The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Adrienne Hill 0:02:00 Crazy COVID-19 Flyers Dispite the roll out of varoius COVID-19 vaccines around the world and despite the terrible situation in countries like India and Brazil, there are still those in our society who are intent on fear moungering. We read out some typical COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy flyers that were placed on cars in an Australian Hospital car park. 0:13:21 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Not long ago on the Skeptic Zone, Adrienne looked at the myth that bad things happen in 3's. This week she turns the tables and looks for examples of good things happening in 3's. Is this a case of second time lucky for the number 3? 1, 2, 3 and off we go! 0:25:14 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers, this time from the USA, on a search for references to the 'Psychic Predictions' and the Bay Area Skeptics. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:02 The Alien Space Ship... that wasn't. We chat to author and podcaster Mick West about his work in uncovering a far more realistic explanation of a UFO seen over the ocean and captured on night vision video from a US navel ship. It turns out that the aliens might well be riding in normal airliners, heading into LA airport. https://www.metabunk.org/threads/pyramid-ufos-in-night-vision-footage-maybe-bokeh.11695/ UFO caught on camera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfXwM3140Tg 0:21:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:32 COVID-19 India Update Abhijit Chanda from India with a report on the situation with COVID-19. Once again so-called alternative medicine is no match for a real disease. https://www.berationable.com/rationable-blog 0:41:48 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 King St. Newtown Join Richard Saunders has he walks the length of Newtown's (an inner west suburb of Sydney) main street, stopping along the way to investigate no end of New Age and health stores. https://www.google.com/maps/@-33.898499,151.1854725,16.1z 0:24:03 Fake Medicine - Book Launch We travel to Geebooks in Glebe, Sydney to attend the launch of the new book by Dr Brad McKay, 'Fake Medicine'. Joining Richard is Australian Skeptics Inc. President Jessica Singer, Josh Godbee and Lara Benham. https://www.hachette.com.au/bradley-mckay/fake-medicine-exposing-the-wellness-crazes-cons-and-quacks-costing-us-our-health 0:32:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Telekinesis'. telekinesis noun the supposed ability to move objects at a distance by mental power or other non-physical means. "she possesses the power of telekinesis" http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 Maynard's Spooky Action UFOs wirh Dr Steve Roberts and Brian Dunning With the 55th anniversary of Australia's famous UFOs story, 'Westall 1966', Maynard chats to Brian Dunning and Dr Steve Roberts about this strange event. They also look at other famous UFO accounts including the case of the pancake cooking aliens. https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208 https://podcastufo.com/latest-podcast-irene-previn-stan-gordon https://westall66ufo.com.au 0:30:27 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:31 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Debunk". Including a report of quack medical devices from the 1950s. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131642713?searchTerm=debunk Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill Migraines Adrienne has suffered from migraine headaches, with some mind-bending auras, for most of her life. What is a migraine? According to the Mayo Clinic, "migraine can cause severe, throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound." These attacks can last hours or days and many people experience a warning aura. 0:15:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:22:13 COVID-19 Clunkers More madness from the world of COVID-19 conspiracy theorists. https://coronaconspiracy.cloud 0:33:47 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Supersitions. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:23 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan Around 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia. Often, ovarian cancer feels like nothing. For that reason, most women are diagnosed when they are Stage III or IV. Siobhan tells us her story with this cancer and her advice for women. (With the help of Mr. Tom Toms the cat.) Siobhan O'Sullivan is an Australian political scientist and political theorist. Her research has focused, among other things, on animal welfare policy and the welfare state. She is the author of Animals, Equality and Democracy (2011, Palgrave Macmillan) and a coauthor of Getting Welfare to Work (2015, Oxford University Press). She co-edited Contracting-out Welfare Services (2015, Wiley) and The Political Turn in Animal Ethics (2016, Rowman & Littlefield International). She founded a regular podcast entitled Knowing Animals. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/what-i-learned-after-being-surprised-by-ovarian-cancer/13156080 https:/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:08 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill Not for Prophet From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Adrienne reports on the ups and downs of checking thousands of mystical predictions covering the years 2000 - 2020. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2041%20(2021)%20No%201%20(Cover).pdf 0:24:06 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #2 Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.htm

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #1 The return of Maynard. In this, the first of a three part interview with Dr Brad McKay, Maynard finds out about Dr Brad's new book and asks the big questions about Vampire Facials and much more. Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:18:08 Susan Gerbic Thomas John And The Believers. Susan talks about a 2019 article she wrote about how people keep believing even in the face of overwhelming evi

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:06 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill A new segment for The Skeptic Zone. Do bad things really happen in 3s? Adrienne looks at some of the psychology about this "bad things" myth and finds how easy it is for people to come to believe there might be something in it, even something mystical. 0:11:40 Alert on Anti-Vaxxers Police are making a list of anti-vax protesters with concerns that they could target storage facilities. A Joint Intelligence Group, made of members from the AFP, Australian Security Intelligence Information, Australian Border Force and state police forces has also been set up by the Department of Home Affairs. It will be staffed around the clock and act as a central hub for information on the anti-vaccination movement and vaccine security. - by Sarah Sharples, reported at news.com.au 0:15:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week T

