1 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:02,750 today I want to talk about dinosaurs 2 00:00:08,570 --> 00:00:05,850 they lived a hundred million years ago 3 00:00:11,900 --> 00:00:08,580 when I wasn't born and when humans 4 00:00:15,919 --> 00:00:11,910 weren't around but sometimes you have to 5 00:00:20,689 --> 00:00:15,929 give same size is good you don't get 6 00:00:23,929 --> 00:00:20,699 bored or don't get tired you guess do a 7 00:00:33,290 --> 00:00:23,939 little bit science and then you do the 8 00:00:35,959 --> 00:00:33,300 West Lake hat welcome to the skeptic 9 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:35,969 zone the podcast from Australia for 10 00:00:41,610 --> 00:00:48,450 you 11 00:00:54,790 --> 00:00:51,100 hello and welcome to the skeptic zone 12 00:00:58,299 --> 00:00:54,800 episode number 358 for the 30th of 13 00:01:01,209 --> 00:00:58,309 August 2015 Richard Saunders here with 14 00:01:04,450 --> 00:01:01,219 you from Sydney Australia thank you 15 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:04,460 thank you to Oscar and Daphne alabaster 16 00:01:09,190 --> 00:01:07,610 for your little science reports right at 17 00:01:11,260 --> 00:01:09,200 the beginning of the show fantastic 18 00:01:14,139 --> 00:01:11,270 we're going to be hearing from your mum 19 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:14,149 Joe later in the show and what a mixed 20 00:01:19,690 --> 00:01:17,210 bag what a lucky dip what a cauldron of 21 00:01:22,779 --> 00:01:19,700 I can't think of the word what a 22 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:22,789 cauldron of clever things we have for 23 00:01:26,169 --> 00:01:24,770 you this week on the skeptic zone i'm 24 00:01:29,590 --> 00:01:26,179 sure listeners can come up with a better 25 00:01:34,510 --> 00:01:29,600 um a better phrase than that a cauldron 26 00:01:36,190 --> 00:01:34,520 of cortland of coming up this week on 27 00:01:38,649 --> 00:01:36,200 the skeptic zone we're going to kick off 28 00:01:41,410 --> 00:01:38,659 with an interview with russ bolts from 29 00:01:43,719 --> 00:01:41,420 the Brisbane skeptics society with the 30 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:43,729 National Convention drawing ever closer 31 00:01:47,740 --> 00:01:46,250 in fact it's in October we're catching 32 00:01:49,660 --> 00:01:47,750 up with Ross who's going to fill us in 33 00:01:52,630 --> 00:01:49,670 on some of the great headline acts 34 00:01:55,179 --> 00:01:52,640 coming to Brisbane coming to Brisbane to 35 00:01:57,850 --> 00:01:55,189 take part in the Australian skeptics 36 00:01:59,740 --> 00:01:57,860 National Convention how can you help or 37 00:02:01,929 --> 00:01:59,750 you can book a ticket more information 38 00:02:03,490 --> 00:02:01,939 about that coming up you know what else 39 00:02:05,319 --> 00:02:03,500 you can do folks you know what else you 40 00:02:06,999 --> 00:02:05,329 can do if you're in Australia and you 41 00:02:09,699 --> 00:02:07,009 would like to nominate somebody for this 42 00:02:14,250 --> 00:02:09,709 year's Australian skeptics bent spoon 43 00:02:17,289 --> 00:02:14,260 award head for ww skeptics Comte you 44 00:02:19,660 --> 00:02:17,299 click on these special features link and 45 00:02:22,030 --> 00:02:19,670 you'll see the bent spoon award now this 46 00:02:23,770 --> 00:02:22,040 award is presented every year to the 47 00:02:25,930 --> 00:02:23,780 perpetrator of the most preposterous 48 00:02:29,020 --> 00:02:25,940 piece of paranormal or pseudo scientific 49 00:02:31,870 --> 00:02:29,030 people Oh what am what a sentence that 50 00:02:33,699 --> 00:02:31,880 is past winners past winners have 51 00:02:37,330 --> 00:02:33,709 included dr. Larry Marshall chief 52 00:02:39,069 --> 00:02:37,340 executive from the CSIRO for supporting 53 00:02:41,890 --> 00:02:39,079 water divining the chiropractor's 54 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:41,900 Association of Australia Fran Sheffield 55 00:02:46,599 --> 00:02:43,930 from homeopathy plus for advocating 56 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:46,609 magic sugar water instead of tried and 57 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:48,650 true vaccinations other winners have 58 00:02:53,949 --> 00:02:51,170 been Meryl Dory from the deceptively 59 00:02:55,540 --> 00:02:53,959 named Australian vaccination network we 60 00:02:57,009 --> 00:02:55,550 have the pharmacist of Australia who 61 00:02:59,770 --> 00:02:57,019 managed to forget their scientific 62 00:02:59,890 --> 00:02:59,780 training and in order to flog all sorts 63 00:03:02,589 --> 00:02:59,900 of 64 00:03:04,479 --> 00:03:02,599 quackery on their shelves ABC television 65 00:03:07,030 --> 00:03:04,489 with their show second opinion for 66 00:03:09,429 --> 00:03:07,040 uncritical presentation of many forms of 67 00:03:11,350 --> 00:03:09,439 quackery and going further further back 68 00:03:13,449 --> 00:03:11,360 into the past we have the journalist 69 00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:13,459 michael Willacy for documentary signs 70 00:03:18,130 --> 00:03:16,040 from God and for those of you who 71 00:03:20,530 --> 00:03:18,140 remember Steve visored here in Australia 72 00:03:23,349 --> 00:03:20,540 his tonight live program you can read 73 00:03:26,319 --> 00:03:23,359 all the past winners at skeptics Comte 74 00:03:28,660 --> 00:03:26,329 you but we need more nominations for 75 00:03:30,970 --> 00:03:28,670 this year if you know of an individual 76 00:03:33,009 --> 00:03:30,980 or an organization worthy of nominating 77 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:33,019 for the bent spoon somebody out there 78 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:36,170 spruiking what we might consider to be 79 00:03:40,420 --> 00:03:38,510 questionable be at the alternative 80 00:03:42,879 --> 00:03:40,430 medicine or spiritual practices or 81 00:03:44,890 --> 00:03:42,889 paranormal or whatever headed for the 82 00:03:46,710 --> 00:03:44,900 site fill out the nomination and let us 83 00:03:49,210 --> 00:03:46,720 know we need some more nominations 84 00:03:50,860 --> 00:03:49,220 anyway yes kicking off the show it's 85 00:03:52,750 --> 00:03:50,870 Ross bolts from the Brisbane skeptics 86 00:03:55,119 --> 00:03:52,760 society telling us all about the 87 00:03:57,399 --> 00:03:55,129 upcoming convention can't wait to see 88 00:04:01,330 --> 00:03:57,409 you there and after that it is joe 89 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:01,340 alabaster the mum of daphne and Oscar 90 00:04:05,110 --> 00:04:02,930 who you heard right on top of the show 91 00:04:07,809 --> 00:04:05,120 Joe's going to be looking at the recent 92 00:04:10,140 --> 00:04:07,819 cartoons by the famous cartoonist 93 00:04:12,879 --> 00:04:10,150 Michael Looney and his strong 94 00:04:16,050 --> 00:04:12,889 anti-vaccination stand what's behind all 95 00:04:18,069 --> 00:04:16,060 that evidence please with Joe alabaster 96 00:04:20,050 --> 00:04:18,079 following that it's a week in science 97 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:20,060 from the Royal Institution of Australia 98 00:04:28,930 --> 00:04:23,810 www r-ia us dot org are you looking at 99 00:04:31,420 --> 00:04:28,940 the science of sleeping boom and then we 100 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:31,430 have a tribute to the late professor 101 00:04:35,710 --> 00:04:33,710 colin k a long time skeptic here in 102 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:35,720 australia and a good friend of mine who 103 00:04:40,659 --> 00:04:37,970 sadly passed away a few days ago a good 104 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:40,669 astronomer to then to round off the show 105 00:04:47,170 --> 00:04:44,330 I speak to Michelle Franklin from the 106 00:04:49,149 --> 00:04:47,180 newly formed Darwin skeptics Darwin way 107 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:49,159 up in the Northern Territory Crocodile 108 00:04:53,980 --> 00:04:52,490 Dundee country almost I think find out 109 00:04:56,290 --> 00:04:53,990 what's happening up in Darwin with the 110 00:04:58,719 --> 00:04:56,300 skeptical movement there and how you can 111 00:05:02,860 --> 00:04:58,729 help out as well now for those of you in 112 00:05:04,990 --> 00:05:02,870 the sydney area on Monday night the 31st 113 00:05:07,260 --> 00:05:05,000 of August rule that's tomorrow I'll be 114 00:05:10,750 --> 00:05:07,270 speaking at the chip and dale hotel at 115 00:05:12,470 --> 00:05:10,760 87 291 abercrombie street chippendale 116 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:12,480 it's art 117 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:15,810 not too far from a central station i'll 118 00:05:23,330 --> 00:05:19,770 be speaking for the sydney podcasting 119 00:05:25,850 --> 00:05:23,340 meetup group lecture presentation hope 120 00:05:28,250 --> 00:05:25,860 it's going to be fun about how I put the 121 00:05:30,410 --> 00:05:28,260 skeptic zone together how I produce the 122 00:05:32,150 --> 00:05:30,420 skeptic zone if you want to come along 123 00:05:36,530 --> 00:05:32,160 you're more than welcome when great to 124 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:36,540 see you head to meetup com / podcasting 125 00:05:41,780 --> 00:05:39,450 hyphen Sydney but i'll put a link in the 126 00:05:42,950 --> 00:05:41,790 show notes and that should be a lot of 127 00:05:45,050 --> 00:05:42,960 fun i'm looking forward to that 128 00:05:48,890 --> 00:05:45,060 hopefully may not all be there too and 129 00:05:51,410 --> 00:05:48,900 don't forget to visit w WM n okami you 130 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:51,420 for Maenads podcasts always worth listen 131 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:53,730 then you have a chance to meet me and 132 00:05:58,640 --> 00:05:55,650 lots of other people from the australian 133 00:06:00,500 --> 00:05:58,650 skeptics this weekend this saturday the 134 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:00,510 50th September at the Australian 135 00:06:05,540 --> 00:06:03,930 paranormal and spiritual Expo now we 136 00:06:09,910 --> 00:06:05,550 were there last year we had a great time 137 00:06:12,380 --> 00:06:09,920 meant many many people came by our table 138 00:06:15,350 --> 00:06:12,390 asking information we were telling them 139 00:06:17,330 --> 00:06:15,360 the sceptical point of view skeptics and 140 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:17,340 a paranormal and spiritual Expo it's a 141 00:06:21,650 --> 00:06:19,410 pretty good mix surprisingly enough and 142 00:06:24,350 --> 00:06:21,660 we enjoyed ourselves if you want to come 143 00:06:25,700 --> 00:06:24,360 