The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #191 - 16.June.2012 Jun 15, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00 IntroductionRichard Saunders and Stefan Sojka0:04:20 Dr Rachie Reports with Dr Rachael DunlopThis week Dr Rachie visits Rodd Island in Sydney Harbour. Between 1888 and 1894, the island was used as a laboratory by scientists working for the Pasteur Institute, who were researching the use of the chicken cholera microbe to control Australia's rabbit population. Louis Pasteur sent his nephew, Doctor Adrien Loir to conduct the experimentation in Australia and facilities were constructed on the island.0:19:40 A special report from Science Teacher Aaron Stephens in CalifornaiaIn his recently proposed budget for 2012 – 2013, the Governor of California Jerry Brown proposes to reform K-14 education mandates by eliminating nearly half of them. One mandate that he is recommending for elimination is the Graduation Requirements mandate that requires students to complete two years of science in order to graduate from high school.0:33:30 The Think TankIn the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Stefan Sojka, Joanne Benhamu, Maynard and Richard Saunders.

The Skeptic Zone #190 - 9.June.2012 Jun 09, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders and Maynard

0:03:10

A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev

Eran live from Sydney Skeptics in the pub with his talk on how a skeptic should evaluate evidence.

0:33:25

Maynard's Spooky Action...

Reports and interviews from Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. Maynard asks...

"How do you reply when someone asks you why you are a skeptic?"

The Skeptic Zone #189 - 2.June.2012 Jun 02, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:07:30 Maynard's Spooky Action...Reports and interviews from Sketpicamp Sydney 2012 Including...Tim Mendham - Dave the Happy Singer - Belinda Bowditch - Robin Hilliard

0:36:30 A chat to Terry Kelly, President of Victorian SketpicsThe annual convention of the Australian Skeptics will be held in Melbourne this year, 2012.The convention organisers extend a warm invitation to Skeptics, critical thinkers, free thinkers, or anyone who has ever doubted anything that they’ve ever seen or read, to gather in Melbourne with like minded people for the convention.Special Guest James Randi!Location: The SPOT Theatre, University of MelbourneDates: Friday 30th November to Sunday 2nd December

The Skeptic Zone #188 - 27.May.2012 May 27, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:01:40 An interveiw with Michael Marshall From the 'Skeptics with a K' podcast and the Merseyside Skeptics Society, Marsh is known for his investigations of so-called psychics in the UK. 0:27:50 Maynard's Spooky Action... Reports and interviews from Sketpicamp Sydney 2012 Including... Joel Pittman Shelley Stocken Joanne Benhamu Dr Rachie Dunlop Anja Cohen Belinda Bowditch Ruth Ellison

The Skeptic Zone #187 - 19.May.2012 May 19, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00Introduction Richard Saunders0:04:50A Penny for your Thoughts with Penny ChanThis week Penny brings us Ben Radford in conversation with Brian Dunning. Ben is deputy editor of the science magazine Skeptical Inquirer and a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer magazine Skeptical Briefs newsletter, Discovery News, LiveScience.com and MediaMythmakers.com. He examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and werewolves.0:22:00Maynard's Spooky Action...Black panther sightings are reported from time to time in eastern Australia, notable in the Blue Moutains west of Sydney. Today Maynard talks to Lee Harvey who claims he saw one in the Hunter Valley, north-west of Sydney.Maynard then chats to Peter Bowditch from Ratbags.com for a more skeptical take on big cats in Australia.0:34:50The Think Tank In the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Bastard Sheep and Richard Saunders.

The Skeptic Zone #186 - 12.May.2012 May 12, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00Some thoughts on Homeopathic Vaccination by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki0:01:08 IntroductionRichard Saunders0:05:00 HM Queen Elizabeth II opens the UK ParliamentDr Simon Singh comments on hopeful libel reform0:10:30 An interview with Julie Lada - Quackery at the VetFrom her blog we discover that.... "I am a Purdue University Animal Science graduate embarking on an adventure to obtain my DVM at Ross University on the tropical island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean."Julie tells us that ducks are not the only quacks in the vet business!0:27:40 Reality Bites... with Joanne BenhamuJo comments on International Nurses Day, Saturday, 12 May 20120:31:40 Festival of Mind Body Spirit in SydneyOur small but merry band of reporters head for the Mind Body Spirit to sniff out quackery. Will Richard Saunders, Dr Rachael Dunlop and Maynard make it out in one piece?0:42:30 Maynard's Spooky Action...Tubas.... need we say more?

