The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:36 Interview with Craig Good "Relax and Enjoy your Food" is a new book from Craig Good. The diet and wellness industries, along with the supplement industry, have deep pockets and ill intent. Their primary victims are women, but everybody gets caught up in their web. After reading this book you'll be able to leave all that behind, eat a healthy diet, even reach and maintain a healthy weight. In short, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your food. https://www.relaxandenjoyyourfood.com 0:19:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:45 Bits and Pieces News and events from tne skeptical world including a sad report of a death from COVID and various online talks coming up. https://canberraskeptics.org https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/feburary-gold-coast-skeptics-in-the-pub-online-tickets-2516

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:38 Sweden Survey Pontus Bockman drops by to tell us about the results of a recent survey into what people in Sweden believe. How many people still believe in a young earth, how many people are into astrology, how many people believe in conspiracy theories? http://www.vof.se 0:25:38 Bits and Pieces From around the Internet we find stories about people and their continuing refusal to take COVID-19 seriously. also your chance to make contact with extra terrestrials. 0:38:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian and international newspapers on a search for references to "Remote Viewing". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au https://web.archive.org/web/20001030065625/www.ph.utexas.edu/~rwynar/RemoteViewing.html Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:30 Facebook and Foot Pads A look at some of the ridiculous advertisements that appear on Facebook news feeds. From Foot Patches to Psychic Fairs and even Astral Projection, just what nonsense is being pushed out to thousands of Facebook users. 0:23:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:26 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Crop Circles". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:40 Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Trivia Join Adrienne Hill and Richard Saunders as they deliver 30 tricky skeptical trivia questions. Have you got what it takes to get a good score? Test your skeptical knowledge with our curly questions. 0:28:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Power Balance". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Power Balance tested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd0Gb9EgkHA Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:30 Fired for getting a Vaccination A woman in Australia has been sacked from a wellness clinic for the terrible crime of getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Also we look into the claims of cures using cannabis. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-16/byron-bay-church-of-ubuntu-worker-covid-vaccination/100703588 0:23:52 The Skeptical Fairy The Skeptical Fairy Angel Godmother from the Internet visits a pub to bring cheer and merriment. Starring the voice talents Michelle Bijkersma, Maynard, Lara Benham and Richard Saunders Thursday night, 6th January, Sydney Skeptics in the pub trivia night. https://www.twitch.tv/australianskeptics 0:27:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Cancer Quacks". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Can John Braund cure cancer? Video. https://youtu.be/G4PUkDX9X2U Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 Flags, Magna Carta and Anti-Vaxxers We take a look at why some anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and 'sov-cits' carry upside down flags and quote the Magna Carta of 1215 while marching in the streets. What would King John say?? 0:20:11 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:16 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Orgone Energy". Orgone is a pseudoscientific concept variously described as an esoteric energy or hypothetical universal life force. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders The Great Australian Prediction Project From the pages of 'The Skeptic', the journal from Australian Skeptics, comes the long awaited offical report into the accuracy of so-called "psychic predictions". Find out the background, the methodology and the all important results and conclusions. Read by Adrienne Hill and Richard Saunders. 00:02:14: The Great Aust. Psychic Prediction Project 00:05:19: History of Prophecies 00:10:37: The Project 00:13:34: Methodology 00:17:53: The Flow of Time 00:19:49: Assessing the Predictions 00:23:03: Correct or Wrong 00:27:41: Too Vague 00:30:30: Expected 00:32:34: Unknown 00:33:50: Many Predictions in One 00:34:56: Easy to Predict but Difficult to Analyse 00:36:29: Predictable Complaints 00:43:10: Self-Assessment, Cherry Picking and Shoehorning 00:49:12: They did not see that coming 00:50:22: Control Group 00:51:54: If predictions worked as claimed 00:54:08: Looking into the Future 00:55:57: Conclusions 00:58:41: Some Statist

