The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:34 Rob Palmer at CSICon 2022 Guest reporter Rob roves around the halls at CSICon 2022 in Las Vagas and bumps into David Robert Grimes, a physicist, cancer researcher, and author. Rob also catches up with Ramiro Rodriguez from the 'Triangle Skeptics' and finaly to Prof. Richard Dawkins. 0:15:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:27:24 Evidence Please! With Jo Alabaster A classic report from 2016 about Biodynamic Gardening. Yes, truth can be stranger then fiction! 0:41:02 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to James Randi and Uri Geller. Geller on Tonight Show https://youtu.be/zD7OgAdCObs Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Special Guests, 24th Nov. https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics/events/287036082 Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:48 Rob Pamler at CSICon 2022 Guest reporter Rob roves around the halls at CSICon 2022 in Las Vagas and bumps into Joseph Uscinski who is a professor of political science at the University of Miami and speaker at the convention. He also catches up with Wendy Hughes to talk about 'Romance Scams'. Next he chats to Adrienne Hill and finaly to Prof. Richard Wiseman. 0:22:55 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The tables are turned as Adrienne interviews Rob Palmer about his Sunday Papers presentation of 'The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kcly0Ooczo 0:37:15 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Timothy Good". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.or

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 You Can Count on Adrienne CSICon 2022. Skeptics from all over the world are in Las Vegas for this major convention. Adrienne gives us her preview of the meeting. https://csiconference.org 0:12:07 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Richard Saunders. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:52 Evidence Please! With Jo Alabaster A classic report from 2016 about the dangers of 'Black Salve'. No good for cancers or anything else! Black salve, also known by the brand name Cansema, is a pseudoscientific alternative cancer treatment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_salve 0:35:15 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The Psychic Side". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library o

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:28 UFOs! We catch up with podcaster of Brian Dunning to learn more about the process of making a documentary film. Brian's new movie will be called "The UFO movie they don't want you to see!" https://www.briandunning.com/ufo https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208 0:25:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the "Disappearance of Frederick Valentich". Canberra Times - 23 October 1978 Canberra Times - 25 October 1978 Canberra Times - 29 October 1978 Papua New Guinea Post - 27 October 1978 https://skepticalinquirer.org/2013/11/the-valentich-disappearance-another-ufo-cold-case-solved/ https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4385 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:46:04 Australian Science Communicators Jirana Boontanjai and Tom Carruthers The Australian Science Communicators is the peak body for science communicators and science journalists in Australia. Established in 1994, th

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:09:09 The Real ESP Great news for Australians, The ESP are coming to Canberra for Skepticon 2022. We chat to the team, Andras G Pinter, Pontus Bockman, Annika Harrison (and special guest) and find out what they will be talking about at the upcoming convention. https://theesp.eu 0:16:32 Queen Elizabeth II Predictions from 1952 What were some of the amazing predictions made back in the 1950s about Queen Elizabeth II? We dive into some digital archives to find out what people were thinking and predicting 70 years ago. 0:24:52 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Richard Saunders. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic Surgery". https://skepdic.com/psurgery.html James Randi video: https://youtu.be/41hJ6DY8xLI?t=984 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Austra

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Claire Klingenberg for Skepticon 2022 Claire Klingenberg is the president of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations. She has been involved in the skeptic movement since 2013 as co-organiser of the Czech Paranormal Challenge. https://www.clairek.com 0:14:04 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Does Naturopathy work? The truth about ‘natural’ medicine. Recent reports of a Sydney naturopath allegedly endangering the life of a baby; the son of a naturopath shunning radiotherapy for “alternative therapies”; and a disgraced Gold Coast doctor turning to naturopathy rather than maintaining her registration raises the question, what’s the deal with naturopathy? (From 2016) http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/does-naturopathy-work-the-truth-about-natural-medicine/news-story/ebba033e2bad6801f736db1a9235cc9e 0:20:56 A Major Battle Won in the Continuing War on Homeopathy Fraud On Thursday, a three judge panel for the D.C

