The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #440 - 26.March.2017 Mar 26, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:20 Geoclense Home Harmonizer review from CHOICE Magazine The Geoclense Home Harmonizer promises to neutralise electromagnetic radiation, radio frequencies and cosmic energy – all of which can apparently sap your energy, rob you of sleep and drain your life force. In our modern world these things are impossible to avoid, but this solid block of plastic promises to bring an end to your suffering.

Geoclense Home Harmonizer review https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/gadgets/tech-gadgets/articles/geoclense-home-harmonizer-review

Orgone Geoclense Home Harmonizer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Al295UQas

0:19:15 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Agrohomeopathy This week Heidi looks at the bizzare, strange, odd, unusual, out there, extraordinary, fantastic, curious, weird, way-out, peculiar, eccentric, abnormal, ludicrous, irregular, rum, uncommon, singular, grotesque, perplexing, uncanny, mystifying, off-the-wall, outlandish, comical, oddball, off the rails, zany, unaccountable, off-beat, left-field, freakish, wacko, outré, cockamamie practice of Agrohomeopathy... which is treating sick plants with sugar water.

0:31:45 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

With Kelly Wong

https://www.australiascience.tv/?s=Brew

Forget everything you know about dinosaurs, because it could all be wrong. Sounds weird, but they may have come from the UK according to a new family tree. Brew Ha Ha: science in less time than it takes to order a coffee.

Read more at the BBC: http://bbc.in/2mSXDhX

0:34:00 The Great Prediction Project - Update Can you see into the future? Who will win the football this year? Richard Saunders gives an update on the new project to collate hundreds of "psychic" predictions.

Non-Psychic Predictions for 2017 http://www.skepticzone.tv/predictions.htm

Also...

Do creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster exist? https://omny.fm/shows/mike-williams-overnight

Gravity Waves - Public · Hosted by Mordialloc Skeptics - 11th April https://www.facebook.com/events/1290129051064045/

Origami Pigasus to print https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Origami_Pigasus.jpg

Mayanrd's FREE 2017 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2017-maynard-calendar/

The Skeptic Zone #439 - 19.March.2017 Mar 19, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:48 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson This week Heidi with the latest on the David "Avocado" Wolfe tour of Australia. Included is Heidi's interview on local TV news.

Mullumbimby residents angry at antivaccination talk in council premises - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot9zOj6oZUo

Vaccination debate flares on NSW north coast after 7yo contracts tetanus http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/tetanus-girl-not-vaccinated-say-health-authorities/8362722

0:25:03 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Tania Meyer Where do you stand on the great debate between antibacterial soap, and good old-fashioned scrubbing? Science and technology is as much a part of our cultural fabric as art, music, theatre and literature. They play a significant role in our daily lives, yet, in a world dependent on science, we often take them for granted. Australia's Science Channel believes every citizen has a right, and a responsibility, to be informed, and our mission is to create programs to bring that about.

https://www.australiascience.tv

0:27:38 Belle Gibson guilty but delusional and now for the next fad Belle Gibson has been found guilty of misleading and deceptive conduct in the Federal Court for claiming that special diets and alternative medicine had cured brain cancer that she had never had. But in her findings, Justice Debra Mortimer added that the fake 'wellness' blogger may have been suffering "some kind of delusion" that she had cancer rather than acting unconscionably, as Consumers Affairs Victoria had insisted.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/03/15/belle-gibson-guilty-but-delusional-and-now-for-the-next-fad

0:32:55 Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael Dunlop Who is your preferred source for health advice? Gwyneth Paltrow? Pete Evans? Or qualified medical practitioners – like Dr Oz? I hate to break it to you, but if you're getting advice from any of these people, you're quite likely being misled.

http://www.drrachie.com/research

https://theconversation.com/dr-google-probably-isnt-the-worst-place-to-get-your-health-advice-73835

0:42:04 The Great Prediction Project Can you see into the future? Who will win the football this year? Richard Saunders tells of a new project to collate hundreds of "psychic" predictions.

Also...

Richard Saunders' radio segment - UFOs https://omny.fm/shows/mike-williams-overnight/do-aliens-exist

Origami Pigasus to print https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Origami_Pigasus.jpg

Stranger Things Downunder https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

Mayanrd's FREE 2017 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2017-maynard-calendar/

The Skeptic Zone #438 - 12.March.2017 Mar 12, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders and Mayanrd

0:04:38

Sensing Murder or Sensing Nothing

Sensing Murder is a New Zealand television show in which three psychics are asked to act as psychic detectives to help provide evidence that might be useful in solving famous unsolved murder cases by communicating with the deceased victims. So far no help from the psycics has been forthcoming.

We talk to Mark Honeychruch, the Chair of the NZ Skeptics about the return of this lamentable show.

