The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #620 - 30.August.2020 Aug 29, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 A Drive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the word "clairvoyant". Can we find a little wisdom from the past?

1907, 26 January - Geelong Advertiser
1907, 28 November - Geelong Advertiser
1907, 25 June - The Australian Star
1919, 13 March - Darling Downs Gazette
1928, 12 April - News
1944, 27 May - Mirror

http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:20:10 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:22 Online Trivia with Susan Gerbic It's not all bad news in the lockdown. Find out how you can join in an online, world-wide trivia game every week. 0:33:33 Peril in the Bermuda Triangle Do you dare take a tour in the mysterious Bermuda Triangle? If you do, expect the unexpected! 0:38:44 More COVID-19 Craziness A round up of stories and reports from the "far side" of COVID-19 conspiracies and foolishness. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/lizzy-rose-shows-coronavirus-symptoms-in-new-online-video-c-1263751 https://www.perthnow.com.au/technology/celebrity-chef-pete-evans-spruiks-donald-trump-in-latest-video-ng-562377bc5cd261e4960b59ad0aa87010

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/magistrate-smacks-down-victorian-antimasker-mandy-crerar/news-story/68b9590042cbd302fffad44772ab8761

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/magda-szubanski-targeted-by-conspiracy-theorists-after-coronavirus-safety-ad/news-story/0248a388cd48e268fcef236ad2a664f9

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/kath-kim-comedian-magda-szubanski-accuses-chef-pete-evans-of-fat-shaming/news-story/56f365747e8a429501952edc2a1d6f4a

Also

Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Online (Thursday 3 Sept. 7pm) https://www.twitch.tv/australianskeptics

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

The Skeptic Zone #619 - 23.August.2020 Aug 22, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:04 On the Search for those Elusive Ghosts An interview with Beth Darlington in London, UK. A paranormal investigator who has a very open-minded and fair approach to investigating the claims of the paranormal. https://www.accessparanormal.com 0:18:20 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Anecdotal Evidence Fallacy". This is when you are swayed into taking up a position or belief based on isolated examples of data, poor data or personal experience, rather than reliable 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. 0:23:41 Typewriter Time Before the mighty space ship Solar Flare charted unknown regions of the galaxy, its original namesake was on a less well-known mission to the moon. With the voice talents of Jennifer Hathorn, Brian Dunning and Ben Radford. 0:30:52 More COVID-19 Foolishness From the dangerous to the ridiculous. More stories of foolishness during this time of COVID-19. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-astrazeneca-vaccine-doctor-slams-covid19-antivaxxers/news-story/f16004f67ac400806ac9444f879f65bf https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/pete-evans-labelled-hypocrite-for-covid19-safety-measures-in-byron-healing-clinic/news-story/1811d8ff5a5a43f840a662fce4bc2832 https://www.skeptics.com.au/2020/07/19/call-to-action-on-anti-vaccination-bus-tour 0:44:04 Let's have a Random Rant with Dr Paulie Dr Paulie looks at a study about fighting COVID-19 misinformation on social media, and interviews Professor Tammy Hoffmann from the Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare at Bond University about critical thinking for school students. https://bond.edu.au/profile/tammy-hoffmann Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #618 - 16.August.2020 Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Seeds of Distress? Back in July, Michelle saw a little story on facebook. Someone in America claiming to have received a package of seeds from China in the mail. They said they didn't order anything, but this little package labelled as earrings, but containing what looked like lemon seeds just showed up at their house one day in the mail. The story was about how the US department of Agriculture were asking that anyone who receives a package like that contact them to dispose of it safely. 0:14:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter A round up of news that comes across the desk at Australian Skeptics. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:20:06 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy". Also known as the "clustering illusion", this when you downplay or ignore information that doesn't support your argument, or point of view, and focus on information that seems to be more in line with what you would like to be true. It is also imposing meaning onto randomness. 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 From the pages of 'The Skeptic' Biblical shenanigans at Sydney's Townhall and the world according to Homoeopathy. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Stardust Special Edition https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doughded/stardust-special-edition-foreword-by-richard-dawkins?ref=83hgz3

