The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #539 - 17.February.2019 Feb 17, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:35

Interview with Mark Edward Mark Edward is a professional mentalist who specializes in magic of the mind. He has spent more than 25 years in world-class venues from high-end night clubs and theaters to hundreds of private party and corporate events. As one of only five specially chosen and trained mediums in the history of Hollywood's famed Magic Castle, he has performed 15 years of seances that helped him perfect the role of spirit medium and psychic entertainer.

https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Psychic-Blues-Audiobook/B07ND6HDWH

0:19:40

Psychic or just Sick?

From the pages of 'The Skeptic Magazine. Is there any harm in psychic acts?

"It made my stomach turn to have to watch it. It was dreadful. The subject matter was just trivialised and thrown away. The real actual pain and grief of the people who were there to get some sought of connection, looking for hope and desperately trying to have closure on their pain, was just washed over in light entertainment." - By Peter Booth https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2025%20(2005)%20No%202.pdf

0:36:45 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble This week Mandy-Lee gives us an overview of her training to become an editor for Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Ainscough 0:46:53 Maynard's Spooky DJ Action! Maynard the DJ behind the Madd Club and many other happenings over the decades, presents a night of shameless sounds that cerebrate the pop and pretentiousness of the late 20th century. Saturday 16 March 2019 at 8:00pm LOCATION Red Bar 36 Glebe Point Rd (Upstairs), Glebe, NSW 2037 https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=468290 Also https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-summer-skepticamp-vii-tickets-51130149654

The Skeptic Zone #538 - 10.February.2019 Feb 09, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 Shoot for the Moon We chat to Prof. Richard Wiseman about his new book based on the Apollo Moon missions, 'Shoot for the Moon'. Books on success usually focus on genetically gifted Olympians, hardheaded CEOs and risk taking entrepreneurs. This book presents a radically different perspective on how to achieve your aims and ambitions. https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/shoot-for-the-moon/ https://www.youtube.com/user/Quirkology 0:15:50 FSM welcomes new President Monash University Associate Professor Ken Harvey AM is the new President of Friends of Science in Medicine. He replaces Professor John Dwyer AO, the founding president.

Friends of Science in Medicine, founded in 2011, has grown to become a major critic of unscientific health practices and fraudulent health claims. It has advised governments and media, made numerous submissions to enquiries and provided extensive public advice concerning dubious health claims and practices https://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au/2019/02/06/fsm-welcomes-new-president/

0:20:42

Citizen science

Interviews with Paul Flemons from the Australian Museum and Patrick Tegart from the Office of Environment and Heritage. Citizen Science programs provide a very important source of data about biodiversity. Data and insights gained through the efforts of citizen scientists enable us to learn more about our environments by creating additional data sources.

https://australianmuseum.net.au/get-involved/citizen-science/

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/your-research/citizen-science

0:27:40 Testing a 'Psychic' claim From the pages of 'The Skeptic Magazine', we re-visit the time Australian Skeptics attempted to test a man who claimed to have something like psychic powers. Report by Ian Bryce. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ 0:41:35 Trish & Chips! With Trish Hann Our reporter Trish Hann heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask, "Who should be the Patron Saint of Skepticism?" With Tim Mendham, Jessica Singer, Ian Bryce, Richard Saunders and Jessica Hazzard-White Also https://canberraskeptics.org

The Skeptic Zone #537 - 3.February.2019 Feb 03, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Who is 'The Well-Known Skeptic'? We chat to Rob Palmer, a listener to the Skeptic Zone who has gone on to be involved with investigations and reports. https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/archive/category/the_well-known_skeptic 0:15:40 Homeopathy Exposed - Again! Australian Skeptics has long regarded homeopathy as little more than outdated quackery. In 2002 Richard Saunders and Peter Bowditch busted homeopaths giving some awful advice at a Babies Expo. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2025%20(2005)%20No%202.pdf 0:26:00 Remembering Barry Williams A year after his death, we remember famed Australian Skeptic Barry Williams. From 2002 a radio interview with science braodcaster Stuart Gary.