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 You Can Count on Adrienne Pseudoscience in Education In this discussion, Adrienne Hill, Kelly Burke, and the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the internet, aka the tooth fairy, aka Michelle Bijkersma, get together to discuss pseudoscience in education within their three countries of Canada, the USA and Australia. This is an edited version of the conversation, only touching on a few of the topics they cover in the full recording. But you can hear the unedited version by going to the Skeptic Zone YouTube page or by clicking on the link in this week's show notes. We also ask you to tell any teachers you might know about this conversation. Full version here: https://youtu.be/EVRvs01tXPQ 0:22:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Kebrina Kinkade". Sydney Morning Herald - 16th March 1980 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:40:22 Australian Skeptics Newsletter Wh

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:18 Did Nostradamus Predict death of the Queen? Some claim Nostradamus predicted with accuracy the year in which Queen Elizabeth II would die, but also that he foresaw the crowning of Prince Harry as king. It turn out either is true. We look into the claim and hear from some who believe it to be true. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nostradamus-king-charles-harry 0:17:14 The Skeptical Fairy on a Train Appearing from a thunderclap and a puff of smoke, the Skeptical Fairy reminds us that we can enjoy skeptical events online. 0:19:34 King Charles III - Predictions With the accession to the British throne of King Charles III, we take a look at some of the predictions made about him (as the Prince of Wales) over the last 20 years, catalogued in the database of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. 0:31:46 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem The Donor 0:32:46 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Queen Elizabeth II - Predictions With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we take a look at some of the predictions made about her over the last 20 years, catalogued in the database of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. 0:11:52 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 3 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:22 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Beneath a Black Balloon 0:36:32 A Dive into a

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:30 A Psychic in Court With a guilty verdict handed down in the Chris Dawson murder trial, Richard Saunders recounts the day he was in court in 2020 to hear the testimony of a so-called 'Psychic' who has a tenuous link to the case. This report, together with comments form Nicholas Cowdery AO, QC, appeared in the March 2020 issues of 'The Skeptic'. 0:25:52 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 2 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:38 Anti-vaxxers to pay $214,023 in legal costs A group of Australian anti-vaxxers who tried to sue governments citing fears over "a ne

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:34 Tik Tok Astrology Hundreds of Tik Tok videos are dedicated to Astrology. What do they tell us about this ancient belief system? What can we learn? Find out as we review a small selection of those who claim to read the stars. 0:18:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 1 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Have Unicorns ever existed? These may seem like simple questions, questions to which the answers are well known. Nevertheless, they are not. We cannot select our answers from just 'yes' or 'no'. The answers have been sought for hundreds of years, and even now the answers are not simple. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 14 No. 1 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:12 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem God's Dad https://youtu.be/es95UEpQmDY 0:41:00 A

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Maynard's Spooky Action Family Science Day at Parramatta The Mystery Investigators team take part in Family Science Day at Parramatta Square. No spoon is safe as Richard Saunders, Ian Bryce and Maynard entertain hundreds of mums, dads and kids. Maynard also asks the big question "What does science mean to you?" With special thanks to Frankie Lee, the City of Parramatta, Western Sydney University and The Powerhouse Museum. 0:19:38 Mind Body Wallet 20 years of predictable surprises. From so-called psychics to quack medical machines, Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirit never fails to trot out the same old tired nonsense. 0:26:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Little People Tim looks at those micro nations and principalities that spring up around the world. You too can be a monarch of your own country... sort of. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 40 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander th

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Interview with Jon Guy Put simply, Think Straight is an owner's manual for the human brain. Drawing from the vast history of scientific and cognitive research, this book is a tour de force through the science and philosophy of the human mind, and what it means to think as a rational human being in the 21st century. https://twitter.com/SkepticJonGuy https://www.amazon.com/Think-Straight-Owners-Manual-Mind/dp/1633887979 0:15:34 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Tim and Richard talk about the Bent Spoon Award from Australian Skeptics. Nominations are now open for 2022. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon/ 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 0:33:36 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem Bachelor of Seance 0:35:02 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspap

