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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 260 - 6/30/2010
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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.
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Podcast
260
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June 30, 2010
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Guest Rogue: George Hrab
News Items: Fin to Limb Evolution, Pat Boone on Laws of Physics, Ice Patch Archaeology, Stephen Barrett Sued
Your Questions and E-mails: Flag Worship
Science or Fiction
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Segment: News Items
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Segment: Questions and E-mails
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Question #1 - Flag Worship
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Geo and The Rogues,
That's right! I am interested in hearing the hosts from both of my favorite podcasts' answer to this question that popped into my head the other day. I thought it might be especially interesting to see if your opinions diverged.
First of all, lots of kudos to all of you; you make my walks to work much more entertaining than they would otherwise be.
And now on to my question: What is with the flag? I was outside the other day, looking up at the flag near my place of employ, and started to wonder about the import people put upon that piece of cloth. Up until that point, I never really questioned it; it was an important symbol, worthy of our reverence. Then, my skeptical brain kicked me in the butt. So what is it in our brains that causes us to basically worship some fabric and dye? And, more importantly, is it only Americans? Or are other countries/cultures the same way?
Thanks for your time!
Roguely and Vibrophoneally yours,
Jason Smith
Columbus, OH
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Segment: Science or Fiction [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
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Segment: Quote of the Week
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Quote of the Week
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"Science has a simple faith, which transcends utility. Nearly all men of science, all men of learning for that matter, and men of simple ways too, have it in some form and in some degree. It is the faith that it is the privilege of man to learn to understand, and that this is his mission. If we abandon that mission under stress we shall abandon it forever, for stress will not cease. Knowledge for the sake of understanding, not merely to prevail, that is the essence of our being. None can define its limits, or set its ultimate boundaries."
--Vannevar Bush
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