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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 235 - 1/13/2010

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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, LLC - dedicated to promoting critical thinking, reason, and the public understanding of science through online and other media. The first episode of the SGU podcast went online on May 4th, 2005. It soon became a popular science/skeptical podcast, and remains one of the most popular science podcasts on iTunes.

SGU Podcasting Awards: SGU on XM: You can listen to the SGU on America's Talk XM 166 every Saturday night from 8-9pm Eastern.

Podcast 235 - January 13, 2010

Special Guest: Richard Saunders
News Items: TAM Australia, Tetrapod Footprints, Airport Security - with Bruce Schneier, Nearby Supernova, Cancer Miracle
Who's That Noisy
Your Questions and E-mails: Evil Skeptics
Name That Logical Fallacy
Science or Fiction



Segment:   News Items     
TAM Australia     Special Guest -Richard Saunders - gives us a preview of TAM Australia in November 2010
Tetrapod Footprints     http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/01/casey_luskin_embarrasses_himse.php
Airport Security     http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100108/D9D3HB101.html Including an interview with "security guru" Bruce Schneier
Nearby Supernova     http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/01/07/no-a-nearby-supernova-wont-wipe-us-out/
Cancer Miracle     http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/mary-mackillops-miracles-under-question/story-e6frg6nf-1225813303561

Segment:   Who's That Noisy     
Whos That Noisy     Answer to last week - gas being ignited in a tube

Segment:   Questions and E-mails     
Question # 1 - Evil Skeptics     Just one more fan reporting in from New Zealand. Not a fact of much relevance but I just hope that if you make your way downunder you'll remember New Zealand and include a stop on this side of the Tasman Sea. Anyway a hypothetical question for the rogues. If each of you were to give up your morals and decided to make a living off of pseudo-science what would you choose and why? All the best and keep up the great work Chris Aitken New Zealand

Segment:   Name That Logical Fallacy     
Name That Logical Fallacy     “The current healthcare debate has brought up basic questions about how medicine should work. On one hand we have the medical establishment with its enormous cadre of M.D.s, medical schools, big pharma, and incredibly expensive hospital care. On the other we have the semi-condoned field of alternative medicine that attracts millions of patients a year and embraces literally thousands of treatment modalities not taught in medical school.” http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=3344

Segment:   Science or Fiction     [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
Item # 1     Scientists discover the first clear evidence for the use of cosmetics by Neanderthals. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111154914.htm
Item # 2     New research suggests that a significant percentage of forest fires are caused by sunlight magnified by droplets of water. http://www.physorg.com/news182396894.html
Item # 3     Researchers have published the first application of a quantum computer – calculating the total energy of molecular hydrogen. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100110151331.htm

Segment:   Quote of the Week     
Quote of the Week     "Weary the path that does not challenge. Doubt is an incentive to truth and patient inquiry leadeth the way." - Hosea Ballou
 
 
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