The Skeptic Zone #185 - 6.May.2012 May 06, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00Some thoughts on Astrology from Sydney Radio0:01:18IntroductionRichard Saunders, Dr Rachael Dunlop and Maynard0:06:00ACCC tackles Homeopathy Plus! Whooping Cough claimsPress Release read by Richard Saunders0:08:30An interview with Dr Ken Harvey - Whooping Cough and Homeopathy At last a government department, the ACCC, has taken action against a web site that promotes nonsense and magic over real medicine. Dr Ken Harvey tells us more about Homeopathy Plus! and the ongoing fight to bring them to account. 0:25:50Dr Rachie ReportsNews on moves by the government to cut CAM from rebates and save the taxpayer millions.0:35:00Maynard's Spooky Action...An interview with Ian Bryce with his update on the Rossi "E-Cat" cold fusion machine.Maynard asks attendees Sydney Skeptics in the Pub what woo they believed in when they were kids.

The Skeptic Zone #184 - 28.Apr.2012 Apr 28, 2012

Show notes

00:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders00:02:00Interview wtih Tim Farley What's the harm? Well you may ask. What's the harm in Acupuncture, Alphabiotics, Alternative dentistry, Alternative medicine, Applied kinesiology, Autism denial, Ayurvedic medicine, Chelation therapy, Chiropractic, Colloidal silver, Colon cleansing and on and on and on?TimFarley has been investigating the real harm caused by these modalities.00:22:22The Think Tank with Dr Rachie ReportsIn the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Maynard, Eran Segev and Richard Saunders.During the tank, Dr Rachie reports on the latest news regarding the Austraian (Anti)Vacccination Network and American Airlines. We also have great news for Maynard!

The Skeptic Zone #183 - 21.Apr.2012 Apr 21, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders0:02:10 A Grain of Salt with Eran SegevThis week Eran interviews the founders of Friends of Science in Medicine.

Prof John Dwyer AOProf Alastair H MacLennan AOProf Marcello CostaLoretta MarronProf Rob Morrison OAM

Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM) is an association of concerned scientists, clinicians and members of the public who support a rigorous application of the best science to any health-related profession and oppose health education and practice not based on convincing scientific evidence.

They are currently campaigning:"to reverse the current trend which sees government-funded tertiary institutions offering courses in the health care sciences that are not underpinned by sound scientific evidence".

0:46:00 Maynard's Spooky Action...An interview with Suzanne Dodd who is the new project manager for NASA's Voyager spacecraft. Suzanne first worked on Voyager in 1984, sequencing science and engineering commands for Voyager 1 and 2 in 1984. She fills Maynard in on the latest news of these two mighty space probes.

1:04:00A letter to American Airlines from Jason Loxton read by Richard Saunders"I have just learned that you will be presenting an interview containing the misleading and dangerous medical claims of the anti-vaccine pressure group, the Australian Vaccination Network..."

The Skeptic Zone #182 - 14.Apr.2012 Apr 14, 2012

Show notes

0:00:00 IntroductionRichard Saunders0:02:45 A Grain of Salt with Eran SegevThis week Eran joins Dr Paul Willis for a tour of the Royal Institution of Australia in Adelaide.RiAus brings science to people and people to science. It creates real and virtual spaces in which people can listen, talk and think about science in all its shapes and forms, and develop innovative and accessible ways of engaging the general community.0:19:10Dr Richard Wiseman tells us about the new App, Dream ON0:20:50A New Song by Eddie Scott - Mighty Mystic Power BraceletsSing along to the latest Skeptical Hit!0:24:50 The Think TankIn the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Maynard, James and Richard Saunders.

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