along I just look up Australian 144 00:06:27,050 --> 00:06:25,710 paranormal and spiritually expo on 145 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:27,060 facebook i'll put a link in the show 146 00:06:33,740 --> 00:06:30,650 notes it's this saturday kuchulu 147 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:33,750 powerhouse arts center one powerhouse 148 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:36,480 road casula it's not too hard to find 149 00:06:43,100 --> 00:06:40,710 hope to see you there and down I'll be 150 00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:43,110 certainly running around with my 151 00:06:47,150 --> 00:06:45,030 microphone with Joe alabaster and may 152 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:47,160 not getting lots of interviews with the 153 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:49,410 interesting people for upcoming episodes 154 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:51,330 of the skipping zone including Pete 155 00:06:56,630 --> 00:06:53,130 banks one of the organizers and the lady 156 00:06:58,940 --> 00:06:56,640 very graciously invited us along the 157 00:07:01,460 --> 00:06:58,950 skeptics to come along to the Australian 158 00:07:05,110 --> 00:07:01,470 paranormal and spiritual Expo what will 159 00:07:07,900 --> 00:07:05,120 we discover will we find a ghost mmm 160 00:07:10,490 --> 00:07:07,910 probably not but we can have some fun 161 00:07:13,460 --> 00:07:10,500 regardless well that's enough for me I'm 162 00:07:16,820 --> 00:07:13,470 going to run downstairs should be oh 163 00:07:21,140 --> 00:07:16,830 hello it's Fred the cat hey Fred what's 164 00:07:23,930 --> 00:07:21,150 that what's that Fred you want to remind 165 00:07:25,790 --> 00:07:23,940 people about dental health for felines 166 00:07:28,129 --> 00:07:25,800 really what's that 167 00:07:31,100 --> 00:07:28,139 did you say that if you get a black 168 00:07:33,860 --> 00:07:31,110 light and shine it into your into your 169 00:07:35,779 --> 00:07:33,870 mouth a cat's mouth in the dark you can 170 00:07:39,020 --> 00:07:35,789 actually see gingivitis which shows up 171 00:07:41,779 --> 00:07:39,030 orange Wow Fred you're just full of 172 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:41,789 amazing information dental hygiene for 173 00:07:46,369 --> 00:07:44,490 cats that's Fred's message well it's not 174 00:07:48,649 --> 00:07:46,379 is just a cap that's what I learnt this 175 00:07:50,930 --> 00:07:48,659 week and it actually works if you shine 176 00:07:52,309 --> 00:07:50,940 a black light into a cat's mouth and 177 00:07:54,140 --> 00:07:52,319 look at their teeth you can actually see 178 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:54,150 signs of gingivitis which shows up 179 00:07:58,670 --> 00:07:57,090 orange hmm that's a little-known cat 180 00:08:01,610 --> 00:07:58,680 fact for this week thanks to Fred the 181 00:08:03,559 --> 00:08:01,620 cat I'm going to run downstairs I'm 182 00:08:05,450 --> 00:08:03,569 going to open up the cupboard I'm going 183 00:08:07,939 --> 00:08:05,460 to get out that lovely corn on the cob 184 00:08:10,459 --> 00:08:07,949 why not call him the car boil that up 185 00:08:12,980 --> 00:08:10,469 with a little bit of pepper corn on the 186 00:08:16,010 --> 00:08:12,990 cob with pepper hmm yes yes well I'm 187 00:08:35,999 --> 00:08:16,020 doing that I hope you enjoy the skeptics 188 00:08:41,079 --> 00:08:38,319 and joining me on the line from the 189 00:08:44,889 --> 00:08:41,089 Brisbane skeptics society it's Rose Bowl 190 00:08:46,990 --> 00:08:44,899 hello Ross hey Richard it's so great to 191 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:47,000 be back on the skeptics are yes and 192 00:08:52,210 --> 00:08:49,610 welcome back to the skeptic zone nice to 193 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:52,220 have you back on one more time now let's 194 00:08:55,509 --> 00:08:53,810 talk about this Australian skeptics 195 00:08:56,949 --> 00:08:55,519 National Convention I've been to many I 196 00:08:58,569 --> 00:08:56,959 can tell you what I mean to more 197 00:09:01,300 --> 00:08:58,579 Australian skeptics national conventions 198 00:09:04,269 --> 00:09:01,310 and I care to remember my very first one 199 00:09:06,670 --> 00:09:04,279 was 1999 in Adelaide I think and I've 200 00:09:08,670 --> 00:09:06,680 been to most of them ever since it's a 201 00:09:10,869 --> 00:09:08,680 very exciting thing to do to hold a 202 00:09:12,610 --> 00:09:10,879 national convention like this it's very 203 00:09:16,319 --> 00:09:12,620 tiring as you're probably no doubt 204 00:09:19,420 --> 00:09:16,329 finding out how are things shaping up 205 00:09:21,490 --> 00:09:19,430 you know things are going really well I 206 00:09:23,710 --> 00:09:21,500 I don't know if I've sort of told the 207 00:09:26,530 --> 00:09:23,720 story of this yet but Brisbane skeptics 208 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:26,540 society we essentially arranged 209 00:09:32,139 --> 00:09:28,569 ourselves into a more formal group in 210 00:09:34,629 --> 00:09:32,149 2014 after organizing our very first 211 00:09:36,369 --> 00:09:34,639 skeptic amp it turns out that banks want 212 00:09:38,499 --> 00:09:36,379 you to have a bit of formality before 213 00:09:40,749 --> 00:09:38,509 they will let you deposit money so we 214 00:09:43,449 --> 00:09:40,759 thought that was the way to go and we 215 00:09:45,670 --> 00:09:43,459 were very surprised just a couple of 216 00:09:47,530 --> 00:09:45,680 weeks before the Australian convention 217 00:09:50,530 --> 00:09:47,540 last year which of course was a huge 218 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:50,540 affair in Sydney yeah to get a call from 219 00:09:55,269 --> 00:09:52,790 mr. Rancic ever of course the president 220 00:09:57,249 --> 00:09:55,279 currently of Australian skeptics asking 221 00:10:01,059 --> 00:09:57,259 us if we would like to host the 222 00:10:03,340 --> 00:10:01,069 Australian convention in 2015 and of 223 00:10:05,170 --> 00:10:03,350 course we had talked about offering to 224 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:05,180 do it maybe in two or three years time 225 00:10:10,689 --> 00:10:07,250 once we got some funds behind us and a 226 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:10,699 bit of experience so to be asked at such 227 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:13,970 an early stage in a our development as a 228 00:10:18,309 --> 00:10:16,970 society was a real honor and I think it 229 00:10:20,590 --> 00:10:18,319 took about two minutes of discussion 230 00:10:22,809 --> 00:10:20,600 between the sort of executive members 231 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:22,819 and we called Iran back straight away 232 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:25,370 and said yes yes of course we would love 233 00:10:29,949 --> 00:10:28,220 to do it and you know I I would like to 234 00:10:32,530 --> 00:10:29,959 say I guess that I regret that decision 235 00:10:35,939 --> 00:10:32,540 but I really don't it's um it's it's 236 00:10:38,619 --> 00:10:35,949 been a real great experience so far 237 00:10:41,139 --> 00:10:38,629 organizing this with all of the Brisbane 238 00:10:43,350 --> 00:10:41,149 skeptics society members everyone has 239 00:10:45,579 --> 00:10:43,360 been really busy behind the scenes of 240 00:10:47,079 --> 00:10:45,589 course the first thing you have to do is 241 00:10:49,119 --> 00:10:47,089 you have to secure things like 242 00:10:51,879 --> 00:10:49,129 venue you know are you going to have 243 00:10:54,009 --> 00:10:51,889 local hotels and you know we did that 244 00:10:56,860 --> 00:10:54,019 and we found a great venue at QUT it's 245 00:10:59,710 --> 00:10:56,870 just a beautiful theater with really 246 00:11:01,900 --> 00:10:59,720 nice comfy seats a proper stage so I 247 00:11:03,519 --> 00:11:01,910 really like these these conventions that 248 00:11:05,889 --> 00:11:03,529 have a sense of grandeur to them almost 249 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:05,899 because it I think it really adds to the 250 00:11:09,999 --> 00:11:07,970 experience and you know obviously we're 251 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:10,009 at a stage now where we're all the final 252 00:11:14,019 --> 00:11:11,569 things are starting to come together and 253 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:14,029 it's those little things like how how do 254 00:11:18,129 --> 00:11:16,610 we make the ID tag look and these are 255 00:11:19,809 --> 00:11:18,139 the money decisions that of course that 256 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:19,819 you you realize you have to make when 257 00:11:23,590 --> 00:11:21,170 you're organizing something like this 258 00:11:26,799 --> 00:11:23,600 and all of us are really excited now 259 00:11:28,809 --> 00:11:26,809 with almost just over a month to go for 260 00:11:31,239 --> 00:11:28,819 everyone to experience this this huge 261 00:11:34,379 --> 00:11:31,249 event in the Australian calendar it 262 00:11:36,879 --> 00:11:34,389 really is it and it's a wonderful thing 263 00:11:40,420 --> 00:11:36,889 I've always found australian skeptics 264 00:11:42,460 --> 00:11:40,430 conventions and I've been the organizing 265 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:42,470 committee of a few myself but regardless 266 00:11:47,230 --> 00:11:45,410 of my disastrous efforts yeah I've 267 00:11:49,420 --> 00:11:47,240 always found them to be a such an 268 00:11:51,819 --> 00:11:49,430 interesting thing and interesting and 269 00:11:53,619 --> 00:11:51,829 inspiring thing now let's help quickly 270 00:11:55,210 --> 00:11:53,629 look at some of the the people you've 271 00:11:56,919 --> 00:11:55,220 got coming over this year for the 272 00:12:00,629 --> 00:11:56,929 convention and and what a lineup 273 00:12:03,340 --> 00:12:00,639 headlined by a Nobel Prize laureate oh 274 00:12:05,139 --> 00:12:03,350 look you know to have someone like Brian 275 00:12:07,210 --> 00:12:05,149 Schmidt at our convention is just 276 00:12:09,669 --> 00:12:07,220 absolutely fantastic I think when people 277 00:12:11,499 --> 00:12:09,679 think of skepticism often what they're 278 00:12:15,340 --> 00:12:11,509 thinking of our other classic things you 279 00:12:17,410 --> 00:12:15,350 know psychics ghost hunting even medical 280 00:12:19,419 --> 00:12:17,420 whoo and it's of course we're going to 281 00:12:21,069 --> 00:12:19,429 feature talks on all of that stuff but 282 00:12:23,980 --> 00:12:21,079 to have someone who's a real heavyweight 283 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:23,990 in science and who's so passionate