
652 episodes

The Skeptic Zone Richard Saunders
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- Social Sciences
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4.5 • 121 Ratings
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The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason.
Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments.
Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more.
Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.
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The Skeptic Zone #641 - 24.January.2021
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:03:42 The Great Australian Prediction Project
A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for Donald Trump over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the former president?
0:20:13 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Perfect Solution Fallacy".
The perfect solution is an 'all or nothing' way of thinking, unless the outcome is 100% perfect, the baby may end up being thrown out with the bath water. In other words, the idea is being rejected altogether.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:27:33 Vaccination Rates in Australia
Australia has surpassed the immunisation gold stan dard, with a 95.09 per cent vac cination rate for five-year-olds. With 95 per cent of the population vaccinated, child hood diseases that kill cannot get a foothold due to "herd immunity". - By Jane Hansen
0:33:38 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers.
This week testing psychic claims from 1950.
Into the Unknown - Part #4
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud -
The Skeptic Zone #640 - 17.January.2021
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water
From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham
https://goodthinkingsociety.org
0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Red Herring".
This is when someone gives irrelevant information in an attempt to distract you from a topic at hand, often to avoid a question or shift the discussion in a new direction.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:16:00 Typewriter Time - Dialup Astrology
We discover that Richard Saunders and Maynard have started a new age Astrology service. What advice can they offer Annika Harrison from the European Skeptics Podcast?
0:25:07 Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:33:20 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers.
This week testing psychic claims from 1950.
Into the Unknown - Part #3
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also COVID-19 : Chiro Advice
https://tinyurl.com/yxa3dfo3
Canberra Skeptics
https://www.canberraskeptics.org
Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud -
The Skeptic Zone #639 - 10.January.2021
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill
Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years.
https://tourette.ca
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home
Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10)
https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI
0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Affirming the Consequent".
This is when you assume or conclude a cause for a phenomenon based on the phenomenon itself without taking other possibilities into account.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:30:25 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers.
This week testing psychic claims from 1950.
Into the Unknown - Part #2
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also Aust. Skeptics YouTube
https://youtube.com/c/AustralianSkepticsInc
Vic Skeptics Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/theskepticscafe
Where did the rabbit go? - Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/where-did-the-rabbit-go/id1502744758
Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud -
The Skeptic Zone #638 - 3.January.2021
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy
An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine.
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-dubios-woman-who-allegedly-fled-covid-hotel-quarantine-shared-bizarre-online-rants-before-incident-c-1848398
0:15:09 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at the fallacy of "Unfalsifiability".
Also known as 'untestability', this is when you make a claim that cannot be shown or proved to be incorrect or even correct via testing.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:21:02 Monterey Skepticamp 2021
Susan Gerbic with details of the first Skeptical Meeting of the year. This time the whole world can join in, online. Sat 2nd of Jan. (USA)
https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com/skepticamp-2020-schedule-speakers/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWm1ELCsYTQw53ljcCpSedw
0:34:15 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers.
This week an a count of testing psychic claims from 1950.
Into the Unknown - Part #1
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud -
The Skeptic Zone #637 - 27.December.2020
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:05:00 Pete Evans Booted Off
Pete Evans has been removed from Facebook just days after telling Sydney followers to not get tested for COVID-19.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/facebook-boots-celebrity-chef-pete-evans-over-covid-19-misinformation-20201223-p56px0.html
0:11:30 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Slothful Induction Fallacy".
This is when even though there is enough good evidence to support a conclusion, this evidence is rejected and replaced by something possibly unrelated but more inline with a particular worldview.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:19:18 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Astrology.
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also 2021 Origami Calendar
https://skepticzone.tv/files/2021_origami.pdf
2021 Maynard Calendar Calendar
https://skepticzone.tv/files/Maynard2021.pdf
Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud -
The Skeptic Zone #636 - 20.December.2020
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:04:07 Susan Gerbic
We find out what GSoW are doing to support those fighting COVID-19. Also the latest ravings from two time Bent Spoon winner, Pete Evans.
https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com
0:17:00 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller in the 1970s.
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
0:38:55 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Ipse Dixit".
Also known as "It Simply Is", this is when an opinion is given as if it were an undisputed fact, without any need for supporting evidence.
A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view.
0:45:17 Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What is making news in the skeptical world? Find out with the newsletter compiled by Tim Mendham.
http://www.skeptics.com.au
Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images
https://coronaconspiracy.cloud
Customer Reviews
Who, What, Why, When & How
Richard answers all the questions or points you where you can find the answers for yourself. He asks probing questions with insight and respect. He does not dismiss the person or insult the believer. Richard tells you why something is bunkum and does not assume you would have prior knowledge. There are entertaining interviews and provoking articles.
Too often other Skeptics podcast presenters instantly dismiss the belief, insulting the believers. They do not provide any critical questioning or demonstration why it is not true. Calling ‘Flat-Earthers’ or ‘Anti-Vaccinationers’ names does not explain to me why their views are detrimental to society and could cause harm.
Richard is respectful, informative and is a nice person.
Have removed the other skeptic podcasts. Maybe when they stop being so ‘up themselves’ and full of righteousness, I may listen to them again. Remember, it is almost impossible to reason with a fanatic- Including Skeptics.
I alway smile when I see a new episode has arrived.
A great podcast. Richard is very engaging and the show is always in informative and thoughtful.
Time to rethink
Waaaaay too “Richard Saunders”. Time for a new voice.
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