Skepticality Podcast
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We're tired of pertinent social and science news being buried by clap trap. Our podcast is here to bring you relevant, under reported current events, as well as in-depth discussions from a scientific, critical, skeptical, and humorous point of view. Derek and Swoopy are your hosts, filling your pod and your brain with skeptical insight and conversation, sometimes heated, on a plethora of topics that are ripe for critical examination. Bringing truth to podcasting, and all who choose to listen. In our travels we will tackle the beasts of pseudoscience; the paranormal, supernatural, ufo / alien encounters, mis-understood history, and overwrought legends - urban or otherwise. Our interview shows feature notable skeptics including; leading astronomy speakers, scientists, philosophy experts, and other scientific, secular, humanist, and skeptical book authors, and critical thinkers.
About Podcasting:
For those of you new to podcasting, Click Here to read our "Introduction to Podcasting" Article.
 Write a Review of Skepticality Podcast
 
J.E., February 17, 2006
Reviewer: J.E.
from Chicago, Illinois
The Skepticality podcast is a weekly show that brings listeners information about a variety of different subjects. Each episode is only 10 minutes long, and covers only a single topic in that time. Past topics have been as diverse as the history of books, the number 5, and crop circles.
On the whole, I think these podcasts are pretty informative and entertaining. The host(s) really pack a lot of detail into the 10 minute segments. That being said, it's a bit distracting that the host(s) simply read from a script for the entire 10 minutes. Swoopy, the female host, has a tendency to fly through the script at a very fast pace, which sometimes makes it hard to follow what she is saying. It sort of reminded me of sitting in a high school and watching a student read a 5-page essay while standing in front of the class. It sounded like Swoopy couldn't wait to finish; I could even imagine her fidgeting and shifting from foot to foot. Once you get past the incredibly canned effect, however, the podcast really does have some interesting information.
personalmedia, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: personalmedia
from Indiana
The hosts of this podcast, Swoopy and Derek, have some great chemistry and deliver an exceptional podcast on a variety of topics. The podcasts normally run between 30 and 45 minutes, and are packed full of critical thinking topics, news issues, and musical selections. Many leading skeptics, authors, and philosophers have been interviewed and featured on past Skepticality Podcasts. The interviews are conducted in a professional manner.
Some of the past topics that Swoopy and Derek have explored are the meaning of the number five, the Science of Good and Evil, Past Pseudoscience programs, crop circles, humanist views, skepticism throughout history, and the significance of the Evil Eye. These are just a few of the thought provoking discussions that Swoopy and Derek have tackled with input from respected guests.
The production quality of this podcast is excellent. This is one of the top podcasts I have reviewed and highly recommend it to anyone interested in listening to some intriguing topics that encourage critical thinking.
| Podcast Feed URL: |
Podcast Website:
http://skepticality.libsyn.com/
Skepticality #084 - What's The Harm? - Interview: Tim Farley
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Aug 27, 2008
Misinformation is everywhere, but nowhere more prolific than on the internet. A Google search for "homeopathy" or "UFO" returns a landslide list ofÂmystery-mongering websites. Yes, there are a few skeptical web resources too âÂbut a non-skeptic can be easily misled online.
On this episode,ÂDerek & Swoopy talk with Tim Farley, aÂskeptic applying his 20-plus years ofÂsoftware development experience to the creation of advanced tools and techniques for fighting the battle against misinformation on the World WideÂWeb.Â
Tim's popular websites include the Skeptical Software Tools blogÂ"Skeptools" (which uses Web 2.0 techniques to aid the spread of criticalÂthinking information online), and WhatsTheHarm.net, which has collected theÂstories of over 225,000 people who have been injured or killed as a resultÂof supernatural andÂpseudoscientificÂpractices from alternative medicine to hypnosis to faith healing.
