The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8 May 2022         Show Notes       0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        0:02:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill  This week Adrienne finds herself riding shotgun alongside Susan Gerbic as the tour they east coast of the USA. Also we learn about the new award given to Susan for her skeptical activism.  Grief Vampires, Wikipedia and More - Presented by Susan Gerbic  https://youtu.be/b6_dVTsBcxA        0:13:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter  What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?  http://www.skeptics.com.au        0:22:40 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham  Father Figure. Part 2. By Dr Tony Wheeler  A look at the truth and the myth behind Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 15 No. 4  http://www.skeptics.com.au        0:32:50 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "UFOs".  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au  1991, 22 October - Tharunka - UNSW Student Newspaper 1968, 10 June - The Canberra Times 1968, 6 June - The Canberra Times 1971, 12 July - The Canberra Times 1966, 10 October - The Canberra Times 1988, 28 January - The Canberra Times 

The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8.May.2022

The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason. 

Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments. 

Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman,  Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more.

Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.

Social Sciences

Science & Medicine

Science

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        0:03:16 UFOs... Where Are You?  We take a look at a recent press stories from Australia and Britin regarding UFO promoter and Australian journalist Ross Coulthart. Also we wonder what we can glean from Wiki about his current notoriety.   https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/05/ufos-the-unidentified-flying-circus-comes-to-town        0:10:44 Skepticamp Interviews #3  Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.  In part #3 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Faith and Ramiro Rodriguez from the organisating team, as well has Melanie Trecek-King from Thinking is Power.https://triskep.org/home/triangle-skepticamp-2024        0:21:18 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham  Are Skeptics Happy? By Alison White  Alison White asks if being a skeptic is a blessing or a bane... or even a curse.  A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 32 No. 3  http://www.skeptics.com.au    0:34:30 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to The New Age - Part #1.  1988.5.14 - The Sydney Morning Herald  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au        Also Global Skeptics in the Pub - 19 July 2024 (7pm) http://www.skepticalcon.com/global-skeptics-in-the-pub         

The Skeptic Zone #819 - 16.June.2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        00:02:26 SkeptiCal 2024  We talk to famed fighter of nonsense Dr Eugenie C. Scott about the upcoming SkeptiCal Conference.  SkeptiCal is the scientific skepticism conference brought to you by Northern California Skeptics. The SkeptiCal Conference brings stimulating and entertaining speakers (including Australia's own Dr Karl Kruszelnicki) to a world-wide audience of science fans, critical thinkers, and, in the words of Carl Sagan, questioners of "extraordinary claims". Join them for two engaging days of speakers, interviews, and discussions. And - test your wits on a round of SkeptiCal trivia, and try your hand at SkeptiCal's popular Skepardy! game.  http://www.skepticalcon.com        0:12:38 Skepticamp Interviews #2  Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.  In part #2 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Kenny Biddle, chief investigator at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and attendee Jane Selkie.  https://triskep.org/home/triangle-skepticamp-2024        0:25:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter  What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.  http://www.skeptics.com.au        0:39:08 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Alternative Medicine'.  1981.08.27 - The Sydney Morning Herald  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au        Also Global Skeptics in the Pub - 19 July 2024 (7pm) http://www.skepticalcon.com/global-skeptics-in-the-pub

The Skeptic Zone #818 - 9.June.2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        00:02:58 Kate & Allie  This week Kat and Adrienne take a skeptical look at 'Baby Helmets'. Are they truly necessary or just another example of our culture's obsession with over-protection? What is the medical point of view? Baby helmets, also known as cranial orthoses, are seen by some as intervention for infants with positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the head) or brachycephaly (narrow, elongated head shape).        0:12:20 Bend Nerd Night  Energy Trivia. Join Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast as he leads a round of trivia at 'Nerd Night' in Bend, Oregon. Test your knowledge!  https://facebook.com/groups/1113943728813195        0:20:38 Skepticamp Interviews #1  Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.  In part #1 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Coleman Watts, the host of the 'Think This Through' YouTube channel. He also catches up with Erika Engelhaupt, science journalist and author of 'Gory Details'.  https://triskep.org/home/triangle-skepticamp-2024        0:32:48 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Seances.  1967.10.01 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1973.02.12 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1994.08.04 - The Sydney Morning Herald  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #817 - 2.June.2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        00:02:32 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill.    Adrienne Hill and Janalee Morris share their immersive first experience at the Psychic and Crystal Fair, where they interacted with vendors and attendees. Could anyone predict their future or enhance their health? Tune in to find out.    0:19:42 Reviewing the UFO Documentary  We chat to Brian Dunning about the thousands of reviews and comments left on his documentary, 'The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See'. Some are insightful, many are just plain ridiculous. It's clear that his movie has certainly caused a stir in the UFO community.  http://theufo.movie        0:36:04 Australian Skeptics Newsletter  What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.  http://www.skeptics.com.au        0:47:42 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Fortune Tellers.  1909.02.27 - The Beverly Times W.A. 1918.03.07 - The Telegraph QLD 1934.01.09 - Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser QLD 1938.12.21 - Argus Melbourne 1949.09.26 - The Daily Mercury QLD 1909.10.29 - The Star, Sydney 1922.08.04 - The Canowindra Star, NSW 1903.03.06 - The Geelong Advertiser 1932.08.08 - The North West Champion, NSW  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au        Also Nerd Night in Bend, 28 May, 2024  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-night-presents-science-trivia-and-strange-energies-tickets-899522735717   Skepticamp New Mexico. 1st - 2nd June, 2024 https://www.skepticampnm.com          

The Skeptic Zone #816 - 26.May.2024

Show Notes       0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders        0:03:32 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod  This week Kat relates her journey, over the past year, from attending a skeptical conference in Canada to becoming a reporter for the Skeptic Zone. This is right from the 'who could have ever see this coming?' files and is a great illustration of how important it is to support skeptical events. Plus we hear Kat's theme music for the first time.         0:11:28 Ben Radford, Australia Bound  The legend himself! Ben Radford has been a fulltime scientific investigator and writer for 25 years. Now for the first time he is heading to Australia to talk at the Austraian Skeptics National Convention in November in Sydney. Will he find the elusive Yowie during his trip? We also hear about other meetings Ben is attending and more about the Squaring the Stange Podcast.        0:23:56 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham  The History of EUTSBy Barry Williams (aka Sir Jim)  In this classic article, Sir Jim R. Wallaby investigates energies unknown to science... and those that are.  A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 38 No. 4  http://www.skeptics.com.au        0:37:54 A Dive into a Trove  A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Sixth Sense.  1981.08.09 - The Sun Herald 1981.08.16 - The Sun Herald  http://www.trove.nla.gov.au        Also Nerd Night in Bend, 28 May, 2024  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-night-presents-science-trivia-and-strange-energies-tickets-899522735717   Skepticamp New Mexico. 1st - 2nd June, 2024 https://www.skepticampnm.com

The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8.May.2022

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