Science for the People

Cognitive psychologist Barbara Drescher joins us to discuss the common mistakes scientists make, and what happens to the science when their research goes wrong. And on Speaking Up, journalist David Dobbs explains the case against Marc Hauser, a prominent Harvard evolutionary biologist who was recently found guilty of scientific misconduct.

Live from Skeptrack at Dragon*Con, we talk to the women of skepticism about the contributions they're making to science and critical thinking. We start with a panel including Kylie Sturgess of The Token Skeptic, Robynn "Swoopy" McCarthy of Skepticality, and Heidi Anderson and Jenna Marie Griffith of SheThought.

Field recordings: Donna Mugavero, Laurie Tarr, Dr. Pamela Gay, Dr. Rachie Dunlop, Jennifer Ouellette, Maria Walters, A Kovacs, Barbara Drescher

Author Sharon Bertsch McGrayne returns to tell us about more about the most influential women in the history of modern science. Part 1 of the episode is here. And on Speaking up, we talk to our own Ryan Bromsgrove explains everything you need to know about Quantum Misappropriations, and to Nicole Gugliucci with an update on Dark Skies, Bright Kids.

We talk to Karl Mamer, host of The Conspiracy Skeptic, a podcast that examines the breathless claims and the actual evidence behind today’s most tenacious conspiracy theories. On Speaking Up, we speak with geneticist Josh Witten on what irrational beliefs can teach us about evolutionary theory, and Skeptic North Blogger Kim Hebert examines 21 studies claimed to support homeopathy.

You can read the blog post that inspired Josh Witten’s Speaking Up on The Finch & Pea. You can also read Kim Hebert’s examination of all 21 of these studies at Skeptic North.

Back by popular demand: George Dvorsky, of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and science blogger Greg Fish. It's time for another look at Transhumanism, this time to debate Artificial Intelligence and the Singularity. On Speaking Up, we talk with Joey Haban of newly-nerfed.net on the myths and misunderstandings about Deaf culture.

Transhumanism - Part 1 can be found here.

We talk to author Christopher Ryan about his new book Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality. We’ll discuss the most recent science and theories, and how social norms compare to our biological impulses. On Speaking Up, we have Derek Colanduno and Robynn “Swoopy” McCarthy with a look at the skeptical events happening at this year’s Dragon*Con!

University of Florida researcher Kevin Folta discusses what an expert in plant genomics thinks about the claims and controversy surrounding genetically modified foods. On Speaking Up, we talk with Monty Harper and the "Songs From the Science Frontier" project.

We're joined by sociologist and author Barry Glassner. For ten years, his book The Culture Of Fear has shed light on the way that cultural anxiety is manufactured to drive media ratings and win votes for politicians. The book has recently been updated to cover the trends of the last decade, and Glassner will explain why we're still afraid of all the wrong things. And Greg Laden is back with Everything You Know is Sort of Wrong. This time, is it true that poor people have more babies than the wealthy?

Dr. Kimberly A. Cote, Director of the Brock University Sleep Laboratory, discusses the research into the relationship between sleep, cognition and performance. On Speaking Up, we talk with Josh Hunt from the Cleveland Skeptics, on Critical Thinking 101.

We're joined by explorer and wildlife photographer Mark W. Moffet, to discuss his new book Adventures Among Ants. We'll journey around the world to learn about these fascinating insects, and discover the parallels between their societies and our own. On Speaking Up, we talk with blogger Mike McCarron on making skepticism a family affair.