1 00:00:22,210 --> 00:00:09,090 welcome to the skeptic zone the podcast 2 00:00:28,339 --> 00:00:24,830 hello and welcome to the skeptic zone 3 00:00:31,310 --> 00:00:28,349 episode number 377 for the tenth of 4 00:00:33,860 --> 00:00:31,320 January 2016 Richard Saunders here with 5 00:00:35,959 --> 00:00:33,870 you from Sydney Australia coming up 6 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:35,969 coming up on the skeptic zone this week 7 00:00:42,290 --> 00:00:38,610 more proof if more proof was needed 8 00:00:44,569 --> 00:00:42,300 which is not more proof the skeptics own 9 00:00:46,430 --> 00:00:44,579 reporters are second to none Joe 10 00:00:49,730 --> 00:00:46,440 alabaster kicks off the show with 11 00:00:53,330 --> 00:00:49,740 evidence please talking about a horrible 12 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:53,340 substance really nasty awful substance 13 00:00:58,970 --> 00:00:56,250 black salv if you haven't heard about 14 00:01:03,560 --> 00:00:58,980 black selves you're probably very lucky 15 00:01:04,999 --> 00:01:03,570 this is a gooey paste that you can I 16 00:01:07,399 --> 00:01:05,009 wouldn't recommend it put on yourself 17 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:07,409 and the claims are it will cure your 18 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:09,210 cancer skin cancers and stuff like that 19 00:01:15,770 --> 00:01:12,090 well it doesn't it eats away your skin 20 00:01:18,350 --> 00:01:15,780 and the last mind-body wallet festival I 21 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:18,360 was in in Sydney in fact Joe alabaster 22 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:20,250 was with me at the time we came across a 23 00:01:26,780 --> 00:01:23,130 stall selling books on how to make black 24 00:01:30,219 --> 00:01:26,790 selves and selling videos called one 25 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:30,229 answer to cancer all about black self 26 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:33,170 horrible stuff avoid it like the plague 27 00:01:38,510 --> 00:01:36,570 Joe alabaster will tell you more at the 28 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:38,520 top of the show following that it's our 29 00:01:44,210 --> 00:01:40,680 guest reporter all the way from camera 30 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:44,220 in the acct the Australian Capital 31 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:47,130 Territory Kevin Davies interviews dr. 32 00:01:52,310 --> 00:01:48,930 Rochelle duvall from the US 33 00:01:55,100 --> 00:01:52,320 Environmental Protection Agency a little 34 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:55,110 bit of an interesting topic there a 35 00:01:59,960 --> 00:01:57,330 little bit unusual for the skeptic zone 36 00:02:02,719 --> 00:01:59,970 but a nice little report nevertheless 37 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:02,729 and it just goes to show that if you are 38 00:02:06,620 --> 00:02:04,650 lucky enough to live in Canberra you can 39 00:02:12,229 --> 00:02:06,630 certainly attend many interesting talks 40 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:12,239 head to ww Canberra skeptic saw a you or 41 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:14,250 just google Canberra skeptics they've 42 00:02:19,190 --> 00:02:17,370 got talks are all year and social events 43 00:02:22,420 --> 00:02:19,200 and skeptics in the pub and all sorts of 44 00:02:24,979 --> 00:02:22,430 things really active group in Canberra 45 00:02:26,920 --> 00:02:24,989 after that it's a wig in science from 46 00:02:30,290 --> 00:02:26,930 the Royal Institution office too 47 00:02:32,090 --> 00:02:30,300 www are I a US or gay you in the 48 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:32,100 beautiful city of Adelaide hello dr. 49 00:02:37,310 --> 00:02:34,770 Paul Willis the director of the Royal 50 00:02:40,690 --> 00:02:37,320 Institution of Australia fine scientific 51 00:02:43,610 --> 00:02:40,700 outreach group as skeptics own listeners 52 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:43,620 well no than to round off the show 53 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:46,530 Maynard spooky action may not heads once 54 00:02:51,530 --> 00:02:48,570 more to skeptics in the pub in Sydney 55 00:02:54,110 --> 00:02:51,540 and asked pub goers what do they think 56 00:02:57,650 --> 00:02:54,120 of New Year's resolutions and what are 57 00:02:59,210 --> 00:02:57,660 their predictions for 2016 thank you to 58 00:03:01,670 --> 00:02:59,220 those people who continue to support the 59 00:03:04,310 --> 00:03:01,680 skeptic zone it's a listener supported 60 00:03:06,050 --> 00:03:04,320 podcast as we might say and thank you to 61 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:06,060 those people who have been buying mr. 62 00:03:10,790 --> 00:03:08,130 Katz origami jewelry which also goes 63 00:03:13,130 --> 00:03:10,800 directly to supporting the skeptic zone 64 00:03:16,340 --> 00:03:13,140 links are on the skeptics own website 65 00:03:19,750 --> 00:03:16,350 skeptics and TV and some new items just 66 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:19,760 up for sale at the moment I've put a 67 00:03:25,460 --> 00:03:23,250 pendant a resin pendant which is a tiny 68 00:03:27,380 --> 00:03:25,470 little origami book the eye on the 69 00:03:30,230 --> 00:03:27,390 Origin of Species by Charles Darwin and 70 00:03:31,910 --> 00:03:30,240 also some books by Jane Austen I'm going 71 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:31,920 to increase that soon I might put some 72 00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:33,450 Sherlock Holmes up or something like 73 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:36,660 that check it out it's all good fun end 74 00:03:42,110 --> 00:03:39,450 it all aids the skeptic zone but now 75 00:03:46,460 --> 00:03:42,120 it's time for me to run downstairs have 76 00:03:48,620 --> 00:03:46,470 a nice cool glass of ginger ale with ice 77 00:03:50,660 --> 00:03:48,630 because it's quite a hot day here in 78 00:03:54,260 --> 00:03:50,670 Sydney today a nice cool glass of ginger 79 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:54,270 ale and ice while I'm sipping that with 80 00:04:12,790 --> 00:03:56,370 Fred the cat at my feet I hope you enjoy 81 00:04:22,810 --> 00:04:15,320 what we want is some more evidence 82 00:04:22,820 --> 00:04:28,290 hello this is Joe alabaster 83 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:30,610 when you spot something that's old 84 00:04:35,020 --> 00:04:32,930 concerned it can be worth spending a 85 00:04:37,260 --> 00:04:35,030 couple of minutes filling in a report or 86 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:37,270 noting it publicly by a social media 87 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:40,250 little actions such as there's a greater 88 00:04:45,210 --> 00:04:43,070 than no action they do add up and can be 89 00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:45,220 the starting point for greater change 90 00:04:49,750 --> 00:04:47,630 this week I went and had a minor 91 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:49,760 procedure to remove a lesion after 92 00:04:53,980 --> 00:04:51,650 having a skin cancer check performed 93 00:04:56,470 --> 