 Download File - 50.4 MB
 Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #083 - Watch this Space - Interview: Dr. Phil Plait, The Bad Astronomer
Author: Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine
Wed, Aug 13, 2008
Long-time listeners may recall thatÂSkepticality's very firstÂinterview guest was Bad Astronomy author and popular science bloggerÂDr. Phil Plait.Â
This past week the James Randi EducationalÂFoundation (one of the leading organizations to promote critical thinkingÂand examination of pseudoscience) announced that The Bad Astronomer himself will be the newÂJREFÂPresident.
Now, Dr. Plait returns to SkepticalityÂto tell Derek & SwoopyÂnot only aboutÂinteresting advances in privately-funded space travel and theÂfuture of NASA under a new presidential administration, but also aboutÂexciting developments in his own career â including his new role at the JREF,Âchanges for Bad Astronomy, and Phil's impending trips to the Galapagos andÂDragon*Con 2008.
Download File - 36.7 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #082 - Rationalist Rap - Interview: Greydon Square
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Jul 30, 2008
The mainstream rap and hip hop communities are known not only for a way with words and penchant for controversy, but also for occasional drama. Rapper Greydon Square is no exception.Ă‚
On this week's episode of Skepticality, Derek and Swoopy hang loose with Greydon and talk about his musical influences, being embraced by the atheist community â and why this Compton native (raised as a legal orphan by the Department of Children & Family Services of California) refuses to be a product of the system.
Download File - 30.9 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #081 - Alpha Kids - Interviews: Banachek, Mel Lipman & Lori Lipman Brown
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jul 15, 2008
Continuing from last week's interviews recorded at the "Amazing Meeting 6" conference, Derek & Swoopy talk with secular lobbyist Lori Lipman Brown and her father Mel Lipman (both secular humanists with backgrounds in law and government).Ă‚
They also speak with mentalist Banachek, who has been responsible for putting more magic and mentalism on American television than any other magic consultant in the world.
While the paths of these skeptics seem widely divergent, Derek & Swoopy learn that their common decision to further skepticism within their chosen professions illuminates many similar truthsâ
Download File - 51.8 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #080 - Skeptic Rock Stars at TAM - Interviews: Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Mythbuster Adam Savage,
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jul 1, 2008
This week on Skepticality, Derek and Swoopy return from the desert with highlights from "The Amazing Meeting 6" conference in Las Vegas (hosted by the James Randi Educational Foundation).
Joining them are two skeptics who are changing the face of popular science: astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, and MythBuster Adam Savage.
Ă‚
The incomparable Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, current host of Nova Science Now, and the only astrophysicist to be named one of PeopleÂmagazine's "Sexiest Men Alive") talks with Swoopy about getting the United States back on track as science innovators. (He also sets the record straight about Pluto.) and in his third appearance on Skepticality, Adam discusses his evolution from artist and model maker to skeptic and television scientistâas well as thoughts about his life after MythBusters.Â
Download File - 39.1 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #079 - The Doctor is In! - Interview: Dr. Harriet Hall, the SkepDoc
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jun 10, 2008
This week on Skepticality, Swoopy talks with Skeptic magazine's resident expert critic of alternative medicine, "SkepDoc"ÂDr. Harriet Hall. Dr. Hall talks about about her recent memoir Women Aren'tÂSupposed to Fly, which details her life as a family practice specialist,Âflight surgeon, pilot, and career Air Force officer. (She retiredÂin 1989 as a full Colonel.)
Dr. Hall also discusses her recent regular contributions to Skeptic magazine and "The Science-Based Medicine" blog, which is quickly becoming anÂinvaluable source for in-depth, quality articles investigatingÂquestionable medical practices (not only in alternative medicine but withinÂconventional medicine as well), illuminating the mysteries of medical scienceâandÂeven insight into how doctors think.
Download File - 30.4 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #078 - What the Fossils Say, and Why it Matters - Interview: Dr. Donald R. Prothero
Author: Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine
Wed, May 28, 2008
Just this week, the discovery of the 300-million year old Gerobatrachus hottoni ("Hotton's elder frog") confirmed the previously contentious inference that modern frogs and salamanders evolved from one group of ancient primitive amphibians. The dispute arose because of a lack of transitional forms; but, like so many "missing links," this newly discovered fossil sealed the gap.