about 284 00:12:27,879 --> 00:12:25,490 it I mean I've got to say I've seen 285 00:12:30,549 --> 00:12:27,889 Brian Schmidt speak myself and he just 286 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:30,559 absolutely love sciences and the process 287 00:12:36,340 --> 00:12:33,170 of science to he just loves discovery he 288 00:12:38,949 --> 00:12:36,350 loves the the whole thing you know and I 289 00:12:41,079 --> 00:12:38,959 I'm really excited for someone of his 290 00:12:42,999 --> 00:12:41,089 quality to be in Brisbane to talk for 291 00:12:45,669 --> 00:12:43,009 all of the skeptics that are going to be 292 00:12:48,189 --> 00:12:45,679 in attendance and it's really not 293 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:48,199 someone you should miss he he really is 294 00:12:53,710 --> 00:12:51,170 bit of a hero in Australia now of course 295 00:12:56,019 --> 00:12:53,720 after winning a Nobel Prize at Anu for 296 00:12:58,480 --> 00:12:56,029 discovering the expel the exactly 297 00:13:00,879 --> 00:12:58,490 accelerating expanding rate of the 298 00:13:02,919 --> 00:13:00,889 universe so you know he's just 299 00:13:05,349 --> 00:13:02,929 obviously a multitude of speakers but 300 00:13:07,150 --> 00:13:05,359 I'm really excited to see him again and 301 00:13:09,489 --> 00:13:07,160 to get the chance to talk to him 302 00:13:12,309 --> 00:13:09,499 backstage I think that's the privilege 303 00:13:14,109 --> 00:13:12,319 of the organizers in a way that you get 304 00:13:16,599 --> 00:13:14,119 time to sort of speak to these amazing 305 00:13:19,179 --> 00:13:16,609 people who otherwise you might not get 306 00:13:21,639 --> 00:13:19,189 to absolutely yeah I can back that up 307 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:21,649 for sure it it's a certain thrill and I 308 00:13:24,309 --> 00:13:22,850 guess it's one of the reasons i like 309 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:24,319 going to conventions no matter where 310 00:13:28,599 --> 00:13:26,569 they are it's to meet these very 311 00:13:30,879 --> 00:13:28,609 interesting and influential people and 312 00:13:34,449 --> 00:13:30,889 people who do certainly make a mark in 313 00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:34,459 society apart from that wonderful 314 00:13:39,669 --> 00:13:37,910 headline act we might say a dear old 315 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:39,679 friend of mine I haven't seen for a few 316 00:13:45,030 --> 00:13:41,689 years so I'm so glad that he's coming 317 00:13:47,919 --> 00:13:45,040 over for this the legendary Joe Nickell 318 00:13:50,229 --> 00:13:47,929 yeah look you know it's funny when we 319 00:13:51,879 --> 00:13:50,239 were putting together a list of who we 320 00:13:54,549 --> 00:13:51,889 might want to bring over to Australia 321 00:13:57,189 --> 00:13:54,559 you know we were really looking to put 322 00:13:58,659 --> 00:13:57,199 in as much variety as possible and you 323 00:14:00,909 --> 00:13:58,669 know one of the things that we said was 324 00:14:03,429 --> 00:14:00,919 who who has the experience you know 325 00:14:05,590 --> 00:14:03,439 who's been there who's done it who can 326 00:14:07,929 --> 00:14:05,600 help the next generation of skeptics in 327 00:14:09,939 --> 00:14:07,939 their quest to to sort of be effective 328 00:14:12,220 --> 00:14:09,949 skeptics and Joe Nickell was the obvious 329 00:14:16,179 --> 00:14:12,230 stand out for us he's written more books 330 00:14:18,819 --> 00:14:16,189 that I have digits over my my hands on 331 00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:18,829 and time feet and he's just been 332 00:14:21,699 --> 00:14:19,910 everywhere you know he's been all over 333 00:14:23,139 --> 00:14:21,709 the world he's experienced things and 334 00:14:26,829 --> 00:14:23,149 he's done things the right way you know 335 00:14:29,499 --> 00:14:26,839 he really goes into investigations in in 336 00:14:31,689 --> 00:14:29,509 a methodical way but he makes it fun for 337 00:14:34,479 --> 00:14:31,699 the reader and he's just such a 338 00:14:36,669 --> 00:14:34,489 personality you know I being in New York 339 00:14:38,590 --> 00:14:36,679 and I think for people who don't know 340 00:14:41,259 --> 00:14:38,600 Joe Nickell too well he's he's very 341 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:41,269 famous for not being connected to the 342 00:14:45,609 --> 00:14:43,910 internet or technology particularly in 343 00:14:47,859 --> 00:14:45,619 fact I believe he still writes his books 344 00:14:50,710 --> 00:14:47,869 on a typewriter which is just quite 345 00:14:52,569 --> 00:14:50,720 frankly amazing so I have to I have to 346 00:14:55,059 --> 00:14:52,579 phone if own him up at the office at see 347 00:14:56,799 --> 00:14:55,069 if I in buffalo new york and for me it's 348 00:14:59,470 --> 00:14:56,809 it's normally 12 or one o'clock in the 349 00:15:02,289 --> 00:14:59,480 morning i like to catch him sort of 9 350 00:15:04,299 --> 00:15:02,299 a.m. new york time and you know I I 351 00:15:06,519 --> 00:15:04,309 normally only have small things to let 352 00:15:08,590 --> 00:15:06,529 him know about and that the first time I 353 00:15:09,939 --> 00:15:08,600 found him up I think it was three 354 00:15:12,009 --> 00:15:09,949 o'clock in the morning before I finally 355 00:15:14,229 --> 00:15:12,019 hung up the phone because he's just he's 356 00:15:14,650 --> 00:15:14,239 about the story for every situation and 357 00:15:18,879 --> 00:15:14,660 his 358 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:18,889 only in a skeptical sense but personally 359 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:21,290 he's he's really done a lot of things 360 00:15:26,079 --> 00:15:23,870 and you know I was so excited when he 361 00:15:28,180 --> 00:15:26,089 said that he would come and people 362 00:15:30,069 --> 00:15:28,190 really are going to be in for a treat 363 00:15:32,439 --> 00:15:30,079 with him he is he's one of the biggest 364 00:15:34,030 --> 00:15:32,449 characters and skepticism he certainly 365 00:15:36,519 --> 00:15:34,040 is he certainly is and what an 366 00:15:38,889 --> 00:15:36,529 interesting speaker he is my goodness me 367 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:38,899 it doesn't matter what one of his many 368 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:40,850 adventures or interests in the skeptical 369 00:15:45,429 --> 00:15:43,610 field he'll be telling us about at the 370 00:15:47,499 --> 00:15:45,439 meeting at the convention it'll be 371 00:15:49,929 --> 00:15:47,509 fascinating it always is with joe 372 00:15:51,579 --> 00:15:49,939 nickell I can promise you that another 373 00:15:54,309 --> 00:15:51,589 dear friend of mine Eugenie Scott I 374 00:15:56,019 --> 00:15:54,319 can't wait to see her again Susan ger 375 00:15:58,329 --> 00:15:56,029 back from guerrilla skepticism who will 376 00:16:00,100 --> 00:15:58,339 be in Sydney giving a talk briefly 377 00:16:02,199 --> 00:16:00,110 before she heads up to prison which is 378 00:16:05,650 --> 00:16:02,209 good news for Sydney people the list 379 00:16:07,449 --> 00:16:05,660 goes on and on and on how how did you go 380 00:16:09,639 --> 00:16:07,459 about getting these people together did 381 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:09,649 you have a huge list of names it was a 382 00:16:15,970 --> 00:16:13,730 matter of who was available yeah I mean 383 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:15,980 it's interesting actually because I 384 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:18,290 won't mention the people who turns down 385 00:16:22,929 --> 00:16:21,410 but there weren't that many though I 386 00:16:25,150 --> 00:16:22,939 think that's the encouraging thing we 387 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:25,160 put together a list and I think as I 388 00:16:31,139 --> 00:16:27,050 mentioned briefly earlier what we really 389 00:16:34,540 --> 00:16:31,149 wanted was a diversity of experience 390 00:16:36,429 --> 00:16:34,550 different topics and you know we said 391 00:16:39,309 --> 00:16:36,439 what are the issues in skepticism right 392 00:16:42,129 --> 00:16:39,319 now that people need to be learning 393 00:16:44,170 --> 00:16:42,139 about and also what are the people who 394 00:16:45,970 --> 00:16:44,180 can talk to us and just give us general 395 00:16:49,090 --> 00:16:45,980 skills you know we've got people like 396 00:16:50,499 --> 00:16:49,100 Peter ellerton and Theo Clark and you 397 00:16:53,860 --> 00:16:50,509 know these are the kind of people who 398 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:53,870 they study thinking for a living you 399 00:16:58,059 --> 00:16:55,730 know Theo obviously is amazing he's a 400 00:17:00,069 --> 00:16:58,069 great educator and he's got a lot of 401 00:17:02,139 --> 00:17:00,079 skills to put forward in that regard and 402 00:17:05,350 --> 00:17:02,149 Peter allerton is a great philosopher 403 00:17:07,270 --> 00:17:05,360 and he he really sort of looks in a very 404 00:17:10,120 --> 00:17:07,280 scientific way of the way we think and 405 00:17:11,919 --> 00:17:10,130 these are really to me the core skills 406 00:17:14,049 --> 00:17:11,929 of skepticism you know thinking about 407 00:17:16,210 --> 00:17:14,059 how we think or I guess metacognition 408 00:17:17,649 --> 00:17:16,220 some people call it you know these are 409 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:17,659 the kind of skills that you need to come 410 00:17:23,350 --> 00:17:20,510 to the convention for you know we get 411 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:23,360 accused of preaching to the choir and of 412 00:17:27,340 --> 00:17:25,010 course that's true to a certain extent 413 00:17:28,540 --> 00:17:27,350 in these kinds of events but they're 414 00:17:31,210 --> 00:17:28,550 really about learning and may 415 00:17:33,250 --> 00:17:31,220 can yourself better skeptic so you know 416 00:17:34,930 --> 00:17:33,260 we looked at that and we also wanted 417 00:17:36,370 --> 00:17:34,940 people of course who have achieved a lot 418 00:17:38,860 --> 00:17:36,380 so that's where people like Eugenie 419 00:17:40,450 --> 00:17:38,870 Scott Joe Nickell came in and also you 420 00:17:42,250 --> 00:17:40,460 know we didn't want it just to be all 421 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:42,260 about skepticism you know we all love 422 00:17:45,670 --> 00:17:44,090 science I think skeptics are some of the 423 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:45,680 biggest science lovers than raw so 424 00:17:50,140 --> 00:17:47,930 that's where people of course like Brian 425 00:17:52,570 --> 00:17:50,150 Schmidt come in you know dr. Mel 