The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:15 Skeptics stand by Bent Spoon Nomination The National Institute of Complementary Medicine was less than pleased to be nominated for this award. Will Australian Skeptics back down? NO! http://www.skeptics.com   0:15:22 How Uri Geller convinced the CIA he was a 'psychic warrior' Thoughts on Spoon Bending and the CIA from over 40 years ago. http://www.telegraph.co.uk https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Uri-Geller/dp/0879751991 Experiments wiht Uri Geller 1972 - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MsqnWtMWY   0:28:00 Homeopthic Vets - Update The RCVS standards committee has announced it is to review the college's guidance on homeopathy and other alternative and complementary veterinary medicines and therapies. - By David Woodmansey. https://www.vettimes.co.uk   0:32:23 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Ben Lewis As the Juno spacecraft has finally entered Jupiter's orbit, the first

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:55 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran is joined from the Czech Skeptics Club Sisyfos, Claire Klingenberg who talks about the 17th European Skeptics Congress. 17TH EUROPEAN SKEPTICS CONGRESS - September 2017 http://euroscepticscon.org http://www.sysifos.cz 0:13:30 Four 'Psychics' put to a test, in 1993 Skeptic John Foley took on four of Adelaide's top mystics and seers in the 1990s on national TV to see if any could predict the future. I bet none of them predicted podcastings! A lesson in pychology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMdscAygyXI 0:26:40 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Casey Harrigan What will science in 2017 hold in store? Here are our predictions for what science stories will make headlines in 2017. https://www.australiascience.tv/videos/brew-ha-ha-science-predictions-2017 0:29:25 Maynard's Spooky Action... Mor

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:55 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health and Wellness Woo! - This week Mandy-Lee looks at MTHFR Gene Testing. Is it valid? Is it of use? Find out with the first report from 'The Diet Skeptic'. 0:16:25 Why the RCVS must prevent vets from prescribing homeopathy Homeopathic care for animals? The case against homeopathy has never been clearer, with every well-controlled study showing these remedies are no more effective than a placebo. This is to be expected, as homeopathic treatments contain no active substances at all. - Danny Chambers http://tinyurl.com/gq2lxrb 0:30:26 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Casey Harrigan Helium gas has finite uses as it escapes into the atmosphere. Helium has uses beyond party balloons - it's important for science, medicine and technology. Uses include MRI machines, deep sea exploration, Large Hadron Collider and rockets! Global supplies of heliu

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:44 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Mark Honeychurch, a Wellington based skeptic and consumer advocate. He is also the Chair of the NZ Skeptics. http://skeptics.nz 0:16:30 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Ben Lewis The Australian Federal Court has ordered internet companies to block five bittorrent websites in a big crackdown against internet piracy. But what will be the consequences of this extreme legislation? Further reading via ABC: http://ab.co/2hzW4a0 Here are our top 3 biggest science surprises of 2016! Tesla driverless cars in an overnight upgrade, the unexpected Samsung Galaxy Note 7 disaster, and streets becoming overwhelmed by those immersed in the augmented reality of Pokemon Go. 0:20:41 The Cass Files - With Dr Cassandra Perryman Cannabis, hashish, hemp, sinsemilla; informalpot, dope, grass, weed, Mary Jane, bud, hash, bhang, kef, ganja, locoweed

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:38 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Loretta Marron and find out the latest news from the 'Friends of Science in Medicine'. http://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au 0:16:07 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran talks with Michael Marshall, Nicola Throp and Geoff Whelan. What does it take these days to host a skeptical convention? 0:35:24 Maynard's Spooky Action... A very Maynard Christmas messge Ho Ho Ho, it's to the cafe we go and chat to Maynard. What does this international star do on Christmas day? Does anyone really care? Find out with Maynard. http://maynard.com.au Also... Richard Saunders talks in California, Dec. 2016 BAS Skeptalk : Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 7:30pm La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA OC Science Club : Friday, December 30, 2016 - 7:00pm Del Frisco's Grille 772 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, California 92618    

