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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 309 - 6/13/2011

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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 309 - June 13, 2011

This Day in Skepticism
News Items: Two New Elements, The Decline Effect, Zicam Inventor Arrested, Lasers from Human Cells, Mood Ears
Who's That Noisy
Your Questions and E-mails: The Enemy Within
Science or Fiction



Segment:   This Day in Skepticism     
June 18     June 18 is … International Panic Day Don't Panic! http://www.eslholidaylessons.com/06/international_panic_day.htm

Segment:   News Items     
Two New Elements     http://www.npr.org/2011/06/10/137065238/how-to-put-a-new-element-on-the-periodic-table
The Decline Effect     http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-decline-effect-revisited/
Zicam Inventor Arrested     http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/06/02/state/n135609D39.DTL
Lasers from Human Cells     http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/26876/?ref=rss
Brain Wave Cat Ears     http://www.weirdasianews.com/2011/05/17/fashionable-cat-ears-japan-responds-brain-waves/

Segment:   Who's That Noisy     
Who's That Noisy     Answer to last week: Sara Silverman

Segment:   Questions and Emails     
Question #1 - The Enemy Within     Hi guys. Love the show. Long time listener. Despite being a skeptic ever since I can remember, I find myself partaking in the superstitious act of 'knocking on wood' only very occasionally and usually when a unpleasant thought involving my kids or family pops into my head. Most often this will occur when my guard is down such as when I am drifting off to sleep for example. I know it's stupid and irrational but during these moments of vulnerability I am sometimes compelled to do it. Is this just a coping mechanism to get rid of the unpleasant thought? Or is there a believer buried in my subconscious trying to get out? This led me to ponder whether belief in a higher power could have a subconscious component and where these occasional lapses in rational thought could be coming from. Am I a closet believer? Or is this just a learned behavior or could it be some type repressed redundant evolutionary remnant? Wondering also if you guys have ever partaken in any superstitious activity recently. Kind regards. George. George Voulgaris Melbourne, Australia

Segment:   Science or Fiction     [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
Item #1     Despite the fact that Vesta has no clouds or snow cover, it is the brightest object in the asteroid belt with an albedo about the same as the Earth. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/nasa-s-dawn-approaches-vesta-207791.aspx
Item #2     About 1 in every 20 meteorites that fall to the Earth come from Vesta. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/nasa-s-dawn-approaches-vesta-207791.aspx
Item #3     When it was first discovered in 1807 Vesta was thought to be a moon of its larger cousin, Ceres, which was initially designated a planet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_Vesta

Segment:   Skeptical Quote of the Week     
Skeptical Quote of the Week     "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not a 'closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge. This is not advisable." - Ian Rowland
 
 
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