426 00:17:54,130 --> 00:17:52,580 Thompson who is a really great speaker 427 00:17:56,290 --> 00:17:54,140 and obviously john cook as well who's 428 00:17:58,120 --> 00:17:56,300 you know he's going to talk about sort 429 00:17:59,560 --> 00:17:58,130 of the climate change stuff which is one 430 00:18:01,240 --> 00:17:59,570 of the issues of course that's really 431 00:18:02,950 --> 00:18:01,250 important right now that the skeptics 432 00:18:05,620 --> 00:18:02,960 are are trying to do and then we thought 433 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:05,630 well other people of course we need sort 434 00:18:09,670 --> 00:18:07,730 of a more entertainment time value and 435 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:09,680 you know that's why people like miles 436 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:11,930 pelicans in here he he started a YouTube 437 00:18:16,090 --> 00:18:14,210 channel a few years ago now and you know 438 00:18:19,030 --> 00:18:16,100 he makes really quality content and he's 439 00:18:21,460 --> 00:18:19,040 had a lot of experiences himself and not 440 00:18:23,110 --> 00:18:21,470 just in giving information but he's had 441 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:23,120 a lot of legal troubles with people 442 00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:25,130 trying to censor him and these are the 443 00:18:28,690 --> 00:18:26,510 kind of experiences that we think 444 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:28,700 skeptics need to hear about and sort of 445 00:18:33,610 --> 00:18:31,250 take that on in their own lives going 446 00:18:35,050 --> 00:18:33,620 forward and I guess one of the other 447 00:18:37,870 --> 00:18:35,060 things we wanted to do as well is that 448 00:18:39,820 --> 00:18:37,880 we really wanted this this convention to 449 00:18:42,250 --> 00:18:39,830 reflect Brisbane all right it's been a 450 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:42,260 long time since a real major event 451 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:43,730 happened in Brisbane in fact I think 452 00:18:48,610 --> 00:18:46,850 it's 2009 which is the video which is 453 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:48,620 what five six years ago now which is 454 00:18:53,110 --> 00:18:51,290 it's a long time and we wanted to sort 455 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:53,120 of promote some of the younger people in 456 00:18:57,130 --> 00:18:55,250 in Brisbane who are just starting out on 457 00:18:58,690 --> 00:18:57,140 their journey but I think we'll 458 00:19:00,970 --> 00:18:58,700 hopefully have a lot to give in the 459 00:19:03,730 --> 00:19:00,980 future you know we've got people at kali 460 00:19:05,380 --> 00:19:03,740 wall and she's she's really tireless on 461 00:19:08,620 --> 00:19:05,390 things like Twitter but she also has a 462 00:19:10,690 --> 00:19:08,630 very interesting area in psychology you 463 00:19:12,940 --> 00:19:10,700 know even myself I guess you know I've 464 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:12,950 sort of got a bit of knowledge that I 465 00:19:17,380 --> 00:19:15,110 can give to people hopefully you know in 466 00:19:20,230 --> 00:19:17,390 microbiology and sort of missing 467 00:19:22,450 --> 00:19:20,240 microbes it's the title of my talk so 468 00:19:24,220 --> 00:19:22,460 you know we figured if we can get a 469 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:24,230 really good mix then people are going to 470 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:25,850 get the most out of their weekend that 471 00:19:30,370 --> 00:19:28,730 they possibly can absolutely right it's 472 00:19:32,830 --> 00:19:30,380 a good thing to have a good mix and you 473 00:19:34,540 --> 00:19:32,840 certainly do have a good mix look folks 474 00:19:36,850 --> 00:19:34,550 if you want to find out more and get 475 00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:36,860 your tickets booked I brush I take it 476 00:19:41,170 --> 00:19:39,110 there still tickets left yeah they 477 00:19:41,919 --> 00:19:41,180 certainly are this we have very few 478 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:41,929 early bird 479 00:19:45,879 --> 00:19:43,369 it gets left so if you want to guarantee 480 00:19:47,379 --> 00:19:45,889 your seat right near the front you 481 00:19:48,970 --> 00:19:47,389 should you should get in as soon as 482 00:19:52,180 --> 00:19:48,980 possible because those tickets are 483 00:19:53,980 --> 00:19:52,190 selling very quickly and of course if 484 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:53,990 you want a more I guess premium 485 00:19:57,909 --> 00:19:55,610 experience there we have that available 486 00:20:00,100 --> 00:19:57,919 too and of course we have the usual 487 00:20:02,139 --> 00:20:00,110 concession and standard tickets so if 488 00:20:04,629 --> 00:20:02,149 you want to go to convention Brisbane 489 00:20:07,239 --> 00:20:04,639 skeptics dot org all the information is 490 00:20:09,009 --> 00:20:07,249 there all of the speakers and all of the 491 00:20:11,019 --> 00:20:09,019 schedules are going to be online very 492 00:20:12,909 --> 00:20:11,029 soon and all of the abstract so you can 493 00:20:14,049 --> 00:20:12,919 have a really good meaty look at what 494 00:20:15,820 --> 00:20:14,059 you're going to experience over the 495 00:20:18,070 --> 00:20:15,830 weekend that's very interesting and look 496 00:20:20,350 --> 00:20:18,080 out for Richard Saunders and Maynard and 497 00:20:21,909 --> 00:20:20,360 Joe alabasta from the skeptics own 498 00:20:23,769 --> 00:20:21,919 running around doing interviews we can't 499 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:23,779 we can't wait for that that's going to 500 00:20:27,789 --> 00:20:26,090 be a highlight for us may not is just 501 00:20:30,100 --> 00:20:27,799 beside himself which is a sight to see i 502 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:30,110 can tell you that he's very really it's 503 00:20:34,539 --> 00:20:32,210 very excited to be coming to brisbane 504 00:20:36,460 --> 00:20:34,549 folks you can meet may not meet me meet 505 00:20:39,190 --> 00:20:36,470 Ross meet all these wonderful people 506 00:20:41,859 --> 00:20:39,200 there's wonderful headline acts a very 507 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:41,869 prominent skeptical thinkers in our day 508 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:44,330 and age Australian skeptics national 509 00:20:49,299 --> 00:20:46,490 convention in Brisbane coming up October 510 00:20:51,850 --> 00:20:49,309 the 16th to the 18th and as Ross said 511 00:20:55,239 --> 00:20:51,860 that website to check out and get your 512 00:20:58,119 --> 00:20:55,249 tickets convention Brisbane skeptics org 513 00:20:59,830 --> 00:20:58,129 well Ross um thanks again for chatting 514 00:21:02,169 --> 00:20:59,840 to us we might even have a quick chat in 515 00:21:04,180 --> 00:21:02,179 the days leading up or just before the 516 00:21:07,029 --> 00:21:04,190 convention see how it's all panning out 517 00:21:09,759 --> 00:21:07,039 but until then I can't wait to come up 518 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:09,769 and take part thanks I'm really looking 519 00:21:13,419 --> 00:21:11,570 forward to having everybody there and if 520 00:21:14,619 --> 00:21:13,429 you do see me at the convention I might 521 00:21:15,999 --> 00:21:14,629 look a little stressed but that 522 00:21:18,009 --> 00:21:16,009 shouldn't deter you from coming up and 523 00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:18,019 saying hello Rose bolts thank you very 524 00:21:37,090 --> 00:21:34,810 did you see that UFO sighting that made 525 00:21:38,799 --> 00:21:37,100 the news what did that latest study 526 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:38,809 about alternative treatments really say 527 00:21:44,169 --> 00:21:41,210 is this photo making the rounds real or 528 00:21:46,060 --> 00:21:44,179 hoax doubtful news is a unique website 529 00:21:48,190 --> 00:21:46,070 featuring news about pseudoscience the 530 00:21:49,889 --> 00:21:48,200 paranormal anomalies and questionable 531 00:21:52,869 --> 00:21:49,899 claims framed with the skeptical view 532 00:21:54,629 --> 00:21:52,879 come visit doubtful newscom every day 533 00:21:58,359 --> 00:21:54,639 for news about cryptozoology 534 00:22:01,269 --> 00:21:58,369 conspiracies shams scams and more follow 535 00:22:02,799 --> 00:22:01,279 us on twitter at doubtful news critical 536 00:22:05,109 --> 00:22:02,809 thinking is essential in assessing 537 00:22:15,810 --> 00:22:05,119 today's news duffel news helps you 538 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:18,030 what we want is some more evidence 539 00:22:30,949 --> 00:22:28,950 hello this is Joe alabaster 540 00:22:33,899 --> 00:22:30,959 you 541 00:22:36,060 --> 00:22:33,909 popular whimsical Australian cartoonist 542 00:22:38,699 --> 00:22:36,070 Michael Lunik has again raised 543 00:22:40,709 --> 00:22:38,709 controversy with a cartoon published in 544 00:22:43,189 --> 00:22:40,719 the age and the Sydney Morning Herald on 545 00:22:46,799 --> 00:22:43,199 the 19th of August on the topic of 546 00:22:48,509 --> 00:22:46,809 vaccination the cartoon depicting a 547 00:22:51,209 --> 00:22:48,519 close-up of the hands in Michelangelo's 548 00:22:54,029 --> 00:22:51,219 painting the Creation of Adam with the 549 00:22:58,259 --> 00:22:54,039 hand of Adam holding a syringe is titled 550 00:23:00,599 --> 00:22:58,269 fascist epiphany and states quote the 551 00:23:03,149 --> 00:23:00,609 god of science grants politicians the 552 00:23:08,149 --> 00:23:03,159 divine right to enforce mass medication 553 00:23:12,989 --> 00:23:10,769 criticism via social and online media 554 00:23:15,719 --> 00:23:12,999 was prompt with several news outlets 555 00:23:17,969 --> 00:23:15,729 running stories that morning one of 556 00:23:21,389 --> 00:23:17,979 which was Mamma Mia who contacted me to 557 00:23:23,519 --> 00:23:21,399 discuss the cartoon quote speaking to 558 00:23:25,499 --> 00:23:23,529 Mamma Mia alabaster said she believed 559 00:23:29,219 --> 00:23:25,509 the cartoon to be quote highly 560 00:23:31,519 --> 00:23:29,229 problematic end quote quote it sends the 561 00:23:33,930 --> 00:23:31,529 community a message of fear and mistrust 562 00:23:36,809 --> 00:23:33,940 based on ideas that simply aren't 563 00:23:38,819 --> 00:23:36,819 truthful science gives us the knowledge 564 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:38,829 that vaccines are the safest and most 565 00:23:42,239 --> 00:23:40,690 effective way we can protect our 566 00:23:46,259 --> 00:23:42,249 children against