Duncan Greive: Sensing Murder a 'grotesque sham' - nzherald http://tinyurl.com/zw9kw8o

0:25:07

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/?s=Brew

With Kelly Wong

Here are some facts that we definitely did not already know about women in STEM this International Women's Day. /sarcasm

https://womeninscienceaust.org

Brew Ha Ha: science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

0:27:38

Maynard's Spooky Action....

Witches and Witchcraft! Mayanrd askes people at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub what they know about this topic. Is it all magic spells and broomsticks?

https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

Also...

Richard Saunders' radio segment - UFOs https://omny.fm/shows/mike-williams-overnight/do-aliens-exist

Origami Pigasus to print https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Origami_Pigasus.jpg

Stranger Things Downunder https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

Mayanrd's FREE 2017 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2017-maynard-calendar/

The Skeptic Zone #437 - 5.March.2017 Mar 05, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:48 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson

This week Heidi tells us about the David "Avocado" Wolfe tour of Australia and what steps are being taken in the media and via social media, including an open letter. Also reports from Jane Hansen.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/david-wolfe-aussie-antivaxxers-funded-flat-earthers-tour/news-story/6d80b581b87329394061421a0480a740

0:25:16 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Kelly Wong

Science and technology were honoured on stage at the main Oscars event with special guests. But that's not all, science and technology even had their own Academy award ceremony.

See the winners of the The Academy's Scientific and Technical awards: http://oscar.go.com/news/winners/19023

0:28:54 Vic Skeptics reveal dangerous products on sale at Melbourne hospital

Victorian Skeptics committee member Peter Hogan and president Chris Guest have revealed that a dangerous homeopathic teething product was available at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital. The product, Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets, had earlier been found by the US FDA to contain inconsistent amounts of the toxic substance belladonna and posed a risk to children.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/02/17/vic-skeptics-reveal-dangerous-products-on-sale-at-melbourne-hospital/

0:34:00 Maynard's Spooky Action....

Who knew Maynard had a green thumb? This week he heads to a meeting of top scientists involved with "Restore & Renew," an ambitious and important project that responds to the need for bush regenerators to incorporate the latest science, restoring healthy ecosystems that are diverse, resilient and adaptable.

with...

Dr Jason Bragg Dr Marlien van der Merwe Dr Maurizio Rossetto Dr Hannah McPherson

https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Science-Conservation/Restore-Renew

Also...

Richard Saunders' radio segment http://www.2gb.com/podcast/predicting-the-future/

Origami Pigasus to print https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Origami_Pigasus.jpg

Stranger Things Downunder https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

Homeopathy in the UK: Michael Marshall https://www.facebook.com/events/700343633505831/

The Skeptic Zone #436 - 26.Feb.2017 Feb 26, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:27 Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael Dunlop This week Dr Rachie looks at the action taken by Google against the so-called 'Health Ranger', Mike Adams. Looking for his site? Don't ask Google!

0:13:20 Healing Touch at Queensland University - UPDATE James Cook University has issued a short statement saying that it has closed a Healing Touch Clinic that had been operating on its Townsville campus.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/02/21/update-jcu-closes-healing-touch-clinic

0:20:02 Take Stock... with Shelley Stocken Shelley gives us her unique take on actions of Robert De Niro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding their anti-vaccination campains. Sounds just like the plot of a 'B Grade' Hollywood movie.

0:45:56

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Ben Lewis

It's really bloody hot in Australia. Talking about blood, extreme and prolonged heat exposure to the human body can do disastrous things to your blood, your organs... it doesn't end well. It looks like Aussie summers are going to get more brutal no matter what, so we're just going to have to cope. Stay cool out there folks.

Further reading via Gizmodo: http://bit.ly/2lqp7Lq

0:27:31 Paracon 2016 - A review Richard Saunders reads his report (from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine) of the 2016 Paracon convention. Ghosts, UFOs and Big Cats!

http://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine

0:41:46 Casting a Spell on Donald J. Trump We look at the humorous magic spell, "To be performed at midnight on every waning crescent moon until he is removed from office."

Also...

500th Episode of the Geologic Podcast https://www.facebook.com/georgehrab/?hc_location=ufi&pnref=story

The ESP Podcast with Michael Marshall and Fiona O'Leary http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_062_michael_marshall_fiona_oleary.html

Homeopathy in the UK: Michael Marshall https://www.facebook.com/events/700343633505831/

The Skeptic Zone #435 - 17.Feb.2017 Feb 16, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders

0:05:40

Healing Touch at Queensland University

Australia's first university-based (but not university endorsed) healing touch clinic has opened in Townsville at James Cook University (JCU). Healing touch is described as an energy-balancing therapy administered through gentle touching and manipulation of energy from a distance, similar to reiki or acupressure.

Dr Steve Roberts and Richard Saunders comment on this sad state of affairs.

