The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00

Introduction

Richard Saunders

0:05:15

Skeptics stand by Bent Spoon Nomination

The National Institute of Complementary Medicine was less than pleased to be nominated for this award. Will Australian Skeptics back down? NO!

http://www.skeptics.com

0:15:22

How Uri Geller convinced the CIA he was a 'psychic warrior'

Thoughts on Spoon Bending and the CIA from over 40 years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Uri-Geller/dp/0879751991

Experiments wiht Uri Geller 1972 - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MsqnWtMWY

0:28:00

Homeopthic Vets - Update

The RCVS standards committee has announced it is to review the college's guidance on homeopathy and other alternative and complementary veterinary medicines and therapies. - By David Woodmansey.

https://www.vettimes.co.uk

0:32:23

Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Ben Lewis

As the Juno spacecraft has finally entered Jupiter's orbit, the first images of Jupiter and the 3 moons, Europa, Io and Ganymede have been sent back to Earth. And these pretty pictures are purely for the enjoyment of humans rather than any specific scientific reason!

Further reading via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/29TMBFd

Have you ever realised that you talk to babies and puppies in the exact same way? Scientists have found out why we default to that high pitched voice - and it's actually doing them good.

Further reading via BBC: http://bbc.in/2j2YqMR

0:34:45

Stranger Things Down Under

Join us on an exploration of Sydney's 'Upside Down': the weird, wacky and wonderful, from the woo you've always wondered about, to cool museums and quirky experiences. All with a group of fabulous like minded sceptics.

https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsDownUnder

0:37:12

Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev

More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran is joined by Matt Parker, possibly the only person to hold the prestigious title of London Mathematical Society Popular Lecturer while simultaneously having a sold-out comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Matt is always keen to mix his two passions of mathematics and stand-up.

http://standupmaths.com

Also...

Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - TIM FERGUSON from the Doug Anthony All Stars https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics/events/235901193

Richard Saunders appaers on the E.S.P. podcst http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_056_richard_saunders.html

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:55 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran is joined from the Czech Skeptics Club Sisyfos, Claire Klingenberg who talks about the 17th European Skeptics Congress.

17TH EUROPEAN SKEPTICS CONGRESS - September 2017 http://euroscepticscon.org

http://www.sysifos.cz

0:13:30 Four 'Psychics' put to a test, in 1993 Skeptic John Foley took on four of Adelaide's top mystics and seers in the 1990s on national TV to see if any could predict the future. I bet none of them predicted podcastings! A lesson in pychology.

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

0:26:40 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Casey Harrigan What will science in 2017 hold in store? Here are our predictions for what science stories will make headlines in 2017.

https://www.australiascience.tv/videos/brew-ha-ha-science-predictions-2017

0:29:25 Maynard's Spooky Action... More of Maynard's favourate podcasts What would we find if we looked on Maynard's iPod? A mix of science and mystery.

http://maynard.com.au

Exposing PseudoAstronomy Podcast http://podcast.sjrdesign.net

Inception Radio Network https://inceptionradionetwork.com

Dark Matter Digital Network http://darkmatterdigitalnetwork.com

Also...

Richard Saunders appaers on the E.S.P. podcst http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_056_richard_saunders.html

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:06:55 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health and Wellness Woo! - This week Mandy-Lee looks at MTHFR Gene Testing. Is it valid? Is it of use? Find out with the first report from 'The Diet Skeptic'.

0:16:25 Why the RCVS must prevent vets from prescribing homeopathy Homeopathic care for animals? The case against homeopathy has never been clearer, with every well-controlled study showing these remedies are no more effective than a placebo. This is to be expected, as homeopathic treatments contain no active substances at all. - Danny Chambers

http://tinyurl.com/gq2lxrb

0:30:26 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Casey Harrigan

Helium gas has finite uses as it escapes into the atmosphere. Helium has uses beyond party balloons - it's important for science, medicine and technology. Uses include MRI machines, deep sea exploration, Large Hadron Collider and rockets! Global supplies of helium was predicted to run out within 20 years until recently when a helium gas field in Tanzania was discovered. This will give us an extra 7 years of world helium supplies.

Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/29bnTm3

While we might be looking forward to drinking mojitos and splashing around at the beach, a big season is in store for the intrepid people based in Antarctica this year.

Find out more about the holy grail of climate science: http://ab.co/2htF96a Read more about the largest all-female expedition: http://bit.ly/2hkao67

0:35:00 La Brea Tar Pits and the Space Shuttle Endeavor Join Andrew Dunning and Richard Saunders has they wander around the old and the new! From ancient animals to the space-age, all in Los Angeles.

http://www.tarpits.org/

https://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/space-shuttle-endeavour

Also...