The Skeptic Zone #536 - 27.January.2019 Jan 26, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Oh Yow! Oh Yowie! Reports are coming in of a large, unearthly creature attacking a delivery truck in Australia. We talk to famed investigator Ben Radford from the Squaring the Strange podcast to hear his thoughts on this strange and frightening event. https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5868252/qld-truckie-claims-yowie-bashed-his-bonnet/?cs=7 https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:15:45 Trish & Chips! With Trish Hann This week Trish interviews Dr Bard McKay to learn his opinion on pill testing at music events. With a number of deaths reported, is it time to try a different, more science-based approach? https://www.drbradmckay.com.au 0:36:48 A trip to the California Academy of Sciences The California Academy of Sciences is a research institute and natural history museum in San Francisco, California, that is among the largest museums of natural history in the world, housing over 26 million specimens. https://www.calacademy.org

The Skeptic Zone #535 - 20.January.2019 Jan 19, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 Oh No! It's Ross Blocher! We travel to the city of Portland, Oregon to see the live show of 'Oh No Ross and Carrie!' http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/oh-no-ross-and-carrie 0:10:40 Climate Science and Educational Outreach In Oakland, California we visit the National Science for Science Education to interview Brad Hoge, Director of teacher support. Brad joined NCSE in 2017 to help steward NCSEteach into its next phase. He has been a classroom teacher, a children's museum curator, a research scientist, and a science educator, including working as an associate professor at the University of Houston - Downtown. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M. http://www.ncse.com 0:36:16 Science Friction and Bigfoot As the snow falls, we chat to Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast about the latest updates with his movie project. Then it's onto our favourite topic Bigfoot! https://sciencefriction.tv

The Skeptic Zone #534 - 13.January.2019 Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 Ear Candles: the outcome of TGA complaint Ear candling is a widely promoted alternative medical practice that involves inserting and lighting a hollow candle in the ear canal. It is claimed that candling creates a vacuum that removes wax and that it can also relieve ear ache, glue ear, tinnitus, sinus problems, chronic headache, migraine, sore throat, allergies and many more conditions. In fact, ear candles and candling are ineffective and dangerous. http://www.medreach.com.au/?p=3202 0:14:22 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin Cane Toads are a huge problem in the north of Australia. Michelle casts a skeptical eye over a plan to control their numbers. 0:23:00 Trish & Chips! Our new reporter Trish Hann heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask, "Why are the public cynical of Climate Change?" With Tim Mendham, Jessica Singer, Lynden Shields, Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz and Ben Mcavoy. 0:32:12 What is Quackery? From the pages of `The Skeptic` magazine, Dr Richard Gordon GP gives us his overview on quackery.

The Skeptic Zone #533 - 6.January.2019 Jan 05, 2019

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:03:00 GSoW at the Exploratorium We join Susan Gerbic, Mark Edward and Jay Diamond for a day at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. https://www.exploratorium.edu 0:21:30 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin The Great Emu Invasion. A cautionary tale of what happens when people try to control nature. 0:31:45 Wikimedia from the inside We catch up with Moriel Schottlender, champion of the round earth, who gives us a tour of the Wikimedia headquarters in San Francisco. Skeptic Zone interview with Moriel about the Flat Earthers http://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-480-31dec2017 0:45:42 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Naturopath under investigation for aledged claims of cancer treatment and bad breast-feeding advice. Story by Jane Hansen. Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that employs an array of pseudoscientific practices branded as "natural", "non-invasive", and as promoting "self-healing". Also

Surf Coast Skepticamp https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-summer-skepticamp-vii-tickets-51130149654