The Skeptic Zone #617 - 9.August.2020 Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 Interview with Sue Ieraci Sue is an Australian doctor and emergency specialist with more than three decades' experience in the public hospital system. She is a vocal advocate for improvements in Emergency Medicine, how it is viewed in the hospital framework and patient-centred care. Sue is a member of the Executive of Friends of Science in Medicine and she strongly promotes evidence based medicine. https://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au 0:23:16 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Consequences". This is when it's concluded that an idea or proposition is true or false because the consequences of it being true or false are desirable or undesirable to the one making the 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. 0:28:53 Typewriter Time Green complexion and blue spots on the toes. What can it mean for Lakeside hospital? With the voice talent of Celestia Ward and Brian Dunning. 0:33:19 SovCits Invading Australia More and more we are hearing news about "sovereign citizens", or "SovCits" for short, with some reports suggesting COVID-19 government restrictions have driven a surge of interest in this movement. https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/coronavirus-victoria-sovereign-citizens-tactic-infuriating-cops/news-story/29a57a1004bd32780c5f078d501b61da https://www.utas.edu.au/news/2020/7/28/1038-why-do-living-people-believe-they-have-immunity-from-the-law https://skeptoid.com/blog/2013/10/14/the-legal-gibberish-of-freeman-on-the-land Also Canberra Skeptics https://canberraskeptics.org Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #616 -2.August.2020 Aug 01, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:51 VAXXED Bus Banned Blue Mountains City Council - Matter of Urgency - That the Council now considers a matter arising in relation to NSW Heath order and Council bookings by VAXXED Bus tour that has been ruled by the Mayor to be a matter of great urgency. https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/documents/2020-07-28-council-meeting-unconfirmed-minutes 0:10:30 Australian Skeptics Newsletter Highlights from the recent newsletter from Australian Skeptics. Find out what's going on around the skeptical world and especially right here in Australia. https://www.skeptics.com.au https://canberraskeptics.org https://www.facebook.com/events/604994790085985/ 0:19:47 Participating in the Predictions Project Ease drop in on the very first meeting of the international prediction project participation partnership program. An interesting look into how to score and mark the homework of so-called psychics and mystics. With Richard Saunders and skeptics from all over the United States. Follow Susan Gerbic on Facebook for details of Prediction Project Zoom meetings. https://www.facebook.com/Gerbic 0:33:45 Typewriter Time A very short trip to another planet. 0:36:35 Ghost in a Box Want to talk with dead people? Ari Moore says there's an app for that. It doesn't take much time on YouTube before the video-hosting website's algorithm will automatically recommend a video referring to the paranormal. Hundreds of paranormal investigation channels promote their 'research' on the platform, with larger channels reaching upwards of 1 million subscribers. A recent trend in YouTube paranormal entertainment has content creators using smartphone 'spirit box' apps to communicate with whatever spirits and/or demons are in the vicinity. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Online https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #615 -26.July.2020 Jul 25, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 Pete Evans, what a Tweet Criticism has been levelled against celebrity chef Pete Evans for a recent tweet in which he seemed to discourage the wearing of face masks. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/pete-evans-suggests-followers-should-stop-wearing-face-masks/news-story/354b3edc7b50bb5b2ef4d763e20f756c 0:10:14 Live Psychic Reading We chat to Susan Gerbic and a host of skeptics with their comments on a live psychic reading. Were we amazed, suprised or disapointed by what the psychic said? WIth Celestia Ward, Pontus Böckman, Kenny Biddle, Leonard Tramiel and Wendy Hughes. https://youtu.be/7PyZ3pPxKs0 0:20:29 VAXXED Bus - Delivers COVID-19 Conspiracies and Bad Advice Australian Skeptics has issued a warning and call to action to Australian media, medical professionals, and local councils regarding the current anti-vaccination 'revival' tour of rural and regional Australia. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2020/07/19/call-to-action-on-anti-vaccination-bus-tour/ 0:31:24 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "No True Scotsman". This interesting sounding fallacy comes from the notion that all Scotsmen are brave and if one turns out to be a coward, then he can not really be a true Scotsman. 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. 0:37:00 Typewriter Time Water, water everywhere...... With the voice talent of Beth Darlington 0:40:57 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham What Goes Around - Psychics, Writers, Psychologists and Imbibers. http://www.skeptics.com.au Also

Star Trek Continues https://www.startrekcontinues.com

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

The Skeptic Zone #614 -19.July.2020 Jul 18, 2020

Show notes

Dedicated to the memory of Grant Imahara 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:17 Homeopathy still ineffective in India We chat to a Abhijit Chanda and get an update on the COVID-19 situation in the subcontinent. Patanjali Ayurveda's Corona Kit Scam: https://www.berationable.com/rationable-blog/2020/6/coronakit-or-con-examining-patanjalis-coronavirus-treatment