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:45 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran talks with Britt Hermes, a former naturopathic 'doctor' who shares the hard truths about naturopathic medicine to protect patients. Her message is "Please don't be fooled by natural and alternative medicine." https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com 0:14:09 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference This week we chat to Susan Gerbic and find out the latest on Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. What can you do to help? Susan Gerbic at Puzzling World (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OObcuaiLwI8&t=7s 0:26:16 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee https://www.australiascience.tv/tags/brew-ha-ha With Casey Harrigan 2016 has been a momentous year. Here we give our top 3 biggest science news of 2016! Here's to 2017! Watch more: Zika virus: http://bit.ly/2hm2o1i Paris agreement: http://bit.ly/2gcXP8f Gravitational waves: http://bit.ly/LKgravwaves It's been

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:40 New Zealand Skeptics 2016 Conference We head to Queenstown, then to Wanaka to visit Puzzling World for the NZ Skeptics Dinner and Awards. Joining in is Susan Gerbic. Also an interview with Stuart Landsborough to find out about his $100,000 Psychic Prize. Live music by Brad MacClure http://www.puzzlingworld.co.nz http://www.psychicchallenge.co.nz 0:34:18 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Twins! Are you a twin? Are you psychic? Shelley Stocken asks her twin sister or it is the other way around? 0:42:46 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Ben Lewis South African building Africa's first private satellite, via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/2g9dB55 Australian school students make HIV drug for $2, via Sydney Morning Herald: http://bit.ly/2gXndDN The Pope has called out climate deniers, via Washington Post: http://wapo.st/2fGOTwI Plastic banknotes contain meat by-product, via Quartz: http://bit.ly/2fGQQsM Scurvy is back, via SBS: http://bit

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:50 "Psychic" predictions for 2016 We mark the homework of the top mystics and seers. Did they see the sucess of Donald Trump or the Brexit? Find out and be not so amazed. 0:22:10 Skeptics in the Pub in Sydney We chat to Michael Marshall about his Australian trip. http://goodthinkingsociety.org/ 0:29:05 Homeopaths cashing in on vulnerable parents A report from the Sunday World newspaper in Ireland. 0:35:40 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Kelly Wong Fake news is not immune to science. It's easy to be swayed by cute animal stories but don't be fooled. Animals are not humans and have their own amazing features. Further reading via ScienceAlert: http://bit.ly/2gj5Eh1 Recently, people in India have taken to social media to share smog selfies to show the world how bad their pollution is. Further reading via ABC:0 http://ab.co/2eHwFJc A woman and her daughter both gave birth with the same womb. It may sound like science fiction but this

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:26 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Myles Power, a youtuber who fights misinformation on GMOs, Black Salve and MMS or Miracle Mineral Supplement (Bleech!) https://www.youtube.com/user/powerm1985 http://www.mylespower.co.uk  0:15:25 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Tania Meyer Book your next holiday to China! They've just opened up their 500m Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) to the public. It's the largest of its kind in the world. Now that's telescope tourism! Where would you go as part of your science bucket list? What would you put on your science bucket list? http://bit.ly/2cHmGmd Even further reading via Quartz: http://bit.ly/2cy4Wqa  0:17:03 Maynard's Spooky Action... An Evening with Lisa Randall The good people at Think Inc. brought Dr Lisa Randall to Australia for a national tour. Maynard and his trusty microphone head for the Sydney event to report on

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:46 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Alice Howarth and Mike Hall from the popular 'Skeptics with a K' podcast from the UK. http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts 0:16:36 Skeptical letters to the editor, from 1986 Skeptics have a long history of offering cash prizes for proof of the paranormal. We look back to over 30 years ago when members of Canberra Skeptics turned up at a New Age festival to seek any takers. Reports and letters to the editor from the Canberra Times newspaper. http://tinyurl.com/hjucp5f 0:33:26 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee New findings claim to "explain" the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. But the story isn't so simple. - With Tania Meyer Further reading about this Bermuda Triangle mystery: http://www.australiascience.tv/blogs/bermuda-triangle-mystery-explained 0:35:00 The Think Tank Join Richard Sanders, Dr Steve Roberts and Maynard as

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:23 An American View.... with Evan Bernstein What might a Trump presidency mean for the future of science and education in the USA? We ask Evan Bernstein, cast member of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast. http://www.theskepticsguide.org 0:17:17 Government issues health warning over useless newage pendant The Australian Government has confirmed the presence of radioactive material in "Scalar Energy" pendants. We take a look at some of the amazing claims being made for yet another newage device. http://www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/Factsheets/is_pendants.cfm https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-definition-of-scalar-energy The Quantum Pendant - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZxX3ZWY4nw Applied Kinesiology - How it's Done - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piu75P8sxTo 0:39:23 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Alan Melikdjanian, better known to the world as 'Captain Disillusio

