The Podcast from Australia for
Science and Reason - Since 2008
The
Skeptic Zone #632 - 22 November 2020
Show Notes
0:00:00
Introduction Richard Saunders
0:05:00
His Goose is Cooked
Another twist in the ongoing sad Soap Opera that is former celebrity Pete Evans. He's lost his sponsorships, he's lost his TV deals, he's lost his book deals along with his marbles.
This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy Fallacy".
Also known as the bad reasons fallacy, this is when, because your opponent uses logical fallacies, you assume their main argument or point must therefore also be wrong.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:19:05
Prof. Ken Harvey and the TGA
After a frustrating time as an advisor to the government agency, Professor Ken Harvey has finally had enough.
An interview with Claus Larsen from Denmark about the ongoing research into some of the biggest conspiracy theories in recent history. What are some of the COVID-19 conspiracies doing the rounds and why do people believe in them?
This week Michelle looks at "The Hasty Generalisation Fallacy".
Also known as the argument from small numbers and the lonely fact
fallacy, this is when you base your conclusion upon limited or inconclusive
information.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually
crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:35:47
Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian
Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Double Delusion - House of
Horrors - House of Science and more.
Since the podcast begain in 2008, James Randi appeared
on about 22 episodes. We present some edited highlights from over
the years.
0:39:32
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to the James Randi,
with a focus on the year 1980, the year of the famed water divining
tests.
A
tribute to James "The Amazing" Randi. 1928 - 2020.
0:06:20
Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:10:45
Australian
Skeptics Inc. Annual Awards 2020
Join President Jessica Singer, E.O. Tim Mendham and Chief Investigator
Richard Saunders as they annouce this year's awards, as heard at
Skepticon 2020.
The Fred Thornett Award for the promotion of reason - The Barry
Williams Award for media - The Skeptic of the Year - The Bent Spoon
Award.
Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian
Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Godwin's law (or Godwin's rule
of Hitler analogies).
Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative
reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine
and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction
book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published
in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Part #3 - Brain tells us of the impact of Wakefield's
work on vaccination rates, the other authors of the original paper
and the link to Elle Macpherson.
Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative
reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine
and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction
book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published
in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Part #2 - Brain tells us of why Wakefield left
the Royal Free Hospital, conflicts of interest, buying blood from
children, and some of his other investigations.
Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian
Skeptics Inc. FLAT EARTHERS. In the paranormal world, there have
always been some claims and claimants that have been ... how shall
we put it ... weird.
Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative
reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine
and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction
book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published
in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Part #1 - An overview of the original Wakefild
paper, how the children in the study were recruited, the $100 million
dollar lawsuit and how the diagnosis of some of the children was
changed to suit the end goal.
Also known as smear tactics, this is when you try to discredit your
opponent, or an institution, especially in the mind of others, before
even entering into a debate or conversation.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually
crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to the term "Haunted House". What was
going 'bump' in the night?
Ever seen a UFO? Many years ago Michelle and her father did and
were quite baffled... for a time. What about the time she saw strange
red eyes peering at her from the darkness while camping? What this
some sort of stragne apparition or did Michelle find a more logical
answer?
0:16:05
A
Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to the word "Ouija". What did the spirits
say?
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to the words "Yowie Hunt". Did anyone
ever find the Australian Big Foot?
Snake oil profiteering has emerged as a genuine crisis during the
COVID-19 pandemic, exemplifying what the Center for Inquiry has
been saying for years: Pseudoscientific medicine is dangerous, and
those who profit from it must be held accountable.
Jennifer takes us on a decades long journey through the madness
that is Dragon*Con. What are some of the highlights involving skepticism?
Find out about the time James Randi appeared with Alice Cooper.
0:13:47
LIVE
from Skeptrack!
We talk to Dr Angie Mattke and Derek Colanduno
from the studio floor ar virtual Dragon*Con. What's coming up this
year on this live skeptical event?
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers
on a search for references to the word "clairvoyant". Can we find
a little wisdom from the past?
Verna Morris, Maureen Chuck, Ken McLeod, Monica Saville, Dr Richard
Gordon, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, John Bundock, Peter Bowditch and Lauren
Cochrane with Ada and Jack.
Join the cast of the Skeptic Zone Podcast, and host of
special guests, in their first audio adventure as they board the
Australian Space Ship Solar Flare to fight
the forces of woo thoughout the galaxy!
Ducks
on a Coin 4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 4.65 MB
Folded and Photographed
by Richard Saunders
The Skeptic Zone Podcast
is an independent production by Richard Saunders and the team of reporters.
The views and opinions expressed on the Skeptics Zone Podcast are not
necessarily those Australian Skeptics Inc. or any other skeptical organisation.