The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #570 - 15.September.2019 Sep 14, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes Greetings from the Surf Coast Spring Skepticamp 2019 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:15 Skeptical Outreach at the Solano Stroll Join members of the Bay Area Skeptics as they conduct PK (Psychokinesis or Telekinesis) tests at the famous Solano Stroll, one of the biggest street fairs in North America. With Dr Eugenie Scott, William Patterson and Steve Nelson.

http://www.baskeptics.org https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solano_Avenue_Stroll

0:23:55 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Roberton News Byron Bay measles outbreak result of 'irresponsible parents' Health authorities are bracing for a measles outbreak in the anti-vax heartland of Byron Bay after a local unvaccinated child caught measles in New Zealand and returned to the town. - By Jane Hansen

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au https://www.nrvs.info

0:34:49 Vale: Skeptic and psychic debunker Robert Lancaster Robert Lancaster, noted American skeptical activist who created the website Stop Sylvia Browne, died on September 7 following a long illness from a stroke in 2008 and heart attack in 2011. In 2008, Lancaster launched the website devoted to debunking clams made by 'psychic' Sylvia Browne. His investigations revealed many instances of Browne's psychic 'visions' being entirely wrong.

https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/09/08/vale-skeptic-and-psychic-debunker-robert-lancaster/

0:39:48 I think we need to think... With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us an overview of recent Wikipedia updates.

https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com/guerrilla-skepticism-on-wikipedia/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Pozner https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/264599424

0:47:53 Nutshell Wiki with Moriel Schottlender You need a great cheat sheet? Summarize quick references? Quick notes to remind people about a great historical event? Help improve Nutshell Wiki by adding content. You can start browsing the current categories, improve the current articles, or add your own.

https://nutshell.wiki/wiki/Main_Page

Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #569 - 8.September.2019 Sep 07, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:11 Jonathan Jarry We talk to one Canadian who has had it up to the ears with Ear Candles. Jonathan's video on the subject details his investigations into this pillar of quackery.

https://youtu.be/-GfunNxHHkw https://jonathanjarry.com/

0:22:03 Measles alert for travellers to New Zealand NSW Health is urging NSW residents to be fully vaccinated against measles before travelling to New Zealand where almost 1000 cases have been reported this year. So far in 2019, four measles cases have been introduced to NSW from New Zealand travellers, and that number could rapidly increase due to a recent surge of cases in New Zealand since early August.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20190905_00.aspx

0:29:15 Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask pubbers this month's question - Was there one moment or event that turned you into a skeptic?

http//www.maynard.com.au

Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #567 - 1.September.2019 Aug 31, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:55 Dragon*Con 2019 Dr Angie Mattke and a Walking Tour We chat to Dr Angie Mattke to get a taste of things to come over the next few days, followed by a walking tour of Dragon*Con, accompanied by Adam Bovalino from Melbourne, to help get our bearings. https://www.dragoncon.org 0:12:00 Interview with Jennifer Hathorn American Association for the Advancement of Science At a time when STEM education is struggling to produce graduates with the qualities and skills to keep the United States' science and technology sectors competitive, AAAS provides a variety of programs to make sure talent and interest in scientific endeavors are nurtured.

http://www.aaas.org

0:17:22 Dragon*Con Vendors A walk through the giant rooms devoted to selling everything under many suns for fantacy fans. 0:24:16 Pharmacy Fantasy From the pages of 'The Skeptic', Loretta Marron looks at a disturbing attempt by pharmacists to woo customers ... with woo.

https://www.skeptics.com.au

Also Skeptic Zone LIVE at Dragon*Con 2019 An interview with Margaret Downey.