Article on Immunity Boosting: https://www.berationable.com/rationable-blog/can-you-boost-your-immune-system

Video on Boosting immunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r_-kdo98TI

Interview with Dr Shantanu Abhyankar the Patanjali fiasco and boosting immunity for COVID-19: https://youtu.be/z_LnZDcEzSo?t=745

0:16:11 Typewriter Time On the hunt for unknown monsters. 0:18:25 The Think Tank The Skeptic Zone reporters join Richard to discuss some issues of the day. This time we look at fake signs on playgrounds, the clothing company fined for false COVID-19 claims and the VAXXED bus on its sad tour. With Michelle Bijkersma, Michelle Franklin and special guests Lara Benham and Celestia Ward. Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #613 -12.July.2020 Jul 12, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:28 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Water Divining Every time Michelle brings this up and someone offers to hook her up with their neighbour's mate's dad who can divine for her, she tells them about that time, way back before she was even born, when James Randi and Dick Smith and the first few members of the Australian Skeptics offered fifty thousand dollars to anyone who could divine for water for real. And they always seem surprised to hear that no one was able to do it. 0:12:42 Michelle Bijkersma Melbourne and the Mask Over the last couple of weeks Michelle has been impressed that locking down and ring fencing suburbs that are hotspots for Covid 19 has been a really targeted approach that spared everyone else in Melbourne, a city of 5 million people, the burden of lockdown again. - Her mask arrived a day or two before Melbourne went into stage 3 lockdown. How to fit and wear a mask correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwXJtN2Yt60 DHHS provides a comprehensive guide to face masks. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19 0:21:29 Typewriter Time Flat as far as the eye can see. With the voice talent of Sierra Joan. 0:25:03 The Cass Files - With Dr Cassandra Perryman State of the Union The US has always been a country of contradiction. It was formed out of rebellion, and views rebellion as the "patriotic" thing to do, but only if that rebellion upholds the status quo. Right now, this theme of rebellion and contradiction is on international display. So, what are the most glaring contradictions? Find out on the Cass Files. 0:37:31 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Tu quoque". Also known as the "Appeal to Hypocrisy" or "look who's talking", this is a type of Ad Hominem attack and comes into play when an inconsistency or hypocrisy from your side is used by your opponent to justify their position or to denigrate your position. 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. 0:44:09 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham What Goes Around - Monsters, Mysteries and Medicos. http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #612 - 5.July.2020 Jul 04, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:07 Interview with James Underdown from the CFIIG Can you demonstrate paranormal ability? Are you interested in earning $250,000 dollars? The Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) at the Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles offers a $250,000 prize to anyone who can show, under scientific testing conditions, significant evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power. https://cfiig.org 0:34:31 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the "Relative Privation Fallacy". This fallacy, also known as "not as bad as", can be seen as a type of red herring or distraction. The fallacy is essentially an argument that a certain issue is not important or does not deserve attention and resources because there are other and more important issues. 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. 0:41:50 Typewriter Time A Cook Book with a message. 0:44:47 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham What Goes Around - Ghosts and ghouls, sex and magic. And so it goes, the almost inevitable realisation that all knowledge is connected and connectable. http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Maynard LIVE Friday 8:30pm https://www.mixcloud.com/live/dj-maynard/ UK Skeptics in the Pub https://www.skepticsinthepub.org

The Skeptic Zone #611 - 28.June.2020 Jun 27, 2020

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:25 Trish & Chips - With Trish Hann Trish tells us about her love of the movie Jurassic Park, but more importantly the importance of having positive and strong role models especially for girls and young women looking for inspiration to lead them into the world of science. 0:12:00 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Personal Incredulity". Also known as "the argument from personal astonishment", this is when someone cannot accept an argument because they don't believe in or don't understand the premise and the points being made. That is to say they think it's false because they cannot see how it can be true. 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. 0:18:49 Typewriter Time The concerning matter of a Free Energy Machine. 0:22:00 The Think Tank The Skeptic Zone reporters join Richard to discuss some issues of the day. We delve into why people may legitimately not want to wear masks as well as exploring the mindset driving the resistance. Dr Cass shares her very moving personal experience of COVID-19 before we discuss the burgeoning online Skeptical meeting phenomenon. With Michelle Bijkersma, Dr Cassandra Perryman, Trish Hann and Michelle Franklin. Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected