The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Zapping Quack Machines Loretta Marron, aka The Jellybean Lady, tells us about her long campaign to expose medical zapping machines. These devices claim to scan your body with magical energy and zap parasites and viruses. https://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au 0:18:43 Psychic Sting Update Susan Gerbic returns with an update to the story we posted last week. Now the New Zealand media are interested in the psychic who claimed to have a preventative for COVID-19. https://thespinoff.co.nz/science/05-06-2020/nz-psychic-healer-promotes-dietary-supplement-as-covid-19-preventative/ https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-thomas-john-experience-buckle-up-hes-back/ 0:26:41 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The False Equivalence Fallacy". This is when it is argued that two different things or points of view, that may have only passing or superficial similarities, are in fact logically equivalent. A Logical

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:52 COVID-19. Homeopathy in India We are joined by Abhijit Chanda from the Be Rationable Podcast for his opinion on the use of Homeopathy to fight COVID-19 in India. https://www.berationable.com 0:17:24 I Think We Need To Think. With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us the scoop on yet another sting operation. This time an alleged psychic in New Zealand is in her sites. What bizarre and tangled conspiracy theories are woven into the mystical psychic thread? Can the psychic forsee the end of COVID-19? 0:34:46 A Random Rant! With Dr Paulie We talk to Dr Paulie about a very important announcement regarding this year's Skepticon, the Australian Skeptics National Convention on the Gold Coast, Queensland. https://www.skepticon.org.au 0:43:04 Pint of Science 2020 - Vaccination Myths From the Godfrey Laboratory Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, immunology student Catriona Nguyen-Robertson covers some of the more com

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:34 The THINK TANK After a gap of almost 2 years, the Think Tank is back, only this time Instead of meeting at the club at the end of the street, we meet virtually online. We discuss quack medical devices, secret messages in money and why more people are going to psychics in these troubled times. With Michelle Franklin in the Northern Territory - Heidi Robertson in Northern NSW - Eran Segev in Sydney - Michelle Bijkersma in Melbourne - Trish Hann in Sydney - Dr Paulie on the Gold Coast - Mandy-Lee Noble in Brisbane - Richard Saunders in Sydney. Short-lived Anti Quackery Committe 2002 - Video https://youtu.be/7pXs4Gwy3o0 https://ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/quackerycommittee.htm https://www.tga.gov.au/bioresonance 0:43:54 About Time! Updates with Susan Gerbic From now on all the assorted science activism projects that Susan had been working on for years will be under the umbrella title About Time Project. This will simplify administration task

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Investigating the Paranormal... and Boobs? Former Australian Skeptics committee member and one of the founders of the 'Mystery Investigators' show for schools, Alynda Brown tells us of her investigations of "Psychics" and strange medical claims of the early 2000s, including undergoing hypnosis to increase her bust size!   Testing Mr. Sen. (page 40) https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2022%20(2002)%20No%204.pdf Testing Ms Maree Teychenne (page 37) https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2023%20(2003)%20No%203.pdf Full Fact Book of Cold Reading https://www.coldreadingsuccess.com/books 0:29:43 Plandemic conspiracy video plays cat-and-mouse with platforms The anti-vaccine conspiratorial "documentary" Plandemic, which makes a range of misleading claims about COVID-19, has been playing a cat-and-mouse game with social media platforms since it was launched across

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:14 Conspiracy updates with Ben Radford Ben is a writer, investigator, and skeptic. He has authored, co-authored or contributed to over twenty books and written over a thousand articles and columns on a wide variety of topics including urban legends, unexplained mysteries, the paranormal, critical thinking, mass hysteria, and media literacy. https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com/ 0:27:08 The Diet Skeptic. With Mandy-Lee Noble An update to the story on Pete Evans who has parted with the Ch.7 TV network. We hear about some more of his antics and links to bizarre conspiracies. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/08/australian-celebrity-chef-pete-evans-under-fire-for-sharing-views-of-uk-conspiracy-theorist-david-icke https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/pete-evans-and-channel-7-part-ways-after-tv-chef-was-fined-25000-by-tga/news-story/2881a77a153405e068df9ca49dfea5e1 0:35:23 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:39 What Doctors Don't Tell You In the last week of April 2020, the conspiracy theorist magazine "What Doctors Don't Tell You"was yanked from the sheveles of two Australian Supermarkets after action by Prof. Darren Saunders and radio host Ben Fordham. https://www.2gb.com/exclusive-supermarkets-selling-dangerous-conspiracy-magazines https://www.2gb.com/anti-vaccination-magazine-lashes-out-at-ben-fordham https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/what-doctors-dont-tell-you-magazine-pulled-from-supermarket-shelves/news-story/45b5c8f45ca878859e1424cdaa49eb5f 0:23:38 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The False Dilemma". Also known as "the false dichotomy", "the either/or", and "the false choice", this is when an argument is framed as having only two options or conclusions, when there are in fact other logical alternatives. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Pontus Böckman http://theesp.eu https://www.youtube.com/user/VoFTV 0:11:54 Down the Rabbit Hole with Mick West As COVID-19 makes its way around the world, more and more people are turning to the perceived comfort found in conspiracy theories. Mick tells of some of the old conspiracies doing the rounds and some of the newer ones with the roll out of the 5G network. https://www.tftrh.com https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Escaping-the-Rabbit-Hole/West-Mick/9781510735811 0:32:40 The Diet Skeptic. With Mandy-Lee Noble The COVID-19 pandemic has for many of us brought significant change to our lives and even to how we think and what we value. And in these times you may have come to expect that in a Post-COVID world where health professionals and scientists are considered heroes the place for pseudoscience in health would have significantly diminished but unfortunately that is not the case. https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/pete-evans-c