Also dice predictions with Evan Bernstein.

https://vimeo.com/357932554

http://video.skeptrack.org

A / V by Calico Cove, LLC

The Skeptic Zone #566 - 25.August.2019 Aug 24, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:25 Isil Arican and Cuneyt Ozdas Learn how Isil and Cuneyt help to promote science and scepticism in Turkey and around the world.

https://yalansavar.org/podcast/ http://www.acikbilim.com/

0:20:55 Looking for Woo in Berkeley join Richard Saunders as he wanders along the streets of Berkeley in California, looking for strange and mysterious claims made on shopfronts.

https://goo.gl/maps/sFre2sxqjaf9vS3o6

0:31:47 I think we need to think... With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us an update on recent Wikipedia updates.

https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com/guerrilla-skepticism-on-wikipedia/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detoxification_foot_baths https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitated_communication https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deej https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Return_to_Love https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind-body_interventions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Australian_Bird_Guide

0:41:11 Full Moon and Empty Heads A commonly-held belief has it that various social phenomena are associated with the phases of the moon. Such is the strength of this belief, achieving folk-lore status in many societies, that it is accepted almost without question, especially by the popular media. - Barry Williams

https://www.skeptics.com.au

Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au https://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/

The Skeptic Zone #565 - 18.August.2019 Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 Zealot with Jo Thornley Why would anyone join a cult? Maybe they're unhappy with their current religion, or they want to change the world, or they're disappointed with their lives and want to find something bigger or holier that makes sense of this confusing, chaotic and dangerous world. Or maybe they just want to give themselves the best possible chance of having sex with aliens.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Zealot-about-cults-Jo-Thornely-ebook/dp/B07G58PSY6/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zealot/id1245635983

0:23:36 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson TGA cracking down on non-compliant advertising of bioresonance and similar devices In May 2019, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) commenced work on a sector-wide compliance activity relating to the advertising of 'bioresonance' devices, which are sometimes mistakenly promoted as 'biofeedback' devices. This sector has been identified as having a high rate of advertising non-compliance, with widespread advertising.

https://www.tga.gov.au/node/875057

0:32:27 An Innocent Among the UFOnauts Sometimes you let yourself in for things that, on mature reflection, you probably wish you hadn't. In September I agreed to speak at the Great Australian Science Show in Sydney and gave as the title of my talk "I was abducted by a UFO". - Barry Williams

https://www.skeptics.com.au

Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au Trish Hann on the radio (at 9m 30s) https://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/afternoons/afternoons/11389628

The Skeptic Zone #564 - 11.August.2019 Aug 10, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:55 Interview with Pontus Bockman Pontus discovered skepticism in 2010 and soon thereafter became deeply involved in local activism, such as organising Skeptics in the Pub and giving lectures on skepticism in local schools in his native Sweden. The ESP

http://theesp.eu European Skeptics Congress 2019

https://www.esc2019.be

0:26:30 Super Science Saturday Ian Bryce and Richard Saunders from The Mystery Investigators once again bring their science show to the Australian Museum in Sydney.

http://www.mysteryinvestigators.com

0:38:30 Vinegar Can be Used for What? In 1996 Glenn Cardwell sent in a complaint about an advertisement for 'The Vinegar Book'. This report from the pages of the Skeptic Magazine details the reaction he received.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

Also Curious Recollections - Book https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au Surf Coast Skepicamp https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-spring-skepticamp-2019-september-tickets-62100278605 Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #563 - 4.August.2019 Aug 03, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:20 Interview with Derek Colanduno We catch up with one of the original skeptical podcasters. Derek gives us an overview of the early days of 'Skepticality' and sets the scene for the upcoming Skeptrack at Dragon*Con 2019 in Atlanta.

http://skeptics.dragoncon.org

0:20:21 Nominations open for the Bent Spoon Award From psychics to quacks, TV shows and racing car drivers, the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award has a colourful list of past winners. Can you help find a worthy recipient for 2019?

https://www.skeptics.com.au/features/bent-spoon/

0:30:23 Skeptics Investigate "psychic surgery" The very first story in the very first issue of "The Skeptic" magazine from Australian Skeptics. Melbourne skeptics take on a psychic surgeon.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:41:30 The Think Tank with James Randi A blast from the past. In 2012 James Randi visited Melbourne to take part in the Australian Skeptcs national convention. We took the opportunity to invite him to join us in a recording of the Think Tank. Also featuring that well known goose, Maynard. Also https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-spring-skepticamp-2019-september-tickets-62100278605 https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/SocialSkepticsCanberra/ Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au Skeptic Zone Promo .wav - 30 sec. Download Here

The Skeptic Zone #562 - 28.July.2019 Jul 27, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:28