Ă‚
The fossil record is one of the strongest lines of evidence for evolution, yet it continues to come under attack by present-day creationists and advocates of Intelligent Design. This week on Skepticality, Swoopy talks with eminentÂpaleontologistÂand professor of geology Donald R. Prothero about his bestselling Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why it Matters. This comprehensive book exploresÂnot only the rich mosaic of fossil discoveries and transitional forms, but also the very nature of scienceâand the "monkey business of creationism."
Download File - 45.2 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #077 - Don't Be Such a Scientist! - Interview: Dr. Randy Olson
Author: Skepticality
Tue, May 13, 2008
Over the past several episodes, Skepticality has interviewed some of theÂnotable scientists featured in the new pro-Intelligent Design documentaryÂExpelled: No Intelligence Allowed. This week, the last word on theÂcontroversy goes to Dr. Randy Olson, theÂbiologist-turned-filmmaker whose 2006 documentary Flock of Dodos: TheÂEvolution â Intelligent Design CircusÂexamined the communication breakdownÂbetween the science community and the rest of the world on the subject of evolution. Â
Dr. Olson strives to improve the reputation ofÂscience in the court of public opinion, where the Religious Right and Intelligent Design movements continue to wedge their way in by "teachingÂthe controversy."ÂÂOn his "Shifting Baselines" blog, Dr. Olson was one ofÂthe first scientists to express concern that the well-fundedÂExpelledÂwas likely to succeed in selling its message to a tremendous number of people. The "dodos" of theÂblogosphere responded with incredulity.ÂÂ
At the request of many skepticalityÂlisteners, we're pleased to feature this week's interview with Dr. Olson about his controversial opinions â andÂabout his new film,ÂSizzle: A Global Warming Comedy.
Download File - 37.4 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #076 - Expelled: Exposed! - Interview: Dr. Eugenie Scott, PhD
Author: Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine
Tue, Apr 29, 2008
The contentious pro-Intelligent Design film Expelled: NoÂIntelligence AllowedÂÂis now in its second week of wide release, and theÂcontroversy is far from over.Â
This week on Skepticality, Swoopy talks withÂDr. Eugenie Scott about her participation in Expelled, her thoughts onÂseeing the film â and the "Expelled: Exposed" website, created by the NationalÂCenter for Science Education (where Dr. Scott serves as the Executive Director).
Beyond the Expelled frenzy, Dr. Scott talks about her work with the NCSE,Âthe future of science education, and what the averageÂperson can do to improve the public perception and understanding of science.
Download File - 41.0 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #075 - Words and Music - Interviews: Slau, author Scott Sigler
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Apr 16, 2008
This week on SkepticalityÂwe talk to two good friends, both skeptics and podcasters making an impact in their areas of expertise.
Slavko Halatyn (known to his many fans as simply "Slau") has enjoyed a richÂcareer as both a music producer and award-winning recording artist. ÂDerek talks with Slau aboutÂhis work with other artists (like skeptical favoriteÂGeorge Hrab), being an early adopter of podsafe music â and the linksÂbetween his career, his world view, and his becoming legally blind at the age ofÂ21.
Author Scott Sigler sent a shot across the bow of mainstream publishingÂwhen, after first giving away his novel Ancestor for free as a PDF, the printedÂretail version then broke the Amazon.com top 10. As a result, Scott earnedÂhimself a seat at the table and a deal with Crown books. We talk to ScottÂabout his new novel Infected âÂreleased on April 1st and alreadyÂa bestseller.
Download File - 51.1 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #074 - No Intelligence Allowed! - Interviews: Professor Richard Dawkins and Dr. Michael Shermer
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Apr 2, 2008
In the upcomingÂa pro-Intelligent Design documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (starring comedy actor Ben Stein), severalÂnotable scientists speak in support of science and evolution, including evolutionary biologist (and outspoken atheist) Richard Dawkins, science blogger PZ Meyers, and Skeptics Society founder Michael Shermer.
