The Pseudoscientists

Tom, Sarah and Jack are not Holocaust deniers. Let's just get that out of the way first. Anyway, they talk about crazy physics theories about cancer, why death can make you funnier, and why sitting comfortably can make you lie. Jargonauts descends into chaos with "entropy", and the Question of the Week piggybacks on recent political turmoil to look at what we want from the government, scientifically. Plus: a special message from Rachael in Finland, RSS feeds, and - yes - Holocaust denial.

Amid a storm of politics, Jack, Rachael, Belinda and Tom are joined by skeptical blogger and podcaster Kylie Sturgess to discuss the recent Science Rewired conference, why being hungry makes you crazy, bacterial DNA in cancer genomes, and dirty Komodo dragon bites. Jargonauts defines "the Dunning-Kruger effect", and Question of the Week looks at whether or not a global conspiracy would actually change anything about the world.  Plus: Australian politics, US politics, Rachael's European trip, and James Bond.

Belinda, Jack and Tom find out why tormenting your siblings might not be as harmless as you thought, why the Kepler space telescope isn't out of action yet, and what the deal is with gene patenting. Jargonauts gets specific and sensitive with... "specificity" and "sensitivity", and the Question of the Week looks at what you'd need to be convinced that psychic powers were real. Plus: penis bones, Belinda's final talk, Chinese medicine and commercial radio.

Tom and Jack think about why atheists might "pray" to science in times of stress, scientifically studying online dating, and how Australia ranks when it comes to acceptance of climate change science. Jargonauts delves into evolutionary biology with "ortholog" and "paralog", and the Question of the Week explores the misrepresentation of science in the media.  Plus: toxic butterflies, sneaky snakes, and depressing climate change denial. 

Jack, Tom and - *gasp* - Belinda are joined by astrophysicist Katie Mack to discuss algae fuel, detecting dark matter, why an Australian politician thinks CFCs are causing global warming, and why a blowfly protein might save you from nerve gas. Jargonauts collapses together with "accretion", and Question of the Week takes a look at the best TV can offer in terms of science. (Hint: The Big Bang Theory isn't up there.) Plus: Belinda's finally back, Jack's adventures at The Laborastory, and quantum healing.

Tom and Jack are joined by comedian Ben McKenzie to talk about the relationship between Doctor Who and science: whether or not it is science fiction, how it represents science and scientists, and how time travel, regeneration and sonic screwdrivers fare scientifically. Also, Tom shares some news about the consensus on climate change. Jargonauts looks at the multi-talented world of vectors, and Question of the Week examines science communication: "How far should science communicators simplify science when explaining complicated concepts?" Plus: Tom's Melbourne Fringe show, self-referentialisms, and more Doctor Who.

Jack, Sarah and Tom find out how and why the owner of Jim's Many Business Franchises wants to change the world with a crazy scheme, how bacteria can live in arsenic-rich gold mines, and discuss the complex issue of abortion. Jargonauts harks back to high school chemistry class with redox reactions, and Question of the Week looks at the limitations of science: is there anything it can't answer? Plus: caesarean sections, sex research and creationist propaganda. 

Sarah once again joins Tom and Jack, this time to discuss why tickling rats is good for them, why the US Congress wants to destroy science, and why a vaccine against heroin might be possible. Jargonauts redefines the ice-cream headache, and we peer into the dark heart of terror... scientific terror, that is. Next week's question: "Are there any questions that science can't solve?" Plus: Tom's obsession with animal sex, self-indulgence and Ghostbusters. 

Jack and Tom are joined by science communicator extraordinare Upulie Divisekera to discuss her successful Twitter project @realscientists, why glowing trees won't replace streetlamps, and why a treatment for autism might be around the corner. Jargonauts looks at "epigenetics", and we think about whether or not we'd go on a "suicide" mission to Mars, with some help from your opinions. Next week's question: "What branch of science legitimately scares you?" Plus: dissolving Smarties, Jack's boring life, and ghost hunting.

Tom and Jack discuss flies sleeping like humans, the crazy ambitions of the Mars One project to have people on Mars by 2023, and the weird sex that animals have. Jargonauts takes a look at comas, and we discuss last week's Question of the Week on gender identity (and sexuality, of course). Next week's question: "Would you become a Mars colonist, if it were a one-way trip?" Plus: ANZAC Day, Tom on the radio, and John Edward being a douche. 