00:04:53,990 it's highly unlikely that the lesion is 94 00:04:58,450 --> 00:04:56,480 a potentially problematic one but that 95 00:05:01,150 --> 00:04:58,460 can't be completely ruled out unless it 96 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:01,160 said to pathology and examined this 97 00:05:06,100 --> 00:05:03,290 experience had me thinking about skin 98 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:06,110 cancer and alternative medicine namely 99 00:05:12,010 --> 00:05:09,410 black salv for those of you not familiar 100 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:12,020 with black selves also known as blood 101 00:05:16,840 --> 00:05:14,690 route or can seamer it is a horrible 102 00:05:19,510 --> 00:05:16,850 preparation which proponents claim can 103 00:05:22,390 --> 00:05:19,520 draw out cancer cells when applied to 104 00:05:24,580 --> 00:05:22,400 the skin black self preparations 105 00:05:27,870 --> 00:05:24,590 typically contain zinc chloride and 106 00:05:30,970 --> 00:05:27,880 chappell also known as creosote bush and 107 00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:30,980 bloodroot the extract of which is called 108 00:05:37,150 --> 00:05:33,440 sanguinarine an ammonium salt which 109 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:37,160 attacks and destroys living tissue black 110 00:05:42,970 --> 00:05:39,250 selves are corrosive substances 111 00:05:45,190 --> 00:05:42,980 classified as erotic setia attics or 112 00:05:47,980 --> 00:05:45,200 substances which cause tissue to die and 113 00:05:50,170 --> 00:05:47,990 slop off black self proponents believe 114 00:05:52,540 --> 00:05:50,180 that when this ashy erotic destroys 115 00:05:55,300 --> 00:05:52,550 tissue it is somehow targeting cancer 116 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:55,310 cells and the when scabs form and fall 117 00:06:01,510 --> 00:05:57,770 off the cancer is being removed from the 118 00:06:03,730 --> 00:06:01,520 body this is sadly very wrong there is 119 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:03,740 no mechanism by which black self can 120 00:06:08,290 --> 00:06:06,110 mobilize and destroy cancer cells in a 121 00:06:12,130 --> 00:06:08,300 targeted manner the selves merely 122 00:06:14,380 --> 00:06:12,140 damages tissue healthy or not use of 123 00:06:17,050 --> 00:06:14,390 black selves can result in ulceration 124 00:06:19,690 --> 00:06:17,060 infection skin damage deep tissue damage 125 00:06:21,820 --> 00:06:19,700 and muscle damage if you're feeling not 126 00:06:23,590 --> 00:06:21,830 too squeamish and want to see the extent 127 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:23,600 of the damage black self can cause 128 00:06:27,550 --> 00:06:25,730 google black silver and have a look at 129 00:06:30,580 --> 00:06:27,560 either the Google Image Search tab or 130 00:06:32,290 --> 00:06:30,590 the black soul Facebook page be warned 131 00:06:35,470 --> 00:06:32,300 though you'll see people with huge 132 00:06:37,870 --> 00:06:35,480 ulcers large scabs and people who have 133 00:06:40,510 --> 00:06:37,880 literal holes in their faces and large 134 00:06:40,810 --> 00:06:40,520 areas of tissue missing from arms next 135 00:06:43,510 --> 00:06:40,820 and 136 00:06:45,370 --> 00:06:43,520 rests it's fairly disturbing frankly 137 00:06:47,770 --> 00:06:45,380 both that people believe they're doing 138 00:06:49,750 --> 00:06:47,780 themselves good by using black self and 139 00:06:52,420 --> 00:06:49,760 that they feel that damaging themselves 140 00:06:54,490 --> 00:06:52,430 in this way is less traumatic than going 141 00:06:56,710 --> 00:06:54,500 to a doctor being examined and 142 00:07:00,520 --> 00:06:56,720 undergoing evidence-based cancer 143 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:00,530 diagnosis and treatment and here's 144 00:07:05,860 --> 00:07:02,810 another thing which is troublesome many 145 00:07:08,020 --> 00:07:05,870 uses of black self he revert via word of 146 00:07:10,270 --> 00:07:08,030 mouth from other black selves users 147 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:10,280 naturopaths and other alternative 148 00:07:15,910 --> 00:07:13,370 medicine proponents some decide to use 149 00:07:18,370 --> 00:07:15,920 black selves after a diagnosis from a GP 150 00:07:20,310 --> 00:07:18,380 my own skin cancer doctor has had people 151 00:07:23,530 --> 00:07:20,320 ask him about its use much to his dismay 152 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:23,540 while others self-diagnose skin cancers 153 00:07:30,190 --> 00:07:25,910 or act on the opinions of unqualified 154 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:30,200 people online there is a reason we have 155 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:31,970 doctors who especially trained in skin 156 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:33,530 cancer detection and treatment and 157 00:07:39,100 --> 00:07:36,050 pathology labs who conduct histological 158 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:39,110 examination of tissue samples diagnosis 159 00:07:43,090 --> 00:07:41,450 of skin cancer is by no means as simple 160 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:43,100 as looking to the opinion of someone 161 00:07:48,850 --> 00:07:46,610 unqualified to do so of course do keep a 162 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:48,860 close eye on your own skin but make an 163 00:07:53,140 --> 00:07:50,930 appointment with a GP or skin cancer 164 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:53,150 clinic if you notice anything unusual or 165 00:07:57,010 --> 00:07:55,310 concerning and speak with them about how 166 00:07:58,660 --> 00:07:57,020 regularly it would be appropriate for 167 00:08:01,300 --> 00:07:58,670 you to have your skin checked by 168 00:08:03,130 --> 00:08:01,310 professional two in three Australians 169 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:03,140 will be diagnosed with skin cancer by 170 00:08:07,510 --> 00:08:05,210 the time they're 70 so this is really 171 00:08:09,580 --> 00:08:07,520 worth keeping on top of to find out more 172 00:08:11,650 --> 00:08:09,590 about reducing risks and screening 173 00:08:13,620 --> 00:08:11,660 there's a lot of useful information on 174 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:13,630 the cancer councils website at 175 00:08:22,030 --> 00:08:18,730 cancer.org a you back to black selves 176 00:08:24,660 --> 00:08:22,040 self or internet diagnosis and the use 177 00:08:27,670 --> 00:08:24,670 of black selves don't allow for accuracy 178 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:27,680 some lesions and skin spots are banana 179 00:08:32,650 --> 00:08:30,010 and don't require any treatment at all 180 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:32,660 conversely those that do need their 181 00:08:38,050 --> 00:08:35,330 progression assess black selves can 182 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:38,060 leave behind cancerous cells the use of 183 00:08:42,219 --> 00:08:39,770 black selves can lead to pointless 184 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:42,229 injury and a false sense of having 185 00:08:48,910 --> 00:08:45,890 cancer treated why do people choose to 186 00:08:50,770 --> 00:08:48,920 use black selves well mistrust of 187 00:08:53,260 --> 00:08:50,780 