As Swoopy finds out this week when she talks with Dawkins and Shermer,ÂExpelled isÂnot the film these scientists agreed to be a part ofânor were their experiencesÂat advanced screenings what they expectedâ.
Download File - 40.9 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #073 - Your Water on Drugs - Interview: Dr. Shane Snyder, PhD
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Mar 18, 2008
Last week, a widely circulated Associated Press story reported thatÂ"a vast array of pharmaceuticals â including antibiotics, anti-convulsants,Âmood stabilizers and sex hormones â have been found in he drinking waterÂsupplies of at least 41 million Americans."
Derek and Swoopy look beyond the headline hype in their interviewÂwith Dr. Shane Snyder, who published his first study on "Screening ofÂDrinking Water for Possible Endocrine Disrupting Compounds" over ten yearsÂago.Â
As a doctor of Environmental Toxicology and Zoology, Dr. Snyder hasÂdevoted most of his career to studying the evidence of chemical,Âenvironmental and pharmaceutical compounds in the water supplyâand whatÂharm, if any, it poses to the organisms that utilize it.
Download File - 28.6 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #072 - Mystery Hunters - Interview: David Acer (Doubting Dave)
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Mar 4, 2008
Can a kids' science and critical thinking television program beÂboth entertaining and informative? The award-winning Mystery Hunters,Âbeginning its fourth season, is proving that it can. On this week'sÂSkepticality, Swoopy talks with David Acerâknown to fans of Mystery HuntersÂas "Doubting Dave," the skeptical scientist who helps the junior members ofÂhis team (Araya Mengesha and Christina Broccolini) investigate paranormal mysteries.
David is a close up magician, comedian, and actor and writer for children's educational programs includingÂPopular Mechanics for Kids and Prank Patrol. David shares his thoughts about how to make debunking myths entertaining, and explains why it'sÂdifficult to get quality kids' science programs on TV in today's climate.
Download File - 36.6 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #071 - Dr. Karl Explains it All - Interview: Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Feb 20, 2008
This week on Skepticality, science educator and skeptic Michael McRaeÂinterviews one of Australia's most recognizable scientists, Dr. KarlÂKruszelnicki, who is known to most Aussies simply as "Dr. Karl."
Dr. Karl is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at the University of Sydney, as well as a proud recipient of the Ig Nobel prize. HeÂis also a popular science commentator on radio and television, and aÂbestselling author of 26 booksâincluding his most recent,ÂPlease Explain,Âwhich gives the facts on everything from why we yawn, to the history of nearÂdeath experiences.
Download File - 25.6 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #070 - Amazing Meeting 5.5 Wrap Up - Interviews: Michael A. Stackpole, Alison Smith, and Dr. Phil Plait
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Feb 6, 2008
On this week's Skepticality, Derek talks with Dr. Phil Plait (a.k.a. "The Bad Astronomer"), Alison Smith (founder of the Skeptical Analysis of the Paranormal Society), and author Michael A. Stackpole (leader of the Arizona Skeptics) about the recent Amazing Meeting 5.5 conference on the topic of "Skepticism and Activism."
These distinguished guests also reveal details of their plans for 2008, and Phil sheds some light on possible impending "Death from the Skies", the subject of his soon-to-be-published second book.
Download File - 29.4 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #069 - The Mind of the Market - Interview: Dr. Michael Shermer
Author: Batpig Studios Science Center
Wed, Jan 23, 2008
"Watch out for gorillas!"Ă‚
"Don't trade with strangers."Ă‚
"Buy this now!"Ă‚
Our brains are constantly bombarded with messagesÂabout how to behave, what to buy, and whom to trust. How do we parse these messages, and how do our choices affect the worldÂeconomy? Â
This week on Skepticality, Derek & Swoopy discuss how economic andÂevolutionary theory speak the same language, and how our hardwired humanÂbiology affects modern economics, with Skeptic Society founder Dr. MichaelÂShermer author of The Mind of the Market: Compassionate Apes, CompetitiveÂHumans and Other Tales from Evolutionary Economics.
