The Skeptic Zone

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 a Black Balloon 0:36:32 A Dive into a

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 ne

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 Jim Wilshire - Skeptical Poem God's Dad https://youtu.be/es95UEpQmDY 0:41:00 A

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 th

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 0:15:34 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 newspap

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://www.amazon.com/America-Fearful-Marketing-National-Panics/dp/1476687722 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

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 1979, 18th November - The Canberra Times 1977, 19th October - The Australian Women's Weekly https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58588545

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 digi

Dedicated to the memory of Jim Wilshire   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 Blocherfrom 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 1986, 15th June - The Canberra Times 1986, 2nd August - The Canberra Times 1986, 21st August - The Canberra Times Also The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See http://theufo.movie

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

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:24 Lunch with the Bay Area Skeptics Join us for a long awaited get together, south of San Francisco with members of the Bay Area Skeptics as they look forward to SkepiCal 2022, the upcoming online convention. Lunching with Richard Saunders are Dr Eugenie Scott, Jay Diamond, Leonard Tramiel, Yau-Man Chan and Greg Dorais. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! The 2022 SkeptiCal Conference will be ONLINE over the weekend of July 16/17. https://www.skepticalcon.com 0:14:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller. 1975.02.14    -    The Australian Jewish News 1984.11.29    -    The Australian Jewish Times 2001.03.23    -    The Australian Jewish News 2000.11.24    -    The Australian Jewish News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Irrational Beliefs in Australia Is Australia truly a land of mystery and wonders? I can only answer that with "yes it is". We are the land of the oldest living culture in the world, that of the indigenous peoples, we have natural wonders from the coast to the desert and great modern cities to rival any in the world. However, like so many other countries, Australia too has no end of paranormal, supernatural and pseudoscientific claims. https://neo-skepsis.blogspot.com/2022/06/por-que-es-que-los-lugares-lejanos.html 0:14:30 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Man Who Dated The World & GOT IT WRONG! By Martin Bridgstock James Ussher is still used by young earth creationists as an authoritative source for the age of the earth. In this report, Martin Bidgstock explores the life and time of this man and how he come to his conclusions. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 38 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:44 A Dive into a Trove A

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 Brian Dunning, Bigfoot, Science Friction and more A vist to Skeptoid HQ in Oregon and chat to Brian Dunning about his long running podcast, the Bigfoot in his yard and the sucess of the documentary "Science Friction". https://sciencefriction.tv 0:14:30 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Richard Saunders. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:38 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham We drop by Australian Skeptics HQ and chat to Tim Mendham about the latest issue of the journal 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic Scams". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 2000, 28th January - Alington Heights Daily Herald Suburban Chicago 1982, 21st July - Fairfeild Ledger 1997, 1st August - Panama City News Herald

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 Susan Gerbic in Haunted Las Vegas Join Susan as she explores the Zac Bagans haunted museum in the company of Kenny Biddle, Ben Radford and Coral Pollock. What do a bunch of skeptics make of a so-called paranormal location? https://thehauntedmuseum.com 0:20:27 TikTok Homeopathy This classic of quackery has found its way onto the popular social media platform. What do TikTok users say about this pretend medicine? Are they for it, against it or both? 0:37:54 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "reflexology". This week's trove segment is brought to you by Adrienne Hill. 28.01.2000 - The Australian Jewish News 20.09.2010 - Beausejour Clipper Weekly 14.02.1990 - Grandview Exponent 27.08.1988 - Medicine Hat News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:42 New Age Merry-Go-Round Join Richard Saunders and skeptical supporter Daryl Colquhoun as they once more head to the bizarre yet predictable alternative universe known as Mind Body Spirit. This festival of far-fetched and unproven ideas stretches back over 20 years. What new and ridiculous items can be seen this year? 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 0:27:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to a "School for water divining". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan An historic vote in the NSW parliament has given Dr Siobhan the comfort of knowing people in her situation, appraoching the end of life, will be able to choose when they take their final breath. Euthanasia was legalised in NSW in the past week, bringing the state in line with the rest of Australia. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-682-31october2021 https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/ https://www.abc.net.au/religion/siobhan-o%E2%80%99sullivan-will-vad-laws-be-available-to-me/13883018 0:21:36 TikTok Ghost Hunters We scroll through the endless, live TikTok videos featuring people who think they can contact ghosts or spirits. Spooky goings on from the comfort of your own device. 0:39:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "James Randi". 1984, 13 March - The Dover Times Reporter 1998, 1 January - The Times Record, NY

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:56 UFOs Invade the US Congress Again with the aliens! Yes once again UFOs disguised as jets and balloons are makimg the news. This time, those who can't handle the truth have taken their conspiracy theories all the way to capital hill in Washington. https://www.the-sun.com/news/5356929/us-wreckage-ufos-truth-congressman Mick West's videos https://youtu.be/qsEjV8DdSbs https://badufos.blogspot.com/2022/05/uaps-baffle-congress-and-dod.html 0:25:33 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Troy Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:20 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic Detectives". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic visit "Explore & More", The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum in Buffalo NY and talk to Rebecca Glon, IT & Exhibits Manager. http://www.exploreandmore.org 0:17:46 TikTok Paranormal We scroll through the endless, live TikTok videos featuring people who think they have psychic insights. Others include dowsing rods, pendulums, bones, giant matches and more. 0:37:56 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Unsolved Mysteries". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 1909, 17 January - The Sunday Times 1924, 1 March - The Herald - Victoria 1939, 13 March - The Northern Star

The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8 May 2022   Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne finds herself riding shotgun alongside Susan Gerbic as the tour they east coast of the USA. Also we learn about the new award given to Susan for her skeptical activism. Grief Vampires, Wikipedia and More - Presented by Susan Gerbic https://youtu.be/b6_dVTsBcxA 0:13:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:22:40 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Father Figure. Part 2. By Dr Tony Wheeler A look at the truth and the myth behind Father Christmas or Santa Claus. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 15 No. 4 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:50 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "UFOs". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 1991, 22 October - Tharunka - UNSW Student

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:37 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard interviews author George Ivanoff about his new book, "The Supernatural Survival Guide". How should young people approach investigating the strange, the mysterious and the unknown? What can we learn from George's book about the claims of the paranormal in Australia? THE SUPERNATURAL SURVIVAL GUIDE will tackle these and other questions about all things paranormal. There is so much WEIRD stuff out there . . . but the TRUTH is IN HERE! https://georgeivanoff.com.au/books/survival-guide 0:23:28 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Father Figure. Part 1. By Dr Tony Wheeler A look at the truth and the myth behind Father Christmas or Santa Claus. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 15 No. 4 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:49 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to skeptical stories from the United States. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au