evidence-based medicine is a factor 188 00:08:53,730 --> 00:08:53,270 alongside the belief that black self is 189 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:53,740 some 190 00:08:59,910 --> 00:08:57,610 safer because it is natural as with many 191 00:09:01,620 --> 00:08:59,920 other dangerous beliefs getting accurate 192 00:09:04,139 --> 00:09:01,630 information out into the public sphere 193 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:04,149 can help but it can also further 194 00:09:07,949 --> 00:09:06,130 polarize those who are heavily invested 195 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:07,959 in the belief there's a substantial 196 00:09:12,420 --> 00:09:10,450 number of blacks Alvord hirons who 197 00:09:14,850 --> 00:09:12,430 believe that black soul is a cure for 198 00:09:16,889 --> 00:09:14,860 cancer being suppressed by big farmer 199 00:09:19,680 --> 00:09:16,899 the government lizard people and what 200 00:09:21,630 --> 00:09:19,690 have you publicizing the dangers of 201 00:09:25,410 --> 00:09:21,640 black selves is one way to reduce its 202 00:09:28,079 --> 00:09:25,420 use another is via regulation this is a 203 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:28,089 difficult one as while the TGA have 204 00:09:32,310 --> 00:09:29,890 deemed it unlisted on the australian 205 00:09:34,889 --> 00:09:32,320 register of therapeutic goods there is 206 00:09:38,220 --> 00:09:34,899 no effective ban on black self products 207 00:09:40,199 --> 00:09:38,230 the TGA has however issued an alert 208 00:09:43,019 --> 00:09:40,209 recommending people do not use black 209 00:09:45,690 --> 00:09:43,029 selves and associated ineffective cancer 210 00:09:47,639 --> 00:09:45,700 cures which is useful as we can then 211 00:09:50,190 --> 00:09:47,649 report those selling black cells or 212 00:09:52,710 --> 00:09:50,200 products recommending their use such as 213 00:09:58,440 --> 00:09:52,720 the notorious DVD one answer to cancer 214 00:09:59,940 --> 00:09:58,450 to the TGA in 2013 the TGA responded to 215 00:10:01,740 --> 00:09:59,950 a complaint made regarding the 216 00:10:03,990 --> 00:10:01,750 Australian vaccination networks 217 00:10:06,870 --> 00:10:04,000 promotion of black self and the sale of 218 00:10:08,699 --> 00:10:06,880 the one answer to cancer DVD citing 219 00:10:12,569 --> 00:10:08,709 several breaches of the therapeutic 220 00:10:14,610 --> 00:10:12,579 goods act 1989 the TGA ordered the 221 00:10:16,860 --> 00:10:14,620 removal of any promotion of black cell 222 00:10:19,620 --> 00:10:16,870 from the avians website and that a 223 00:10:22,790 --> 00:10:19,630 retraction be posted including a link to 224 00:10:25,470 --> 00:10:22,800 the tj's consumer alert on its use 225 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:25,480 personally i'd like to see regulatory 226 00:10:29,940 --> 00:10:27,850 agencies come down harder on dangerous 227 00:10:31,889 --> 00:10:29,950 products such as black selves but their 228 00:10:34,949 --> 00:10:31,899 consumer alert can be useful when 229 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:34,959 approaching third parties the night 230 00:10:38,699 --> 00:10:36,970 before my minor procedure I decided to 231 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:38,709 have a quick look online to see whether 232 00:10:43,079 --> 00:10:40,510 i could find anybody selling black 233 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:43,089 selves in australia unfortunately i 234 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:45,250 didn't have to look too hard there were 235 00:10:49,380 --> 00:10:47,050 several listings on ebay for black 236 00:10:51,930 --> 00:10:49,390 selves posted by sellers based in 237 00:10:54,210 --> 00:10:51,940 australia i filled out reports for each 238 00:10:56,639 --> 00:10:54,220 one on their item pages and then decided 239 00:11:00,660 --> 00:10:56,649 to have a go at contacting ebay publicly 240 00:11:03,870 --> 00:11:00,670 via twitter with a polite tweet quote hi 241 00:11:06,530 --> 00:11:03,880 ebay you several au listings for black 242 00:11:09,380 --> 00:11:06,540 selves / bloodroot selves on 243 00:11:11,810 --> 00:11:09,390 safe and not on TGA register can you 244 00:11:15,050 --> 00:11:11,820 remove with a link to the tj's warning 245 00:11:16,310 --> 00:11:15,060 end quote I didn't have a great amount 246 00:11:18,230 --> 00:11:16,320 of confidence that anything would come 247 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:18,240 of it but thought it worth a try 248 00:11:23,230 --> 00:11:20,970 nonetheless the next morning I work to a 249 00:11:27,380 --> 00:11:23,240 reply from ebays Australian account 250 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:27,390 which Joe alabaster pager thanks so much 251 00:11:31,340 --> 00:11:29,130 for bringing this to our attention we're 252 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:31,350 removing all this things now shut if 253 00:11:37,670 --> 00:11:34,850 there's anything else end quote wow and 254 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:37,680 a few more listings did appear from the 255 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:39,930 same sellers with words slightly changed 256 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:42,090 in order to try and evade detection and 257 00:11:46,340 --> 00:11:44,490 deletion ascent links to them back to 258 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:46,350 ebay via Twitter and they promptly 259 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:49,290 deleted these also when I let ebay know 260 00:11:53,150 --> 00:11:51,450 how much I appreciated their help the 261 00:11:56,210 --> 00:11:53,160 person handling their Twitter account 262 00:11:58,220 --> 00:11:56,220 replied quote no worries at all I made 263 00:12:02,450 --> 00:11:58,230 the mistake of googling that stuff end 264 00:12:04,610 --> 00:12:02,460 quote I suppose for most people the 265 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:04,620 images of black sell views speak for 266 00:12:08,030 --> 00:12:06,210 themselves and I feel very fortunate 267 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:08,040 that I happened to come across somebody 268 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:10,290 in a position of power to virtually get 269 00:12:14,810 --> 00:12:12,090 it off the shelves who is eager to 270 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:14,820 assist when making a complaint such 271 00:12:19,790 --> 00:12:17,130 people are out there we don't always 272 00:12:21,340 --> 00:12:19,800 find them or they can't always act when 273 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:21,350 trying to alert businesses organizations 274 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:24,450 or dare I say government-run health 275 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:27,150 websites too dangerous misinformation or 276 00:12:30,980 --> 00:12:28,410 products they're involved in the 277 00:12:33,260 --> 00:12:30,990 promotion of lobbying against quackery 278 00:12:35,390 --> 00:12:33,270 is often a more time-consuming and 279 00:12:38,300 --> 00:12:35,400 complicated process than a couple of 280 00:12:40,190 --> 00:12:38,310 ebay forms and some tweets it really is 281 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:40,200 