vaccine-preventable 567 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:46,269 diseases and quote she argues the 568 00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:48,129 reframing the government's policy as 569 00:23:53,849 --> 00:23:51,190 quote forced mass medication and quote 570 00:23:57,869 --> 00:23:53,859 is disingenuous at best and at worst 571 00:23:59,819 --> 00:23:57,879 could put children in danger quote we 572 00:24:02,129 --> 00:23:59,829 need to be reassuring parents with the 573 00:24:05,039 --> 00:24:02,139 facts not scaring them with emotive 574 00:24:08,339 --> 00:24:05,049 cartoons about fascism and quote she 575 00:24:10,529 --> 00:24:08,349 said and quote Lunik has made several 576 00:24:13,019 --> 00:24:10,539 statements in response to the public's 577 00:24:15,299 --> 00:24:13,029 reaction to his cartoon in which he's 578 00:24:17,519 --> 00:24:15,309 refused to disclose his personal opinion 579 00:24:19,649 --> 00:24:17,529 on vaccination nor acknowledged the 580 00:24:21,509 --> 00:24:19,659 science supporting them instead 581 00:24:23,479 --> 00:24:21,519 diverting the conversation to his 582 00:24:27,749 --> 00:24:23,489 opinions on the government's decision 583 00:24:29,819 --> 00:24:27,759 from the age quote I was conscripted for 584 00:24:33,779 --> 00:24:29,829 military service in Vietnam when I was 585 00:24:35,129 --> 00:24:33,789 young and quote Linux said quote I felt 586 00:24:37,649 --> 00:24:35,139 the full weight of that kind of 587 00:24:40,799 --> 00:24:37,659 authoritarianism for a futile and sad 588 00:24:43,349 --> 00:24:40,809 tragedy that took place in Vietnam I am 589 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:43,359 weary of compliance in the name of civic 590 00:24:48,090 --> 00:24:44,410 responsibility 591 00:24:49,710 --> 00:24:48,100 end quote I feel immense compassion for 592 00:24:52,350 --> 00:24:49,720 those who experience the tragedies of 593 00:24:54,270 --> 00:24:52,360 the vietnam war any war and thoroughly 594 00:24:57,390 --> 00:24:54,280 support conscientious objection to 595 00:24:59,730 --> 00:24:57,400 military conscription however I take 596 00:25:01,710 --> 00:24:59,740 great issue with comparisons being drawn 597 00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:01,720 between conscientious objection to 598 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:03,910 taking part in war and so-called 599 00:25:09,180 --> 00:25:06,810 conscientious objection to vaccinations 600 00:25:11,070 --> 00:25:09,190 vaccination is impart a matter of 601 00:25:13,730 --> 00:25:11,080 conscience but not in the way that 602 00:25:16,110 --> 00:25:13,740 vaccine refuses would like to think 603 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:16,120 conscience is involved in making the 604 00:25:20,340 --> 00:25:18,490 moral decision to vaccinate to protect 605 00:25:22,830 --> 00:25:20,350 not only our own children but the wider 606 00:25:25,110 --> 00:25:22,840 community especially those who cannot be 607 00:25:27,150 --> 00:25:25,120 immunized due to compromised immune 608 00:25:29,910 --> 00:25:27,160 systems being too young to receive 609 00:25:33,270 --> 00:25:29,920 vaccinations or other legitimate medical 610 00:25:35,250 --> 00:25:33,280 reasons it is inaccurate to frame 611 00:25:37,230 --> 00:25:35,260 parents decision not to vaccinate their 612 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:37,240 eligible child as a matter of conscience 613 00:25:42,810 --> 00:25:40,210 in any way similar to a person's refusal 614 00:25:45,890 --> 00:25:42,820 to participate in a war it's a matter of 615 00:25:48,180 --> 00:25:45,900 fear driven misinformation not morality 616 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:48,190 influencing a decision which tragically 617 00:25:54,360 --> 00:25:50,170 robs children of protection against 618 00:25:55,740 --> 00:25:54,370 disease I have sympathy with the urge to 619 00:25:57,360 --> 00:25:55,750 mistrust something which is being 620 00:25:59,820 --> 00:25:57,370 perceived as a direction from the 621 00:26:01,620 --> 00:25:59,830 government I'm a skeptic after all and 622 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:01,630 blind acceptance is not one of my 623 00:26:06,780 --> 00:26:04,090 Forte's but we've got to stand back and 624 00:26:08,940 --> 00:26:06,790 look at the evidence here while some 625 00:26:11,490 --> 00:26:08,950 people might find the tactics of no jab 626 00:26:13,650 --> 00:26:11,500 no play and no job no pay policies 627 00:26:16,950 --> 00:26:13,660 heavy-handed their goal is to protect 628 00:26:18,360 --> 00:26:16,960 lives I urge people to please not let 629 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:18,370 their feelings on our current 630 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:19,930 government's and these policies 631 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:21,970 influence their view of the science 632 00:26:27,810 --> 00:26:25,570 supporting vaccination I'd also like to 633 00:26:30,270 --> 00:26:27,820 add that throwing around emotive and 634 00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:30,280 hyperbolic words such as fascist and 635 00:26:35,730 --> 00:26:33,370 enforce an adding much treason to the 636 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:35,740 narrative to be frank and they're both 637 00:26:41,220 --> 00:26:38,410 inaccurate while learning argues that 638 00:26:43,110 --> 00:26:41,230 quote he was not saying that the 639 00:26:45,120 --> 00:26:43,120 government was fascist but that every 640 00:26:48,420 --> 00:26:45,130 government could have a a fascist moment 641 00:26:50,190 --> 00:26:48,430 or make fascist decisions the cartoonist 642 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:50,200 argued that fascist was just another 643 00:26:58,019 --> 00:26:56,890 word for authoritarianism for 644 00:26:59,879 --> 00:26:58,029 totalitarian 645 00:27:02,879 --> 00:26:59,889 what are we afraid of about this word 646 00:27:04,830 --> 00:27:02,889 I'm a cartoonist who uses words that are 647 00:27:08,639 --> 00:27:04,840 real I don't want to pussyfoot around 648 00:27:11,070 --> 00:27:08,649 here and quote I would argue that 649 00:27:13,229 --> 00:27:11,080 fascist while used colloquially as a 650 00:27:16,440 --> 00:27:13,239 denigration to suggest authoritarianism 651 00:27:19,259 --> 00:27:16,450 is inescapably linked to fascist regimes 652 00:27:20,999 --> 00:27:19,269 in the same way that Nazi recants the 653 00:27:23,969 --> 00:27:21,009 National Socialist German Workers Party 654 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:23,979 and Hitler it's an incredibly strong 655 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:26,369 word to use with specific connotations 656 00:27:30,989 --> 00:27:28,690 learning is welcomed to invoke such 657 00:27:32,729 --> 00:27:30,999 connotations of course but I think that 658 00:27:35,149 --> 00:27:32,739 it's disingenuous for him to defend 659 00:27:39,869 --> 00:27:35,159 fascist as being just another word for 660 00:27:41,940 --> 00:27:39,879 authoritarian I also take issue with the 661 00:27:44,820 --> 00:27:41,950 suggestion that the no job no play and 662 00:27:48,389 --> 00:27:44,830 no job no pay policies are equivalent to 663 00:27:50,729 --> 00:27:48,399 enforced mass medication putting aside 664 00:27:53,549 --> 00:27:50,739 the pedantic point that vaccines are 665 00:27:55,139 --> 00:27:53,559 preventative biological agents and are 666 00:27:58,079 --> 00:27:55,149 not technically classified as 667 00:28:00,899 --> 00:27:58,089 medications I think that enforced is too 668 00:28:02,609 --> 00:28:00,909 strong a word for these policies parents 669 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:02,619 still have a choice to refuse to 670 00:28:06,899 --> 00:28:04,570 vaccinate their children though the 671 00:28:09,539 --> 00:28:06,909 consequences for not doing so risk of 672 00:28:11,299 --> 00:28:09,549 disease disability and death aside will 673 00:28:13,529 --> 00:28:11,309 be somewhat harder to live with 674 00:28:15,539 --> 00:28:13,539 alternative arrangements will need to be 675 00:28:17,519 --> 00:28:15,549 made by the families of preschoolers in 676 00:28:19,940 --> 00:28:17,529 Victoria whose parents refuse 677 00:28:23,399 --> 00:28:19,950 vaccinations but require child care 678 00:28:25,379 --> 00:28:23,409 vaccine refusing families nationwide who 679 00:28:28,109 --> 00:28:25,389 rely on the family benefits which are to 680 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:28,119 be a revoked under no job no pay we'll 681 00:28:32,669 --> 00:28:31,210 do it tougher financially it could be 682 00:28:34,889 --> 00:28:32,679 argued that there's some coercion 683 00:28:39,389 --> 00:28:34,899 involved in both of these policies but 684 00:28:40,829 --> 00:28:39,399 it isn't mandatory enforcement as you 685 00:28:43,799 --> 00:28:40,839 may have guessed by now I'm actually 686 00:28:45,690 --> 00:28:43,809 with learning to a degree I do think 687 00:28:48,570 --> 00:28:45,700 that the ethical issues surrounding no 688 00:28:51,719 --> 00:28:48,580 job no play and no job no pay policies 689 00:28:53,789 --> 00:28:51,729 need to be examined carefully at the 690 00:28:56,430 --> 00:28:53,799 risk of being quoted out of context by 691 00:28:58,560 --> 00:28:56,440 anti-vaccination campaigners I am 692 00:29:01,320 --> 00:28:58,570 somebody who is very firmly in a pro 693 00:29:03,239 --> 00:29:01,330 vaccination camp and there are parts of 694 00:29:05,909 --> 00:29:03,249 these legislations that I am not 695 00:29:08,129 --> 00:29:05,919 comfortable with in an ideal world 696 00:29:09,869 --> 00:29:08,139 parents would not require any loss of 697 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:09,879 benefits in order to be prompted to 698 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:11,770 vaccinate their children 699 00:29:15,990 --> 00:29:13,690 that do so because they understood the 700 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:16,000 importance of protecting both their kids 701 00:29:21,180 --> 00:29:18,690 and the wider community from disease 702 00:29:22,710 --> 00:29:21,190 indeed with the proposed policies 703 00:29:25,620 --> 00:29:22,720 requiring children to be vaccinated 704 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:25,630 unless medically exempt before being 705 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:27,250 permitted to attend preschool services 706 00:29:32,340 --> 00:29:29,650 or their families granted government 707 00:29:34,290 --> 00:29:32,350 payments we could invoke the United 708 00:29:36,570 --> 00:29:34,300 Nations conventions on the Rights of the 709 