Healing touch clinic opens at James Cook University in Australian-first http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-13/healing-therapy-clinic-opens-james-cook-university/8266280

STOSSEL TESTING THERAPEUTIC TOUCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNoRxCRJ-Y0

Therapeutic Touch https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4203

0:22:00

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Casey Harrigan

If we've learnt one thing from science fiction, it's that travelling to galaxies far far away will mean astronauts will need to enter some kind of stasis to last the journey. However a new idea suggests napping might be a better option than a longer suspended animation.

Further reading via Quartz: http://bit.ly/2klQTw6

Sick and tired of seeing your newsfeed overrun with politics? We have an experiment - share science stories and content on your social media with #sharescience and turn your feed sciencey.

0:26:28

A Bike Tour of the Solar System

Join Dr Steve Roberts, Richard Saunders and a team of keen cyclists as they ride from the Sun to Pluto!

The Solar System Walk: St Kilda to Port Melbourne

St Kilda is a unique part of Melbourne with rock music, pop culture and experimental artists mixing it with babes, beaches, boofheads and backpackers. It also has its fair share of lessor known thrills with cafes down backstreets, art displays in discarded buildings and, believe it or not, a walking track that is a 1 to 1 billion replica of the solar system.

https://mycitymelbourne.net/2013/03/30/the-solar-system-walk-st-kilda-to-port-melbourne

0:43:42

Chiropractor found guilty of making false claims of curing cancer

A New South Wales chiropractor has been convicted of false advertising after he claimed to be able to prevent, treat and cure cancer in his advertising.

Hance Limboro was sentenced on February 15 at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney after he pleaded guilty to 13 charges filed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in August 2016.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/02/15/chiropractor-found-guilty-of-making-false-claims-of-curing-cancer

0:51:42

Running With Scissors - Podcast

https://www.mixcloud.com/lone_deranger

Also...

Homeopathy in the UK: Michael Marshall https://www.facebook.com/events/700343633505831/

The Skeptic Zone #434 - 12.Feb.2017 Feb 12, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders

0:06:50

The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble

A2 or not A2... that is the question. Is A2 milk better than A1? Should you be raiding your local supermarket for all the A2 milk you can carry? Will the cows go on strike? Find out this week as Mandy-Lee take a long slurp of A2 milk.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.231r/abstract

https://www.healthkit.com/profile/-mandy-lee-noble/dietitian/342517

0:15:46

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Ben Lewis

US scientists have gone rogue … 140 characters at a time. Rogue Twitter accounts have popped up since being ordered by the government to stop tweeting valid, factual scientific information. Just ignoring scientific issues like climate change isn't going to make them go away and we're all for keeping the science communication going.

Further reading via ABC News: http://ab.co/2k83Hp2

In Mozambique, humans and birds have teamed up in the hunt for a sweet reward. Both benefit from this relationship. The greater honeyguide bird relies on humans to crack open the hive to access the eggs and larvae inside. Meanwhile, the humans are able to find honey from beehives. This unlikely team is the sweetest thing you'll hear of today.

Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/2a04W4k and via Science: http://bit.ly/2a3It7E

0:19:07

Chiro group distances itself from anti-vaxxers

The Chiropractors Association of Australia, the largest professional group for chiropractors in the country, has come down against the Australian Vaccination-sceptics Network for linking itself to the CAA.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/02/06/chiro-group-distances-itself-from-anti-vaxxers

Researchers warn of dire effects from herbal remedies

Herbal products, portrayed as softer and more 'natural' alternatives to prescription medication, can have "dire effects" on users, including acute hepatic and renal failure, exacerbation of pre-existing conditions and diseases, and even death.

http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/02/06/researchers-warn-of-dire-effects-from-herbal-remedies

0:30:10

Sydney Ghosts and a HOT Night Out

We join the 'Stranger Things Down Under' group as they roam the streets of Sydney looking for ghosts with spooky tour guide Rowan Greaves.

http://www.ghosttours.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

The Skeptic Zone #433 - 5.Feb.2017 Feb 05, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:07:05 Fiona O'Leary and "VaXXed" at the European Parliament We chat to Fiona about the push to have the movie "Vaxxed" removed from a special screening in the European Parliament. Find out if forces of resaon prevail.

http://www.todayfm.com

http://vakcinainfo.org/2017/02/04/scandal-eu-parliament-banned-the-subject-of-unsafe-vaccines/

0:35:00 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Kelly Wong Is the recently announced Pig-human hybrid controversial science news, or the latest (and weirdest) superhero? Let's break it down.

Read more at ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/2klNjS4

Overseas produce suppliers are using laser-marked fruit to cut down on unnecessary plastics and replacing stickers on individual produce. We can't wait for this to become popular in Australia!