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Celestia Ward https://www.2headsstudios.com https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:09:24 Homeopaths Caught Out.... Again! Michael Marshall from the Good Thinking Society Marsh talks about the philosophy behind his podcast, 'Be Reasonable' that invites believers to have their say. Also the investigations of the Good Thinking Society into the claims being made by UK Homeopaths about treatment for COVID-19. Also Skeptics in the Pub online. http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts https://www.twitch.tv/sitp 0:30:19 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Special Pleading". This is when instead of admitting your point of view or argument is wrong, you try and find a loop-hole that gives you an 'out' and saves you from defeat. It is also when a person makes an exception to a universal principle because they are holding on tight to a belief that doesn't align with that principle. A Logical Fallacy is an err

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Stefan Sojka 0:05:05 A Grain of Salt. With Eran Segev Skeptics legal defence fund seeks volunteers An international skeptics legal defence fund is in the process of being set up, following the successful defence of Britt Hermes, and it is calling for experienced and qualified volunteers with legal, marketing and fund-raising expertise to help out. https://skepticslegaldefense.org 0:22:00 'Medical Intuitives' Promising to Protect Your DNA Against Coronavirus Just before large gatherings were banned due to coronavirus, but after it hit the news, Gary Nunn attended a Mind, Body, Spirit convention in Sydney. As expected, it was full of clairvoyants and generalist psychics. But there were also a lot of people describing themselves as "medical intuitives". - Story by Gary Nunn https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/y3mj3m/the-medical-intuitives-promising-to-protect-your-dna-against-coronavirus 0:36:52 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:51 Be Rationable - An interview with Abhijit Chanda from India Are you curious? Are you always questioning things that you see around you? Are you looking for answers, but most of them just aren't convincing enough? The Be Rationable podcast wants to know what works and what doesn't, and who's right and who's not. There's a problem though. A lot of what we find in this quest is either based on bad evidence, bad ideas, propaganda or just misinformation. https://www.berationable.com/ 0:22:42 COVID-19 and Quack Claims At this time of a world-wide crisis, we see the best and the worst of humanity. While some people put their lives on the line in the fight agaist COVID-19, others keep spreading conspiracy theories and very bad health advice. We look at some examples of stupidity and wilful ignorance. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8184583/Anti-vaxxer-Meryl-Dorey-leader-calls-followers-storm-hospitals-coronavirus-lockdown.html 0:33

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:14 Maynard's Spooky Action Will comet ATLAS take our minds off COVID-19? We hope so and so does astronomer Kirsten Banks. Find out about this cosmic visitor, native astronomy and much more from one of Australia's up and coming leaders in science. https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/ http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au https://astrokirsten.com.au/podcast 0:19:05 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Michelle brings us news on how the Northern Territory in Australia is coping with COVID-19. 0:24:15 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Post hoc, ergo, propter hoc". Also known as "assuming the cause", the "faulty causal assumption" or just "post hoc", this is when two events occur in succession and it is believed that the first event must have caused the second event. Or to put it another way, the second event is a result of the first event. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usua

0:00:00 Message from repoter Michelle Bijkersma Logical Fallacies and COVID-19 0:02:12 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:37 Brian Dunning - Skeptoid Podcast Back Catalogue For Free We chat to Brian about his efforts to keep us informed and entertained during this time of crisis. Also we learn of some COVID-19 conspiracy theories. http://www.skeptoid.com 0:19:17 Homeopaths in the UK - Unproven COVID-19 Tests in Australia In the UK, Good Thinking's Judicial Review concluded with strict conditions placed on the Society of Homeopaths. In Australia, questionable health advice regarding the current virus emergency is emerging from alternative medicine. We look at claims being made by a practitioner of Applied Kinesiology and of Homeopathy. https://goodthinkingsociety.org https://quackwatch.org/related/Tests/ak/ Applied Kinesiology video (not a satire) https://youtu.be/kWJgnX-AhRQ 0:35:05 The Book of Tim - With Tim Mendham The Mighty Mitta Muster Water Diving Test - Part #

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:19 New Age pseudoscience is no match for COVID-19 In a break with a decades-long tradition, members of Australian Skeptics will not be attending this weekend's Mind Body Spirit exhibition in Sydney's Darling Harbour due to the dangers of the spread of COVID-19 and the ignorant attitudes of some exhibitors. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2020/03/12/new-age-pseudoscience-is-no-match-for-covid-19/ 0:09:26 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Australian Skeptics' dinner meeting This week climate change with, Dick Smith Jessica Singer Maia Marsh and Eran Segev   0:28:17 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Straw Man". A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:36:17 I Think we need to Think - With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us an update on some recent additions and revisions to Wiki pages. https://en.wikip

