Episode #90

News Items

    Chiropractic Confusion

    • Dear Skeptics,

      The interview with David Seaman, DC, has left me confused. When I was a kid and my parents took me to the Chiropractor, I thought he was just a doctor who specialized in the back. Since then I’ve heard about the woo-woo origins of Chiropractic, and figured that all chiropractors were quacks.

      I think I learned from the interview that modern Chiropractors are physical therapists who specialize in bones and muscles of the back, and that the woo-woo chiropractors are to chiropractic what homeopaths are the pharmacology. But if that’s the case, why wasn’t that emphasized during the interview; why are modern Chiropractors still targets of the skeptical community?

      I’m not saying that I believe in Chiropractic, but that maybe Chiropractic is not what we skeptics tend to believe it is. What you think?

      Febo
      Philadelphia, USA

    • Hi all,
      Just thought you all might enjoy this send up of the 911 conspiracy theories:

      www.websurdity.com/2007/02/28/uncomfortable-questions-was-the-death-star-attack-an-inside-job/

      Matthew Kaplan
      USA / France

    • Hello all! Wonderful show. I look forward to your podcast every week. .

      Steven, have you read Hugh Ross’ ‘testable model’ regarding Creationism in his book ‘Creation as Science’? This model is being shoved down my throat by my Creationist friend and, not being a scientist, I have no way to prove it right or wrong. I’ve chosen thus far to just smile and tell him I don’t know enough about it; but I would love to know your thoughts as a skeptic and scientist.

      I assume the model has not followed peer review, as it was released via a book. He does, however, have a credible education in physics and astronomy. Ross’ education carries some real weight in an argument; but that doesn’t make his theory correct.

      Here are some links:
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Ross_(creationist)
      www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/testablecreationsummary.shtml

      What are your thoughts?

      Thank you and good job all!
      Greg Lloyd
      US

      Dr. Novella’s blog entry about this: www.theness.com/neurologicablog/default.asp?Display=80

    • Dear Steven, Robert, Rebecca, Perry, Evan, and Jay:

      Hey you guys… In all 88 episodes you have not, to my knowledge, discussed my favorite pseudo-science of all: NDE’s- Near Death Experiences!

      As a reformed Art Bell cultist during the 90’s, you’ve pretty much finished up my de-programing and returned me to the world of the living. However, one story has still stuck with me all these years and I have to admit, it still fascinates me beyond words despite the complete lack of empirical evidence.

      I’m speaking of Danion Brinkley. Author of ‘Saved by the Light’ and ‘At Peace in the Light’ in which he chronicles his story of being struck by lightning while speaking on the telephone as it passed through an underground line. After which, he was pronounced dead at the scene only to revive on a hospital gurney some thirty minutes later with a sheet pulled over his head and a tag on his toe.

      I don’t believe these particular events are in dispute, however his recounting of where he was during that half hour is quite extraordinary. Since we have a practicing neurologist on the panel, I would be most interested to hear his discussion on the matter. Of course, everyone else will no doubt have their opinions, as well.

      Please do a little background research on Danion and bring the subject up on a future show. (I have autographed copies of his books you can borrow!) I’ll be the first to download it!

      Thanks!

      Jason Ferney
      Kansas City, MO

    Science or Fiction

    • Item #1 Science

      A new study shows that the number of male births in the US and Japan have been decreasing for the past 30 years. Item #2: New study suggests that human evolution is not only continuing, it is accelerating.

    • Item #2 Science

      New study suggests that human evolution is not only continuing, it is accelerating.

    • Item #3 Fiction

      New study shows that smoking actually has a protective effect against certain types of cancer.

    Skeptical Quote of the Week.