Further reading via The Guardian: http://bit.ly/2iDsS3j

0:39:55 New Complaints Watchdog On The Job To Protect Patients A new watchdog with greater powers to protect patients and crack down on dodgy unregistered health service providers and practitioners has started work. Victorian Minister for Health Jill Hennessy announced the appointment of Karen Cusack as the inaugural Health Complaints Commissioner, with the Health Complaints Act 2016 coming into effect.

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au

0:45:20 Maynard's Spooky Action.... We head for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where special guest Tim Ferguson is on the bill with Maynard. The question of the night, put to our pubbers, "What do you think about people who go behind their doctor's back and seek so-called alternative medicine?"

https://www.patreon.com/Maynard

Also...

"UFO Belief and Religion" Dr Steve Roberts https://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/236343128/

Ghosts! Skeptic Zone report http://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-318-23nov2014

The Skeptic Zone #432 - 29.Jan.2017 Jan 28, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:08:10 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson An open letter to the Editor of the Tweed Daily News The Northern Rivers Vaccination Supports take action after a local newspaper published an uncritical story and interview with Anti-Vax conspiracy theorists.. With Heidi Robertson and Alison Gaylard

https://www.facebook.com/150057145203234/posts/596209557254655

0:21:28 Wide condemnation of pro-acupuncture research paper on infant colic A controversial study that claims to have found proof that acupuncture is effective in treating colic in infants has been widely rebuked. In fact, even the associate editor of the journal where the study was published said "in technical terms, the study is negative … the primary outcome did not turn out to be statistically significant".

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:28:18 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Tania Meyer

With the latest disaster that is - was - the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, it's also an environmental disaster. While the company plans to recycle phones that are returned, many precious, rare minerals and metals will be lost through the recycling process.

Further reading via VICE Motherboard: http://bit.ly/2dMi4ek

As the Tour Down Under kicks off we look at one of the biggest controversies in cycling. Are cheats "mechanical doping" by putting tiny electric motors in their bikes? The French Parliament has even tried to make it illegal!

Further reading via Cycling Tips: http://bit.ly/2jqN73Y

0:34:45 Maynard's Spooky Action....

Not many UFOs at Maynard's International Studio (annexe) as Richard Saunders drops by for a visit. Find out what about yet another of Maynard's favourite podcasts and we have a questions for the listeners.

http://podcastufo.com

https://www.patreon.com/Maynard

0:41:56 When or skeptics criticise homeopathy, they are often wrong By Edzard Ernst This post might come as a surprise to some. And no, Edzard Ernst is not changing sides in the debate in the debate about homeopathy. But he has long felt that, when skeptics criticise homeopathy, they often wrong-foot themselves by using arguments which are not entirely correct.

http://edzardernst.com

Also...

"UFO Belief and Religion" Dr Steve Roberts https://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/236343128/

The Skeptic Zone #431 - 22.Jan.2017 Jan 22, 2017

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders

0:05:15

Skeptics stand by Bent Spoon Nomination

The National Institute of Complementary Medicine was less than pleased to be nominated for this award. Will Australian Skeptics back down? NO!

http://www.skeptics.com

0:15:22

How Uri Geller convinced the CIA he was a 'psychic warrior'

Thoughts on Spoon Bending and the CIA from over 40 years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Uri-Geller/dp/0879751991

Experiments wiht Uri Geller 1972 - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MsqnWtMWY

0:28:00

Homeopthic Vets - Update

The RCVS standards committee has announced it is to review the college's guidance on homeopathy and other alternative and complementary veterinary medicines and therapies. - By David Woodmansey.

https://www.vettimes.co.uk

0:32:23

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Ben Lewis

As the Juno spacecraft has finally entered Jupiter's orbit, the first images of Jupiter and the 3 moons, Europa, Io and Ganymede have been sent back to Earth. And these pretty pictures are purely for the enjoyment of humans rather than any specific scientific reason!

Further reading via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/29TMBFd

Have you ever realised that you talk to babies and puppies in the exact same way? Scientists have found out why we default to that high pitched voice - and it's actually doing them good.

Further reading via BBC: http://bbc.in/2j2YqMR

0:34:45

Stranger Things Down Under

Join us on an exploration of Sydney's 'Upside Down': the weird, wacky and wonderful, from the woo you've always wondered about, to cool museums and quirky experiences. All with a group of fabulous like minded sceptics.

https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

0:37:12

Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev

More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran is joined by Matt Parker, possibly the only person to hold the prestigious title of London Mathematical Society Popular Lecturer while simultaneously having a sold-out comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Matt is always keen to mix his two passions of mathematics and stand-up.

http://standupmaths.com

Also...

Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - TIM FERGUSON from the Doug Anthony All Stars https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics/events/235901193

Richard Saunders appaers on the E.S.P. podcst http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_056_richard_saunders.html

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