International Skeptics United

Interview with Jamie Williams; This Day in Skepticism: Thomas Crapper; News Items: GMO OK, Angry Internet, Warning Labels, When Black Holes Explode, Carbon Nanotube Computers; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

Episode 264 has arrived.   First, Elan turns a critical eye to the documentary film "Super Size Me".  Next Pat interviews Jamie Williams of Bad Science Watch about a recent activism win for the skeptic community, and lastly Darren asks if Superman coins from the mint are legal tender and could Superman really catch Lois falling from a building?  For show notes or to comment on this episode visit: trcpodcast.com

The battle is about an idea: Gender. What is it? Is it socially constructed? Is it an innate male or female self that exists separately from one’s biological sex? Most importantly, who will get to define it? Also, are trans* activists biological essentialists? Or is it the radical feminists who are the biological essentialists? What the hell is biological essentialism anyway? And finally, can we just agree that we all hate Richard Littlejohn and get on with getting on? Soho Skeptics attempted to find some common ground in a night of personal stories, discussion and comedy.

This week Skepticality features an interview with Dr. Paul Offit, in which he discusses his work in science based medicine. From his time as a vaccine inventor to his tireless work educating the public about harmful medical fads and misinformation. His latest book, "Do You Believe In Magic" is a scathing expose' of the so called "alternative medicine" industry and gives insights into how to decide if a treatment is real, a helpful placebo, or just hogwash.

A quick look at many of the most common scientific study types, to help learn the terminology and some of the many ups and downs and ins and outs.

What's the best way to get involved in scientific research from home? Chris Smith and Dominic Ford investigate some of the best citizen science projects which are looking for your help. From categorising galaxies to hunting spiders, mapping your happiness and even discovering the nature of the trillion bacteria in one of your footprints - how will you choose to get involved? Plus, in the news, what a blue whale's earwax can reveal about ocean pollution, Curiosity fails to find methane on Mars, why Raspberry Pi have linked up with Google to boost kids programming skills, and the parasite that stops mice being afraid of cats...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:40 Besh Saab off to Mars?  Want to go to another planet on a one way ticket? Beah Saab tells us why he is just the man to do it! 0:28:15 A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:31:40 Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard chats to Dr Pamela Gay and then to some of the people who came to hear her at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. 0:43:25 Your Stars?  What do the stars have in store for you? Find out more...

This Day in Skepticism: David Vetter; News Items: IgNobel 2013, Top Quarks End Universe, Alien Life on Earth, The Physics of Homosexuality, Regeneration; Who's That Noisy; Questions and E-mails: Quantum Energy; Science or Fiction

Episode 263 of The Reality Check has arrived. The show starts up with Darren looking into a recent UN report about intimate partner violence. Elan then discusses the (urban?) legend of the arcade game Polybius. Adam closes out the show by answering whether or not General Tso invented his chicken dish namesake.

Wedding cake, Barcelona, attics and UFOs. Plus airports, reflections, designer jeans and an English Professor. Rethinking out philosophy, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Kean University History Professor, Brian Regal, has tracked the Jersey Devil back to its astonishing historical roots. Religious in-fighting, self-publishing, snarky founding fathers, sorcery and political intrigue make the idea of a flying horse-faced monster almost seem tame. READ episode notes

Mark Miodownik is Professor of Materials and Society at UCL, and the Director of the UCL Institute of Making. He recently appeared in The Times’ inaugural list of the 100 most influential scientists in the UK. He is currently scientist-in-residence on Dara O Briain’s Science Club (BBC2) and has presented of several documentaries, including The Genius of Invention […]

How is it possible for a sub-spotting blimp to complete its mission all by itself, its crew having mysteriously disappeared at some point during the flight?

We expose how electricity powers the nervous system. Chris Smith and Hannah Critchlow speak to a panel of experts about why chillis taste hot and mint feels cool, how ion channels could tackle diabetes and the new technique that uses algae could shed light on the brain. In the news, re-programming stem cells in situ, the TV programme that's changing accents 400 miles away, the insects that use natural gears to propel themselves and how you can tell whether a panda is pregnant.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 Dr Pamela Gay  Pamela tells us about CosmoQuest and what you can do to help this wonderful endeavour. 0:14:25 A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:17:25 An chat with Evan Bernstien One of the rouges tells us about the early days of SGU 0:35:00 Kevin Davies from Canberra Skeptics More news on the upcoming Australian Skeptics National Convention 0:38:50 Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard heads to the Power House Museum in Sydney and reports of the Big Night of Science with the Mystery Investigators Richard Saunders and Dr Rachie Dunlop. Also a chat to and Isabelle Kingsley from the Museum.