause". Also known as 'causal oversimplification', this fallacy occurs when it is assumed that there is a single, simple cause of an outcome, when in fact there may be a number of causes. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:18:02 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. "It'a All In Your Head!" - This week Tim looks at Phrenology, part #1 of 2 - by Michelle Cooper. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:31 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #7 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:44:23 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #643 - 7.February.2021 Feb 06, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:44 Test Your E.S.P. From 1977 comes this test from 'The Australian Women's Weekly'. How do you rate your psychic abilities? Have you ever experienced astral travel, levitation, mental telepathy . . . or seen a ghost? https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5845338 0:19:03 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Common Sense". The 'Appeal to Common Sense' is a specific version of 'Alleged Certainty'. It occurs when someone simply asserts their conclusion as obvious and a fact, however, it may not necessarily be so. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:28:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at magicians, ethics, names, laws and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:27 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950 with spirit healers. SPIRIT HEALING, the "laying on of hands" or the making of psychic passes is not regarded by all psychic workers as a legitimate part of what can strictly be considered to be within the scope of spiritism. Into the Unknown - Part #6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/24681718 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #642 - 31.January.2021 Jan 30, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 The Great Australian Prediction Project A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for HM Queen Elizabeth II over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the monarch? 0:16:45 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Fallacy of Composition". This fallacy is about transferring or projecting the properties shared by a set of individual components to the whole group or product as if they were the one and the same. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:27:55 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950 with an Australian subject. Into the Unknown - Part #5 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma, 1 - 20 on YouTube. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuzfqFJyj3etWRBfGdOuqJHlcoafYim62

The Skeptic Zone #641 - 24.January.2021 Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Great Australian Prediction Project A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for Donald Trump over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the former president? 0:20:13 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Perfect Solution Fallacy". The perfect solution is an 'all or nothing' way of thinking, unless the outcome is 100% perfect, the baby may end up being thrown out with the bath water. In other words, the idea is being rejected altogether. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:27:33 Vaccination Rates in Australia Australia has surpassed the immunisation gold stan dard, with a 95.09 per cent vac cination rate for five-year-olds. With 95 per cent of the population vaccinated, child hood diseases that kill cannot get a foothold due to "herd immunity". - By Jane Hansen 0:33:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #4 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

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