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:36,580 Child which determined that children 710 00:29:41,700 --> 00:29:38,770 have the right to access education and 711 00:29:43,650 --> 00:29:41,710 Social Welfare when discussing the 712 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:43,660 rights of children there I think that 713 00:29:47,610 --> 00:29:45,250 it's important to note that the treaty 714 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:47,620 also recognizes the right of children to 715 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:50,010 access quality healthcare including 716 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:52,690 preventative health care this is an 717 00:29:56,160 --> 00:29:54,490 obligation that the parents who refuse 718 00:29:59,250 --> 00:29:56,170 to vaccinate their children are failing 719 00:30:00,690 --> 00:29:59,260 to meet I think that we also need to 720 00:30:03,060 --> 00:30:00,700 consider the right of children who 721 00:30:05,190 --> 00:30:03,070 attend preschool services to do so in a 722 00:30:06,780 --> 00:30:05,200 safe environment particularly those 723 00:30:10,350 --> 00:30:06,790 children who are unable to be vaccinated 724 00:30:12,180 --> 00:30:10,360 due to medical reasons I cannot fathom 725 00:30:14,910 --> 00:30:12,190 the experience of parents of children 726 00:30:17,070 --> 00:30:14,920 with cancer who on top of dealing with 727 00:30:18,570 --> 00:30:17,080 their children's illness have the added 728 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:18,580 worry that they'll be exposed to a 729 00:30:22,380 --> 00:30:20,290 vaccine preventable disease when 730 00:30:24,510 --> 00:30:22,390 participating in community life I 731 00:30:26,670 --> 00:30:24,520 imagine that knowing the children their 732 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:26,680 kids interact with on a daily basis were 733 00:30:30,390 --> 00:30:28,210 offering them as much protection as 734 00:30:32,220 --> 00:30:30,400 possible would alleviate some of the 735 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:32,230 stress in their lives and it would 736 00:30:38,460 --> 00:30:33,970 certainly reduce the risk of potentially 737 00:30:40,590 --> 00:30:38,470 fatal illness one of my concerns is that 738 00:30:42,750 --> 00:30:40,600 strong government policies such as 739 00:30:44,760 --> 00:30:42,760 theirs run the risk of further 740 00:30:46,740 --> 00:30:44,770 polarizing fringe groups who oppose 741 00:30:49,230 --> 00:30:46,750 vaccination removing them from 742 00:30:52,620 --> 00:30:49,240 discussion and reinforcing their fear 743 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:52,630 and mistrust conversely these policies 744 00:30:56,550 --> 00:30:54,850 may shift some people from closer to the 745 00:30:59,040 --> 00:30:56,560 middle ground those who are merely a 746 00:31:00,720 --> 00:30:59,050 little hesitant over the fence and I 747 00:31:03,660 --> 00:31:00,730 very much hope that these people have 748 00:31:05,550 --> 00:31:03,670 compassionate GPS or contact with people 749 00:31:07,410 --> 00:31:05,560 such as the Northern Rivers vaccination 750 00:31:09,210 --> 00:31:07,420 supporters who can listen to their 751 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:09,220 concerns and reassure them about the 752 00:31:14,310 --> 00:31:12,310 decision they're making so while there 753 00:31:16,740 --> 00:31:14,320 is certainly discussion to be had on the 754 00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:16,750 ethics of immunisation legislation I 755 00:31:21,090 --> 00:31:18,730 think that it needs to happen very 756 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:21,100 carefully with full acknowledgment that 757 00:31:25,170 --> 00:31:23,170 vaccination is the safest and most 758 00:31:26,610 --> 00:31:25,180 effective way to protect 759 00:31:29,820 --> 00:31:26,620 our children from vaccine-preventable 760 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:29,830 diseases without stressing the 761 00:31:34,260 --> 00:31:31,930 importance and efficacy of vaccination 762 00:31:36,390 --> 00:31:34,270 we risk giving people an incomplete 763 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:36,400 message on the issue and providing 764 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:38,770 anti-vaccination campaigners with 765 00:31:43,770 --> 00:31:40,930 cartoons and quotes which they can frame 766 00:31:46,590 --> 00:31:43,780 with misinformation and try to use to 767 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:46,600 further their cause it would be a 768 00:31:51,030 --> 00:31:48,370 terrible thing to use your freedom of 769 00:31:53,010 --> 00:31:51,040 expression on a nationwide platform to 770 00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:53,020 espouse the virtues of freedom of choice 771 00:31:57,960 --> 00:31:55,810 and then express yourself in such a way 772 00:32:00,210 --> 00:31:57,970 that some people may become focused on 773 00:32:01,980 --> 00:32:00,220 the ethics of policy without being 774 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:01,990 mindful of the science supporting 775 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:05,890 vaccination to be clear I support 776 00:32:10,020 --> 00:32:07,410 Michael learnings freedom of expression 777 00:32:11,730 --> 00:32:10,030 just as I support parents freedom to 778 00:32:14,340 --> 00:32:11,740 choose whether or not to immunize their 779 00:32:17,100 --> 00:32:14,350 children but with those freedoms come 780 00:32:19,170 --> 00:32:17,110 consequences and I want both Michael 781 00:32:21,570 --> 00:32:19,180 leunig and parents who refuse to 782 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:21,580 vaccinate to be aware of the facts about 783 00:32:26,310 --> 00:32:24,250 immunization the potential outcomes of 784 00:32:30,899 --> 00:32:26,320 their actions and for them to make 785 00:32:36,509 --> 00:32:33,690 for more evidence please keep listening 786 00:32:39,629 --> 00:32:36,519 for the skeptic zone or visit my blog at 787 00:32:42,659 --> 00:32:39,639 evidence please net find me on twitter 788 00:32:59,220 --> 00:32:42,669 at joe alabaster or check out evidence 789 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:01,810 welcome to a week in science from our 790 00:33:07,060 --> 00:33:04,730 IRS bringing you the science you need to 791 00:33:09,490 --> 00:33:07,070 know we spend around one third of our 792 00:33:12,550 --> 00:33:09,500 lives asleep but most people don't give 793 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:12,560 it much thought so why do we need our 794 00:33:19,060 --> 00:33:14,810 sleep and just what happens while we're 795 00:33:27,310 --> 00:33:19,070 in the world of Nod huh time to wake up 796 00:33:29,080 --> 00:33:27,320 and find out sleep is essential for 797 00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:29,090 resting the mind and body and is 798 00:33:34,330 --> 00:33:31,450 controlled by our internal body clock 799 00:33:35,860 --> 00:33:34,340 located in our hypothalamus our body 800 00:33:38,620 --> 00:33:35,870 clock is established during the first 801 00:33:40,210 --> 00:33:38,630 months of life and controls the timing 802 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:40,220 our nightly sleeps through the release 803 00:33:44,770 --> 00:33:42,530 of the hormone melatonin while 804 00:33:47,350 --> 00:33:44,780 everyone's clock runs on roughly a 24 805 00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:47,360 hour cycle melatonin released can peak 806 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:50,090 anywhere between 9pm and 3 a.m. 807 00:33:54,370 --> 00:33:52,370 depending on the individual and it's 808 00:33:56,260 --> 00:33:54,380 this variation which explains why some 809 00:34:01,300 --> 00:33:56,270 people are naturally night owls and 810 00:34:02,980 --> 00:34:01,310 others early Rises once asleep our brain 811 00:34:05,110 --> 00:34:02,990 cycles through different levels of 812 00:34:07,330 --> 00:34:05,120 consciousness this sleep pattern is 813 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:07,340 uniform in most people involves a series 814 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:09,530 of transitions between deep sleep and 815 00:34:14,530 --> 00:34:12,890 REM or rapid eye movement sleep REM 816 00:34:16,450 --> 00:34:14,540 sleep is the part of the sleep cycle 817 00:34:18,610 --> 00:34:16,460 during which we dream and is thought to 818 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:18,620 be important for both memory storage and 819 00:34:23,590 --> 00:34:21,290 recharging your brain most people have 820 00:34:25,240 --> 00:34:23,600 four or five dreams at night even though 821 00:34:28,510 --> 00:34:25,250 we usually don't remember them and 822 00:34:29,940 --> 00:34:28,520 finally the optimum sleep time is seven 823 00:34:32,740 --> 00:34:29,950 to nine hours a night for adults 824 00:34:34,510 --> 00:34:32,750 research has shown that under or over 825 00:34:36,520 --> 00:34:34,520 sleeping will not only increase your 826 00:34:38,710 --> 00:34:36,530 risk of a chronic health condition but 827 00:34:41,920 --> 00:34:38,720 will also significantly reduce your life 828 00:34:43,240 --> 00:34:41,930 expectancy and now for fast facts about 829 00:34:48,040 --> 00:34:43,250 sleep 830 00:34:49,720 --> 00:34:48,050 paralyzed to stop us moving about people 831 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:49,730 who don't get enough sleep are more 832 00:34:54,250 --> 00:34:51,770 likely to overeat due to lower levels of 833 00:34:56,200 --> 00:34:54,260 the appetite regulating hormone leptin 834 00:34:59,650 --> 00:34:56,210 the record for the longest period 835 00:35:02,020 --> 00:34:59,660 without sleep is 18 days 21 hours 40 836 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:02,030 minutes the winner reported 837 00:35:08,620 --> 00:35:04,610 hallucinations paranoia and blurred 838 00:35:11,470 --> 00:35:08,630 vision and finally yes it is possible to 839 00:35:13,720 --> 00:35:11,480 sleep with your eyes open that's it for 840 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:13,730 this week in science for more 841 00:35:20,830 --> 00:35:15,890 information on sleep go to the are ions 842 00:35:23,560 --> 00:35:20,840 website are I aus or gay you follow us 843 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:23,570 on twitter at our iOS and like us on 844 00:35:40,870 --> 00:35:26,570 Facebook I'm Steve Kern and we'll catch 845 00:35:42,490 --> 00:35:40,880 you next week good rushville gap would 846 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:42,500 welcome a skeptic wish to shock a 847 