A Random RANT! With Dr Paulie Stories of people being terrified by Yowie like creatures go back decades and had their heyday in the 1970s when it seems some here in Australia were somewhat jealous or maybe inspired by the reports coming out of North America. It was a golden age for UFOs, Psychics such as Uri Geller, the Loch Ness monster and BigFoot sightings. All good fun at the time and as the years went by interest both here in Australia and in the USA tapered off. But not completely.

https://www.gcskeptics.com

0:13:15

An interview with Evan Bernstein

We catch up with the SGU rouge and find out about the upcoming trip to New Zealand and Australia. Evan is a co-host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe and The Skeptics Guide 5×5 podcasts. He also serves as the Connecticut chapter chairman of the New England Skeptical Society. Evan is a technical adviser for official NESS investigations, and is the SGU's audio engineer for live remote events.

https://skepticon.org.au https://conference.skeptics.nz

0:25:33 Cool Appraisals of Cold Readers Margaret Dent claimed to talk with dead people. She maked money from performing, using this claim as the basis of her show. Richard Saunders attended one her shows in 2004. 0:39:14 TV 'Test' of Psychics Re-bunking an Unsinkable Rubber Duck. A look at how not to put so-called psychics to a test. Also http://www.maynard.com.au Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #561 - 21.July.2019 Jul 20, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:47 Apollo 11 - Sydney Morning Herald 1969 MEN ON MOON U.S. astronauts open a new era for mandkind. - Man has landed on the moon. The U.S. spacecraft, Eagle, carring Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, touched down on the lunar surface early today (Sydney time). 0:12:30 Moon Landings Were No Hoax Continuing to believe that the Moon landings were faked, despite the solid evidence from many quarters that confirm the missions, despite the thorough and painstaking debunking of every major objection from the conspiracy theorists (from popular TV shows such as MythBusters to hundreds of detailed explanations online) is NOT being sceptical... it is being a science denier. It is the same mindset that leads people to deny the Earth is round or that climate change is also just another hoax.

https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/07/16/leaflet-on-moon-landings/ Scimandan - Flat Earth Friday https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYePF35K6BdrC67K2TSQ1jBeOBGi2e9o

0:22:49 What is going on at Area 51? We ask Ben Radford about the history of this secretive location. Are there really aliens hidden deep within the vaults? Also will thousands of Facebookers storm the area to uncover 'the truth'? 0:41:11 I think we need to think... With Susan Gerbic Susan chats to Carlos Orsi and Natalia Pasternak, skeptics from Brazil.

https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/carlos_and_natalia_are_coming_to_csicon_to_meet_you http://revistaquestaodeciencia.com.br http://www.saude.gov.br/saude-de-a-z/praticas-integrativas-e-complementares?fbclid=IwAR1c8FSNH__svmJdat8-Cq6gaKKdnWRLbcy_fwp4KA_wHKVbo5PNL59bncg

Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #560 - 14.July.2019 Jul 13, 2019

Show notes

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:15

Maynard's Spooky Action.... Casula Powerhouse presents GIANT LEAP, a multi-arts program, which includes six new exhibitions created to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 1969. The launch and first steps on the moon were televised and watched around the world. The exhibitions provide insight into the impact of the first humans on the moon, on popular culture, on individuals and on their artwork and acknowledges the ancient and important influences of the moon in most cultures.

An interview with Jenny Cheeseman - Head of Curatorial

http://www.casulapowerhouse.com/whats-on/lcc-whats-on/giant-leap

0:17:15 Skeptics in the Pub with Maynard Joins us at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub as Maynard asks the big question.... 'Why do people take advice from celebrities over scientists?' 0:32:20 Skeptics in the Pub with Dr Karl Maynard's wide ranging interview with Dr Karl. 0:52:50

Britt Hermes Update Eran Segev brings us the latest good news. On May 24, 2019, the District Court (Landgericht) of Kiel, Germany ruled against Colleen Huber in a defamation lawsuit she brought against Britt. https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/justice-prevails-cancer-quack-colleen-huber-loses-her-defamation-suit-against-me/

Also

Saving A Dinosaur

http://palaeopictures.com/

Canberra Skeptics - talk by Trish Hann https://www.meetup.com/SocialSkepticsCanberra/events/262279997/ Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

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