International Skeptics United

The Skeptic Zone #188 - 27.May.2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:43:52 +0000

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders and Maynard

0:01:40
An interveiw with Michael Marshall
From the 'Sketpics with a K' podcast and the Merseyside Skeptics Society, Marsh is known for his investigations of so-called psychics in the UK.

0:27:50
Maynard's Spooky Action...
Reports and interviews from Sketpicamp Sydney 2012
Including...
Joel Pittman
Shelley Stocken
Joanne Benhamu
Dr Rachie Dunlop
Anja Cohen
Belinda Bowditch
Ruth Ellison

The Skeptics Guide #358 - May 26 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Guest Rogue: Joshie Berger; This Day in Skepticism: Animalcules; News Items: TAM Poker Tournament, Space X Launch, Studying the Universe, What is Consciousness; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Speaking to Mediums; Swindler's List: Hearing Aids; Science or Fiction

Rally For Media Reform

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:19:40 +0000

On the 17th May, the Co-Ordinating Committee for Media Reform held the Rally For Media Reform at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. We managed to grab a few interviews with a number of the speakers including Hugh Grant, Tom Watson, Jacqui Hames, Harriet Harman, Jacky Davis, Owen Jones and many others.

Skepticality #183 - Drop a Penny on the Gate

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:35:57 +0000

About Fifteen years ago the largest mass suicide on American soil was conducted by the Heaven's Gate cult in Rancho Santa Fe, California. While most were hearing, or watching the news coming out of California, not many heard there were other, connected, suicides which happened in cities around the country. This week Derek has a chat with Deborah Simpson, the sister of one of the Heavens Gate group, Jimmy, who was living in Atlanta, GA at the time. In his farewell letter he wrote, "It's past time for me to

go", soon after he took his own life to join his Heaven's Gate brother in the 'next level'.

This week Derek sits with Deb Simpson, author of the new book, "Closing The Gate", a deeply personal book about her brother, and the story about how he got involved with such a destructive, and manipulative group. A rare look into some of the inner workings and the effects that such groups can have on the families which they end up effecting.

Naked Scientists 12.05.20 - From PC to Plane - Making New Metals

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:44:14 +0000

How do you make a new metal? This week, we follow a novel alloy from PC to plane, finding out how computer modelling and design can help us create new metals with exciting new properties. We also discover how these newly-designed metals are forged, treated and tested before they form the basis of a new generation of jet engines. In the news, deep-sea dwelling bacteria that are still digesting a meal dating from the time of the dinosaurs, a shot-in the arm for ageing satellites and a brain-interface device to permit paralysed patients to control robotic arms...

Skeptoid #311: The Rothschild Conspiracy

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Some believe that world governments and economies are secretly controlled by the Rothschild banking family, which was quite powerful in the 1800s. Is their power truly still as strong today?

TRC #193: Animal Pain + Energy Efficiency + Nicotine in Tim Hortons Coffee

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:25:00 +0000

Adam responds to a listener that wanted to know what sort of pain animals can experience. Darren talks about efficiencies, of the energy kind. Elan debunks the myth that Tim Hortons spikes their coffee with addictive chemical.

Quackcast 91. Cannibalism?

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:18:41 +0000

Podcast

Quackcast 90. Stop Making Sense

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:17:27 +0000

Podcast

The Skeptics Guide #357 - May 19 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Interview with Chris Lewicki; Guest Rogue: Phil Plait; This day in Skepticism: Head Cabinet; News Items: Ghost Box, Mayan Calendar, Electricity from Viruses, UK LIbel Law Update; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Corrections, Supermoon; Science or Fiction

The Skeptic Zone #187 - 19.May.2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:46:58 +0000

0:00:00
Introduction Richard Saunders

0:04:50
A Penny for your Thoughts with Penny Chan
This week Penny brings us Ben Radford in conversation with Brian Dunning.
Ben is deputy editor of the science magazine Skeptical Inquirer and a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer magazine Skeptical Briefs newsletter, Discovery News, LiveScience.com and MediaMythmakers.com. He examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and werewolves.

0:22:00
Maynard's Spooky Action...
Black panther sightings are reported from time to time in eastern Australia, notable in the Blue Moutains west of Sydney. Today Maynard talks to Lee Harvey who claims he saw one in the Hunter Valley, north-west of Sydney.
Maynard then chats to Peter Bowditch from Ratbags.com for a more skeptical take on big cats in Australia.

0:34:50
The Think Tank In the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Bastard Sheep and Richard Saunders.

Pod Delusion - Episode 136

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:44:20 +0000

Episode 136 of The Pod Delusion. This is the OLD FEED - please UPDATE YOUR PODCAST FEED to the following URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/thepoddelusion

Skeptics with a K – Episode #072

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:19:09 +0000

Blood types, abseiling, Switzerland and more Marvel Avengers. Plus spiritualists, mammoths, trains and cinnamon crêpes. Suffering from a fever, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Read more about the Swiss Homeopathy report at Zeno’s Blog.

