The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 Nobody's Fool Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do about It Hardcover by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris. Interview with with Daniel Simons. From phishing scams to Ponzi schemes, fraudulent science to fake art, chess cheaters to crypto hucksters, and marketers to magicians, our world brims with deception. In Nobody's Fool, psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris show us how to avoid being taken in. http://dansimons.com https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/daniel-simons/nobodys-fool/9781541602236/ 0:18:32 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard and Saunders head to Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. Featuring Annie McCubbin and Tim Mendham. 0:24:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:37 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to ghost cats. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #247 - 13.July.2013 A interview with Dr Eugenie C. Scott. Dr Eugenie C. Scott is a physical anthropologist who has been the executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) since 1987. She is a leading critic of young earth creationism and intelligent design - A Week in Science (extra update) with Dr Paul Willis https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-247-13-july-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:52 Premium Wine Card Richard Saunders (with help from Ian Bryce and Steve Roberts) tests the Premium Wine Card, and shows that marketing and pseudoscience can leave a bad taste in the mouth. From the pages of The Skeptic Magazine from Australian Skeptics. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221114819/http://premiumwinecard.com https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2040%20(2020)%20No%202.pdf 0:30:08 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard and Saunders head to Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to put the Wine Card to the test with a bunch of willing volunteers. 0:38:54 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Jack the Ripper. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:56:36 Conspiracy of One The song THEY don't want you to hear Nate Eggins' mission is to encourage interest in science, promote critical thinking and offer new perspectives on the world through fun catchy music flavoured with his quirky sense of humour. https://www.conspiracyofonesolo.com Also 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #246 - 6.July.2013 Penny Chan gives us her report on the recent 'SkeptiCalCon' in California - A Week in Science - Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard's sinks his claw into the strange story of the The Australian Cat Ladies and The Australian Christian Lobby! https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-246-6-july-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:14 Susan Gerbic Quick, Quack Update and Social Adventures. Susan talks about the TikTok quack being investigated. Also an adventure with local skeptics to visit a man who said he has seen a Bigfoot. https://centerforinquiry.org/groups/santa-cruz-county-skeptics/ 0:25:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Russia. NOVA Secrets of the Psychics. James Randi https://youtube.com/watch?v=41hJ6DY8xLI http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the pub https://meetu.ps/e/MbbcL/SSz1/i 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #245 - 30.June.2013 Dr Rachie chats to Rose Shapiro about her book, "Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of Us All" - A Week in Science - The Australian Senate and the AVN. We bring you part of the speech from Dr Richard Di Natale, Victoria's first Greens senator in the federal parliament. Hear what the senator has to say about the Australian Vaccination Network - Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard's guest this week is Dr Jonathan Roberts, the Research Director Autonomous Systems Lab at the CSIRO. Are robots going to take over? (I don't think so...) But if they did, how would they see? Find out more with Maynard. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-245-30-june-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:04 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Looking at the New Age part #1 The Arcturian Healing Method is a set of cosmic energies inspired by higher beings called Arcturians from the star system Arcturus. Brandi Kahn - Believes in Everything - Still not Psychic Video chat with Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6JTNMx0juk 0:18:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Cancer Cures. 