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:44,210 desolate it's a skeptic we service 848 00:35:49,090 --> 00:35:46,970 attack elbow by tana channel Annika meet 849 00:35:50,830 --> 00:35:49,100 the skeptics on podcast target or vision 850 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:50,840 heritage from Tosh metropolis add to the 851 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:52,370 manual control to shuttle ago she 852 00:35:56,010 --> 00:35:54,410 touched or critically gondor cached 853 00:35:58,510 --> 00:35:56,020 ashore not need Sarah she teach it I 854 00:36:00,580 --> 00:35:58,520 said nearest when Leah that he can shake 855 00:36:02,770 --> 00:36:00,590 member travelin coca-cola taught or dvd 856 00:36:05,650 --> 00:36:02,780 bond skeptical starter shaft 12 which is 857 00:36:07,420 --> 00:36:05,660 info @ skeptic wishbone man tova 858 00:36:10,180 --> 00:36:07,430 by Allen film at the Facebook laudanum 859 00:36:12,490 --> 00:36:10,190 cottage amita facebook.com / skeptical 860 00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:12,500 star Shakti Mentalist volume into are 861 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:17,510 inserted at the end of a ningun hi this 862 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:19,130 is garba raas co-president of the 863 00:36:22,990 --> 00:36:21,290 Hungarian skeptics society and chairman 864 00:36:25,900 --> 00:36:23,000 of the European Council of skeptical 865 00:36:28,240 --> 00:36:25,910 organizations a solicitor of the skeptic 866 00:36:30,220 --> 00:36:28,250 zone you probably agree that educating 867 00:36:33,250 --> 00:36:30,230 others about pseudoscience and critical 868 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:33,260 thinking is an important task if you are 869 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:34,850 eager to take part in either of these 870 00:36:37,660 --> 00:36:36,650 activities we would be happy to hear 871 00:36:40,289 --> 00:36:37,670 from you 872 00:36:46,059 --> 00:36:40,299 don't hesitate to contact us at 873 00:36:48,010 --> 00:36:46,069 www.skory.net skeptical hu we also 874 00:36:50,829 --> 00:36:48,020 recommend you visiting our Facebook page 875 00:37:03,500 --> 00:36:50,839 skeptic gustaria Shack or simply come 876 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:05,660 I am saddened to report to you the death 877 00:37:12,140 --> 00:37:08,370 of an old friend of mine professor Colin 878 00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:12,150 k professor k was a member of the New 879 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:13,890 South Wales skeptics Committee for many 880 00:37:19,090 --> 00:37:17,130 years as well as the founding president 881 00:37:23,690 --> 00:37:19,100 of the hunter skeptics up in the 882 00:37:26,810 --> 00:37:23,700 newcastle area I first met Colin in 1999 883 00:37:28,490 --> 00:37:26,820 a skeptics convention where I noticed he 884 00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:28,500 was wearing a shirt that said five 885 00:37:34,700 --> 00:37:32,010 double oh seven I had to ask I thought 886 00:37:36,110 --> 00:37:34,710 what is this what is this the position 887 00:37:38,510 --> 00:37:36,120 he finished in a running race or 888 00:37:40,810 --> 00:37:38,520 something like that a big marathon then 889 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:40,820 he told me it was the name of his 890 00:37:46,760 --> 00:37:44,570 asteroid and we became firm friends 891 00:37:49,880 --> 00:37:46,770 after that I had the pleasure of 892 00:37:51,320 --> 00:37:49,890 interviewing Colin some years ago for 893 00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:51,330 the international year of astronomy 894 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:53,810 podcast and i'll put a link to that 895 00:37:58,310 --> 00:37:56,610 interview in the show notes or you can 896 00:38:02,570 --> 00:37:58,320 just google international year of 897 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:02,580 astronomy Richard Saunders Colin ke ke 898 00:38:10,640 --> 00:38:06,090 EA y and you can hear that interview but 899 00:38:14,030 --> 00:38:10,650 here is a tribute to to Colin written by 900 00:38:16,040 --> 00:38:14,040 longtime skeptic Barry Williams I was 901 00:38:18,890 --> 00:38:16,050 saddened to learn of the death on august 902 00:38:21,560 --> 00:38:18,900 twenty fifth of my old and valued friend 903 00:38:23,650 --> 00:38:21,570 colin k now deepest sympathies go to 904 00:38:26,570 --> 00:38:23,660 Myra and the rest of collins family 905 00:38:29,630 --> 00:38:26,580 colin stuart lindsay kay born in New 906 00:38:33,680 --> 00:38:29,640 Zealand was an astronomer from 1965 907 00:38:35,780 --> 00:38:33,690 until his retirement in 1993 he was a 908 00:38:37,430 --> 00:38:35,790 senior lecturer an associate professor 909 00:38:39,680 --> 00:38:37,440 at the physics department of the 910 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:39,690 University of Newcastle his work 911 00:38:44,540 --> 00:38:41,610 particularly in investigating near-earth 912 00:38:47,030 --> 00:38:44,550 asteroids and space junk and him many 913 00:38:50,630 --> 00:38:47,040 accolades but one that afforded him so 914 00:38:53,180 --> 00:38:50,640 much pleasure was when in 1997 the 915 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:53,190 International Astronomical Union named 916 00:38:59,510 --> 00:38:56,010 the asteroid miner planet five double oh 917 00:39:02,210 --> 00:38:59,520 seven k in his honor in his later career 918 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:02,220 he fought a battle to have recognized 919 00:39:07,580 --> 00:39:04,770 the phenomenon known as geophysical 920 00:39:10,370 --> 00:39:07,590 electro phonics where why some people 921 00:39:12,350 --> 00:39:10,380 claim to hear sounds associated with 922 00:39:14,150 --> 00:39:12,360 passing meteorites and or arielle 923 00:39:17,109 --> 00:39:14,160 displays the general scientific 924 00:39:20,319 --> 00:39:17,119 consensus once was that this was 925 00:39:21,940 --> 00:39:20,329 a psychological effect but due in no 926 00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:21,950 small part to Collins determined 927 00:39:26,650 --> 00:39:24,170 research it is now recognized as a 928 00:39:28,359 --> 00:39:26,660 genuine physical phenomenon though its 929 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:28,369 mechanisms are still not fully 930 00:39:33,999 --> 00:39:31,490 understood in 1987 Colin formed the 931 00:39:36,249 --> 00:39:34,009 first regional skeptics group the hunter 932 00:39:38,470 --> 00:39:36,259 skeptics in Newcastle and such was his 933 00:39:41,019 --> 00:39:38,480 enthusiasm and drive that his group 934 00:39:44,109 --> 00:39:41,029 organized successful annual Australian 935 00:39:46,329 --> 00:39:44,119 skeptics national conventions in 1992 936 00:39:50,109 --> 00:39:46,339 the first such to be held outside the 937 00:39:51,700 --> 00:39:50,119 state capitol and again in 1997 Colin 938 00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:51,710 also served on the New South Wales 939 00:39:56,440 --> 00:39:54,170 committee for many years travelling to 940 00:39:59,019 --> 00:39:56,450 Sydney for each monthly meeting rarely 941 00:40:01,569 --> 00:39:59,029 missing one Colin was a great bloke and 942 00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:01,579 a fine scientist with the dry sense of 943 00:40:06,489 --> 00:40:04,730 humor I will recall when responding to 944 00:40:09,789 --> 00:40:06,499 our congratulations at having an 945 00:40:11,049 --> 00:40:09,799 asteroid named in his honor he said it's 946 00:40:13,839 --> 00:40:11,059 certainly better than having a 947 00:40:15,989 --> 00:40:13,849 hemorrhoid named after me farewell old 948 00:40:20,680 --> 00:40:15,999 friend you'll be sadly missed and 949 00:40:23,789 --> 00:40:20,690 finally on a personal note I was forever 950 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:23,799 a little bit miffed too when I learnt 951 00:40:31,390 --> 00:40:28,130 that Colin had a regular space and 952 00:40:35,529 --> 00:40:31,400 science column in the Newcastle Herald 953 00:40:36,999 --> 00:40:35,539 for over 30 years until he was told he 954 00:40:39,880 --> 00:40:37,009 was no longer needed as they would 955 00:40:43,210 --> 00:40:39,890 replaced his column with a psychic 956 00:40:46,539 --> 00:40:43,220 column a psychic involved was known as 957 00:40:49,839 --> 00:40:46,549 the amazing valdir I had the displeasure 958 00:40:52,690 --> 00:40:49,849 of seeing the stage show of the amazing 959 00:40:57,479 --> 00:40:52,700 powder some years ago over ten years ago 960 00:41:02,470 --> 00:40:57,489 now and I was completely and utterly 961 00:41:05,890 --> 00:41:02,480 underwhelmed with her basic cold reading 962 00:41:17,450 --> 00:41:05,900 so long Colin k and thanks for all your 963 00:41:23,460 --> 00:41:20,310 the skeptic magazine the journal from 964 00:41:25,680 --> 00:41:23,470 Australian skeptics subscribe online to 965 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:25,690 the world's second oldest skeptical 966 00:41:33,720 --> 00:41:30,970 magazine visit w WC apx com au and click 967 00:41:37,710 --> 00:41:33,730 the publication's league you can also 968 00:41:41,010 --> 00:41:37,720 find their over 30 years on back issues 969 00:42:00,089 --> 00:41:41,020 free to download the skeptic magazine 970 00:42:02,099 --> 00:42:00,099 from Australian skeptics and joining me 971 00:42:03,690 --> 00:42:02,109 now all the way from a wonderful place 972 00:42:06,300 --> 00:42:03,700 water what an interesting place it is 973 00:42:08,300 --> 00:42:06,310 Humpty Doo I'm not making that up folks 974 00:42:11,300 --> 00:42:08,310 it's really called Humpty Doo it's 975 00:42:13,650 --> 00:42:11,310 Michelle Franklin hello Rochelle I 976 00:42:15,300 --> 00:42:13,660 Richard how are you I'm really well 977 00:42:17,240 --> 00:42:15,310 today and it's great to catch up with 978 00:42:19,620 --> 00:42:17,250 you great to contact you i should say 979 00:42:22,109 --> 00:42:19,630 because you're up there and hoped you do 980 00:42:23,700 --> 00:42:22,119 which is about roughly an hour south of 981 00:42:25,740 --> 00:42:23,710 darwin which is the capital of the 982 00:42:27,570 --> 00:42:25,750 Northern Territory here in Australia 983 00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:27,580 Darwin named of course after Charles 984 00:42:31,380 --> 00:42:30,010 Darwin and I'm contacted you today 985 00:42:33,870 --> 00:42:31,390 because it's come to my attention that 986 00:42:36,480 --> 00:42:33,880 you're starting up a relatively new 987 00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:36,490 