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:56 Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp VIII We head to the beautiful 'Surf Coast', a couple of hours south-west of Melbourne, to attend the local Skepticamp. It was also a chance for us to test the 'Premium Wine Card', a device that the makers claim can change the taste of wine and water. http://premiumwinecard.com https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/amino-neuro-frequency-just-more-embedded-frequencies-silliness/ 0:19:30 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Australian Skeptics' dinner meeting This week climate change with, Tim Mendham Dr Michael Mann   0:32:40 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Popularity". A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:39:46 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson Coronavirus Update Dr Sue Page AM is a past President of the Rural Doctors Association of A

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders live from Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp VIII 0:01:36 Trish & Chips Trish Hann with timely advice on the use and value of face masks to help prevent the spread of disease. How effective are they? Should you use one and if so how should you use it? 0:12:50 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the "Appeal to Antiquity". A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:19:49 Australian Skeptics Newsletter #92 SKEPTICON 2020 - Psychic's day in court - UK homeopaths - Peter Brock's crystal Polariser - Are ghosts real? - 'Mad' Mike Hughes dies in rocket crash. https://www.skeptics.com.au/ 0:25:42 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week, Sunday interviews, part #3 Cara Santa Maria Jennifer Bernstein   Also Maynard's 2020 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2020-maynard-calendar

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:37 10 Things to look out for with Medicine Advertisements Multi-level marketing company fined $37,800 for alleged advertising breaches. The Juice Plus Company Australia Pty Ltd has paid the penalties after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued three infringement notices for alleged advertising breaches relating to vitamin products. https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/multi-level-marketing-company-fined-37800-alleged-advertising-breaches https://directselling.org.au/project/the-juice-plus-company-australia/ https://www.tga.gov.au/10-things-look-out-medicine-advertisements 0:15:47 Logical Fallacies - With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the "Appeal to Authority". A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:22:37 I Think we need to Think - With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us an update on some recent additions and revisio

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:53 A Psychic in Court Richard Saunders was in the court room when someone claiming to be a psychic appeared in the witness box. This case is turning out to be one of Australia's most infamous murder trials. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-12/chris-dawson-committal-hearing-hears-evidence-from-psychic/11957172 0:15:58 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Ad Hominem". A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:23:06 Beating Cancer? The random discovery of a notice stapled to a telegraph pole has us doing a little bit of research into amazing health claims. Can a book for sale on Amazon really give you the secrets to beating every disease? Somehow we are skeptical. https://www.amazon.com/Beating-Cancer-Disease-Naturally-getting/dp/1696783917/ref=nodl_ https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/cancer-health-news-quac

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders with Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in tne Pub 0:02:00 Free Homeopthy Booklet... worth every cent We take a look at the information found in the free Boiron Homepathy information booklet on offer in American supermarkets and pharmacies. What can we learn from the Q&A section? With help from Heidi Robertson. 0:34:08 Good Thinking takes Homeopthy to court Good Thinking's legal challenge to accreditation of Society of Homeopaths in the UK to be heard March 18th-19th. The Judicial Review challenging the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths to be heard by the High Court. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/gts-cease-psa/ 0:38:09 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Sydney Skeptics in the Pub February 2020 Gary Kennedy graduated from the School of Food Technology at UNSW in 1984. He has worked in hospitals and meatworks, and as a food safety trainer and food safety auditor. He currently is the Managing Director of Correct Food Systems, a f

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:27 Not talking to the dead in Las Vegas We are joined by Celestia Ward from the Squaring the Strange podcast to discuss a report on yet another performer who claims to talk with the dead. https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasSocietyofSkeptics/posts/133563078123270?__tn__=-R 0:19:25 The Bondi Healing Festival of 1989 In 1989 Murray Finch attended a healing festival in Sydney. This report details some of the strange and bizarre modalities on offer. We learn that little has changed in over 30 years. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ 0:36:06 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week, Highlights from the annual dinner, part #4 Mal Vickers Guy Nolch Les Oates Also Maynard's 2020 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2020-maynard-calendar

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders live from Portland, Oregon 0:02:14 The Think Tank... or The Hot Tub of Truth This week the Think Tank comes to your from a Hot Tub, surrounded by snow, in the city of Bend, Oregon. Joining us in the tub to discuss if science can "save humanity" are... Dr Erika Anderson Dr Jean-Marc Roch PhD Prof. Wendi Wampler Brian Dunning Susan Picard Lisa Dunning Richard Saunders https://svahausa.com 0:34:00 The Skeptic Zone Recomends In Season 2 of "The Dream", Jane Marie, an alum of This American Life, and Dann Gallucci, look at a world just as shady and mysterious as MLMs, but one whose promises are at times even more bombastic and unfathomable: WELLNESS. What is it? Who sells it? And will it bring you eternal happiness and, perhaps, eternal life? https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stitcher/the-dream 0:44:23 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week, highlights from the annual dinner, part #3 Jo Benhamu is a Senior Clinical Res