Fraser Cain from Astronomy Cast helps us discuss the Drake Equation and Fermi Paradox, close encounters, alien abduction insurance, the feasibility of several kinds of alien invasions and aliens in the news.

Music: "It Conquered the World" by Sheldon Allman

Links

Universe Today

Universe Today's YouTube Channel

AstronomyCast

Images

Toren, Joe, and Kevin talk about the psychology of superstition, harmful superstitions around the world, the unlucky numbers 13 and 4, sati, albino body-harvesting superstition, and more!

Music: "I'm Making Believe" by Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots

Images

The Mustard Disaster at Bari, VX, atropine poisoning, The Dugway Sarin Incident, the Halabja Massacre, the Ghouta chemical attack, and the dew of death -- lewisite contamination cleanup in Spring Valley. With Allan Newell.

Music: "There's Something in the Air" by Shep Fields (vocals Bob Goday)

Links

Nerve Agent Treatment

Images

Emergency responder and history buff Allan Newell and the guys talk about the types and reasons for chemical warfare, chemical weapons in history including soul-hunting gas, quicklime, hellebore roots, chlorine and phosgene gas. Plus what to do when you've been tear-gassed. Part 1 of 2.

Music: "Mustard Gas" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

Images

The science of hate in the human brain, 9/11 revenge killings, racial, homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, as well as the Museum of Tolerance. Also American History X, Boys Don't Cry, Milk and the X-Men.

Caustic Soda apologizes for the misgendering of Brandon Teena in our Boys Don't Cry segment. Though accidental we agree was problematic, and Joe has digitally altered the file to use his proper pronouns. Note that we have left in a section that quotes his murderers' own words misgendering Brandon while admitting to their crime. Their words are their own, and we report them. Our words we will correct and apologize for.

Music: "Guilty" by Margaret Whiting

Images

Soda Jerk Prime 2014 Cameron Potter, who claimed the "Jonestown Massacre" level of our Season 5 Fundraiser (be a guest on the show) joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren to discuss a range of topics including Tornadoes, Oklahoma, Fisticuffs (and Apes!), rat slaver, oral myiasis, Cam's personal cancer story and the ABCs of skin cancer. Plus, more dangerous homeopathy, toxicity and SURPRISE TARANTULAS.

Note: Due to a technical glitch we had to re-record the first 20 minutes over Skype, so Cameron's sound quality starts off low, but improves to in-studio quality around the 23 minute mark.

Music: "Pizza Day" by Jonathan Coulton

Images

This image NSFL (Not Safe For Lunch): Oral Myiasis

Links

The ABCs of Skin Cancer

Proprioception, interoceptors, equilibrium & vertigo, gravitropism, thermoreception in pit vipers and jewel beetles, electroreception in sharks and platypus, magnetoreception, phantom limbs, and synesthesia. Pop culture too!

Music: "The Hell Raisers" by Syd Dale

Links

Ian's Story

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPqPv2SKYUE

Joe, Toren, and Kevin conclude "sight" with historical vision-correction quackery, news, blind movie reviews, porn for the blind, and a look at a pop culture!

Music: "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Ella Fitzgerald

Links

Blind Film Critic

Porn for the Blind

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_83MEuLoz9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLtok0VgVck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJgKC6sQyMo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1IY6plQKGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ILDFp5DGA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvaWtQpXts

"Shaking Your Eyes" reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1S5pAF1YYA

Joe, Kevin, and Toren take a look at looking, including how vision works, and the "supervision" of tetrachromacy. Then the amazing eyes of the animal kingdom, including giant squid and the mantis shrimp, plus the full-body "eye" of the Ophiocoma Wendtii, visual defects like floaters, non-24-hour-sleep-wake-disorder, surfer's eye, and Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Music: "I Just Can't See For Looking" by Nat King Cole

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze8VVtBgK7A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9o4VnfHJU

Hugs! Also, tickle torture, the "death touch," touch in plants, Temple Grandin and the squeeze machine, the effects of ciguatera poisoning, news and pop culture. Part 2 of 2

Music: "That Old Feeling" by Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra

Images

 Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5o3PYcJoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8UKDzVmzt8