Download File - 34.2 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #068 - The Candidates on Church and State - Interview: Lori Lipman Brown
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jan 8, 2008
Skepticality welcomes 2008 with an update from theÂSecular Coalition for America'sÂLori Lipman Brown âÂthe only lobbyistÂdedicated solely to the concerns of secular humanists and non-theists and to theÂpreservation of the separation of church and state.
Lori talks with Derek and Swoopy about why 2007 was the best year yet forÂthe SCA, the top issues on the agenda for 2008, and how the currentÂpresidential candidates stack up on the issues important to skeptics.
Download File - 31.3 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality Xmas 2007 - Interview: James Randi
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Dec 25, 2007
Merry Christmas? Can Skeptics actually say that with a straight face?
We ask James Randi, of the James Randi Educational Foundation about his thoughts on the holiday season.
Download File - 8.9 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
skepticality #067 - Humanistic Judaism and Lily The Pink - Interview: Michael Adelson
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Dec 12, 2007
This week Skepticality features Michael Adelson, a staff conductor for the New York Philharmonic, and conductor of the Auros Group for New Music in Boston.
Mr. Adelson had the good fortune to study with the late Rabbi Sherwin Wine. Rabbi Wine founded Humanistic Judaism, a secular movement which provides atheistic and ignostic Jews around the world with a means for organization, mobilization, and a sense of community.
Speaking to Swoopy as a skeptic, Mr. Adelson shares insights from his lecture series, the âForum for New Thinkingâ? (inspired by Rabbi Wine). He also takes a critical look at music history, dispelling some false beliefs about artists â creative humans who are often painted with the brush of divine inspiration.
Building on the musical theme, Swoopy talks to Canadian blue grass trio The Dirty Dishes about their new rendition of âLily The Pinkâ?, an ode to the late 1800âs âqueenâ? of patent medicine Lydia Pinkham.
Download File - 62.9 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #066 - Virtue or Vice, Naughty or Nice? - Interview: Peter Sagal
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Nov 28, 2007
With the specter of the holidays looming and conspicuous consumerismÂrunning amok, Skepticality delves into the topic of vice with Peter Sagal,Âhost of the National Public Radio's popular quiz show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.
Peter is the author of TheÂBook of Vice: Very Naughty Things and How to Do Them.
Download File - 31.8 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #065 - A Secret of the Universe - Interview: Author Stephen L. Gibson
Author: Skepticality
Sun, Nov 18, 2007
ManyÂSkeptic readers are all too aware ofÂTheÂSecret, a slick repackaging of the principles of New Thought and UnityÂChristianity.Â
This week,ÂSkepticality tackles an altogether different secret. Derek and Swoopy talk with authorÂand podcaster Stephen L. Gibson about his own new book, A Secret of theÂUniverse. A far cry from most books that offer up a secret message, AÂSecret of the Universe is a work of dramatic allegory about how we come toÂform knowledge about the Big Questions: God, sexual ethics, morals,Âpolitical ideologyâand how those beliefs affect our actions, our lives, andÂthe world around us.
Then Derek gets an update from Jeff Wagg, General Manager of the James RandiÂEducational Foundation, about a recently administered Million DollarÂChallenge in which Jeff himself became a test subject.
Download File - 35.9 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #064 - Flock of Dodos - Interview: Dr. Randy Olson, evolutionary biologist turned film maker.
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Oct 30, 2007
Recent episodes of Skepticality have touched on issues of outreach and activism in the skepticalÂcommunity, and how skeptics like Jeff Wagg, Alison Smith and Daniel LoxtonÂare using their particular talents to helpÂnurture science and critical thinking.