Tom and Jack find out why you might soon be able to grow new organs in a vat, what the deal is with pseudoenzymes, and look at the relationship between science and religion. Jargonauts is all about insects this week, and we look at your thoughts on the societal implications of contact with an intelligent alien race. Next week's question: "Why are you the gender you identify with?" Plus, conspiracy theories about the tragedies in Boston, mysterious text messages, and a lost episode with Sarah...

Jack, Tom and returning guest Claire Shepard muse on a potentially-psychic girl in India, some terrible online science journalism, why wisdom teeth don't make intelligent design unlikely, and weird diets. Jargonauts looks at "detoxification" (and why it doesn't mean what alternative medical proponents think it means), and we discuss what futuristic technology we'd love to see around in the present day, with your help. Next week's question: "What would be the societal consequences of discovering intelligent alien life?" Plus, Jack's wisdom teeth, ABC3's "Steam Punks!" and Doctor Who.

Tom, Rachael and Sarah discuss why vaccines really, really, really don't cause autism, how the Australian carbon tax is affecting hospitals, and how a duck fathered a chicken. Jargonauts looks at the loaded term "nuclear", and we reflect on the concept of an "atheist movement", with some help from you guys. Next week's question: "If you could pick any futuristic technology to be a reality now, what would you pick?" Plus, what American voters really believe, a follow up on aspartame, Jack's lack of wisdom teeth, and Easter!

Jack, Sarah and Tom step into their fancy new studio at SYN to talk about smug atheists, malnutrition and the health effects of eating too much sugar. Jargonauts defines "isomer", and we take a look at yours and our skeptical superstitions. Next week's question: "How do you feel about the concept of an 'atheist movement'?" Plus, energy fields, muscle testing, the terrible world of Australian politics.

Tom, Rachael and Jack talk about a man who never has to eat again, fossilized life found in a meteorite, and why Mars could potentially support life. Jargonauts examines "isotope", and we find out about your favourite conspiracy theories! Next week's question: "Do you have any superstitions?" Plus, Tom's obsession with boardgames, That Mitchell and Webb Look deconstruct the moon landing hoax, and maybe some Space Jam...

Jack and Tom are joined by their good friend and radio genius Tess Armstrong to chat about a young child being cured of an HIV infection, as well as a classic skeptical topic, UFOs - and Tess has her own weird UFO "encounter" to reveal. Jargonauts gets grammatically controversial with the infamous "data/datum" distinction, and we have a look at whether or not any scientific research should be restricted. Next week's question: "Are there any conspiracy theories you have a personal fondness for?" Plus, Rupert Sheldrake's strange ideas about science, Harry Potter, and Jack's birthday!

Tom and Jack go duo to talk about the many uses of RNA inside the cell, as well as tadpoles seeing through their tails. Jargonauts looks into the proper definitions of "strong acid" and "weak acid", and we find out what apocalyptic scenario you're most afraid of! Next week's question: "Do you think there should be restrictions on scientific research?" Plus, chemical management horror stories, scientifically-accurate Spider-man, and a visit from Satan himself...

Rachael, Tom and Jack are joined by longtime YAS contributor Luke Weston to muse over Russian meteors, Australian craters, male navigation skills and abundant appendices. Luke goes astronomical with a Jargonauts focused on asteroids, meteoroids, meteors and meteorites, and we get passionate about cyborgification (to varying extents and in different directions), with some help from audience opinions. Next week's question: "Which end-of-the-world scenario worries you most?" Plus, cat videos and nuclear weapons!

Jack and Tom are joined by special dental student guest Claire Shepard to Valentine's it up with disposable sea slug penises, anti-fluoridation attitudes in Cairns, and cyborg rats. Claire gives us a dentistry-themed Jargonauts with "plaque", and we make another impossible choice between wiping out all humans (except yourself) or every other species on the planet (apart from ones we need to survive), with the help of you, our listeners! Next week's question: "How quickly would you adopt a brain-computer interface (essentially becoming a cyborg), if at all?" Plus, more Valentine's stuff and heaps of dentistry talk!

Jack, Rachael and Tom step into the offices of the Foundation for Young Australians and talk about the stereo-noses of moles, how genes can travel faster than stories (or how sex is better than talking), and how screwed we're all going to be in the event of a global collapse of civilisation. Jargonauts gets off balance with "homeostasis", and we make the choice between exploring space or the ocean, with your help. Next week's question: "Would you rather wipe out every human on Earth or wipe out the near-total majority of the biodiversity of the planet?" Plus, The Matrix, Richard III under a carpark, and bird-talk.