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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 48 - 6/21/2006
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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
48
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June 21, 2006
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Interview with Steve Mirsky, Scientific American; News Items: Herbs for menopause, Anne Coulter and evolution; Your E-mails: Penta Water, Alcoholism a disease?; Science or Fiction; Skeptical Puzzle
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Segment: News Items
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Segment: Questions and E-mails
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Penta Water
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Hello, my name is Derek Ross. I was wondering of you have ever herd of Penta water or somthing like it. This stuff really cracks me up: http://www.pentawater.com
"Is Penta really a new composition of matter?
Yes. Penta displays characteristics unique from other water, including a higher boiling point, higher surface tension, and a lower viscosity."
Derek Ross
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Alcoholism
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Hello to all,
I want to start by saying that I love the Podcast. I am not a scientist nor do I play one on T.V., but I can sense BS a mile off and enjoy listening to like minded thinkers.
During my teen years I was "diagnosed" as an Alcoholic and spent many years using that as an excuse to continue drinking. At that time I spent most days and nights drunk. At age 28 I decided to take ownership of my life and insisted that I was no longer an alcoholic and to put a stop to it. Now at 43 I am still sober and loving life.
Is Alcoholism a real disease as is the common wisdom, or is it a lot of BS and pandering to people in an overly PC society.
On a side note, is there a chance that Rebecca will make a Bikini or Lingerie Calendar any time soon, you could donate the proceeds to science education.
Best Regards, from a true fan of Rebecca
Frank Nameche
New Boston, NH USA
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Segment: Interview
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Interview with Steve Mirsky
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Steve Mirsky is the author of Antigravity, a monthly column in Scientific American magazine (http://www.sciam.com/directory.cfm?chanID=sa006&dirID=15). In his column he offers satirical commentary on science and culture.
He is now also the host of Science Talk, the podcast of Scientific American magazine (http://www.sciam.com/podcast/).
Mirsky came to the field of science writing and podcasting after testing other waters-a degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and acting in summer stock, followed by a bachelors from CUNY and a masters in chemistry from Cornell. As a budding chemist he won a AAAS Mass Media Fellowship, which he spent at a Miami TV station. As a Knight Fellow, Mirsky plans to focus on evolutionary theory. His hobbies include wildlife photography and playing the clarinet.
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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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Georgia Tech researchers have developed a fuel combustion engine that produces almost zero emissions.
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Question #2 Science
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Georgia Tech researchers have developed a system to identify and neutralize digital video and still cameras, to prevent unwanted photography.
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Question #3  Fiction
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Georgia Tech researchers, together with a team from IBM, announced the creation of the first Terahertz silicon-germanium transistor.
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Segment: Skeptical Puzzle
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Puzzle
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This is a new segment. We present a skeptically-themed puzzle at the end of the podcast, and will reveal the answer next episode.
Two men, both were freemasons:
Man A invented an instrument that Man B used as part of a pseudoscience that he invented.
Man A also famously debunked the claims of Man B.
Who were the two men, and what was the instrument?
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