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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 316 - 8/3/2011
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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.

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Podcast 316 - August 03, 2011

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Interview with Elizabeth Loftus
This Day in Skepticism - Life on Mars
News Items: The 27 Club, Blood-Red Lake, Earth Trojan Asteroid, Radioactive Heat
Who's That Noisy
Your Questions and E-mails: If It Can't Be Measured
Science or Fiction



Segment:   This Day in Skepticism     
August 6, 1996     NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin announced the discovery of evidence of a primitive life form on Mars.

Segment:   News Items     
The 27 Club     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Winehouse
Blood-Red Lake     http://news.yahoo.com/end-times-texas-lake-turns-blood-red-215004338.html
Earth Trojan Asteroid     http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/1107128-trojan-asteroid-earth-planet-orbit-nasa-space-science/
Radioactive Decay and Earth's Heat     http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802125801.htm

Segment:   Who's That Noisy     
Who's That Noisy     Answer to last week: From Oscar Wilde's short story "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime".

Segment:   Questions and Emails     
Question #1     Hi gang, I've just finished watching a talk on TED by Brene Brown on "The Power of vulnerability" [ http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html ]. In her talk she quotes her old research professor: "If you can't measure it, it does not exist." I heard the quote and immediately wondered what reaction a panel of skeptics might have to such a statement. Bypassing the obvious 'How do you measure love?' and so forth, is the statement valid or is it little more than a catchy sound-byte? Keep it up, Adrian Robinson Hungerford, UK

Segment:   Interview     
Interview with Elizabeth Loftus     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Loftus

Segment:   Science or Fiction     [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
Item #1     Physicists have developed a method for testing whether or not our universe exists as part of a greater multiverse, and have even conducted preliminary, although inconclusive, observations. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1108/110802-first-test-of-multiverse
Item #2     New research indicates that those who live to be 95 or older have lifestyles that are no healthier than the general population. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110803083639.htm
Item #3     Biologists have discovered a plant that attracts pollinating bats by producing ultrasound that mimics the bat's echolocation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14328999

Segment:   Skeptical Quote of the Week     
Skeptical Quote of the Week     "I have something to say. It's better to burn out than to fade away." The Kurgan
 
 
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