| |
The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 187 - 2/11/2009
|
|
|
|
|
<<< Back to Podcast Archive
|
|
The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly Podcast talkshow discussing the latest news and topics from the world of the paranormal, fringe science, and controversial claims from a scientific point of view. -The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: Your escape to reality -Produced by the New England Skeptical Society in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation(JREF) : http://www.theness.com
|
Podcast
187
-
February 11, 2009
|
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
|
|
Segment: News Items
|
|
|
Segment: Questions and E-mails
|
|
Question #1 - Starseeds
|
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
|
|
Question #2 - The eHolster
|
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
|
|
Segment: Interview
|
|
Interview with Angie McQuaig
|
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.
|
|
Segment: Randi Speaks
|
|
The Uncompromising Observations of a Veteran Skeptic
|
James Randi returns to give his skeptical commentary in his own unique style.
This week's topic: A Homeopathy Challenge
|
|
Segment: Science or Fiction [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
|
|
|
Segment: Who's That Noisy
|
|
|
Segment: Quote of the Week
|
|
Quote of the Week
|
"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:
|
|
|
|
|
|