Synopsis
Can two skeptics solve the world's issues? Scientific skepticism is the practice of seeking whether extraordinary claims are supported by extraordinary evidence. It may be helpful not to think of skepticism as the opposite of optimism, but as the opposite of unquestioning certainty.In this weekly podcast, Harrison and Jake use a combination of science, skepticism, free thought and rationality to challenge all popular and unpopular beliefs. As a general warning, if you hold views near and dear to your heart, they may be challenged in this podcast. We often attempt to challenge our own beliefs in order to let nothing go unquestioned. As a result, we will frequently get off-topic and there will be swearing, name-calling and jokes in very poor taste. Welcome to the Wet Blanket Skeptics podcast, where there are no sacred cows allowed.
Episodes
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2016-06-19: Game Theory 101
19/06/2016 Duration: 01h13minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about sexuality, game theory, the prisoner’s dilemma, Orlando, tragedies, Brock Turner, rape, and xHamster.
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2016-06-12: Déjà Vu and Science Deniers
12/06/2016 Duration: 01h09minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about planned obsolescence, self-driving cars, déjà vu, dreams, science deniers, global warming, Facebook, and Glenn Beck.
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2016-06-05: Moral Purity and Planned Obsolescence
05/06/2016 Duration: 01h04minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about gender roles, moral purity, Hamilton, and planned obsolescence.
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2016-05-29: Cryonics and Self-Driving Cars
29/05/2016 Duration: 01h04minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about cryonics, self-driving cars, utilitarianism, and John Horgan’s critique of skepticism.
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2016-05-22: 10th Episode Spectacular-stravaganza: A Rational Review
22/05/2016 Duration: 01h10minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake review the topics from our first nine episodes, looking for sacred cows by asking each other about beliefs, evidence, and what it would take to change our minds on each topic.
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2016-05-15: Water Rights and Social Signaling
15/05/2016 Duration: 01h06minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about being back at it again, effective altruism, Watchmen spoilers, utilitarianism, water rights, and social signaling.
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2016-05-08: Atheism vs. Agnosticism and Ghosts
08/05/2016 Duration: 01h03minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about gender roles, atheism, agnosticism, theism, knowledge vs. belief, and ghosts.
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2016-05-01: Effective Altruism and Prostitution
01/05/2016 Duration: 01h04minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about effective altruism, charity, prostitution, and pornography.
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2016-04-24: Identity Politics and Marijuana Legalization
24/04/2016 Duration: 01h02minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about identity politics, QUILTBAG, essentialism, marijuana legalization, regulation, drugs, and astrology.
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2016-04-17: Evolution, Top-Down Systems and Labeling GMOs
17/04/2016 Duration: 53minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about evolution, top-down systems, Matt Ridley, libertarianism, conspiracy theories, boobs, society, politicians, the patriarchy, GMOs, organic food, mandatory labeling, the Food Babe, censorship, and the right to know.
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2016-04-10: #election2016: Hillary Clinton and the Afterlife
10/04/2016 Duration: 01h05minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about Hillary Clinton, lying, Machiavellian beliefs, monetary influence in politics, rape fantasy porn, lobbying groups, Bernie Sanders, the Iraq war, the afterlife, spirituality, drugs, God of the gaps, skepticism, rationalism, swirlies, Donald Trump, and racism.
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2016-04-03: Skepticism 102 and #election2016: Bernie Sanders Supporters
03/04/2016 Duration: 01h02minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about confirmation bias, the typical skeptical stances on a variety of topics, Bernie Sanders, #fieldofbernies, groupthink, cognitive dissonance, free speech, and the Fountain Hills, Arizona protest.
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2016-03-27: #election2016: Donald Trump and Protesters
27/03/2016 Duration: 48minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about Donald Trump, con men, immigrants, Mexicans, racism, Donald Trump protesters, Bernie Sanders, hate, love, free speech, and the regressive left.
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2016-03-20: Skepticism 101 and Nuclear Power
20/03/2016 Duration: 01h06minIn this week's podcast, Harrison and Jake talk about skepticism, rationalists, science, freethought, atheism, magicians, Penn & Teller, nuclear power, conspiracy theorists, ghosts, Splenda, sucralose, and leukemia.