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:05 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Dr Karl Kruszelnicki the Australian science communicator and populariser, who is known as an author and science commentator on Australian radio and television. http://drkarl.com/ 0:15:26 Maynard's Spooky Action... Blast from the past! In 1991 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki appeared with Maynard on radio to take listeners' questions. 0:20:40 The Raw Skeptic Report.... with Heidi Robertson The WHO publishes a list of websites that are found to "facilitate the access of public health authorities, health professionals and the public to reliable information". The Northern Rivers Vaccination Supporters group is now one of those websites. http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/victory-for-northern-rivers-pro-vaccine-group/3106653/ 0:27:39 Orgone Energy Orgone is a pseudoscientific and spiritual concept described as an esoteric energy or hypothetical universal life force, originally p

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:30 The Raw Skeptic Report.... with Heidi Robertson Every year thousands of Australians are unnecessarily suffering and dying prematurely because of alternative cancer treatments according to a special investigation by Dr Paul Willis, director of The Royal Institution of Australia. Heidi interviews Dr Willis followed by the audio from the special report. http://www.australiascience.tv/videos/no-alternative-cancer 0:40:06 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev More in the series of interviews from QED. This week Eran chats to Cara Santa Maria from the SGU Podcast and Talk Nerdy. http://carasantamaria.com/podcast/ Also... Mars: The Live Experience http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=MARSLIVE16 Think Inc 2017 Pass https://www.thinkinc.org.au Vengaboys Tour with Maynard http://tinyurl.com/jfmlabp Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics NZ Skeptics Conference http://conference.skeptics.nz

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:09:00 Grain of Salt.... with Eran Segev In this, the first of a series of interviews from QED, Eran chats to the crew from the ESP podcast. András G Pintér, Hungary Jelena Levin, Latvia Pontus Böckman, Sweden http://theesp.eu https://qedcon.org 0:22:56 Natural cancer treatment: Patient turned down chemotherapy but 'nearly killed himself' GREG Melhuish turned to natural therapies to cure his cancer and it nearly killed him. That's the message he now wants to share in the hope it will save lives. By Jane Hansen. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/greg-melhish-turned-down-chemotherapy-to-try-natural-remedy-but-nearly-killed-himself/news-story/cb06bc7d6370fc7068683c132b30777b 0:29:18 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Australia is full of animals that bite, sting, bite some more, scratch and even worse! But what's the truth of the matter? Will you die just walking down the street? Find out with Heidi! 0:40:00 NZ Skeptics Conference 2016 Queenstown, 2nd-4

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:33 More Good Thinking... with Michael Marshall The Good Thinking Society welcomed the decision by NHS Wirral CCG to decommission homeopathy and Iscador services. The decision comes after months of consultation which showed overwhelming support from the public for an end to funding. At QED 2016, in the Ockham Awards event/campaign shortlist, readers of the British version of 'The Skeptic Magazine' voted for The Good Thinking Society for their homeopathy in the NHS campaign. http://goodthinkingsociety.org/ https://qedcon.org/ 0:32:50 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia issues position statement on anti-vaccine nurses and midwives On October 11 2016, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia responded to a number of complaints regarding anti-vaccination material and advice being disseminated by registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and registered midwives, by publishing a new position statement on anti-vaccination misinformation: https://reasonablehank.com/2016/1

0:00:00 Introduction Maynard - Richard Saunders - Stefan Sojka 0:06:27 A Grain of Salt - With Eran Segev This week Eran looks at the increasingly bizarre chain of emails being send from anti-vaccine activist Judy Wilyman PhD. 0:28:37 The Cass Files - With Dr Cassandra Perryman What is Hypnosis? Does it work as claimed? You uses it? Find out with Dr Cassandra. 0:34:25 Prize Time The Memory Code by Lynne Kelly. Thanks to Allen & Unwin https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/general-books/popular-science/The-Memory-Code-Lynne-Kelly-9781760291327 0:37:00 Signe Dean What has the online reaction to the question of fluoride in the drinking water been in Australia? Signe reviews some of the more interesting comments. http://nevertoocurious.com 0:45:40 Short break with Maynard in the audiance 0:46:50 Maynard's Spooky Action... An interview with Dr Brad McKay. Anti-vax parents and a trip the Burning Man festival in the USA 1:00:44 Prize Time Suzi Jamil and Desh Amila from Think Inc. Tickets to see Dr Lisa Rand

