Hello my fellow truth seekers. In this episode the Lunchtime Special crew discuss, debunk and debate all things conspiratorial.

We touch on flat earth, reptilian overlords, Scientology, Area 51 and the insane conspiracy that the country of Australia does not exist.

The powers that be clearly didn't want us to record this show as we were plagued with technical issues, but we persevered and delivered.

Also a general warning, we didn't hold back our thoughts regarding the sanity of conspiracy nuts out there, flat-earthers we're looking at you.

So grab your tin-foil hats, sit back and enjoy the show.

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Parsons_(rocket_engineer)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKUltra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/government-poison-10000-americans/

With the soccer world cup in full swing, we examine whether the national pride that stems from sporting tournaments are a force for good, or a danger to us all.

From the archives:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlsIy812kU

Welcome back fellow Lunchers. On this episode the Lunchtime Special team tackle the topic of reincarnation.

Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious concept that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different physical body or form after each biological death.

In recent times this ancient theory has been attracting scientific research and attention. Scientific studies have been attributing birthmarks as physical examples of trauma from previous lives.

Other examples of 'proof' pepper the internet.

We had a great time discussing this topic and we hope you'll enjoy it as well.

Further Reading:

Prince of Bhutan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigme_Namgyel_Wangchuck

Birthmarks and reincarnation:

http://opensciences.org/blogs/open-sciences-blog/228-birthmarks-and-reincarnation

Music by:

http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Manuel_Senfft/

Yo, pump up the jam and bring the noise.

This week on the Lunchtime Special podcast, our panel of cool cats discuss the effects of music on one's self and society. From Grunge to Pop and Metal to Hip Hop, we rap and rhyme and have a good time. So come as you are and enjoy episode number five.

Bonus Reading:

http://blog.sonicbids.com/what-kind-of-impact-does-our-music-really-make-on-society

https://theunboundedspirit.com/the-harmful-effects-of-music-on-body-and-mind/

The year is 2018. The year of the rise of the machines.

But on a positive note, our artificially intelligent assistant knows our favourite playlist and tells us the weather.

In this week's episode the team discusses the ethics, virtues and pitfalls of our dependency on AI, from the convenience aspect to the cancer-like grip it has on the modern world.

We tackle the big questions like which people will robots prefer to kill and other hilarious dystopian scenarios.

Lots of fun for all.

Bonus reading

Asimov's Laws of Robotics - https://robotrepublic.org/1261-2/

Google Keynote - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeF0zpT4gNE

Automation and job loss - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-09/artificial-intelligence-automation-jobs-of-the-future/8786962

The Avengers have assembled and they are fighting evil once again. This trope has been around for decades, lapped up by young (and not so young) minds around the world. But is that a good thing?

The team at The Lunchtime Special explore some of our favourite superhero characters, and whether these ultimately flawed characters are actually positive role models for kids.

Extra Reading:

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19990308-doordarshan-cuts-short-popular-serial-shaktimaan-to-avoid-children-imitate-risky-stunts-780349-1999-03-08

On this weeks episode we tackle the spine-tingling subject of the supernatural. Our panelists describe their own creepy experiences and encounters with the dearly departed. We really enjoyed the chat and it's a subject that will be revisited in the future.

Further Reading:

For those playing at home, we have linked below to a great article which influenced this episode.

https://theconversation.com/how-the-god-you-worship-influences-the-ghosts-you-see-84163

In this weeks lunchtime episode we discuss the effects of nature vs nurture on identity, personality and the human soul. Can it all be described in a materialist framework or is it something metaphysical?

Show Notes

A twin in space:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-confirms-preliminary-findings

Birth and the soul:

https://www.ananda.org/prayers/articles-on-healing/when-does-the-soul-enter-the-body/