The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #870 - 8.June.2025 Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Randi Restored 45 years ago, James Randi flew to Australia at the invitation of Dick Smith. He came to test a score of water diviners in Australia's first major investigation of these claims. The resulting documentary, "James Randi in Australia" was shown on Australian TV and then lost forever. Luckily it was recorded onto video tape via a VCR at the time and this version has now been restored to its former glory. http://www.tinyurl.com/randiaustralia 0:23:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi's Project Alpha. 1983.01.29 - The Victoria Advocate 1983.02.16 - Record-Journal, Meriden, Ct. Project Alpha - An Honest Liar https://youtu.be/Ewr3uqfHzMM&t=2720 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #869 - 1.June.2025 May 31, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:06 Armidale SitP Join Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they travel to Armidale in the New England area of Australia to enjoy the hospitality of the local skeptics. Included is a field report from Armidale Skeptics in the Pub. With thanks to Amelia and Brian Willmer. 0:17:00 Squaring the Strange with Celestia and Ben We catch up with those famed skeptical podcasts from the United States, Ben Radford and Celestial award from the Squaring the Strange Podcast. What's new? What's old? What's going on? https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:24:12 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. 0:29:32 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Rex Gilroy. 1979.07.24 - The Age 1976.09.16 - The Citizen - Ottowa 1977.03.13 - The Sun Herald 1979.10.02 - The Age 1987.10.13 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #868 - 25.May.2025 May 25, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:06 Is that a Ghost? Ghosts, ghouls, phantoms and apparitions. Are you living in a haunted house? This week Richard Saunders looks at some of the aspects and implications of ghosts and spirits. 0:16:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 5 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:41:06 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Dorothy Allison and James Randi. 1982.06.21 - The Spokane Chronicle http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #867 - 18.May.2025 May 18, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:40 For Crying Out Loud! This week Kat McLeod (with a little help from Adrienne Hill) interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Seth Andrews, Leslie Rosenblood, Brenda Hill, Forrest Valkai, Rodney Schmaltz and Lei Pinter. 0:19:04 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 4 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:27:50 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio. 0:33:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called psychic detective, Dorothy Allison and James Randi. 1980.10.23 - The Ledger 1997.08.19 - The Ludington Daily News 1999.12.03 - The Banger Daily News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Dr Karl - Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Idiocy? Tue, 27 May, 6pm - 7:15pm https://events.humanitix.com/artificial-intelligence-or-artificial-idiocy

The Skeptic Zone #866 - 11.May.2025 May 11, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:38 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Terrlyn Seltenrich, Janalee Morris, Leslie Rosenblood and Dr Eugenie Scott. 0:20:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 3 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:40 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Australian Skeptics Water Divining Tests. 2001.02.07 - The Weekly Times 2001.02.14 - The Weekly Times 2001.03.14 - The Weekly Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #865 - 4.May.2025 May 03, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:24 Prophecies about the Pope With a new Pope just around the corner, we review various prophetic writings about this high religious office. Will the next Pope be the last? Will Rome fall? A holy tangled web from centuries past. The Prophecies Of Nostradamus 1979 https://archive.org/details/the-prophecies-of-nostradamus-1979 0:16:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. 0:23:14 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 2 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:00 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Predictions from 1980. 1980.01.16 - The Melbourne Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #864 - 27.April.2025 Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:26 A Challenge to So-Called Psychics A review of the challenge to psychics, and people claiming other paranormal powers, put out by Australian Skeptics in 1984. How does this compare to 2025? https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/challenge 0:20:28 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 1 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. Also hear Adrienne's insights of her travels across the Pacific Ocean and encounters with alternative medicine. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:46:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The New Age". 1988.12.13 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1988.10.11 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #863 - 20.April.2025 Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Kat McLeod 00:02:30 Susan vs. Psychics We catch up with Susan Gerbic to hear her thoughts on what she's dubbed "Motivated Sitters", that is people who actively take part in so-called psychic readings and, unknowingly, do most of the hard work. 0:24:18 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham I Can Smell Onions By Ken McLeod In this report, Ken McLeod recounts the time that psychics tried to help in finding missing aircraft. Read by Tim Mendham. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 24 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:54 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Meeting of skeptical women. Be a fly on the wall when Adrienne meets up with Annie McCubbin and Australian Skeptics president Jessica Singer for an informal chat. 0:44:16 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Voodo Pills and Powders. 1945.09.01 - The World's News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #862 - 13.April.2025 Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod How are you feeling? It is a common question people ask each other all the time. Most of us give thought to our diet, exercise or overall health on a regular basis. On this week's show Kat McLeod will look at society's obsession with the health and wellness industry, in hopes that you will feel better about yourself. 0:29:02 Extinction Over? The Riddle of the Dire Wolf Recent media headlines would have you think that scientists have solved extinction! Have Dire Wolves really been brought back from the dead? We seek the thoughts of Brian Dunning who casts some doubt on this claim. 0:30:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Kat McLeod. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:52 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Precognition. 1950.08.26 - The Gippsland Times 1936.06.06 - The Courier Mail 1968.10.39 - the Canberra Times 1939.09.02 - Australian Women's Weekly http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - April 2025 - Karen Bijkersma https://youtu.be/fCvua9BUnSI

The Skeptic Zone #861 - 6.April.2025 Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:54 The Loons From Canada Kate & Allie vs. AI Just how good is AI in April 2025? Kate & Allie test Copilot from Microsoft when it come to its skeptical knowledge. 00:21:48 Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to see a talk by Karen Bijkersma, a distant relative of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet. He took the opportunity to interview Karen and Annie McCubbin about their upcoming podcast episode on the Why Smart Women podcast. Why Smart Women Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2385970 0:25:18 Around the Curve to the Antarctic Rob Palmer talks with Jeran Campanella, a former "Flat Earther", about his trip to the Antarctic to see for himself the 24 hour sun. https://skepticalinquirer.org/authors/rob-palmer 0:33:26 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Pyramid Power. 1978.01.15 - The Sun Herald 1977.11.12 - The Sun Herald 1977.12.21 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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