Episode #59

News Items

    Korean Fan Deaths

    • Hey everyone,I’m a big fan of the show, and I recently encountered a topic that you might be interested in discussing on the show.This summer, I roomed with a visiting student from Korea for summer school. Every night before we went to bed, he would shut off the fan in our room. I thought this was a bit odd, but I ignored it until I learned that his behavior was motivated by a widely believed South Korean urban myth called ‘fan death’ (more details at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death). Many South Koreans apparently believe that a fan left running overnight can suffocate people by sucking all the oxygen out of the room.I was astonished to discover that this was why he had been turning off the fan, particularly because he is an engineering student. I managed to convince him that it wasn’t true, but I began to wonder how so many people could believe something so patently absurd. Why do you think this is and can you think of any analogous examples of widely believed American myths?Thanks,AlanLos Angeles
    • The link below leads to an article from the UK, about homeopathic remedies and a new law that allows the homeopathy industry to claim efficacy for curing real medical conditions. Ridiculous!www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-2337904,00.htmlBy the way, the podcast is outstanding! Definitely one of the better skeptical shows out there. Keep up the great work Dr. Novella and company.Best regards,Frank Latendresse Montreal, Canada
    • In your August 18th podcast, the panel commented on the recent Michigan State University study of nations’ attitudes toward evolution. I think the derogatory comments that you made of Americans were unduly negative, e.g. ‘I want to blow this country. It’s just disgusting.’In a 2001 NSF survey, Americans actually scored higher than Europeans in seven out of thirteen science questions:www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind04/c7/c7s2.htmIn contradiction to one panel member’s conclusion, i.e. that Americans are ‘backward baboons,’ I would say the NSF quiz shows Americans better understand what matters most to them (genetics, medicine, and technology) instead of what matters most to the MSU investigators (evolution.)It might be true that Americans’ disbelief in evolution is largely a result of the greater role of religion in our society. If that’s the case, scientists cannot realistically expect people to reject their faith to accept a theory that has no real consequences — positive or negative — on their lives. Unlike Christian Scientists’ rejection of modern medicine, the rejection of evolution has no serious ramifications.While there can be no doubt that scientific literacy in this country is too low, the public would be better served if those who make public education their goal would end their fixation on one polarizing (but relatively unimportant) scientific topic at the expense of other, more important ones. Derogatory comments about the supposed stupidity of an entire nation are equally unhelpful to the cause.Brent Urbana, Illinois
    • In a few episodes back, you asked everyone about which fallacy they wish were actually true. Rebecca mentioned that she wished that recycling was. Did I miss something earlier? Is it really bunk, I’m skeptical.Edward Karoly Apex, North CarolinaSome articles on recycling:www.straightdope.com/columns/000804.htmlFamous ‘Recycling is Garbage’ Times article – www.williams.edu/HistSci/curriculum/101/garbage.htmlRebuttal – www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/611_ACF17F.htm

    Science or Fiction

    • Item #1 Fiction

      A newly published survey of dinosaur fossils indicates that dinosaur species were already largely in decline before they were wiped out by a meteorite collision 65 million years ago.

    • Item #2 Science

      Despite the common saying, ‘monkey see, monkey do,’ imitation has only previously been described in humans and apes. A recent study, however, demonstrates for the first time monkey imitation.

    • Item #3 Science

      Ornithologists have discovered that urban members of certain bird species are much more resistant to stress than their rural counterparts.

    Skeptical Quote of the Week.