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:45 The Ockham Awards We talk to Michael Marshall from the UK about the recent Ockham Awards. Michael is the project director of the Good Thinking Society and president of the Merseyside Skeptics Society. https://www.skeptic.org.uk 0:18:20 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham calls in to give us an overview of what to expect in the new addition of 'The Skeptic' the journal from Australian Skeptics. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Seances". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-468508573/view?partId=nla.obj-468562297#page/n3/mode/1up Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 A Day in Court Bradley John Hill - the licensee of a Hunter Valley pub that breached public health orders in regards to COVID-19 - was fined in a Singleton courthouse on Thursday. But just who exactly was in court? Strange story indeed. https://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/7534943/singleton-caledonian-licensee-fined-for-repeatedly-flouting-covid-19-public-health-orders/ 0:11:35 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Twins! Are you a twin? Are you psychic? Shelley Stocken asks her twin sister or is it the other way around? Another classic from our late and much missed reporter Shelley. 0:20:25 "Freedom" Protest in Melbourne Reporter Michelle Bijkersma ventures out into the streets of Melbourne to observe firsthand an anti-vaccination, so-called "freedom" rally and reports on some of the placards and signs she saw. 0:33:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Ad

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:00 Squaring the Strange with Celestia Ward Our favourite and very talented caricature artist from Las Vegas Celestia Ward drops by to chat about her career as a skeptical podcaster on 'Squaring the Strange'. https://linktr.ee/Squaringthestrange https://www.2headsstudios.com Extra video content. You can watch the complete interview with Celestia Ward, with Richard Saunders, on YouTube via the link below. https://youtu.be/RWFbBW4iPM8 0:34:20 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. Bookkeepers - Magicians - Witches and Scientists. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:36 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Reiki. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au https://quackwatch.org/related/reiki Also Skeptics in the pub, Sweden - with Richard Saunders https://www.vof.se/blogg/skeptics-in-the-pub-online-the-adven

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders With Susan Gerbic, Rob Palmer, Michelle Bijkersma, Lara Benham and Lynden Shields. 0:05:00 The ESP We catch up with the team from the European Skeptics Podcast to congratulate them on reaching 300 episodes. The European Skeptics Podcast (The ESP) is a weekly podcast recorded in English and hosted by three skeptics from several different European countries: Andras Gabor Pinter from Hungary, Pontus Bockman from Sweden and Annika Harrison from Germany. https://theesp.eu 0:14:50 Australian Skeptics Awards for 2021 Tim Mendham presents The Fred Thornett Award - Prof Kristine Macartney The Barry Williams Media Award - Melissa Davey Jessica Singer presents The Bent Spoon Award - Craig Kelly Richard Saunders with in memoriam Michael Wolloghan Shelley Stocken Martin Hadley 0:19:00 The Book of Tim Loch Ness #2 - Tim takes a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous pictures of the Loch Ness monster, known as the surgeon's photograph. What is

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 COVID vaccine nurse at Perth clinic charged with fraud Western Australian Police have charged a nurse with fraudulently recording that a patient had been given a COVID-19 vaccine when the jab was allegedly never administered. https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Media-Centre/Media-Releases/4296-Registered-Nurse-Charged--Vaccine-Fraud https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-08/nurse-who-allegedly-faked-covid-vaccines-charged/100602566 0:14:42 The Book of Tim Loch Ness #1 - Tim takes a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous pictures of the Loch Ness monster, known as the surgeon's photograph. What is the truth behind this mysterious image? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:16 The Think Tank Joining us this week in our virtual restaurant for a drink and discussion are Susan Gerbic, Adrienne Hill, Lou Hillman, Rob Palmer, Leonard Tramiel and Kelly Burke. Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https:

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:47 Uri Geller, James Randi and the CIA We find a document written by James Randi that was circulated in the CIA concerning so-called psychic Uri Geller. What did Geller's former manager have to say about the tricks and shenanigans in the 1970s? Find out with this review. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/uri-geller-no-faker-really-25333616 https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00791R000100450002-7.pdf 0:24:40 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. Resistentialism. Vol 40 No 1 - June 2020 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:25 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:28 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to yet more UFOs. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Dona