SGU 5x5 #113 - May 9 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

What's the Harm?

The Cosmic Boondocks- Episode #8, May 15, 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:22:59 +0000

Subscribe to Nirmukta Radio

“Our time is burdened under the cumulative weight of successive debunkings of our conceits…. We live in The Cosmic Boondocks.”

~Carl Sagan

The Cosmic Boondocks is the podcast started by Ajita Kamal for promoting science, freethought and humanistic values in India. Nirmukta hosts both open and closed hangout sessions. The time would be around 9-11 pm IST The open hangouts would be live-streamed at the facebook pages(1,2) , the blog and the channel and are often held at Google+ . And closed hangouts would be recorded,edited and composed to a podcast. To be a part of the closed hangouts send an email to editor@nirmukta.com (If you prefer, your details will be maintained confidential) with the body of the message containing Brief introduction, Key area of expertise, Other areas/related fields of interest and Time-zone(in case not IST). Your suggestions for topics of discussions are most invited. This week we interview Bill lauritzen,author of The Invention of God ,who explains how several features of religion reveal themselves to be invention of man and an outcome of attempts at understanding natural events. Bill Lauritzen is an educator, scientist, and visionary. Among his other accomplishments, Bill invented a new number system, designed a modern-day Stonehenge, called SpaceHenge, and wrote a paper explaining the value of geodesic domes. He also wrote a book about the invention of religion and mythology called,The Invention of God.

More about Bill

How to get the book

Kindle version:http://www.amazon.com/ The-Invention-God-Mythology- ebook/dp/B002FB650G

Paperback: http://www.amazon. com/The-Invention-God- Mythology-Religion/dp/ 0978754336

Blog:http://www.earth360.com/

Author FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/ bill.lauritzen

Book FB Page:http://www.facebook.com/ The.Invention.of.God

Music for this episode

Rising Legends, by Epic Soul Factory

Linear System, by Grendjohn

Bust This Bust That, by Professor Klig

Earth, by David Schombert

Westminster Skeptics - Mark Henderson on the Geek Manifesto (May 2012)

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:19:40 +0000

Mark Henderson, author of the Geek Manifesto, talks about the book and takes questions from the audience. Also featuring Evan Harris and Lord Taverne.

David Feldman and Edwina Rogers

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Skeptoid #310: Left Handed Myths and Facts

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

There are many popular anecdotes about how and why some people are left-handed. The true facts are even more interesting: differences in aptitudes, health, and even longevity.

TRC #192: Geocentrism + Sky Mall Redux + Blackle

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:46:09 +0000

Adam explores the world of modern geocentrism. Elan reads from a Sky Mall catalogue, again. Darren examines that claims behind blackle.com

Tour of Rothamsted Research

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:19:40 +0000

Sense About Science's trip to the GM wheat experiment at Rothamsted Research.

Full Jocelyn Bell Burnell Interview

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:14:51 +0000

Full interview from episode 135.

Naked Scientists 12.05.13 - Cracking Chronic Fatigue

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers describe symptoms of severe exhaustion, weakness, muscle pain and fatigue. But why, and what is science revealing about the underlying causes of the condition? We talk to a researcher who is probing the genetic links to the syndrome, a clinician with evidence that the muscles of patients accumulate acid when they exercise and a pathologist with post-mortem evidence of inflammation in the nervous systems of CFS sufferers. Also, in the news this week, the ants that help a pitcher plant to catch its lunch, the missile-hurling zoo chimp who plans his attacks in advance, and does non-coding DNA hold the key to how chromosomes recognise their opposite number? Plus, the cause of cheesy feet goes under the microscope in our Question of the Week...

The Skeptics Guide #356 - May 12 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

This Day in Skepticism; News Items: Dinosaur Farts, Aura Reading, 48 Frames per Second, Baby Powder, Killing Bigfoot, TAM2012; Who's That Noisy ; Science or Fiction

The Skeptic Zone #186 - 12.May.2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:47:29 +0000

0:00:00
Some thoughts on Homeopathic Vaccination
by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

0:01:08
Introduction
Richard Saunders

0:05:00
HM Queen Elizabeth II opens the UK Parliament
Dr Simon Singh comments on hopeful libel reform

0:10:30
An interview with Julie Lada - Quackery at the Vet
From her blog we discover that.... "I am a Purdue University Animal Science graduate embarking on an adventure to obtain my DVM at Ross University on the tropical island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean."
Julie tells us that ducks are not the only quacks in the vet business!