worth taking that first step though 282 00:12:44,930 --> 00:12:42,450 whether it results in a small and 283 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:44,940 immediate success or is the beginning of 284 00:12:49,370 --> 00:12:47,370 a greater campaign and if you don't feel 285 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:49,380 that larger scale complaints lobbying 286 00:12:53,570 --> 00:12:51,330 and publicizing are your thing get in 287 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:53,580 touch with other skeptics let them know 288 00:12:58,190 --> 00:12:55,410 what's going on and see whether they're 289 00:12:59,960 --> 00:12:58,200 inspired to take action there are days 290 00:13:01,820 --> 00:12:59,970 when I feel rather overwhelmed by the 291 00:13:03,770 --> 00:13:01,830 amount of dangerous quackery out there 292 00:13:05,330 --> 00:13:03,780 and helpless to do much about it I'm 293 00:13:07,790 --> 00:13:05,340 acquainted with some people who 294 00:13:09,380 --> 00:13:07,800 accomplish amazing things medical 295 00:13:11,990 --> 00:13:09,390 researchers doctors and nurses 296 00:13:14,420 --> 00:13:12,000 journalists stop the avian and the good 297 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:14,430 thinking society and individuals who 298 00:13:18,410 --> 00:13:16,410 utilize their expertise and passion to 299 00:13:19,860 --> 00:13:18,420 expose and formally complain about 300 00:13:22,019 --> 00:13:19,870 charlatans quacks 301 00:13:24,269 --> 00:13:22,029 and dangerously mislead proponents of 302 00:13:27,060 --> 00:13:24,279 whoa I've had the privilege of meeting 303 00:13:29,310 --> 00:13:27,070 great activists and educators dedicated 304 00:13:31,170 --> 00:13:29,320 communicators those who engage with the 305 00:13:33,570 --> 00:13:31,180 media the public and with bodies 306 00:13:36,540 --> 00:13:33,580 creating policy and their efforts 307 00:13:38,220 --> 00:13:36,550 completely blow me away over the past 308 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:38,230 few years that I've been involved with 309 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:40,690 skepticism I've become convinced that we 310 00:13:44,970 --> 00:13:42,450 can all be doing something useful 311 00:13:46,820 --> 00:13:44,980 whether it's a simple ascending a 312 00:13:49,590 --> 00:13:46,830 complaint to an e-commerce website 313 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:49,600 engaging politely on social media with 314 00:13:53,430 --> 00:13:51,130 those in a position to help stop 315 00:13:55,410 --> 00:13:53,440 quackery being spread sharing 316 00:13:58,079 --> 00:13:55,420 evidence-based information when somebody 317 00:14:00,780 --> 00:13:58,089 makes an inaccurate claim letting people 318 00:14:02,730 --> 00:14:00,790 know that David avocado Wolfe makes some 319 00:14:04,980 --> 00:14:02,740 very dangerous claims of our medicine 320 00:14:07,590 --> 00:14:04,990 and suggesting they stop sharing his 321 00:14:09,510 --> 00:14:07,600 memes on Facebook or publicly or 322 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:09,520 financially supporting campaigns run by 323 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:12,730 other skeptics many great skeptical 324 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:14,770 triumphs which have helped diminish the 325 00:14:19,079 --> 00:14:17,170 proliferation of woo began with a single 326 00:14:20,850 --> 00:14:19,089 person noticing something was wrong 327 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:20,860 perhaps discussing it with other 328 00:14:26,490 --> 00:14:24,130 skeptics and acting upon it that said 329 00:14:29,610 --> 00:14:26,500 don't discount the tiny triumphs they 330 00:14:32,340 --> 00:14:29,620 definitely add up if there's a chance 331 00:14:34,620 --> 00:14:32,350 that an action you could take may bring 332 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:34,630 about any measure of good please 333 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:36,490 consider going ahead with making that 334 00:14:43,769 --> 00:14:38,290 complain or politely engaging with 335 00:14:45,990 --> 00:14:43,779 somebody it may well be worth it you can 336 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:46,000 find evidence place at evidence please 337 00:15:02,680 --> 00:14:50,170 net or on facebook and i'm joe alabaster 338 00:15:08,030 --> 00:15:05,330 now on Belfast FM we turn to the person 339 00:15:10,130 --> 00:15:08,040 lads easing going and confident skeptic 340 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:10,140 seeks other critical thinkers for fun 341 00:15:14,570 --> 00:15:12,450 laughter and good times must be willing 342 00:15:16,460 --> 00:15:14,580 to apply logic liberally and a good 343 00:15:18,530 --> 00:15:16,470 listener expect something new and 344 00:15:20,510 --> 00:15:18,540 interesting every month come and meet me 345 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:20,520 in Belfast in Northern Ireland if this 346 00:15:25,970 --> 00:15:22,410 sounds like you check out my profile on 347 00:15:39,260 --> 00:15:25,980 bail for skeptics calm music by Kevin 348 00:15:41,510 --> 00:15:39,270 MacLeod well I'm here again at kelly's 349 00:15:44,060 --> 00:15:41,520 irish pub where we have just been traded 350 00:15:46,430 --> 00:15:44,070 to another wonderful science in the pub 351 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:46,440 my name is dr. Rochelle Duvall and I'm 352 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:47,790 with the US Environmental Protection 353 00:15:52,850 --> 00:15:50,250 Agency and how long have you been with 354 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:52,860 the EPA I have been with the EPA for ten 355 00:16:00,230 --> 00:15:55,770 years and could you describe a bit of 356 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:00,240 the functions of the APA sure so the EPA 357 00:16:04,370 --> 00:16:02,250 is a federal government agency in the US 358 00:16:06,380 --> 00:16:04,380 and our mission is to protect human 359 00:16:09,380 --> 00:16:06,390 health in the environment so we actually 360 00:16:10,910 --> 00:16:09,390 do a number of different functions a lot 361 00:16:13,250 --> 00:16:10,920 of people know us for putting out 362 00:16:16,190 --> 00:16:13,260 regulations and forcing and developing 363 00:16:18,500 --> 00:16:16,200 regulations and also research is a big 364 00:16:20,510 --> 00:16:18,510 area we've actually fund a lot of state 365 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:20,520 and local organizations as well we do a 366 00:16:27,020 --> 00:16:24,330 lot of a lot of things and what do you 367 00:16:28,730 --> 00:16:27,030 do in the APA I'm with the EPA's office 368 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:28,740 of research and development and I am a 369 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:31,050 scientist there and right now I work on 370 00:16:35,090 --> 00:16:33,210 air pollution measurement methods and 371 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:35,100 these are used in air quality monitoring 372 00:16:39,590 --> 00:16:36,900 networks to make sure that the air is 373 00:16:43,670 --> 00:16:39,600 healthy for us to breathe and just 374 00:16:46,250 --> 00:16:43,680 protecting the environment and what 375 00:16:48,290 --> 00:16:46,260 would you say the state of air quality 376 00:16:50,690 --> 00:16:48,300 in the United States has been since you 377 00:16:51,950 --> 00:16:50,700 started with the APA their quality in 378 00:16:54,410 --> 00:16:51,960 the United States has always been very 379 00:16:56,630 --> 00:16:54,420 good since the Clean Air Act has been 380 00:17:00,080 --> 00:16:56,640 put in place which is our act that is 381 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:00,090 used to regulate air quality so a lot of 382 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:01,530 the states have been doing very well 383 00:17:05,370 --> 00:17:03,570 across the u.s. some some places have 384 00:17:08,069 --> 00:17:05,380 problems because of their geography 385 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:08,079 size of the amount of pollution but for 386 00:17:13,860 --> 00:17:10,150 the most part we have really good air 387 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:13,870 quality in the United States and what 388 00:17:18,809 --> 00:17:16,690 sort of research do you do so I look at 389 00:17:20,430 --> 00:17:18,819 measurement methods on the equipment 390 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:20,440 that's actually used to measure air 391 00:17:25,829 --> 00:17:23,410 pollutants so I evaluate these I test 392 00:17:27,300 --> 00:17:25,839 them I analyze them and make sure that 393 00:17:29,490 --> 00:17:27,310 we have the state of the science 394 00:17:32,270 --> 00:17:29,500 instruments available to measure 395 00:17:34,470 --> 00:17:32,280 pollutants he had some of the 396 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:34,480 instruments today that was really 397 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:36,490 impressive just how our smaller scholar 398 00:17:40,530 --> 00:17:38,530 so air pollution has been changing 399 00:17:43,380 --> 00:17:40,540 especially monitoring the equipment that 400 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:43,390 we use and there have been these smaller 401 00:17:48,420 --> 00:17:46,330 low-cost air pollution sensors that 402 00:17:50,370 --> 00:17:48,430 measure a lot of different pollutants 403 00:17:52,410 --> 00:17:50,380 like particulate matter gaseous 404 00:17:54,510 --> 00:17:52,420 pollutants so these are really becoming 405 00:17:56,940 --> 00:17:54,520 very popular because they're cheap you 406 00:17:59,400 --> 00:17:56,950 can carry them around they're very easy 407 00:18:01,200 --> 00:17:59,410 to operate and a lot of communities are 408 00:18:04,070 --> 00:18:01,210 very interested in learning about their 409 00:18:06,120 --> 00:18:04,080 quality you're talking a bit about 410 00:18:07,770 --> 00:18:06,130 citizen science projects would you care 411 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:07,780 to talk about those further because it 412 00:18:11,250 --> 00:18:09,730 sounded really interesting so I've been 413 00:18:13,410 --> 00:18:11,260 doing a lot of work with citizen and 414 00:18:15,420 --> 00:18:13,420 community groups so what we have 415 00:18:17,970 --> 00:18:15,430 citizens just common people who are not 416 00:18:19,890 --> 00:18:17,980 scientist they actually run equipment 417 00:18:22,650 --> 00:18:19,900 for us and there are these air pollution 418 00:18:24,450 --> 00:18:22,660 sensors that I showed earlier and they 419 00:18:27,930 --> 00:18:24,460 collect data for us and they help us to 420 00:18:30,690 --> 00:18:27,940 build our research and make it better so 421 00:18:32,610 --> 00:18:30,700 what are the big challenges facing air 422 00:18:35,490 --> 00:18:32,620 quality and dealing with air pollution 423 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:35,500 for the future I think I'm just getting 424 00:18:39,630 --> 00:18:37,090 people to understand that they can take 425 00:18:42,360 --> 00:18:39,640 apart and helping to reduce air quality 426 00:18:44,610 --> 00:18:42,370 and different actions people can take 427 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:44,620 whether it's you know maybe you know 428 00:18:50,700 --> 00:18:46,810 just walking to work or walking in 429 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:50,710 general and stop using cars and 430 00:18:55,230 --> 00:18:53,170 different types of transportation that 431 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:55,240 creates pollution I'm just changing 432 00:18:59,430 --> 00:18:57,610 their behaviors and attitudes about 433 00:19:01,440 --> 00:18:59,440 pollution just so that they become more 434 00:19:04,020 --> 00:19:01,450 aware the final question what is it 435 00:19:05,430 --> 00:19:04,030 about science that appeals to you so 436 00:19:08,550 --> 00:19:05,440 much what made you want to become a 437 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:08,560 scientist I always loved math and 438 00:19:13,980 --> 00:19:11,250 chemistry and I like the fact that I can 439 00:19:15,310 --> 00:19:13,990 really test out new things and I can be 440 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:15,320 part of 441 00:19:18,910 --> 00:19:17,330 and technology and really make a 442 00:19:22,300 --> 00:19:18,920 difference that's one thing that that's 443 00:19:24,010 --> 00:19:22,310 really important to me okay well thank 444 00:19:37,120 --> 00:19:24,020 you very much that was wonderful to talk 445 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:37,130 to you thank you did you see that UFO 446 00:19:40,810 --> 00:19:39,290 sighting that made the news what did 447 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:40,820 that latest study about alternative 448 00:19:45,910 --> 00:19:43,010 treatments really say is this photo 449 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:45,920 making the rounds real or hoax duffle 450 00:19:49,540 --> 00:19:47,810 news is a unique website featuring news 451 00:19:51,970 --> 00:19:49,550 about pseudoscience the paranormal 452 00:19:53,980 --> 00:19:51,980 anomalies and questionable claims framed 453 00:19:56,290 --> 00:19:53,990 with the skeptical view come visit 454 00:19:59,260 --> 00:19:56,300 doubtful newscom every day for news 455 00:20:02,230 --> 00:19:59,270 about cryptozoology conspiracies shams 456 00:20:04,630 --> 00:20:02,240 scams and more follow us on twitter at 457 00:20:06,450 --> 00:20:04,640 doubtful news critical thinking is 458 00:20:09,100 --> 00:20:06,460 essential in assessing today's news 459 00:20:17,020 --> 00:20:09,110 doubtful news helps you decide can you 460 00:20:19,870 --> 00:20:17,030 really believe this stuff have you ever 461 00:20:21,340 --> 00:20:19,880 wondered if there's life out there well 462 00:20:23,730 --> 00:20:21,350 believe it or not there's actually an 463 00:20:26,020 --> 00:20:23,740 equation to work out the probability of 464 00:20:34,890 --> 00:20:26,030 extraterrestrial life and it's called 465 00:20:40,450 --> 00:20:37,360 so there's this astronomer named Frank 466 00:20:42,580 --> 00:20:40,460 Drake due back in 1959 started searching 467 00:20:44,620 --> 00:20:42,590 the universe for signals which may 468 00:20:47,230 --> 00:20:44,630 indicate the presence of intelligent 469 00:20:48,940 --> 00:20:47,240 life then in nineteen sixty one who was 470 00:20:51,340 --> 00:20:48,950 helping organize a conference and 471 00:20:52,990 --> 00:20:51,350 started thinking about all the factors 472 