1933.06.17 - The Warwick Daily News - QLD 1942.06.17 - The Sun Sydney 1949.09.03 - The Argus - VIC 1987.08.10 - The Canberra Times 1994.03.21 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skeptical Toolkit. With Kenny Biddle, Susan Gerbic and Richard Saunders. https://youtube.com/watch?v=LEKVTNNFee4 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #244 - 23.June.2013 Maynard's Spooky Action... Special guest this week is Wilson da Silva, the departing editor of Cosmos Magazine - A Week in Science - Sharon Hill - Cornered and Someone Wants to Tell Me Their Paranormal Story - Dr Rachie Reports. This week Dr Rachie chats about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine with Dr David Hawkes from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-244-23-june-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:18 Vale Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan We reflect on the life and legacy of Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan, podcaster, champion for the cause of animal welfare and, in the last years of her life, helping to spread the word on ovarian cancer. Siobhan was and remains an example of grace in the face of adversity. She will be sorely missed, and we extend our sympathies to her friends and family. Siobhan talks about her Ovarian Cancer on a ghost hunt with Maynard and Richard. https://youtu.be/ykB67Sj5cYs?t=1081 0:11:40 Susan Gerbic and the TikTok Quack Susan looks at the Wiki page views of a discredited so-called health care expert and how that same Wiki page is helping to educate people as to the real story behind the banning of this person from providing healh care and advice. https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_idz/video/7227154247962332442 0:23:16 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:16 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Water Divining. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #243 - 16.June.2013 From the pages of 'The Skeptic', a report from the Mitta Mitta Water Divining tests - Dr Rachie Reports. This week Dr Rachie reports on the recent court appearance of the Australian Vaccination Network - A Week in Science - Your Stars? What do the stars have in store for you? Find out more - Maynard's Spooky Action... Special guest this week is "Polyp", a radical political cartoonist, graphic novelist and Manchester UK skeptics member. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-243-16-june-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:28 Again with the UFOs We look at yet another "Any Day Now" (or ADN) story about UFOs. Yes, it appears that, once again, the lid is just about to be lifted and we'll all learn the truth about aliens visiting earth... again. Imagine the frequent flyer points! Story of Dramatic New "UFO Whistleblower" Begins to Crumble https://badufos.blogspot.com/2023/06/story-of-dramatic-new-ufo-whistleblower.html Mick West on NewsNation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDqfGkifPEA 0:15:10 More Local Skeptics in Action Susan Gerbic interviews Daniel Reed from the West Virginia Skeptic's Society. The West Virginia Skeptic's Society is a community of truth-seekers dedicated to promoting critical thinking and skepticism. Their mission is to explore the mysteries of the world around us, from the depths of the cosmos to the depths of the human psyche. They aim to engage in lively discussions, spark new ideas, and solve perplexing mysteries, all while promoting rationality and logical thinking. https://www.westvirginiaskepticssociety.com/ 0:26:08 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to NASA and UFOs. 1966.12.12 - The Canberra Times 1973.10.20 - The Canberra Times 1983.01.16 - The Canberra Times 1987.03.08 - The Canberra Times 1989.07.12 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon - Call For Papers https://skepticon.org.au/call-for-papers 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #242 - 8.June.2013 A chat with D.J. Grothe, president of the James Randi Educational Foundation - This week Dr Rachie appears on ABC radio to take call in questions about vaccination - A Week in Science Maynard's Spooky Action... Special guest this week is Dr Paul Willis from the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus). Maynard also chats to people at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-242-8-june-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:32 You Can Count on Adrienne Interview with Courtney Heard Courtney Heard is the host of the Q-Dropped Podcast, featuring stories of relationships torn apart by QAnon. She has been an active and outspoken member of the online atheist community since 2014, when she launched her blog, www.godlessmom.com. Born and raised secular in British Columbia, she has never been religious but has found the sudden increase of conspiratorial thinking in the mainstream discourse unsettling. She has dedicated much of her free time to telling the stories of people who have lost a loved one to QAnon because her own parents have been lost down the same rabbit hole. https://www.porthosmedia.net/qdropped 0:17:41 Local Skeptics Susan Gerbic chats to Greg Roe from the Santa Cruz County Skeptics, a group for science enthusiasts, critical thinkers, and skeptics in Santa Cruz County, California. They socialize, promote science and critical thinking in their community, host talks, and more. https://www.meetup.com/santa-cruz-county-skeptics https://www.facebook.com/groups/1419831232169981 0:23:06 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. Includes Adrienne's Canadian word of the week, "Kerfuffle". http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:44 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references about mysterious India. paper here http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Meet the ex-NYPD cop and private investigator who tracks down fraud psyhics https://youtu.be/2GHt018bMFQ 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #241 - 2.June.2013 A chat with Canberra Skeptics - A Week in Science - The Think Tank. Once again we head to our club at the end of the street to talk about issues of the day. Joining us this week are Joanne Benhamu, Dr Rachie and Eran Segev. