The Skeptic Zone
The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason - Since 2008
Click Here for The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project
| The Skeptic Zone #729 - 25 September 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 https://tubitv.com/movies/571757/unknown-powers http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
| 0:40:22 Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:50:54
Maynard's Spooky Action
What's on Maynard's Podcast? A new book from longtime music industry insider Jane Gazzo fills in Australian music history from a time before oversharing became endemic. Sound As Ever: A celebration of the greatest decade in Australian music (1990-1999), a book with Andrew P Street covers most things that you should know about the optimistic musical decade that was dashed against the uncaring digital rocks of the 21st century. http://www.maynard.com.au |
| Also
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House
Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au |
Education
The 90s
Your Host
| The Skeptic Zone #728 - 18 September 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 Australian newspapers and other publications. This week "What's Happening in ESP Today?" from 1980. 1980, 23rd July - The Australian Women's Weekly http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
| Also |
Your Host
Your Fairy
Your Poet
| The Skeptic Zone #727 - 11 September 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 the Black Balloon |
| 0:36:32 A
Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Telepathy". 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.org.au |
Predictions
Australian Skeptics News
Unicorns
| The Skeptic Zone #726 - 4 September 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 new world order" have been slugged with a $214,023 legal bill after the case was thrown out of court. https://tinyurl.com/29vy2zrt |
| 0:40:38 A
Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Zodiac". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
| 0:55:12 |
| Also
Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 Science & Skepticism in a changed world 3 - 4 December, National Library of Australia, Canberra https://skepticon.org.au
Bob Nixon investigation |
Unicorns
Your Host
Skeptical Poem
| The Skeptic Zone #725 - 28 August 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 |
| 0:41:00 A
Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The Bermuda Triangle". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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Your Host
News
Unicorns
| The Skeptic Zone #724 - 21 August 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Min Min Light. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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| 0:53:58 |
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Science Day
Micro Nations
Min Min Light
| The Skeptic Zone #723 - 14 August 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 |
| 0:14:08 MBW
In late May of 2022, long time skeptical supporter Daryl Colquhoun and Richard Saunders ventured once more unto the breach, that is the Festival of Mind Body Spirit at Sydney's International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. After attending this event, normally held every six months (when COVID does not shut it down) for the last 20 years, what insights has the sweep of time given Saunders of this new age event that attracts thousands? |
| 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 newspapers on a search for references to Prof. Ray Hyman. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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| The Skeptic Zone #722 - 7 August 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/america-the-fearful |
| 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 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:39:42
Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem
Mostly Ghostly |
| 0:42:24 A
Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the day the city of Adelaide was not destroyed in 1976. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
|
| Also
Tests of the paranormal by Australian Skeptics over the decades https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsudGI1mVCMPpxJt0PP8ZQ2ouzO8uCejx |
| The Skeptic Zone #721 - 31 July 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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
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| 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 digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Alien Abductions". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
|
| Also |
| The
Skeptic Zone #719 - 17 July 2022 |
| 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 Blocher from 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
|
| Also |
| The Skeptic Zone #718 - 10 July 2022 |
| Show Notes |
| 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 |
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The Vaccination
Chonicles |
Solar Flare |
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Featuring YouTube
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Also featuring the hit song It's old time radio from the future! |
Free
Origami Posters
Cranes Folded and Photographed |
Pigasus Invented, Folded and Photographed |
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Cranes
on Matches Folded and Photographed |
Ducks
on a Coin Folded and Photographed |
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| More
Origami Photos For Sale Folded and Photographed |
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The Skeptic Zone Podcast
is an independent production by Richard Saunders and the team of reporters.
The views and opinions expressed on the Skeptics Zone Podcast are not
necessarily those Australian Skeptics Inc. or any other skeptical organisation.
© The Skeptic Zone Podcast