00:20:55,090 --> 00:20:53,000 which would need to be considered when 473 00:20:57,730 --> 00:20:55,100 trying to predict whether intelligent 474 00:21:00,220 --> 00:20:57,740 life was out there what he came up with 475 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:00,230 is this equation which multiplies 476 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:03,050 together the race of star formation the 477 00:21:07,030 --> 00:21:04,610 fraction of those stars which have 478 00:21:09,490 --> 00:21:07,040 planets how many of those planets that 479 00:21:11,260 --> 00:21:09,500 could support life the fraction of 480 00:21:13,450 --> 00:21:11,270 planets which could support life that 481 00:21:15,370 --> 00:21:13,460 actually develop life at some point the 482 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:15,380 fraction of civilizations that develop a 483 00:21:19,300 --> 00:21:17,330 technology that releases detectable 484 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:19,310 signs of their existence into space and 485 00:21:23,830 --> 00:21:21,250 the length of time for which such 486 00:21:28,270 --> 00:21:23,840 civilizations release detectable signals 487 00:21:30,370 --> 00:21:28,280 into space now obviously some of those 488 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:30,380 factors are measurable or can be 489 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:33,530 calculated but some we just don't know I 490 00:21:37,810 --> 00:21:36,170 mean how do you know how many planets 491 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:37,820 with life go on to develop a 492 00:21:42,010 --> 00:21:40,010 civilization or how many of those 493 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:42,020 develop technology which releases 494 00:21:46,330 --> 00:21:44,210 detectable signals because of these 495 00:21:48,460 --> 00:21:46,340 limitations the Drake Equation isn't 496 00:21:50,590 --> 00:21:48,470 really used to predict the abundance of 497 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:50,600 life out there but it is an interesting 498 00:21:54,460 --> 00:21:52,730 equation to just contemplate when 499 00:21:56,650 --> 00:21:54,470 thinking about life in the universe and 500 00:21:59,620 --> 00:21:56,660 what is required for us to find it and 501 00:22:04,060 --> 00:21:59,630 now for fast facts about the search for 502 00:22:06,070 --> 00:22:04,070 life on other planets the Voyager space 503 00:22:08,230 --> 00:22:06,080 probes carry records which contain 504 00:22:10,990 --> 00:22:08,240 information about Earth and humans in 505 00:22:12,970 --> 00:22:11,000 case it meets other life forms part of 506 00:22:15,010 --> 00:22:12,980 the Curiosity rover mission is to search 507 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:15,020 for water on Mars which could support 508 00:22:18,910 --> 00:22:16,970 the presence of life the zone 509 00:22:20,950 --> 00:22:18,920 surrounding a star which gives planetary 510 00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:20,960 conditions which are just right for life 511 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:23,720 is called the Goldilocks zone and one 512 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:25,250 problem of searching for life in the 513 00:22:29,470 --> 00:22:27,410 universe is that life may exist in the 514 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:29,480 form we don't recognize as being alive 515 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:31,970 or in places we don't realize can even 516 00:22:35,410 --> 00:22:34,130 support life want to find out more about 517 00:22:37,690 --> 00:22:35,420 the search for life on other planets 518 00:22:39,550 --> 00:22:37,700 check out our website where we have some 519 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:39,560 links and we'll catch you right back 520 00:22:56,049 --> 00:22:54,249 are you enjoying the skeptic zone 521 00:22:58,629 --> 00:22:56,059 podcast and wondering where you can find 522 00:23:00,460 --> 00:22:58,639 more skeptical information skeptics on 523 00:23:02,379 --> 00:23:00,470 the net is an online directory for 524 00:23:04,450 --> 00:23:02,389 everything skeptical it features 525 00:23:07,419 --> 00:23:04,460 listings for skeptical podcasts blogs 526 00:23:09,669 --> 00:23:07,429 people local groups and more it also 527 00:23:11,229 --> 00:23:09,679 includes the sotn blog where people in 528 00:23:12,969 --> 00:23:11,239 the know right introductions to their 529 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:12,979 favorite skeptical and pseudo scientific 530 00:23:29,139 --> 00:23:26,019 here's my not spooky action at a 531 00:23:33,849 --> 00:23:30,940 well we here at skeptics in the pub in 532 00:23:35,859 --> 00:23:33,859 January where it's all sort of quiet a 533 00:23:37,299 --> 00:23:35,869 bit subtle and runs we push all into the 534 00:23:38,919 --> 00:23:37,309 corner here because tonight it will be 535 00:23:40,629 --> 00:23:38,929 happening and it will be revealed as I 536 00:23:44,259 --> 00:23:40,639 asked the two big questions of it but I 537 00:23:46,180 --> 00:23:44,269 asked new year's resolutions a lot of 538 00:23:48,609 --> 00:23:46,190 rubbish and what are your predictions 539 00:23:51,279 --> 00:23:48,619 for 2016 now I've got a man here what's 540 00:23:52,899 --> 00:23:51,289 your name sir drew and what brought you 541 00:23:54,159 --> 00:23:52,909 here drew how'd you find the place how 542 00:23:56,289 --> 00:23:54,169 do you want to go okay I want to hang 543 00:23:59,680 --> 00:23:56,299 out with the skeptics vision from God 544 00:24:02,739 --> 00:23:59,690 actually wow that's a new one that is a 545 00:24:05,379 --> 00:24:02,749 new one and had the division of PDF it 546 00:24:07,599 --> 00:24:05,389 just can't be behind my eyes you know in 547 00:24:09,579 --> 00:24:07,609 my heart my hair was just everywhere all 548 00:24:11,079 --> 00:24:09,589 at once which immediately deeply ironic 549 00:24:14,409 --> 00:24:11,089 i'm the first I'm the first to say that 550 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:14,419 okay and what do you want expect out of 551 00:24:19,599 --> 00:24:16,330 being hanging with the skeptics tonight 552 00:24:21,430 --> 00:24:19,609 skepticism okay okay well there might be 553 00:24:23,139 --> 00:24:21,440 a little that going on I'm skeptic of 554 00:24:24,729 --> 00:24:23,149 your vision for a start but that's just 555 00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:24,739 a fair enough then now what do you 556 00:24:28,239 --> 00:24:26,809 reckon about new years resolutions lot 557 00:24:30,879 --> 00:24:28,249 of rubbish did you make any have you 558 00:24:33,039 --> 00:24:30,889 broken that already I made a news 559 00:24:35,589 --> 00:24:33,049 resolution back in twenty twelve not to 560 00:24:37,180 --> 00:24:35,599 make year's resolution so I'm read into 561 00:24:38,649 --> 00:24:37,190 that what you will no I think that's a 562 00:24:39,940 --> 00:24:38,659 fairly skeptical approach and what about 563 00:24:43,060 --> 00:24:39,950 any predictions for the year what are 564 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:43,070 you reckon eleven and a half months from 565 00:24:46,209 --> 00:24:44,690 now people gonna come up to me and come 566 00:24:48,369 --> 00:24:46,219 up to you and come up to George over 