The Skeptic Zone #532 - 30.December.2018 Dec 30, 2018

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction Richard Saunders

0:03:40

The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi has a follow up by Jane Hansen to last week's story from the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report on "No Jab - No Play". This is followed by another report by Jane Hansen on the improvment to vaccination rates in Australia, despite the efforts of the Anti-Vax crowd. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/vaccines-are-safe-and-antivax-parents-are-punishing-their-own-kids-say-doctors-and-grieving-parents/news-story/f6dfd32857611bf6d52d8f4a6c46e9e9

0:15:53

Astrology... Still Bunk From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Vol. 4 No. 3 - An astronomer's view of astrology. By Philip A. Ianna. One of the impressive things about astrology today is the extent to which it pervades our culture. More people know their sun sign than know their own blood type, and after hundreds of years of very astrology beginning 5000 years you can find zodiac motifs on almost anything. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%204%20(1984)%20No%203.pdf

0:32:20 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble For this week's (almost) New Year's Eve Diet Skeptic Report dietitian Mandy-Lee Noble has been inspired by social media encouraging us to kick off 2019 with a diet! And the one diet that seems to be the most popular this year is the keto or ketogenic diet. 0:43:42

Things Anti-Vaxxers Say The internet is full of wisdom... it's just that it can get lost with all the stupidity. With Maynard as the voice of reason and Richard as the voice of.... crazy! https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/please-get-the-vaccines

Also

SkeptiCamp Monterey 2019 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skepticamp-monterey-2019-tickets-5379955692

Surf Coast Skepticamp https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-summer-skepticamp-vii-tickets-51130149654

The Skeptic Zone #531 - 23.December.2018 Dec 22, 2018

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction Richard Saunders

0:03:322

The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi gives some background to the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report story on "No Jab - No Play". 7:30 Report https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ySAvY8Ao0 https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2018/12/19/critics-no-jab-no-play-anti-vaxxers/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/withoutacrystalball/2018/12/no-jab-no-play-anti-vax

0:24:22

Message from Britt Hermes Britt Hermes is an American former naturopath and noted skeptical campaigner, who has spent much time and effort lately in campaigning against naturopathic practices. She is the author of the blog Naturopathic Diaries. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/12/18/britt-hermes-campaign-an-update-on-the-defamation-case

0:21:00

Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard chats to Science Communicator Officer at Sydney Uni., Tom Gordon. https://physics-people.sydney.edu.au/physics/staff_details.jsp?ID=1145

0:35:10 Australian Medical Position Statement on Complementary Medicine Complementary medicine includes a wide range of products and treatments with therapeutic claims that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. https://ama.com.au/position-statement/ama-position-statement-complementary-medicine-2018 Also

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-summer-skepticamp-vii-tickets-51130149654

The Skeptic Zone #530 - 16.December.2018 Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:35

Grain of Salt... With Eran Segev Interview with Edva Lotan from Midaat Fighting Anti-Vax nonsense and promoting good health. Midaat was established with the goal of aiding the public in Israel to gain necessary information, identify health risks, and protect itself from those risks. http://midaat.org.il/midaat/midaat_english/

0:24:22

Maynard's Spooky Action The last of the Skepticon interviews with Dr Ian Musgrave, Dr Brad McKay and Kate Browne

0:32:44

Misleading and Unsafe Practices by Anti-Vaccination Campaigners The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission has received multiple complaints regarding misleading and unsafe practices by anti-vaccination (anti-vax) campaigners and the potential risks that such persons and associations pose to the public health and safety. http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au

0:41:05 Silly Season with Maynard and Richard at the Skeptic Zone Christmas Party Local news photographers are hugely skilled and poorly paid, and get sent to photograph miserable people gurning at uncooked meat products. Maynard and Richard take look at this silly but fun site. http://apiln.blogspot.com New Year's Eve with Maynard LIVE https://www.thejuniors.com.au/shop/item/new-years-eve-2018 Also

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/surf-coast-summer-skepticamp-vii-tickets-51130149654

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