The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #630 - 8.November.2020 Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 The Misadventures of the VeXXed Bus We look at the bumpy road and comic mishaps of the "Vaxxed II" bus as it travels along its sorry road. 0:16:44 James Randi, a quiet chat. In 2014, Randi and Saunders toured Australia. During some downtime they chat about magic, memories and TV productions. James Randi: Psychic Investigator - YouTube https://youtu.be/ix_DEto6nH4?t=820 0:28:57 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Hasty Generalisation Fallacy". Also known as the argument from small numbers and the lonely fact fallacy, this is when you base your conclusion upon limited or inconclusive information. 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. 0:35:47 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Double Delusion - House of Horrors - House of Science and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au Also The Correx Files https://www.abc.net.au/science/correx Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #629 - 1.November.2020 Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 James Randi on The Skeptic Zone Since the podcast begain in 2008, James Randi appeared on about 22 episodes. We present some edited highlights from over the years. 0:39:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the James Randi, with a focus on the year 1980, the year of the famed water divining tests. 1980.06.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.06.30 - The Canberra Times 1980.08.17 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.10.11 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.11.09 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

James Randi in Australia - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN-0FEqAkQM

Also Interview with James Randi 2006. With Richard Saunders https://youtu.be/ukqsZYHLcuI

An Evening with James Randi 2014. With Richard Saunders https://youtu.be/Th1VjbjWpAU

The Skeptic Zone #628 - 25.October.2020 Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 A tribute to James "The Amazing" Randi. 1928 - 2020. 0:06:20 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:10:45 Australian Skeptics Inc. Annual Awards 2020 Join President Jessica Singer, E.O. Tim Mendham and Chief Investigator Richard Saunders as they annouce this year's awards, as heard at Skepticon 2020. The Fred Thornett Award for the promotion of reason - The Barry Williams Award for media - The Skeptic of the Year - The Bent Spoon Award. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:20 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Godwin's law (or Godwin's rule of Hitler analogies). https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:45:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Loch Ness Monter. Where oh where are you Nessie? 1937.07.29 The Pingelly-Brookton Leader 1950.11.09 The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 1934.01.02 The Kyogle Examiner 1952.08.29 The Warrick Daily News 1947.04.10 Chronicle 1934.01.13 The Weeky Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #627 - 18.October.2020 Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #3 - Brain tells us of the impact of Wakefield's work on vaccination rates, the other authors of the original paper and the link to Elle Macpherson. https://briandeer.com 0:16:33 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Weasel Words". These are words for phrases that seem to point in one direction or give a certain impression, but in reality are often meaningless or even misleading. 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. 0:24:02 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Wishful Thinking, Risky Business, Gambling and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "E.S.P." Can you read my mind? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #626 - 11.October.2020 Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:09 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #2 - Brain tells us of why Wakefield left the Royal Free Hospital, conflicts of interest, buying blood from children, and some of his other investigations. https://briandeer.com 0:22:51 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. FLAT EARTHERS. In the paranormal world, there have always been some claims and claimants that have been ... how shall we put it ... weird. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:55 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "Quackery". How many ducks can we line up?

12.04.1916 - The Mercury Tasmainia

09.04.1934 - The Advertiser SA

28.08.1890 - The Australian Star

17.09.1891 - The Mercury and Weekly Courier

22.11.1873 - The Armidale Express http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #625 - 4.October.2020 Oct 03, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:32 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #1 - An overview of the original Wakefild paper, how the children in the study were recruited, the $100 million dollar lawsuit and how the diagnosis of some of the children was changed to suit the end goal. https://briandeer.com 0:26:45 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Poisoning the Well". Also known as smear tactics, this is when you try to discredit your opponent, or an institution, especially in the mind of others, before even entering into a debate or conversation. 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. 0:33:45 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham

What Goes Around - Trials by Fire.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:42:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "Haunted House". What was going 'bump' in the night? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Belgium Skeptics https://skepp.be/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=5 Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #624 - 27.September.2020 Sep 26, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:50 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Ever seen a UFO? Many years ago Michelle and her father did and were quite baffled... for a time. What about the time she saw strange red eyes peering at her from the darkness while camping? What this some sort of stragne apparition or did Michelle find a more logical answer? 0:16:05 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the word "Ouija". What did the spirits say? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:31:26 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Burden of Proof Fallacy". This is when instead of presenting evidence to support your claim, you insist that the person doubting it, prove your claim to be false. 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. 0:39:08 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham

What Goes Around - Yetis, Yale, Smuggling and Shooting.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:46:23 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #623 - 20.September.2020 Sep 19, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:26 COVID-19 Conspiracy Graffiti Michelle Bijkersma reports on COVID-19 conspiracy theory graffiti in Melbourne. 0:10:42 Protests - COVID-19 Conspiracies Anti-Lockdown protests at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market as police arrest 74 protesters and issue more than $280,000 in fines. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-arrest-74-and-fine-176-after-vic-market-protest-20200912-p55v1z.html 0:17:12 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham

What Goes Around - Graphology, Writing, Profiling, Testing and Woo.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:25:05 The Secret of the Secret What is the secret of the secret? Find out as we visit 'The Secret of the Secret Convention'. With the voice talents of Abhijit Chanda and András Pintér. 0:31:19 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "UFO". What is up there in the skies? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skeptics Cafe - Live Online Talk by Richard Saunders - 21 Sept. 8:30pm https://www.facebook.com/theskepticscafe Maynard's Mastermind Quiz - With Richard Saunders https://www.facebook.com/maynard1/videos/10158830429649359 Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Your Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #622 - 13.September.2020 Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:20 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the words "Yowie Hunt". Did anyone ever find the Australian Big Foot? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:21:08 CFI - We're Not Backing Down from Walmart Snake oil profiteering has emerged as a genuine crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplifying what the Center for Inquiry has been saying for years: Pseudoscientific medicine is dangerous, and those who profit from it must be held accountable. https://centerforinquiry.org 0:25:00 Skeptrack Repoert An overview of the live online Skeptrack from Dragon*Con 2020. http://www.skeptrack.com 0:32:18 A visit to a New, New Age Vet Can Map-you-luncher, Ke-ring Dlistals, Flo-me-lapthy, Skyo-blaptic, Free-tex-lolagy and Snerbal Stoop-alments save Henrietta the cat? With the voice talents of Dr Angie Mattke and Pontus Böckman. 0:38:57 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Skeptics Cafe - Live Online Talk by Richard Saunders - 21 Sept. 8:30pm https://www.facebook.com/theskepticscafe Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Your Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #621 - 5.September.2020 Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:43 Here's My Two Cents Worth. With Jennifer Hathorn Jennifer takes us on a decades long journey through the madness that is Dragon*Con. What are some of the highlights involving skepticism? Find out about the time James Randi appeared with Alice Cooper. 0:13:47 LIVE from Skeptrack! We talk to Dr Angie Mattke and Derek Colanduno from the studio floor ar virtual Dragon*Con. What's coming up this year on this live skeptical event? http://www.skeptrack.com 0:21:02 Enter the Dragon (Con) From the pages of 'The Skeptic', Richard Saunders reports on skepticism in the US - Dragon*Con and the Solano Stroll. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Your Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

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