Better Geology with Andrew Dunning https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq--FLzG6qxx9VHAsabZm4A/videos

Calle Amistad - New traditional Cuban Music https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269796553/calle-amistad-an-album-of-new-traditional-cuban-mu

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:04:44 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Mark Honeychurch, a Wellington based skeptic and consumer advocate. He is also the Chair of the NZ Skeptics. http://skeptics.nz

0:16:30 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Ben Lewis The Australian Federal Court has ordered internet companies to block five bittorrent websites in a big crackdown against internet piracy. But what will be the consequences of this extreme legislation? Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/2hzW4a0 Here are our top 3 biggest science surprises of 2016! Tesla driverless cars in an overnight upgrade, the unexpected Samsung Galaxy Note 7 disaster, and streets becoming overwhelmed by those immersed in the augmented reality of Pokemon Go.

0:20:41 The Cass Files - With Dr Cassandra Perryman Cannabis, hashish, hemp, sinsemilla; informalpot, dope, grass, weed, Mary Jane, bud, hash, bhang, kef, ganja, locoweed; reefer, doob, spliff, toke, roach... get the idea? Cassanddra gives us her view on the drug of choice of many throughout the world.

0:29:10 NSW government to investigate AVsN fund-raising The Australian newspaper reports that NSW Fair Trading authorities will investigate the Australian Vaccination-sceptics Network (AVSN) for "potential breaches of the Charitable Fundraising Act and the Associations Incorporation Act". http://www.skeptics.com.au/2016/12/28/nsw-government-to-investigate-avsn-fund-raising

0:36:40 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran talks with Noah and Eli from the Scathing Atheist Podcast. https://scathingatheist.com

******************************************* Wishing all Skeptic Zone fans a happy 2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:04:38 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Loretta Marron and find out the latest news from the 'Friends of Science in Medicine'.

http://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au

0:16:07 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran talks with Michael Marshall, Nicola Throp and Geoff Whelan. What does it take these days to host a skeptical convention?

0:35:24 Maynard's Spooky Action... A very Maynard Christmas messge Ho Ho Ho, it's to the cafe we go and chat to Maynard. What does this international star do on Christmas day? Does anyone really care? Find out with Maynard.

http://maynard.com.au

Also...

Richard Saunders talks in California, Dec. 2016

BAS Skeptalk : Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 7:30pm La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA

OC Science Club : Friday, December 30, 2016 - 7:00pm Del Frisco's Grille 772 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:04:45 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran talks with Britt Hermes, a former naturopathic 'doctor' who shares the hard truths about naturopathic medicine to protect patients. Her message is "Please don't be fooled by natural and alternative medicine."

https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com

0:14:09 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Susan Gerbic and find out the latest on Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. What can you do to help? Susan Gerbic at Puzzling World (Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OObcuaiLwI8&t=7s

0:26:16 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee

https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha

With Casey Harrigan 2016 has been a momentous year. Here we give our top 3 biggest science news of 2016! Here's to 2017!

Watch more: Zika virus: http://bit.ly/2hm2o1i Paris agreement: http://bit.ly/2gcXP8f Gravitational waves: http://bit.ly/LKgravwaves

It's been a big year for sci-fi films, but who pulled it off the best? We review the best and worst movie scientists from 2016.

Ever think "I wish my robot could sweat"? Well your dreams have been answered thanks to ingenious research from Japan. Say hello to Kengoro, a 1.7m tall, 56kg musculoskeletal humanoid.

Further reading via IEEE Spectrum: http://bit.ly/2eHscrk

0:31:34 Cancer Reseach in Australia Guest reporter Kevin Davies interviews Prof. Ross Hannan, head of the department of cancer biology and therapeutics at The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Medicine. What is the latest news on cancer research and what is the link to Jackie Chan?

http://jcsmr.anu.edu.au/people/ross-hannan

Also...

Richard Saunders talks in California, Dec. 2016

BAS Skeptalk : Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 7:30pm La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA

OC Science Club : Friday, December 30, 2016 - 7:00pm Del Frisco's Grille 772 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:06:40 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference We head to Queenstown, then to Wanaka to visit Puzzling World for the NZ Skeptics Dinner and Awards. Joining in is Susan Gerbic. Also an interview with Stuart Landsborough to find out about his $100,000 Psychic Prize. Live music by Brad MacClure

http://www.puzzlingworld.co.nz

http://www.psychicchallenge.co.nz

0:34:18 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Twins! Are you a twin? Are you psychic? Shelley Stocken asks her twin sister or it is the other way around?

0:42:46 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Ben Lewis

South African building Africa's first private satellite, via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/2g9dB55

Australian school students make HIV drug for $2, via Sydney Morning Herald: http://bit.ly/2gXndDN

The Pope has called out climate deniers, via Washington Post: http://wapo.st/2fGOTwI Plastic banknotes contain meat by-product, via Quartz: http://bit.ly/2fGQQsM

Scurvy is back, via SBS: http://bit.ly/2gAFDqI

According to research, people are more likely to recycle things they see as part of their identity. For example, a personalised coffee increases the chances of you recycling your coffee paper cup!

Further reading via ScienceDaily: http://bit.ly/2fYD9Vw

The Earth-like planet Proxima b has just been discovered orbiting the star nearest to our Sun. We decided to check out some of its features to see if it's likely to be the next hot holiday destination.

Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/2bRS7s4

0:47:11 Sensing Murder - Letter to Network 10 in 2004 With another series of Sensing Murder to be produced in New Zealand, Richard Saunders looks back to 2004 when he wrote a letter of concern to Network 10 Australia before they axed the show.

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

http://www.psychicchallenge.co.nz/smc/index.html

Also...

Richard Saunders talks in California, Dec. 2016

BAS Skeptalk : Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 7:30pm La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA

https://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Atheists-Agnostics-Humanists-Freethinkers-Skeptics/events/235675261

OC Science Club : Friday, December 30, 2016 - 7:00pm Del Frisco's Grille 772 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618

https://www.facebook.com/events/1136033126517987

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:50 "Psychic" predictions for 2016 We mark the homework of the top mystics and seers. Did they see the sucess of Donald Trump or the Brexit? Find out and be not so amazed.

0:22:10 Skeptics in the Pub in Sydney We chat to Michael Marshall about his Australian trip.

http://goodthinkingsociety.org/

0:29:05 Homeopaths cashing in on vulnerable parents A report from the Sunday World newspaper in Ireland.

0:35:40 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Kelly Wong Fake news is not immune to science. It's easy to be swayed by cute animal stories but don't be fooled. Animals are not humans and have their own amazing features.

Further reading via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/2gj5Eh1

Recently, people in India have taken to social media to share smog selfies to show the world how bad their pollution is.

Further reading via ABC:0 http://ab.co/2eHwFJc

A woman and her daughter both gave birth with the same womb. It may sound like science fiction but this is exactly what happened when a Swedish woman received a uterus transplant from her own mother. She was then able to receive IVF and give birth to her own son.

Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/2elQQNU

0:49:50 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats Tom and Cecil to from the Cognitive Dissonance Podcast.

http://dissonancepod.com

Also...

NZ Skeptics Conference

http://conference.skeptics.nz

The Sydney Freecon - December 9, 10 &11, 2016 - 188 William St. Earlwood Contact Gary on Twitter - @SydneyFuturian

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:05:26 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Myles Power, a youtuber who fights misinformation on GMOs, Black Salve and MMS or Miracle Mineral Supplement (Bleech!)

https://www.youtube.com/user/powerm1985

http://www.mylespower.co.uk

0:15:25 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Tania Meyer Book your next holiday to China! They've just opened up their 500m Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) to the public. It's the largest of its kind in the world. Now that's telescope tourism! Where would you go as part of your science bucket list?

What would you put on your science bucket list? http://bit.ly/2cHmGmd

Even further reading via Quartz: http://bit.ly/2cy4Wqa

0:17:03 Maynard's Spooky Action... An Evening with Lisa Randall The good people at Think Inc. brought Dr Lisa Randall to Australia for a national tour. Maynard and his trusty microphone head for the Sydney event to report on the night. Includes interviews with Dr Randall, Signe Dean, Ian Bryce, William Broughm and more.

https://www.thinkinc.org.au/events

0:30:03 Mind Body Wallet from 1998 A report by Dr Trevor Case from the pages of the Skeptic Magazine.

See page 59 of this PDF http://tinyurl.com/jhntpvn

0:37:43 Australian Skeptics Awards from 2016 Who will win the Bent Spoon Award... who will be Skeptic of the Year.... who will be awarded life membership... and who will get 'The Fred' Award? Find out with a report from the convention.

Also...

NZ Skeptics Conference

http://conference.skeptics.nz

Michael Marshall - Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - 29 Nov.

https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics/

The Sydney Freecon - December 9, 10 &11, 2016 - 188 William St. Earlwood Contact Gary on Twitter - @SydneyFuturian

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

0:04:46 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Alice Howarth and Mike Hall from the popular 'Skeptics with a K' podcast from the UK.

http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts

0:16:36 Skeptical letters to the editor, from 1986 Skeptics have a long history of offering cash prizes for proof of the paranormal. We look back to over 30 years ago when members of Canberra Skeptics turned up at a New Age festival to seek any takers. Reports and letters to the editor from the Canberra Times newspaper.

http://tinyurl.com/hjucp5f

0:33:26 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee New findings claim to "explain" the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. But the story isn't so simple. - With Tania Meyer Further reading about this Bermuda Triangle mystery:

http://www.australiascience.tv/blogs/bermuda-triangle-mystery-explained

0:35:00 The Think Tank Join Richard Sanders, Dr Steve Roberts and Maynard as they chat about secret codes, UFOs, warp bubbles in clouds and much more!

http://www.ghostsofoz.com/goo-magazine/richard-saunders-the-skeptic-zone-podcast

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208

Also...

NZ Skeptics Conference

http://conference.skeptics.nz

Dr. Angie Mattke from USA - 'Medical Nonsense'

https://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/

Michael Marshall - Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - 29 Nov.

https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics/

The Sydney Freecon - December 9, 10 &11, 2016 - 188 William St. Earlwood Contact Gary on Twitter - @SydneyFuturian