567 00:24:53,589 --> 00:24:48,379 there and say oh my god can you believe 568 00:24:56,019 --> 00:24:53,599 it's almost 2017 that's cool and people 569 00:24:59,019 --> 00:24:56,029 will still want to have heard on New 570 00:25:01,060 --> 00:24:59,029 Year's Eve party like it's 1999 God yeah 571 00:25:02,469 --> 00:25:01,070 it's the best song yeah of course at 572 00:25:04,149 --> 00:25:02,479 that as well and of course outlook my 573 00:25:08,529 --> 00:25:04,159 prediction for this year's it this year 574 00:25:10,930 --> 00:25:08,539 is to give up last year last year it was 575 00:25:13,719 --> 00:25:10,940 to get a job the year before that was to 576 00:25:15,579 --> 00:25:13,729 get a better job now I just given up I 577 00:25:18,039 --> 00:25:15,589 just give up completely and it's pretty 578 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:18,049 easy I think I can keep that one now 579 00:25:22,980 --> 00:25:20,210 Richard also if you had any predictions 580 00:25:25,530 --> 00:25:22,990 for the year I predict that 581 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:25,540 it's incapable prediction he's a good 582 00:25:29,010 --> 00:25:27,490 man he's pretty mouthy for guys along 583 00:25:30,900 --> 00:25:29,020 here for the first time and I guess my 584 00:25:33,299 --> 00:25:30,910 first prediction is I'll be interrupted 585 00:25:36,060 --> 00:25:33,309 doing an interview oh it worked my 586 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:36,070 second prediction is that come november 587 00:25:41,820 --> 00:25:40,090 december this year TV shows and 588 00:25:45,450 --> 00:25:41,830 newspapers will have predictions for 589 00:25:47,430 --> 00:25:45,460 2017 from psychics and breaking news 590 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:47,440 here apparently something I've known 591 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:49,330 from North Korea has announced that 592 00:25:55,230 --> 00:25:52,450 they've got a and hydrogen bomb I'm 593 00:25:56,970 --> 00:25:55,240 sorry that that's a typo up the hydrogen 594 00:25:59,030 --> 00:25:56,980 bond is at my place it's something 595 00:26:01,560 --> 00:25:59,040 completely different but back to Richard 596 00:26:04,410 --> 00:26:01,570 you know i think the word skeptical was 597 00:26:06,810 --> 00:26:04,420 invented for North Korea they they claim 598 00:26:08,610 --> 00:26:06,820 no end of amazing things I think they're 599 00:26:11,310 --> 00:26:08,620 going to claim that they've gone to Mars 600 00:26:13,049 --> 00:26:11,320 next for those thing on the channel 10 601 00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:13,059 site that they've been a typo they 602 00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:14,910 described it as the North Korean 603 00:26:20,370 --> 00:26:18,130 hydroponic bomb thank you to dr. ray 604 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:20,380 chief or catching no one yes okay Big O 605 00:26:25,970 --> 00:26:22,450 predictions for the year my predictions 606 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:25,980 for 2016 I think they're 607 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:30,250 so I think the Donald Trump will drop 608 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:34,450 out of the presidential race I think 609 00:26:40,620 --> 00:26:36,610 that Jeb Bush would drop out of the 610 00:26:44,870 --> 00:26:40,630 presidential race and I think the next 611 00:26:51,660 --> 00:26:49,130 probably Hillary maybe Bernie who knows 612 00:26:53,820 --> 00:26:51,670 okay well that's a wonderfully they give 613 00:26:55,530 --> 00:26:53,830 me their Richard now of course any new 614 00:26:58,230 --> 00:26:55,540 year's resolutions are they actually any 615 00:26:59,910 --> 00:26:58,240 use at all like are you being a poo poo 616 00:27:01,020 --> 00:26:59,920 a cynical skeptic from way back wouldn't 617 00:27:02,790 --> 00:27:01,030 have much to say about any of them would 618 00:27:04,350 --> 00:27:02,800 you I've made many new year's 619 00:27:07,620 --> 00:27:04,360 resolutions over the years and I 620 00:27:09,900 --> 00:27:07,630 forgotten each of them I think my new 621 00:27:12,140 --> 00:27:09,910 year's resolution this year is not to 622 00:27:14,940 --> 00:27:12,150 make any but that everybody says that 623 00:27:17,340 --> 00:27:14,950 monocles a very big historical event has 624 00:27:19,290 --> 00:27:17,350 occurred this week Richard Saunders it 625 00:27:22,470 --> 00:27:19,300 has indeed we must say congratulations 626 00:27:24,180 --> 00:27:22,480 to skip tied for 500 episodes now the 627 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:24,190 skeptic zone is still in three hundreds 628 00:27:27,540 --> 00:27:25,810 of defeat it's quite an effort to get 629 00:27:30,930 --> 00:27:27,550 one out every week so to get one out 630 00:27:33,210 --> 00:27:30,940 every week for how many years it is 500 631 00:27:36,780 --> 00:27:33,220 what an effort congratulations kept I 632 00:27:38,430 --> 00:27:36,790 have a congratulations Bryan on on 487 633 00:27:41,340 --> 00:27:38,440 episodes they were really good the other 634 00:27:42,900 --> 00:27:41,350 ones not so hot but 487 really good 635 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:42,910 episodes of skipped I'd which is better 636 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:44,770 than planet Maynard we've only had three 637 00:27:48,930 --> 00:27:46,810 adwalla ones we've done well done and 638 00:27:51,870 --> 00:27:48,940 most of those episodes to done from the 639 00:27:55,140 --> 00:27:51,880 hot tub of truth so a lot of bubbling 640 00:27:56,610 --> 00:27:55,150 hot salty chlorinated water went into 641 00:27:58,860 --> 00:27:56,620 making those five hundred episodes of 642 00:28:00,750 --> 00:27:58,870 people and I hope you appreciate it so 643 00:28:02,580 --> 00:28:00,760 what do you think of you use resolutions 644 00:28:04,410 --> 00:28:02,590 do you make them are they achieve all is 645 00:28:07,590 --> 00:28:04,420 there any point what are we doing here I 646 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:07,600 think they're good because it encourages 647 00:28:11,510 --> 00:28:09,610 people to think about improving 648 00:28:14,300 --> 00:28:11,520 themselves and 649 00:28:17,030 --> 00:28:14,310 and making changes and there might not 650 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:17,040 be in a place where they're going to do 651 00:28:20,360 --> 00:28:18,570 that at other times the third of the 652 00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:20,370 year and this is an opportunity for them 653 00:28:24,770 --> 00:28:22,110 to think about it the problem is but 654 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:24,780 they don't have perhaps the skills or 655 00:28:30,110 --> 00:28:28,050 the tools to follow through and maintain 656 00:28:31,700 --> 00:28:30,120 or sustain those changes but at least 657 00:28:34,450 --> 00:28:31,710 they're thinking about it and even even 658 00:28:38,210 --> 00:28:34,460 having an intention and thinking about 659 00:28:39,890 --> 00:28:38,220 doing something better or different can 660 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:39,900 be enough to make significant changes so 661 00:28:42,950 --> 00:28:41,610 I think that I think it's good I think 662 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:42,960 