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard and Richard Saunders join Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan on a field trip to visit Sydney's most "haunted" street. We also find out more about Dr Siobhan's journey with Ovarian Cancer. Special extended content of this story on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykB67Sj5cYs 0:24:55 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. Sturgeon's Law. Vol 32 No 2 - June 2012 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:15 The Arm of the Octopus Our reporter Michelle Bijkersma was surprised to find a strange letter in her letterbox. On the envelope was a hand-drawn picture of an octopus and the letter itself posed questions about the creature's arm. What does it all mean? Find out with Michelle. 0:35:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Halloween. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Part #2 Famed science communicator Dr Karl tells us about COVID in chickens, making vaccines on a 3D printer, fighting climate change and Mr. Spock. Dr Karl is an Australian science communicator and popularizer, who is known as an author, and as a science commentator on Australian radio and television. Dr Karl is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow in the Science Foundation for Physics at the School of Physics, University of Sydney. http://www.drkarl.com http://www.tiktok.com/@drkarl 0:25:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Michelle Bijkersma. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:10 I Think We Need To Think Susan Gerbic tells us about putting together Wikipedia pages for noted skeptics and celebrating the fact that her organisation has now chalked up over 100 million page views. http://www.facebook.com/GSoWproject Also Corona Conspiracy - Upl

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Part #1 Famed science communicator Dr Karl tells us about snipers, TikTok, Anti-Vaxers and the way in which social media companies pander to the advertising dollor. Dr Karl is an Australian science communicator and popularizer, who is known as an author, and as a science commentator on Australian radio and television. Dr Karl is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow in the Science Foundation for Physics at the School of Physics, University of Sydney. http://www.drkarl.com http://www.tiktok.com@drkarl 0:31:52 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. Sundry seekers after truth. Vol 32 No 2 - September 2012 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:00 Interview with Tim Mendham Join Tim in the portable Skeptic Zone studio to chat about life in lockdown, predictions and the upcoming Skepticon 2021. 0:44:50 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digi

The Skeptic Zone #679 - 10 October 2021 Dedicated to the memory of Michael Wolloghan The Skeptic Zone is very sad to inform you that one of our founding reporters Michael Wolloghan died unexpectedly in October 2021. Episode #679 is dedicated to his memory, including a replay of one of his reports. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Thank you Michael for being there at the beginning.   Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 The Round Up. With Michael Wolloghan From December 2008, founding reporter Michael Wolloghan with skeptical news of the day. 0:10:52 Planets and Predictions We look at and try to make sense of some of the predictions made by Milton Black using astology. Is Pluto playing games? Where is Mars when you need it? 0:19:20 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The Herman Cain Freedom Award (HCFA) is reminiscent of the Darwin Awards. Taken directly from the sub-Reddit it says "Nominees have made public declaration of their anti-mask, anti-vax, or Covid-hoax views, followed by admission to hospital for Covid. The Award is granted upon the nominee's release from their Earthly shackles." https://www.reddit.com/r/HermanCainAward 0:13:00 YouTube Boot Anti-Vaxers YouTube is blocking anti-vax content when it somes to COVID-19, including content that contains misinformation about other approved vaccines as well. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-30/youtube-blocks-all-anti-vaccine-content/100502612 0:18:22 Maynard's Spooky Action Meet Maynard's dad on his 93rd birthday! What was life like in Australia after the last pandemic? Maynard chats to his dad about the good old days and not so good old days. http://maynard.com.au 0:27:10 A Dive into a Tr

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 All Shook Up! What happens when a team of skeptics meet to analyse earthquake predictions? An earthquake! Skeptic Zone reporter Michelle Bijkersma (a friend of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet) tells us about the 'moving' experience. 0:09:33 TikTok Tarot A look at the hundreds of TikTokers taking to Tarot Cards. What do they have in common and why is it so popular? 0:26:25 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Tarot Cards". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Potential Harm of Psychics A dissussion with Susan Gerbic and Rob Palmer about the potential harm of believing in, and taking the advice of those who claim to be able to see into the future. Prediction Talk for Bay Area Skeptics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Emu-p0vIPU https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/belief-in-psychics-whats-the-harm-and-whos-to-blame https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com 0:24:30 Take Stock... with Shelley Stocken From 2017, Shelley gives us her unique take on actions of Robert De Niro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding their anti-vaccination campains. Sounds just like the plot of a 'B Grade' Hollywood movie. This is another tribute to our dear late reporter. 0:31:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the 1919 Flu Epidemic. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.clou