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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 156 - 7/16/2008
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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
156
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July 16, 2008
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Interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson
News Items: Black Hole Hubbub, Its Just a Cracker, Tiktalik Nonsense, Micro Laser Surgery
Your Questions and E-mail: Convincing Evidence
Science or Fiction
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Segment: News Items
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Segment: Questions and E-mails
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Changing Minds
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Hi guys. Love the show.
On the last podcast (#154) Dr Edell brought up the point that many people when asked what evidence would change their mind about a particular subject, are unable to answer, or state that no evidence would change their opinion.
I was thinking about this in relation to my own beliefs, and to my dismay I discovered that I might actually be the same as those people.
I'm an atheist - so I was wondering what kind of evidence would convince me that there was a god of some sort.
My first thought were some proof that evolution couldn't happen by natural means, or that life could never have originated unaided. But truthfully, in that situation I would just say that the science until then was wrong, and wait for the next theory.
Even if God himself (or herself) appeared before me, I would just put it down to some mental illness and seek professional help.
So for fear of becoming as close-minded as the true-believers, can you think of what kind of evidence would prove to you guys (and should prove to people like me) that evolution didn't happen, or that there is a creator god, or that homeopathy works, etc.
Any advice is appreciated.
Keep up the good work.
Cam Steer
Melbourne, Australia
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Segment: Interview
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Interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and Visiting Research Scientist and Lecturer at Princeton University.
He is the author of may popular books on Astronomy including
The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet
and
Death By Black Hole, And Other Cosmic Quandaries
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Segment: Science or Fiction [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
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Question #1  Science
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Researchers have discovered a genetic variation that makes people of African descent more susceptible to HIV infection.
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Question #2  Fiction
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Using a new technique to measure the mass of black holes, astronomers have found that the black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy is more than 1000 times more massive than previously estimated.
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Question #3 Science
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In a newly published study medical scientists predict that global warming will lead to more kidney stones.
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Segment: Quote of the Week
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Quote
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If you believe everything you read, you better not read.
Japanese Proverb:
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