group Darwin skeptics that's very 988 00:42:43,980 --> 00:42:40,650 exciting what motivated you to do that 989 00:42:46,890 --> 00:42:43,990 probably the isolation of being so far 990 00:42:49,380 --> 00:42:46,900 away from everybody else I wanted there 991 00:42:52,710 --> 00:42:49,390 to be a local group where I could talk 992 00:42:55,140 --> 00:42:52,720 to people in my area about local things 993 00:42:57,329 --> 00:42:55,150 rather than just watching everybody else 994 00:43:00,240 --> 00:42:57,339 talking about their things in other 995 00:43:02,940 --> 00:43:00,250 places I said well I can understand that 996 00:43:04,740 --> 00:43:02,950 entirely because like the rest of it the 997 00:43:06,930 --> 00:43:04,750 24-hour internet I suppose you're 998 00:43:08,970 --> 00:43:06,940 engaged in conversations and news and 999 00:43:10,800 --> 00:43:08,980 things from all around the world and I 1000 00:43:11,880 --> 00:43:10,810 can understand that so you're at the 1001 00:43:14,550 --> 00:43:11,890 moment you're interested in getting 1002 00:43:17,359 --> 00:43:14,560 people in your area I've been Darwin up 1003 00:43:19,800 --> 00:43:17,369 in the Northern Territory to to hook up 1004 00:43:22,109 --> 00:43:19,810 that's right we're just at the moment 1005 00:43:25,410 --> 00:43:22,119 I'm just hoping to find a little group 1006 00:43:27,810 --> 00:43:25,420 and down the track I'm hoping for 1007 00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:27,820 skeptics in the pub or me 1008 00:43:32,400 --> 00:43:29,530 tings or hopefully something a little 1009 00:43:34,350 --> 00:43:32,410 bit more formalized eventually I think 1010 00:43:36,300 --> 00:43:34,360 that's probably a worthwhile thing and 1011 00:43:38,340 --> 00:43:36,310 I'm sure it's going to happen and just 1012 00:43:40,860 --> 00:43:38,350 for the benefit out of our listeners and 1013 00:43:43,230 --> 00:43:40,870 you can google this folks humpty doo is 1014 00:43:45,930 --> 00:43:43,240 famous in skeptical circles because many 1015 00:43:50,540 --> 00:43:45,940 years ago I think way back in the 90s if 1016 00:43:53,190 --> 00:43:50,550 i'm not wrong there was in your area a 1017 00:43:56,420 --> 00:43:53,200 poltergeist now you must have heard 1018 00:43:59,250 --> 00:43:56,430 about that I have it was actually in the 1019 00:44:01,140 --> 00:43:59,260 in the newspaper just last year because 1020 00:44:03,840 --> 00:44:01,150 someone wrote a book that included that 1021 00:44:05,340 --> 00:44:03,850 the humpty doo poulter guys but I was 1022 00:44:07,140 --> 00:44:05,350 also i was aware of it before that 1023 00:44:09,150 --> 00:44:07,150 because i used to live just in the next 1024 00:44:12,090 --> 00:44:09,160 street over so i drive past that house 1025 00:44:14,430 --> 00:44:12,100 every day and i look around but i never 1026 00:44:16,110 --> 00:44:14,440 saw anything strange unfortunately maybe 1027 00:44:18,900 --> 00:44:16,120 that's the poltergeist i can hear in the 1028 00:44:20,490 --> 00:44:18,910 background now yeah the two red tail 1029 00:44:22,620 --> 00:44:20,500 black poltergeists that just flew over 1030 00:44:24,510 --> 00:44:22,630 so for the benefit of our listeners can 1031 00:44:26,580 --> 00:44:24,520 you describe exactly where you are and 1032 00:44:30,510 --> 00:44:26,590 and what's happening there what's making 1033 00:44:32,400 --> 00:44:30,520 those noises I'm on my veranda I live 1034 00:44:34,260 --> 00:44:32,410 just south of Humpty Doo and my house is 1035 00:44:36,930 --> 00:44:34,270 a bit echoey so I came out onto the 1036 00:44:38,850 --> 00:44:36,940 veranda and I thought I'd gotten into a 1037 00:44:41,460 --> 00:44:38,860 nice quiet window but the red-tail black 1038 00:44:43,380 --> 00:44:41,470 cockatoos have just come back they lose 1039 00:44:46,320 --> 00:44:43,390 around this area we've got about six or 1040 00:44:47,940 --> 00:44:46,330 seven that frequency our yard yeah 1041 00:44:49,920 --> 00:44:47,950 they're rather noisy but I quite like 1042 00:44:51,840 --> 00:44:49,930 them Aereo folks from around the world 1043 00:44:54,210 --> 00:44:51,850 you're getting a little bit of a local 1044 00:44:55,710 --> 00:44:54,220 Northern Territory wildlife in the 1045 00:44:57,570 --> 00:44:55,720 podcast at the moment that's that's 1046 00:45:00,060 --> 00:44:57,580 quite fun and I know those birds are 1047 00:45:02,580 --> 00:45:00,070 they're quite beautiful are they they 1048 00:45:04,830 --> 00:45:02,590 are they're quite stunning very very 1049 00:45:06,990 --> 00:45:04,840 striking colors in their tails yeah 1050 00:45:08,670 --> 00:45:07,000 anyway so they're not pulled a guy after 1051 00:45:13,050 --> 00:45:08,680 all but yes the pump to do is famous 1052 00:45:15,930 --> 00:45:13,060 because of a reporting of a poltergeist 1053 00:45:18,240 --> 00:45:15,940 there and from memory because it's not a 1054 00:45:21,690 --> 00:45:18,250 story I've looked at for many years from 1055 00:45:24,270 --> 00:45:21,700 memory I think it was a case of objects 1056 00:45:27,570 --> 00:45:24,280 being sticky taped to the top of ceiling 1057 00:45:29,100 --> 00:45:27,580 fans yeah once the ceiling fan was 1058 00:45:30,570 --> 00:45:29,110 turned on and started to spin for a 1059 00:45:32,370 --> 00:45:30,580 while suddenly objects would be flying 1060 00:45:34,290 --> 00:45:32,380 around the room and things like that I 1061 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:34,300 think we can be pretty sure by 1062 00:45:40,349 --> 00:45:37,210 coincidence just by could I think we can 1063 00:45:43,289 --> 00:45:40,359 be pretty sure wasn't a real poltergeist 1064 00:45:45,839 --> 00:45:43,299 possibly yeah the the articles that i 1065 00:45:47,220 --> 00:45:45,849 read showed words written in pebbles as 1066 00:45:49,650 --> 00:45:47,230 well people would come home and there 1067 00:45:55,920 --> 00:45:49,660 would be little stones placed in in 1068 00:45:57,390 --> 00:45:55,930 strange words but um mmm well gee that's 1069 00:46:00,839 --> 00:45:57,400 it's not like a human could do that I 1070 00:46:02,849 --> 00:46:00,849 suppose no I know what's not checked so 1071 00:46:05,640 --> 00:46:02,859 it's really great that you're you've 1072 00:46:07,890 --> 00:46:05,650 started this initiative and folks in the 1073 00:46:11,569 --> 00:46:07,900 Darwin area or if you have your keen to 1074 00:46:14,099 --> 00:46:11,579 help support a new skeptical venture 1075 00:46:18,089 --> 00:46:14,109 just head to Facebook at the moment 1076 00:46:20,789 --> 00:46:18,099 facebook.com slash groups / Darwin 1077 00:46:22,829 --> 00:46:20,799 skeptics one word and skeptics belt the 1078 00:46:24,089 --> 00:46:22,839 American Way with a chaos we normally 1079 00:46:26,489 --> 00:46:24,099 spell it here in Australia these days 1080 00:46:30,359 --> 00:46:26,499 anyway so that's facebook.com slash 1081 00:46:32,880 --> 00:46:30,369 groups / Darwin skeptics and Richard we 1082 00:46:35,839 --> 00:46:32,890 also have Darwin skeptics email address 1083 00:46:38,900 --> 00:46:35,849 that's just oh and skeptics @ gmail.com 1084 00:46:42,120 --> 00:46:38,910 if anybody wants to contact us that way 1085 00:46:43,739 --> 00:46:42,130 Darwin skeptics @ gmail.com if you just 1086 00:46:45,539 --> 00:46:43,749 want to contact the Darwin skeptics 1087 00:46:47,729 --> 00:46:45,549 purely by email if you're not on 1088 00:46:50,759 --> 00:46:47,739 Facebook or of course you can contact 1089 00:46:52,950 --> 00:46:50,769 them via Facebook well Michelle let's 1090 00:46:54,509 --> 00:46:52,960 keep in touch let's see how it goes the 1091 00:46:56,460 --> 00:46:54,519 Australian skeptics are here to help in 1092 00:46:59,309 --> 00:46:56,470 any way we can is it something really 1093 00:47:01,079 --> 00:46:59,319 good to see a new group springing up and 1094 00:47:05,029 --> 00:47:01,089 heavens above will have to try and 1095 00:47:07,529 --> 00:47:05,039 organize hopefully one day a big 1096 00:47:08,640 --> 00:47:07,539 skeptical trip up to Darwin to visit you 1097 00:47:12,029 --> 00:47:08,650 all I think that would be fair that 1098 00:47:14,220 --> 00:47:12,039 would be wonderful I think I'd enjoy 1099 00:47:16,170 --> 00:47:14,230 that very much we could revisit the 1100 00:47:18,749 --> 00:47:16,180 humpty doo poltergeist and see if he's 1101 00:47:20,400 --> 00:47:18,759 still around we could we could now that 1102 00:47:22,079 --> 00:47:20,410 would be an interesting trip I think I 1103 00:47:26,009 --> 00:47:22,089 wonder if he's still there just waiting 1104 00:47:27,720 --> 00:47:26,019 for us well for now Michelle Franklin 1105 00:47:29,309 --> 00:47:27,730 all the way from Humpty Doo near Darwin 1106 00:47:31,200 --> 00:47:29,319 in the Northern Territory google it 1107 00:47:33,509 --> 00:47:31,210 folks have a look on your Google Maps 1108 00:47:52,710 --> 00:47:33,519 see exactly where that is thank you very 1109 00:47:58,300 --> 00:47:56,260 I'm Gregoire and I'm Dan beeston and 1110 00:48:00,790 --> 00:47:58,310 we're from smart enough to know better a 1111 00:48:03,550 --> 00:48:00,800 podcast of science comedy and ignorant 1112 00:48:06,610 --> 00:48:03,560 and we're inviting you to our 100th 1113 00:48:08,950 --> 00:48:06,620 episode live show it takes place in the 1114 00:48:11,020 --> 00:48:08,960 first of September at seven p.m. at the 1115 00:48:13,720 --> 00:48:11,030 brisbane powerhouse theatre and guess 1116 00:48:16,090 --> 00:48:13,730 what it's free it's a game show where 1117 00:48:18,370 --> 00:48:16,100 you get to win fabulous prizes just by 1118 00:48:21,220 --> 00:48:18,380 sharing your own stories of science 1119 00:48:24,460 --> 00:48:21,230 first of September 7 p.m. at the 1120 00:48:37,310 --> 00:48:24,470 brisbane powerhouse free free free check 1121 00:48:37,320 --> 00:48:41,350 member 1122 00:48:46,130 --> 00:48:44,030 thank you for listening to the skeptic 1123 00:48:47,870 --> 00:48:46,140 zone and I hope you can help us out with 1124 00:48:49,610 --> 00:48:47,880 those requests there you can how about 1125 00:48:51,650 --> 00:48:49,620 the Darwin skeptics by going to their 1126 00:48:53,150 --> 00:48:51,660 Facebook page if you live in the area I 1127 00:48:55,130 --> 00:48:53,160 think they're trying to organize the 1128 00:48:57,260 --> 00:48:55,140 meetup that'll be fantastic wish I could 1129 00:48:59,660 --> 00:48:57,270 join you you can come along and see me 1130 00:49:01,940 --> 00:48:59,670 on Monday night here in Sydney at the 1131 00:49:03,980 --> 00:49:01,950 the podcasters meetup group talking 1132 00:49:05,510 --> 00:49:03,990 about the skeptic zone or you can see or 1133 00:49:07,970 --> 00:49:05,520 lots of Australian skeptics of the 1134 00:49:11,120 --> 00:49:07,980 Australian paranormal and 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