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Also an update to the Vaxxed, Castlemaine Local and International Film Festival story. https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/tag/william-thompson 0:10:14 Dr Lynne Kelly The traditional Aboriginal memory technique that unlocks the secrets of Stonehenge, Easter Island and ancient monuments the world over. Lynne Kelly has discovered that a powerful memory technique used by the ancients can unlock the secrets of the Neolithic stone circles of Britain and Europe, the ancient Pueblo buildings in New Mexico and other prehistoric stone monuments across the world. http://www.lynnekelly.com.au/the-memory-code 0:16:12 Maynard's Spooky Action... OZ Paranormal and Spiritual Expo A skeptical road trip! Join Maynard, Jessica, Lara and Richard as they head off to the OZ Paranormal and Spiritual Expo. Interviews with... Peter Bowditch Peet Banks Alex Cayas PSY - Paranormal Ghost Hunters Larraine Cilia - pres. UFO and Paranormal Research Society Kerrie McGilvray - Crystal Bed Healings http:

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:07:00 Ben Goldacre Homeopathic hucksters. Nonsensical naturopaths. Anti-intellectual anti-vaxxers. Slippery statisticians. The 'journalists' daring to declare meats as critically carcinogenic. And let's not forget – let's not forget – fraudulent pharmaceutical firms. - We chat to Ben on the eve of his Australian and New Zealand tour. https://www.thinkinc.org.au/events/ben-goldacre 0:26:35 Take Stock with Shelley Stocken Doctor Google is at it again with millions of people seeking its advice. 0:35:11 Victorian film festival embroiled in anti-vax, social media trainwreck The Castlemaine Local and International Film Festival takes aim and shoots itself in the foot while putting its foot in its mouth. We find out why this festival is planning to screen an anti-vaccination film. https://reasonablehank.com/2016/09/20/victorian-film-festival-embroiled-in-anti-vaccination-social-media-trainwreck/ Also... Skeptic Zone LIVE - 6th October in Sydney https://www.meetup.com/AustSkep

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:35 Sharon Hill We talk to Sharon Hill about her web site 'Doubtful News' and look into the merits (or not) of Ghost Tours. Also... Bad Clowns? http://doubtfulnews.com 0:26:42 Anti-vaccine nurses and midwives A visit to the 'reasonable hank' blog and the reading of a list of anti-vax memes posted by the very people who should know better. https://reasonablehank.com/?s=Anti-vaccine+nurses 0:36:06 Bad Clowns and Loch Ness with Ben Radford Ben tells us more about the strange reports of' Bad Clowns running round and making trouble. Also news of the lastest photo from Loch Ness. http://benjaminradford.com Also... An evening with Dr Ben Goldacre – Think Inc. https://www.thinkinc.org.au/events/ben-goldacre Skeptic Zone LIVE - 6th October in Sydney https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics/events/232095906/ Skeptics Dinner Meeting with Lyne Kelly - 24th September http://www.skeptics.com.au/2016/08/11/sydney-dinner-sept-24-wisdom-of-the-ancients NZ Skeptics Conference 2016 - Queenst

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:07:30 Bad Science Watch in Canada We chat to Michael Kruse about so called Naturopathic Doctors in Canada thumbing their nose at the law. http://www.badsciencewatch.ca 0:29:30 Mind Body Wallet over the years Step back in time to 2002 and 1986 as we look at the Festival of Mind Body Spirit. The New Age never looked so old. 0:43:05 The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson has another report from the recent Brisbane Skepticamp. She chats to Mandy Noble about woo in the health industry. http://www.brisbaneskeptics.org Also... An evening with Dr Ben Goldacre – Think Inc. https://www.thinkinc.org.au/events/ben-goldacre Folding Australia 2016 Origami Convention https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/folding-australia-2016-origami-convention-tickets-26347133987 Skeptics Dinner Meeting with Lyne Kelly - 24th September http://www.skeptics.com.au/2016/08/11/sydney-dinner-sept-24-wisdom-of-the-ancients