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Ben Radford America the Fearful National panics about crime, immigrants, police, and societal degradation have been pervasive in the United States of the 21st century. Many of these fears begin as mere phantom fears, but are systematically amplified by social media, news media, bad actors and even well-intentioned activists. There are numerous challenges facing the U.S., but Americans must sort through which fears are legitimate threats and which are amplified exaggerations. This book examines the role of fear in national panics and addresses why many Americans believe the country is in horrible shape and will continue to deteriorate (despite contradictory evidence). https://www.amazon.com/America-Fearful-Marketing-National-Panics/dp/1476687722 0:25:25 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Never Ending Story By Anthony Garrett - Part 2 A report on the never ending search for perpetual motion and free energy. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 36

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 VALE Jim Wilshire A tribute to our late voice-over man and decades long friend of producer Richard Saunders. Video: Jim in action recording for The Skeptic Zone in 2011 https://youtu.be/nFByyeTIqEQ 0:14:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:02 Maynard's Spooky Action We catch up wtih our roving and raving reporter. What's up next for Maynard? What does he have on his own podcast and where will he be appearing? Find out as we sip a coffee with our man in the street. https://maynard.com.au 0:30:48 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Pyramid Power". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 1979, 18th November - The Canberra Times 1977, 19th October - The Australian Women's Weekly https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58588545

The Skeptic Zone #720 - 24 July 2022   Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:54 Lessons in Science and Pseudoscience Science educator Melanie Trecek-King tells us about her recent report in 'The Skeptic' magazine (Australia) about the differences between science, pseudoscience and science denial. Melanie is a science educator at a community college in Massachusetts. A few years ago, while teaching general education biology to students who really didn't want to be there, she thought to herself: What does the average person need to know about science? The stages of mitosis and protein synthesis? Or how the process of science works? https://thinkingispower.com 0:22:34 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Never Ending Story By Anthony Garrett - Part 1 A report on the never ending search for perpetual motion and free energy. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 36 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:41:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digi

Dedicated to the memory of Jim Wilshire   Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Vale Jim Wilshire 0:04:06 Oh No! It's Ross Blocher We catch up with one one hardest working skeptical podcasters in the business, Ross Blocherfrom the popular "Oh No Ross and Carrie" show. https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/oh-no-ross-and-carrie 0:18:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:22 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 1986, 15th June - The Canberra Times 1986, 2nd August - The Canberra Times 1986, 21st August - The Canberra Times Also The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See http://theufo.movie

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:36 I Think We Need To Think News and views with Susan Gerbic. The end of a paranormal test in New Zealand, GSoW news and the great Jerry Andrus project. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:18:31 Mentalism with Mark Edward Mark Edward pulls the wool over Richard Saunders and Susan Gerbic with an amazing display of mentalism with ESP cards. http://themarkedward.com 0:30:54 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Andrija Puharich". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:24 Lunch with the Bay Area Skeptics Join us for a long awaited get together, south of San Francisco with members of the Bay Area Skeptics as they look forward to SkepiCal 2022, the upcoming online convention. Lunching with Richard Saunders are Dr Eugenie Scott, Jay Diamond, Leonard Tramiel, Yau-Man Chan and Greg Dorais. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! The 2022 SkeptiCal Conference will be ONLINE over the weekend of July 16/17. https://www.skepticalcon.com 0:14:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller. 1975, 14 February - The Australian Jewish News 1984, 29 November - The Australian Jewish Times 2001, 23 March - The Australian Jewish News 2000, 24 November - The Australian Jewish News http://www.trove.nla.gov.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Irrational Beliefs in Australia Is Australia truly a land of mystery and wonders? I can only answer that with "yes it is". We are the land of the oldest living culture in the world, that of the indigenous peoples, we have natural wonders from the coast to the desert and great modern cities to rival any in the world. However, like so many other countries, Australia too has no end of paranormal, supernatural and pseudoscientific claims. https://neo-skepsis.blogspot.com/2022/06/por-que-es-que-los-lugares-lejanos.html 0:14:30 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Man Who Dated The World & GOT IT WRONG! By Martin Bridgstock James Ussher is still used by young earth creationists as an authoritative source for the age of the earth. In this report, Martin Bidgstock explores the life and time of this man and how he come to his conclusions. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 38 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:44 A Dive into a Trove A