This week, Derek and Swoopy are pleased to continue thisÂtrend with their interview of evolutionary ecologist-turned-filmmaker Dr. Randy Olson.Â
Dr. Olson's film, Flock of Dodos: The Evolution -ÂIntelligent Design Circus, is not your typical evolution versus IDÂdocumentary.ÂRather than simply pitting one camp against the other, thisÂwhimsical film explores how the two sides of the debate market their ideasÂto the publicâand, more specifically, how the scientific community has failedÂto capture their audience as effectively as the Intelligent Design camp hasÂdone in recent years.
Download File - 58.3 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
skepticality #063 - Where Do We Go From Here? - Op-Ed and Interview: Daniel Loxton
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Oct 16, 2007
Who is the watchdog for paranormal scams and mistakes if we won't do it?Ă‚
This week,ÂDaniel Loxton (editor of Junior Skeptic) offers his own personal perspective on the future of skepticism as a movement. Presented as an original full-length audio article his op-ed essay argues that the search for a "new skepticism" is misguidedâand that the early titans of skepticism had it right in the first place.Â
Then, Derek and Swoopy sit down with Daniel to talk about the skeptics paradox: that so many people feel exhausted and fed up by the paranormal, at the very time that the most exciting new developmentsâfrom podcasts to conferences to communityâare firmly focused on our core paranormal concerns.Â
Has classic skepticism run its course? According to Daniel, we're only now getting ready to start.
Download File - 47.2 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
skepticality #062 - Girl Power! - Interview: Alison Smith, founder of The Skeptical Analysis of the Paranormal Society (SAPS)
Author: Batpig Studios Science Center
Wed, Oct 3, 2007
This week Skepticality has a double bill of brainy, beautiful skeptics working to educate the public about the benefits of science and evidence-based reasoning.Ă‚
Private InvestigatorÂAlison Smith (the founder of the Skeptical Analysis of the Paranormal Society) discusses her work and shares her thoughts about the recent lecture she gave on Skeptical Investigation as well as the Skeptic Smackdown debate she took part in, at Dragon*Con 2007. Lastly, we have a special clip of Dr. Pamela Gay explaining how astrophysicists look at Dark Matter in the Universe, recorded from a special Dragon*Con after party.
We're also pleased to present the full length video fromÂDragon*Con's "Skeptic Smackdown" debate, featuring skeptics Michael Shermer and Alison Smith, and paranormal proponents Patrick Burns and Graham Watkins.
Download File - 34.0 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #061 - Skeptics invade a Sci-Fi Con - Interview: Jeff Wagg of the JREF and George Hrab
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Sep 25, 2007
It seems for any particular social or interest group, there is a conventionâincluding skepticism. The danger is that niche meetings may speak best to those who have already heard the message.Â
For over a decade, Dragon*Con has been integrating factual science and space programming withÂscience fiction material from popularÂliterature, film, television and gaming, such asÂStar WarsÂand StarTrek. ThisÂyear, Derek and Swoopy workedÂalongside the directors ofÂDragon*Con's Space and Science programs Âto bring a contingent of notableÂskeptics to the world's largest culture convention.
On this episode, Jeff Wagg, general manager of the James Randi EducationalÂFoundation and musician, author and skeptic George Hrab share their Dragon*Con experiences, and discuss how skeptics can promote theirÂviews at conventions to help the skeptical movement find aÂbroader audience.
Download File - 51.6 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #060 - Interview: Professor Richard Wiseman by Michael McRae
Author: Skepticality: The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine
Tue, Sep 11, 2007
This week's episode of Skepticality features an interview with psychologist, skeptic, and authorÂDr. Richard Wiseman, recorded atÂthe Australian Science Festival.
Dr. Michael McRae (previously a guest on Skepticality to discuss integratingÂcritical thinking into the classroom) sits down withÂWiseman to discuss newÂapproaches to skepticism and the role of new media in promotingÂinterest in science.
Also, Derek and Swoopy briefly talk about the skeptic turn out at Dragon*Con 2007.
