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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 187 - 2/11/2009
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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
187
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February 11, 2009
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Interview with Angie McQuaig
News Items: The Pose and Darwin, Ben Goldacre vs the Media, Healing Laser
Your Questions and E-mail: Starseeds, the eHolster
Randi Speaks
Science or Fiction
Whos That Noisy
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Segment: News Items
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Segment: Questions and E-mails
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Question #1 - Starseeds
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First of all, I'd just like to say thanks for a great show. I came to the podcast about a year ago, and have recently been working my way through the old episodes, and enjoying them all a lot. If you'd welcome one person's constructive and subjective criticism, I wish you'd pushed a bit harder to nail Neal Adams down in his interview (either metaphorically or literally would have been equally good), and possibly spent a bit more time screaming at the "brain's a receiver, dualism rules" guy "Are you fucking crazy?", but, of course, this is just one listener's opinion in a griwing sea of thousands.
Given the rate at which much of the population of the internet seems to be pushing back the enlightenment, I suppose that I should not be surprised at all when I come across a new piece of craziness, but I must admit, I am often still stunned when one person's really off-the-wall delusions seem to catch the mood of a group and are taken up as genuine beliefs. An example that I came across today is (are?) the self-titled "Starseeds". It appears that there are a good few people who genuinely believe that they are aliens, sent here with alien DNA for a higher purpose, and to help humanity. Here is a typical site;
http://spiritualnewearth.blogspot.com/2007/08/what-are-starseeds.html
Given the quality of some of their output, I think that the most help that they ever give humanity is bringing their curly fries at the same time as their burgers, but hey, who am I as a mere human to comment on their purpose.
I suppose that I am supposed to tag on a question, to make this something other than a pointless stream of consciousness post, so, er, how about them Mets, eh?
Mainly, I did just want to say hello, and to say thanks, again, for the podcast. I really do enjoy it, and appreciate all of the hard work that you do, for no pay, just to bring a little more reality to a world sorely needing it right now
Tony Potts
London
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Question #2 - The eHolster
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I guess we can forget about the utility belt, this is los mas macho!
http://www.eholster.com/
Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Richard Drumm
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Segment: Interview
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Interview with Angie McQuaig
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Angie McQuaig is the Director of Camp Inquiry and a member of ScienceDebate 2008. She has a PhD in educational leadership and discusses her thoughts on science education.
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Segment: Randi Speaks
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The Uncompromising Observations of a Veteran Skeptic
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James Randi returns to give his skeptical commentary in his own unique style.
This week's topic: A Homeopathy Challenge
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Segment: Science or Fiction [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
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Segment: Who's That Noisy
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Segment: Quote of the Week
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Quote of the Week
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"The scientific tradition is distinguished from the pre-scientific tradition in having two layers. Like the latter, it passes on its theories; but it also passes on a critical attitude towards them. The theories are passed on, not as dogmas, but rather with the challenge to discuss them and improve upon them."
Karl Popper:
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