The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #640 - 17.January.2021 Jan 16, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Red Herring". This is when someone gives irrelevant information in an attempt to distract you from a topic at hand, often to avoid a question or shift the discussion in a new direction. 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. 0:16:00 Typewriter Time - Dialup Astrology We discover that Richard Saunders and Maynard have started a new age Astrology service. What advice can they offer Annika Harrison from the European Skeptics Podcast? 0:25:07 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:20 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 #3 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also COVID-19 : Chiro Advice https://tinyurl.com/yxa3dfo3 Canberra Skeptics https://www.canberraskeptics.org Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #639 - 10.January.2021 Jan 09, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years. https://tourette.ca https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10) https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI 0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Affirming the Consequent". This is when you assume or conclude a cause for a phenomenon based on the phenomenon itself without taking other possibilities into account. 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. 0:30:25 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 #2 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Aust. Skeptics YouTube https://youtube.com/c/AustralianSkepticsInc Vic Skeptics Cafe https://www.facebook.com/theskepticscafe Where did the rabbit go? - Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/where-did-the-rabbit-go/id1502744758 Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #638 - 3.January.2021 Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-dubios-woman-who-allegedly-fled-covid-hotel-quarantine-shared-bizarre-online-rants-before-incident-c-1848398 0:15:09 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Unfalsifiability". Also known as 'untestability', this is when you make a claim that cannot be shown or proved to be incorrect or even correct via testing. 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. 0:21:02 Monterey Skepticamp 2021 Susan Gerbic with details of the first Skeptical Meeting of the year. This time the whole world can join in, online. Sat 2nd of Jan. (USA) https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com/skepticamp-2020-schedule-speakers/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWm1ELCsYTQw53ljcCpSedw 0:34:15 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week an a count of testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #1 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #637 - 27.December.2020 Dec 26, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Pete Evans Booted Off Pete Evans has been removed from Facebook just days after telling Sydney followers to not get tested for COVID-19. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/facebook-boots-celebrity-chef-pete-evans-over-covid-19-misinformation-20201223-p56px0.html 0:11:30 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Slothful Induction Fallacy". This is when even though there is enough good evidence to support a conclusion, this evidence is rejected and replaced by something possibly unrelated but more inline with a particular worldview. 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. 0:19:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Astrology". 1939, 9 December - Smith's Weekly 1942, 6 February - The Cairns Post 1977, 1 February - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 2021 Origami Calendar https://skepticzone.tv/files/2021_origami.pdf 2021 Maynard Calendar Calendar https://skepticzone.tv/files/Maynard2021.pdf Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #636 - 20.December.2020 Dec 19, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:07 Susan Gerbic We find out what GSoW are doing to support those fighting COVID-19. Also the latest ravings from two time Bent Spoon winner, Pete Evans. https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com 0:17:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller in the 1970s. 1973.12.08 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1974.02.06 - The Canberra Times 1975.01.23 - The Canberra Times 1975.02.24 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1975.03.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:38:55 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Ipse Dixit". Also known as "It Simply Is", this is when an opinion is given as if it were an undisputed fact, without any need for supporting evidence. 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. 0:45:17 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What is making news in the skeptical world? Find out with the newsletter compiled by Tim Mendham. http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #635 - 13.December.2020 Dec 12, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:36 Doctor at LARGE Ken McLeod reports on how anti-vaccination campaigner Judy Wilyman is trading on her flawed doctorate, and the implications for her, the University of Wollongong, and the community.

- Read by Richard Saunders. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2040%20(2020)%20No%204%20(Cover).pdf

0:27:16 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Water Diviners and Sceptics from 1945. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

Let's Crack Zodiac - Episode 5 - The 340 Is Solved! https://youtu.be/-1oQLPRE21o

TRICKY NICK by Nicholas J. Johnson https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760787363/

The Skeptic Zone #634 - 6.December.2020 Dec 05, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:54 Living a Skeptical Life From a talk given some years ago by Richard Saunders at a meeting of the Victorian Skeptics, what does it mean to be a skeptic from day to day? The Mysterious Monsters 1975 https://youtu.be/44BUjnxwC_g 0:31:04 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Water Divining in 1912. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:38:37 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 Maynard - A Very 2020 Christmas and Calendar http://www.maynard.com.au

The Skeptic Zone #633 - 29.November.2020 Nov 28, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Ben Radford's New Book The famed skeptical investigator, podcaster and author tells us about his new book, a collection of stories covering almost 2 decades. http://benjaminradford.com 0:17:25 ESP - 250 We join a live broadcast of the European Skeptics Podcast to congratulate them for 250 episodes. https://theesp.eu 0:19:52 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Emotion". Also known as "argument from passion", this is when you manipulate emotions in order to try and win an argument or promote your point, especially in the absence of good evidence. It is also a red herring, that is, a way of diverting attention away from the issue at hand. 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. 0:25:50 GSoW News with Susan Gerbic Susan and friends chime in to bring us up to date with the latest from Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. From Wiki to psychic stings and more. With Adrienne Hill, Rob Palmer and Leonard Tramiel. https://www.facebook.com/Gerbic Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #632 - 22.November.2020 Nov 21, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 His Goose is Cooked Another twist in the ongoing sad Soap Opera that is former celebrity Pete Evans. He's lost his sponsorships, he's lost his TV deals, he's lost his book deals along with his marbles. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54972101 0:13:04 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy Fallacy". Also known as the bad reasons fallacy, this is when, because your opponent uses logical fallacies, you assume their main argument or point must therefore also be wrong. 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. 0:19:05 Prof. Ken Harvey and the TGA After a frustrating time as an advisor to the government agency, Professor Ken Harvey has finally had enough. https://www.smh.com.au/national/top-doctor-resigns-tga-role-over-concerns-with-policing-of-fringe-medicine-20201116-p56f11.html 0:27:43 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Australian Skeptics. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #631 - 15.November.2020 Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:26 From 9/11 to COVID-19 An interview with Claus Larsen from Denmark about the ongoing research into some of the biggest conspiracy theories in recent history. What are some of the COVID-19 conspiracies doing the rounds and why do people believe in them? http://www.911facts.dk 0:29:50 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to the Stone". This is when you dismiss an idea or statement as absurd, invalid, or incorrect, without giving a satisfactory reason as to why. 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. 0:34:54 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Australian Skeptics. 1986.01.06 - The Canberra Times 1987.04.18 - The Canberra Times 1986.05.27 - The Canberra Times 1986.06.04 - The Canberra Times 1988.04.04 - The Canberra Times Also Richard Saunders vs. Milton Black. https://youtu.be/q-fjymxOrGE Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

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