Download File - 20.3 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #059 - Engineers, Astronomers, Lobbyists Updates: Kelly Comstock, Dr. Pamela Gay, Lori Lipman Brown
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Aug 21, 2007
This week, SkepticalityÂtackles matters of politicsÂon Earth, and discoveries out in the universe. First up, environmental engineerÂKelly Comstock returns to answer listener questions from our bottled waterÂepisode and address concerns about potential dangers lurking in municipal water systems (likeÂchlorine and fluoride).
Then, Derek and Swoopy check in with their favorite lobbyist, Lori LipmanÂBrown from the Secular Coalition for America, regarding ongoingÂinvestigations into abuses of non-theists serving in our military, how theÂquestion of separation of church and state is being highlighted in recentÂpolitical debates, and what to look for when the legislature reconvenes inÂthe Fall.
Lastly, astrophysicist Dr. Pamela Gay shares her insights aboutÂrecent media attention paid to NASA troubles, the paper by two GermanÂphysicists who claim to have broken the speed of light, and the potentialÂdiscovery of inorganic cosmic dust with lifelike properties.
Download File - 44.6 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #058 - Back to the Tap, the truth about Bottled Water. Interview: Kelly Comstock, Environmental Engineer
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Aug 7, 2007
Put down that designer bottle of H20!Ă‚ Did you know that If you choose to get your recommended eight glasses a day from bottled water, you could spend $1,400 US dollars annually? That same amount of tap water would cost about 49 cents.Ă‚
Wealthy nations like the United States have some of the cleanest, cheapest and best tasting tap water in the world. The US is also the world's largest consumer of bottled water: 8.3 billion gallons in 2006 (about 26 gallons per person)!ÂWill our rising demand for bottled water harm our nation's aging water distribution and filtration infrastructure? And why are groups like Presbyterians for Restoring Creation boycotting bottled water?
On this week's Skepticality, Derek and Swoopy speak to Kelly Comstock, an environmental engineer and hydrologist who specializes in potable drinking water filtration technology, to answer these questionsâand get to the bottom of the bottled water debate.
Download File - 28.2 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #057 - On being a Skeptic of Faith, Dr. Hal Bidlack, Ph.D.
Author: Skepticality
Wed, Jul 25, 2007
Does a belief in God undermine one's ability to be a skeptic? This is theÂquestion Hal Bidlack seeks to answer this week, as he movingly recounts his ownÂpersonal experiences as a man of faithâand as a skeptic and prominent member of theÂJames Randi Educational Foundation.
Atheism is relatively common within the skeptics community, and so it is sometimes supposed (especially in press accounts) that skepticism implies atheism.Ă‚Dr. Bidlack is one of those who disagrees.
Download File - 21.1 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #056 - The Search for iPhones and Aliens Interviews: Rob Walch of Today in iPhone, Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jul 10, 2007
What's with all the media hype over the latest must-have electronic device,Âthe iPhone? This week on Skepticality, Derek and Swoopy talk toÂRob Walch, host of theÂTodayÂin iPhoneÂpodcast, about the cult of Apple's newest release and ask whether if itÂlives up to the hype.
While it seems most humans on Earth are busy looking for iPhones, theÂNational Academy of Sciences has published a report that states we need toÂstart looking for alien life with novel biochemistries.ÂFraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay, hosts of the Astronomy Cast, help Derek andÂSwoopy interpret the new report "The Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Systems", andÂwhat it means for the search for life in the universe.
Download File - 44.8 MB
Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
Skepticality #055 - Santa Fe Courthouse Ghost Interview: Benjamin Radford solves the case of the "ghost" caught on video.
Author: Skepticality
Tue, Jun 26, 2007
On the last episode of Skepticality, the "Skeptical Inquirer's"Âown Benjamin Radford discussed new Nessie sightings and other lake monsters from his comprehensive bookÂon the subject. This week, Ben is back to tackle a brand new paranormalÂmystery from his own back yard.
Almost over night, a video of a glowing, orb-like apparition at the courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico has soared into the media spotlight, with widespread news coverage andÂnearly 100,000 views on YouTube. Was itÂthe spirit of an infamous murderer, the ghost of a construction worke |