0:27:40
Reality Bites... with Joanne Benhamu
Jo comments on International Nurses Day, Saturday, 12 May 2012

0:31:40
Festival of Mind Body Spirit in Sydney
Our small but merry band of reporters head for the Mind Body Spirit to sniff out quackery. Will Richard Saunders, Dr Rachael Dunlop and Maynard make it out in one piece?

0:42:30
Maynard's Spooky Action...
Tubas.... need we say more?

College of Curiosity - May 26, 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Don\'t miss this incredible 1-day event.

The Pod Delusion - Episode 135

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:37:20 +0000

This week we discover what genetic modification experiments they're actually doing in Rothamsted - the place that anti-GM campaigners have announced they intend to trash in a few weeks time. We also speak to Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the woman who discovered pulsars - and discover the intriguing ethical dilemma behind "do not resusitate". And more!

Skepticality #182 - Laugh, It's Science! - Interview: Dr. Pete Ludovice

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:22:25 +0000

It has become quite obvious to many skeptics and promoters and lovers of science that in our current world where it seems that all too many in the world get convinced to turn their eyes blind to the mountains of evidence and rational thought of the past few hundred years, one of the few bright candles in modern times tends to be that of comedy. In this episode Derek has a special in-studio guest, Dr. Peter Ludovice. Peter is a Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech. Dr. Pete is also a popular stand up comedian who performs science, and rational based comedy at events around the United States. Derek discusses with Dr. Ludovice how he uses his interesting mix of professions to reach out to his students, and the people who come to see him perform at any of his events.

SGU 5x5 #112 - May 2 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Anecdotal Evidence

Dissecting D'Souza

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Skeptoid #309: The Science and Politics of Global Warming

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Global warming is the poster boy for failed science communication. What went wrong? It was presented to the public as a political issue, and not as a science.

TRC #191: Science Retractions + Expiry Dates + Oil Changes

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:24:08 +0000

Darren looks into the sticky issue of science paper retractions. Adam exposes the true nature behind the expiry and "best before" dates you see on food packaging. Elan dips into the myths and facts behind your car's oil changes.

The Skeptic Zone #185 - 6.May.2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sun, 06 May 2012 10:45:56 +0000

0:00:00
Some thoughts on Astrology from Sydney Radio

0:01:18
Introduction
Richard Saunders, Dr Rachael Dunlop and Maynard

0:06:00
ACCC tackles Homeopathy Plus! Whooping Cough claims
Press Release read by Richard Saunders

0:08:30
An interview with Dr Ken Harvey - Whooping Cough and Homeopathy
At last a government department, the ACCC, has taken action against a web site that promotes nonsense and magic over real medicine. Dr Ken Harvey tells us more about Homeopathy Plus! and the ongoing fight to bring them to account.

0:25:50
Dr Rachie Reports
News on moves by the government to cut CAM from rebates and save the taxpayer millions.

0:35:00
Maynard's Spooky Action...
An interview with Ian Bryce with his update on the Rossi "E-Cat" cold fusion machine.
Maynard asks attendees Sydney Skeptics in the Pub what woo they believed in when they were kids.

Naked Scientists 12.05.06 - Naked in Norway

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 05 May 2012 23:00:00 +0000

This week we get Naked in Norway as we visit the University of Oslo to reveal the remains of ancient plesiosaurs and investigate their migration into water, discuss a new concept for more efficient solar cells and discover the fatal effects of climate change on lemming population cycles. We then scour more Scandinavian science to unearth the causes of mass extinction, find out a new way to overcome resistance to radiotherapy, tool around with chimps in the Savannah and round up with a scientific climax in bird masturbation!

The Skeptics Guide #355 - May 5 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Guest Rogues: Seth Shostak and James Randi; This Day in Skepticism: First American in Space, SGU 7 Year Anniversary; News Items: Rogue Planets, Machine Monkey Interface, Finding ET with Robots, God Spot in the Brain; SETI Update; Audience Q&A: The Coming Singularity; Science or Fiction

Jules Evans – Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:00:58 +0000

Jules Evans is Policy Director at the Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London, where he runs the Well-Being Project. He has worked with organisations including the new economics foundation, the RSA, the School of Life and the Rockefeller Foundation on philosophy and well-being. He also writes for publications [...]

The Pod Delusion - Episode 134

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:13:02 +0000

This the 4th of May 2012 and you're listening to the Pod(?) Solution a podcast about interesting thing. I'm James Omally(?) coming up this week we answer the questions if Picks(?) take control the means of production well let me to ask ___ appraise the machinery for them. On the government new software piping guideline patiently(?) ___ new book on ___ explain how's recent Murdock's(?) ___ runs the company

Skeptics with a K – Episode #071

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:55:16 +0000

The Hobbit, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man and Thor. Plus ghosts, power bracelets, frame rates and hot pink bollocks. In a special north-south configuration, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Qu'est Que C'est?