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:45 Crystal Healing: The Science and Psychology Behind What Works, What Doesn't, and Why An interview with Dan Lynch and Julie A. Kirsch Whether you're new to the practice of crystal healing or have a level of experience with it, chances are you have questions: What works? What doesn't? How and when should I spend my money etc? Forget the magic, the mysticism, and the mythology. You've come to the right place for answers. Dan R. Lynch is a professional geologist and the author of many books about rocks and minerals. Julie A. Kirsch is a trained psychologist. Together, they delve into the fascinating study of crystal healing, and they share their answers with you. https://adventurewithkeen.com/product/crystal-healing 0:18:58 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at seeing things, insights and outsights. And so it goes, the almost inevitable rea

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:43 Pete Evans Banned (Again!) Pete Evans' Instagram shut down for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Also his bid for a Senate seat has been widely criticised. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pete-evans-instagram-account-has-been-shut-down-for-spreading-coronavirus-misinformation 0:11:21 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Argument from Gibberish". This occurs when a person makes a claim that something is true, then supports that claim with an explanation that includes highly technical jargon from a field that is difficult to comprehend. It also occurs when a claim is based on pure gibberish in lieu of a strong argument. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:23:29 Facebook Puts Critical Health Information at Risk Like many organisations, Australian Skeptics Inc was affected by Facebook's changes to sharing and

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:23 Queensland Chiropractic Bad Advice Chiropractor forced to take down video on COVID-19, claiming 'nonsense' about 'big bad bug' and other bad advice. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/chiropractor-forced-to-take-down-video-on-coronavirus-claiming-nonsense-about-big-bad-bug/news-story/57390e8ab06cce03ba5eba8e23f7f694 0:09:12 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy of the Single Cause". Also known as 'causal oversimplification', this fallacy occurs when it is assumed that there is a single, simple cause of an outcome, when in fact there may be a number of causes. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:18:02 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. "It'a All In Your Head!" - This week Tim looks at Phrenology,

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:44 Test Your E.S.P. From 1977 comes this test from 'The Australian Women's Weekly'. How do you rate your psychic abilities? Have you ever experienced astral travel, levitation, mental telepathy . . . or seen a ghost? https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5845338 0:19:03 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Common Sense". The ‘Appeal to Common Sense’ is a specific version of ‘Alleged Certainty’. It occurs when someone simply asserts their conclusion as obvious and a fact, however, it may not necessarily be so. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:28:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at magicians, ethics, names, laws and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:27 A Dive into a Trove A wa

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 The Great Australian Prediction Project A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for HM Queen Elizabeth II over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the monarch?   0:16:45 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Fallacy of Composition". This fallacy is about transferring or projecting the properties shared by a set of individual components to the whole group or product as if they were the one and the same. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:27:55 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950 with an Australian subject. Into the Unknown - Part #5 http://www.tr

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Great Australian Prediction Project A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for Donald Trump over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the former president? 0:20:13 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Perfect Solution Fallacy". The perfect solution is an 'all or nothing' way of thinking, unless the outcome is 100% perfect, the baby may end up being thrown out with the bath water. In other words, the idea is being rejected altogether. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:27:33 Vaccination Rates in Australia Australia has surpassed the immunisation gold stan dard, with a 95.09 per cent vac cination rate for five-year-olds. With 95 per cent of the population vaccinated, child hood diseases that kill cannot get a foothold due to "herd immunity". - By Jane Hansen 0:

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Red Herring". This is when someone gives irrelevant information in an attempt to distract you from a topic at hand, often to avoid a question or shift the discussion in a new direction. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:16:00 Typewriter Time - Dialup Astrology We discover that Richard Saunders and Maynard have started a new age Astrology service. What advice can they offer Annika Harrison from the European Skeptics Podcast? 0:25:07 Aust

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years. https://tourette.ca https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10) https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI 0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Affirming the Consequent". This is when you assume or conclude a cause for a phenomenon based on the phenomenon itself without taking other possibilities into account. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:30:25 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #2 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Aust. Skeptics YouT

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-dubios-woman-who-allegedly-fled-covid-hotel-quarantine-shared-bizarre-online-rants-before-incident-c-1848398 0:15:09 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Unfalsifiability". Also known as 'untestability', this is when you make a claim that cannot be shown or proved to be incorrect or even correct via testing. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:21:02 Monterey Skepticamp 2021 Susan Gerbic with details of the first Skeptical Meeting of the year

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Pete Evans Booted Off Pete Evans has been removed from Facebook just days after telling Sydney followers to not get tested for COVID-19. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/facebook-boots-celebrity-chef-pete-evans-over-covid-19-misinformation-20201223-p56px0.html 0:11:30 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Slothful Induction Fallacy". This is when even though there is enough good evidence to support a conclusion, this evidence is rejected and replaced by something possibly unrelated but more inline with a particular worldview. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:19:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Astrology. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also 2021 Origami Calendar https://skepticzone.tv/files/2021_o

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:07 Susan Gerbic We find out what GSoW are doing to support those fighting COVID-19. Also the latest ravings from two time Bent Spoon winner, Pete Evans. https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com 0:17:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller in the 1970s. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:38:55 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Ipse Dixit". Also known as "It Simply Is", this is when an opinion is given as if it were an undisputed fact, without any need for supporting evidence. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:45:17 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What is making news in the skeptical world? Find out with the newsletter compiled by Tim Mendham. http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images