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-241-2-june-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:22 Dinosaurs in San Francisco Join Dr Eugenie Scott and Richard Saunders as they inspect a new exibition of Sauropod Dinosaurs at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. The largest land animals that ever lived have arrived at the Academy! Get ready for a hot sauropod summer with life-size dinosaur models, hands-on interactives, and programs for junior paleontologists. https://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/the-worlds-largest-dinosaurs 0:13:36 Susan Gerbic in Berkeley Susan tells us of her YouTube series investigating so-called "Grief Vampires", otherwise known as con artists claiming to be able to contact the dead. Psychics Explained - Grief Vampire Edition https://www.youtube.com/@PsychicsExplained 0:25:58 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Mass Hysteria By Dr. Allen Christophers Students of the paranormal are familiar with claims of miraculous cures of disease where the improvement in condition is brought about by suggestion on the part of the healer. The other side of the coin is the situation where diseases are generated by a process of sugges- tion. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 1 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:16 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Lake Monsters. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #240 - 26.May.2013 A report from the Sunday Telegraph and 'Lateline' on the appalling behaviour of the Anti-Vax crowd - This week Dr Rachie appeared on The Project (Network 10) to talk about vaccination rates in Australia - A Week in Science with Dr Paul Willis - Dr Rachie chats to Andy Lewis from the web site Quackometer - The tables are turned and Saunders ends up being interviewed, on Radio 2UE with Murray Wilton, about being a skeptic and his upcoming public talk in Canberra. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-240-26-may-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:12 You Can Count on Adrienne. Wiki UFOs #2 This week Adrienne takes a look at some of the many UFOs reports from the second half of the 20th century as recorded on Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reported_UFO_sightings 0:19:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Includes the Canadian Word of the Week, "Skookum". Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:48 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian and Canadian newspapers on a search for references to "Ogopogo". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Susan Gerbic's talk in Berkeley https://baskeptics.org/hangouts 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #239 - 20.May.2013 Dr Rachie Reports with Dr Rachael Dunlop This week Dr Rachie interviews Sonya Pemberton about her upcoming documentary "Jabbed – Love, Fear and Vaccines" (Genepool Productions, 2013) - Mind Body Spirit May 2013 - A Week in Science with Dr Tania Meyer - Maynard chats to Timothy Short who is a specialist anaesthetist at Auckland City Hospital - Guildford's so-called House of Miracles. What is going on in the Sydney suburb of Guildford? Is someone from 'the other side' really trying to communicate by spattering oil on the walls of a house? Well... we don't think so. Reports from the last 6 years. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-239-20-may-2013

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:46 Walking with Canadian Dinosaurs Join a merry band of skeptics as they wander the vast exhibits of one of the world's foremost natural history museums. Interviews with Vincent Stevens, Adrienne Hill, Celestia Ward and Lilith Thompson. The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is Canada's only museum dedicated exclusively to the study of ancient life. In addition to featuring one of the world's largest displays of dinosaurs, it offers a wide variety of creative, fun, and educational programs that bring the prehistoric past to life. https://tyrrellmuseum.com 0:23:00 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Alien Honeycomb Tested By Mark Plummer A report about the time skeptics examined what was claimed to be an alien artefact, possibly part of a UFO! A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 1 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:58 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to The Fox Sisters http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #238 - 12.May.2013 Dr Rachie reports on what our state (New South Wales) politicians, on both sides, have to say about the Australian Vaccination Network - A Week in Science with Dr Paul Willis - Maynard chats to John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-238-12-may-2013