The Podcast from Australia for
Science and Reason - Since 2008
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The
Skeptic Zone #747 - 29 January 2023
Show Notes
0:00:00
Introduction Richard Saunders
0:03:00
Conspiracy Leaflet in my Letterbox.
From the One World Government to COVID-19 to H.A.A.R.P and much more besides. We examine a small leaflet that's been left in the letterboxes around Sydney suburbs.
0:21:02
Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.
Interview with Dr Pamela Gay - Dr Rachie Reports. Just what is 'fair balance' and how does it relate to skeptical issues? - Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard visits Embiggen Books in Melbourne and chats to Warren Bonett
With the help Richard Saunders, Adrienne takes a look at the top ten list of topics at "WikiProject Skeptical", which is "dedicated to creating, improving, and monitoring articles related to Scientific skepticism (British English spelling: scepticism), also known as rational skepticism or skeptical inquiry. The focus includes articles about claims which are contrary to the current body of scientific evidence, or which involve the paranormal. The project ensures that these articles are written from a neutral point of view, and do not put forward invalid claims as truth."
Another trip down the rabbit hole of Artificial Intelligence as we seek answers from ChatGTP on skeptical topics including Psychics, Bigfoot, Spoon Bending, Homeopathy, Ghosts, Astrology and Palmistry.
0:40:19
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to "Creationism".
Maynard's Spooky Action..
An interview with Dr Krissy Wilson about talking to the dead - Danger 5. Just for fun, Richard Saunders checks in with Maynard as he hosts a public Q & A with the cast of this Australian TV show - Skeptical BBQ. Richard Saunders travels to Canberra for a screening of "Here be Dragons" by Brian Dunning and enjoys a chat with Kevin Davies, the president of Canberra Skeptics - The Think Tank.
Join a host of Canberra Skeptics as they chat about Conspiracy Theories.
Adrienne pays tribute to Harriet, who was a retired family physician, former U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, author, science communicator and skeptic of international acclaim, who wrote about alternative medicine and quackery for magazines and articles discussing evidence-based medicine for the Science-Based Medicine blog. She usually wrote under her own name or used the pseudonym "The SkepDoc". She was also a frequent speaker at science and skepticism related conventions in the US and around the world.
At long last Sydney Skeptics in the pub is back and looking forward to 2023. We hear from new pubber Stephen Bavaro, who was a recent speaker at the Australian Skeptics convention. Also from Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they address the crowd to talk about the Bent Spoon Award and more.
0:32:00
Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.
With the help of Rob Palmer and Richard Saunders, Adrienne takes a look at the top ten list of topics at "WikiProject Paranormal", which "aims to provide a framework for the improvement and organisation of articles related to the paranormal, anomalous phenomena and other similar areas."
In this interview, Susan tell us of the book she is writing about so-called "Grief Vampires", people who prey on grieving and vulnerable people by apparently receiving messages from their dead loved ones.
0:37:32
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to "Amoung the Witches of Suburbia".
An interview with Stephen Bavaro, a student and contributor to the Skeptic Magazine. His interest is in real archaeology versus pseudo archaeology.
0:17:36
The Skeptic Zone in Review
From January to December, 2022 was full of surprises, interesting reports and interviews on The Skeptic Zone Podcast. Richard Saunders takes a look at some of the highlights of the past year.
0:27:44
Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster
In this classic report from 2015, Jo looks into "cupping therapy", a sure way to gain bruises on your back but little else.
0:34:02
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to "New Year Predictions".
Maynard interviews James Randi - Dr Rachael Dunlop. The AVN and Google - Maynard in the Pub! Sydney Skeptics in the Pub give Maynard their predictions for 2013
In part two of a two part interview with Dr Eugenie Scott, we look at the lamentable so-called documentary series on Netflix entitled "Ancient Apocalypse". Also we hear about Eugenie's thoughts on debating creationists and other pseudoscientists.
0:24:32
Dog ate my... what?
Adrienne from very cold Calgary gives a report on a humorous but potentially serious mini labradoodle adventure that resulted in a vet visit, leading her to investigate nutritional trends for pets. She enlisted the help of the Triangle Area Skeptics member Faith Newsome Rodriguez, from Raleigh, North Carolina, whom she had the pleasure of staying with when she was on tour with Susan Gerbic of GSoW fame.
0:42:07
A
Dive into a Trove
Funding for Trove under threat! We read a report about the possible discontinuation of this valuable resource. With thanks to listener Daryl Colquhoun.
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to San Francisco and the paranormal.
In part one of a two part interview with Dr Eugenie Scott, we look at the ongoing battle against intelligent design, or creationism as it's truly known, and science. Eugenie also looks at the encroaching creationism and religious point of view into the public school system.
0:21:11
Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.
What can AI tell us about a skeptical podcast from Australia, Brian Dunning's movie, why people believe in UFOs, and the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet?
0:00:00
The European Skeptics in Sydney
A relaxed chat around the table with the European Skeptics Podcast crew who were in Sydney as part of their Australian tour.
0:36:32
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to "Erich von Daniken".
Verna Morris, Maureen Chuck, Ken McLeod, Monica Saville, Dr Richard
Gordon, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, John Bundock, Peter Bowditch and Lauren
Cochrane with Ada and Jack.
Join the cast of the Skeptic Zone Podcast, and a host of
special guests, in their first audio adventure as they board the
Australian Space Ship Solar Flare to fight
the forces of woo thoughout the galaxy!
Ducks
on a Coin 4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 4.65 MB
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by Richard Saunders
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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.