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:42:33 +0000

Remorseless killers are the stuff of countless films. Sadly, the real world has even more of them. Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, H. H. Holmes, John Wayne Gacy—these remorseless psychopaths filled graveyards with corpses and sleeping minds with nightmares. But these aren’t monsters—they’re real people who have a brain that developed differently than most peoples. Author Jon Ronson joins us on this episode of MonsterTalk to discuss the condition of psychopathy—and to share with us his journey into the world of these dangerous people.<a href="http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/12/05/02/"> READ episode notes </a>

Escapee From Westboro Baptist Church

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Skeptoid #308: Picnic at Hanging Rock

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The classic book and movie is believed by some to be fact, others to be fiction, and still others a combination. What's the truth behind the tale?

SGU 5x5 #111 - Apr 25 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Facilitated Communication

Conspiracy Skeptic Episode 34 - Abbie Smith on the case of XMRV

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:06:06 +0000

Abbie Smith, HIV/retrovirus researcher, returns to talk about a bizarre conspiracy involving scientists that should know better. Or why Big Pharma this time around DOESN'T want to sell you expensive drugs.

TRC #190: Internet Piracy + Weird Pepsi Ingredients + Blue Moon

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:16:11 +0000

Adam examines the bold claims of the movie and music industry regarding online piracy. Elan debunks the outrageous claim that Pepsi uses human fetuses to add flavouring. Darren figures out WTF a blue moon actually means.

Naked Scientists 12.04.29 - Is there such a thing as a "girls' throw"?

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Does exercise lead to a more muscular heart? Why can an unfit cyclist cycle faster than an olympic runner runs? How do kinetic watches work? We answer your questions in this week's Naked Scientists Podcast, and find out why so many dead bugs end up on their backs, how salmonella gets into an egg, and if it's more efficient to fill your freezer than run it half empty? In the news we hear how farming migrated across Europe, why distant stars might have influenced life on Earth, and why rogue DNA can cause heart failure. Plus, we home in on the parts of the pigeon brain that respond to magnetic fields...

The Skeptics Guide #354 - Apr 28 2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Live from NECSS 2012 with special guest James Randi; This Day in Skepticism; News Items: Pedantic Words, Sports Pseudoscience, Nuking Asteroids, Loch Ness Monster Spotted, Cosmic Rays, Space Shuttle Enterprise; SGU Video; Science or Fiction; Remembering Perry

The Skeptic Zone #184 - 28.Apr.2012

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:43:28 +0000

00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:02:00
Interview wtih Tim Farley
What's the harm? Well you may ask. What's the harm in Acupuncture, Alphabiotics, Alternative dentistry, Alternative medicine, Applied kinesiology, Autism denial, Ayurvedic medicine, Chelation therapy, Chiropractic, Colloidal silver, Colon cleansing and on and on and on?
TimFarley has been investigating the real harm caused by these modalities.

00:22:22
The Think Tank with Dr Rachie Reports
In the tank this week are Dr Rachael Dunlop, Maynard, Eran Segev and Richard Saunders.
During the tank, Dr Rachie reports on the latest news regarding the Austraian (Anti)Vacccination Network and American Airlines. We also have great news for Maynard!

Jonah Lehrer – Imagine: How Creativity Works

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:00:12 +0000

Jonah Lehrer is a contributing editor at Wired and a frequent contributor to The New Yorker. He writes the Head Case column for the Wall Street Journal and regularly appears on WNYC’s Radiolab. His writing has also appeared in Nature, the New York Times Magazine and Scientific American. Jonah graduated from Columbia University and attended Oxford [...]

The Pod Delusion - Episode 133

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:26:14 +0000

This week we speak to Robin Ince about the Voltaire Lecture, Senal Edamaruku about his debunking of a Catholic 'miracle', find out why elected mayors are a good idea and much more!

Onan the Jar Burying

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

In modern science the homunculus refers to various models of the human mind, but in medieval times it was something quite different. Join us for a fascinating interview with professor William R. Newman, of Indiana University’s Department of History and Philosophy of Science. He is the author of seven books, including Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature—a book which provides much insight into the seedy back-story of this strange creature.

This episode contains adult material and may be unsuitable for junior skeptics.

READ episode notes

Skepticality #181 - Unnatural Evolution Is A Funny Thing - Interviews: Bob Carroll and Ian Harris

sal@stodge.org (sal@stodge.org) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:09:00 +0000

In this weeks installment of Skepticality, Derek talks to Ian Harris, a science based comedian who is part of a troupe of comedians who all center their work on topics that science loving folks will really enjoy, the tour is called "The Evolution of Comedy Tour". Ian and Derek discuss how comedy seems to be a great fit for skeptical and scientific issues. Then Derek checks in with Bob Carroll to discuss his new e-book, "Unnatural Acts" which he produced as part his ongoing efforts over at skepdic.com.