it's good they don't always follow 663 00:28:46,790 --> 00:28:44,370 through that doesn't always work but 664 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:46,800 it's just the best time of year for that 665 00:28:50,330 --> 00:28:48,210 when everyone's drinking in the middle 666 00:28:53,540 --> 00:28:50,340 of summer after eating their guts out at 667 00:28:55,550 --> 00:28:53,550 Christmas absolutely and maybe if we did 668 00:28:57,050 --> 00:28:55,560 them in June maybe juna be a good time 669 00:28:58,730 --> 00:28:57,060 in the middle of winter you go yeah I'll 670 00:29:02,390 --> 00:28:58,740 cut i'll cut back on the booze then 671 00:29:04,430 --> 00:29:02,400 maybe it's always a good time just like 672 00:29:06,230 --> 00:29:04,440 just did my mom up your temptations over 673 00:29:08,380 --> 00:29:06,240 summer I mean we've got Iran here my 674 00:29:10,250 --> 00:29:08,390 goodness me I put the glass down around 675 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:10,260 what do you what do you think about the 676 00:29:13,610 --> 00:29:11,610 whole thing do you think it's just a 677 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:13,620 pointless doing this now here's someone 678 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:15,090 who actually had now you had a new 679 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:17,730 year's resolution didn't you and a 680 00:29:25,010 --> 00:29:21,290 prediction of my prediction yep is that 681 00:29:28,580 --> 00:29:25,020 somebody will be named John today this 682 00:29:34,810 --> 00:29:28,590 this year when they are born and they 683 00:29:38,330 --> 00:29:34,820 will weigh what here 3.11 kilograms 684 00:29:41,909 --> 00:29:38,340 that's incredibly specific is 685 00:29:45,389 --> 00:29:41,919 but due to my odds I'm pretty darn sure 686 00:29:47,490 --> 00:29:45,399 it'll happen okay obviously a betting 687 00:29:49,409 --> 00:29:47,500 kind of guy these pc's on the ball rats 688 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:49,419 under boys good with the distance okay 689 00:29:53,070 --> 00:29:51,250 now what about with trying to do 690 00:29:54,690 --> 00:29:53,080 predictions this you got any predictions 691 00:29:56,399 --> 00:29:54,700 for this year or have you even tried to 692 00:29:59,159 --> 00:29:56,409 do a new year's resolution okay year's 693 00:30:01,350 --> 00:29:59,169 resolution yeah is the president of the 694 00:30:05,519 --> 00:30:01,360 skeptics I've gotta say you know yeah so 695 00:30:08,370 --> 00:30:05,529 new solutions I've never bothered but I 696 00:30:09,749 --> 00:30:08,380 must say I actually like the idea of a 697 00:30:11,580 --> 00:30:09,759 specific date when you're going to make 698 00:30:13,649 --> 00:30:11,590 a big change because then you can it's 699 00:30:15,149 --> 00:30:13,659 easy to say it's been three months 700 00:30:16,499 --> 00:30:15,159 already it's been four months you don't 701 00:30:18,180 --> 00:30:16,509 have to start calculating you know if it 702 00:30:20,070 --> 00:30:18,190 says so the first of first of January is 703 00:30:22,590 --> 00:30:20,080 not a bad day to start something I think 704 00:30:24,149 --> 00:30:22,600 the problem is that all the research i 705 00:30:26,490 --> 00:30:24,159 mean this is just an article published 706 00:30:27,749 --> 00:30:26,500 just a few days ago but about research 707 00:30:29,909 --> 00:30:27,759 that was done in the past that shows 708 00:30:31,259 --> 00:30:29,919 that year's resolutions by and large 709 00:30:32,879 --> 00:30:31,269 fail just look like all other 710 00:30:36,779 --> 00:30:32,889 resolutions there's no better or worse 711 00:30:38,310 --> 00:30:36,789 than a business so what he did yeah but 712 00:30:39,299 --> 00:30:38,320 it's good to have any resolution i think 713 00:30:40,769 --> 00:30:39,309 if you're going to have if there's 714 00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:40,779 things that are important to you I'll 715 00:30:44,039 --> 00:30:42,610 tell you in what way it's good news 716 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:44,049 resolutions don't tend to be small 717 00:30:48,509 --> 00:30:46,450 things so I think it's an opportunity 718 00:30:50,119 --> 00:30:48,519 for people to say this thing that I've 719 00:30:52,590 --> 00:30:50,129 really wanted to do for a very long time 720 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:52,600 stopping drinking or reducing drinking 721 00:30:56,070 --> 00:30:54,730 or side here to the gym whatever it's a 722 00:30:57,659 --> 00:30:56,080 time when people make decisions and I 723 00:30:58,980 --> 00:30:57,669 think a lot of other times people say oh 724 00:31:00,180 --> 00:30:58,990 I'm in the middle of this I middle of 725 00:31:01,799 --> 00:31:00,190 that it's a time for people to make 726 00:31:03,810 --> 00:31:01,809 decisions but the reality is that they 727 00:31:06,869 --> 00:31:03,820 fail just as much as any any other 728 00:31:10,649 --> 00:31:06,879 decisions made any other time okay okay 729 00:31:12,899 --> 00:31:10,659 and any predictions about okay so okay 730 00:31:17,869 --> 00:31:12,909 so that's not with a big ones so there's 731 00:31:23,730 --> 00:31:20,279 earthquakes particularly i predict 732 00:31:25,259 --> 00:31:23,740 earthquakes let me think in japan and in 733 00:31:29,230 --> 00:31:25,269 the western United States potentially 734 00:31:39,230 --> 00:31:34,030 I i predict that there will be 735 00:31:42,470 --> 00:31:39,240 potentially trouble between the israel 736 00:31:47,090 --> 00:31:42,480 israel and palestine that's a bold move 737 00:31:49,160 --> 00:31:47,100 it's about decision see I know and and I 738 00:31:51,410 --> 00:31:49,170 think the Americans will get involved in 739 00:31:54,950 --> 00:31:51,420 in places in the world where they do not 740 00:31:57,410 --> 00:31:54,960 belong so the this I know I know I know 741 00:31:58,850 --> 00:31:57,420 I know I've east maitland I'm sorry I'm 742 00:32:02,330 --> 00:31:58,860 taking east maitland New South Wales 743 00:32:03,650 --> 00:32:02,340 there'll be so over that so yeah so I 744 00:32:06,740 --> 00:32:03,660 think I've taken enough of risk I'm not 745 00:32:08,420 --> 00:32:06,750 willing to say anything more and we've 746 00:32:09,890 --> 00:32:08,430 met one person who's along for the first 747 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:09,900 time tonight we have a couple it along 748 00:32:16,490 --> 00:32:13,410 heat and i feel we got mafia and stan 749 00:32:21,050 --> 00:32:16,500 and are you both scientists or anything 750 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:21,060 I have a master's in biology so sure Wow 751 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:23,610 and what you do I'm an IT guy but I have 752 00:32:27,290 --> 00:32:25,170 a master's in computer science so I 753 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:27,300 guess I'm a half of scientists oh yeah 754 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:28,650 well you're both better than me i'm 755 00:32:33,170 --> 00:32:30,810 always guessing and stuff in that so you 756 00:32:36,980 --> 00:32:33,180 can plug an ethernet cord in in record 757 00:32:39,170 --> 00:32:36,990 time can't you i can leave now if any of 758 00:32:40,130 --> 00:32:39,180 you made any resolutions for the year or 759 00:32:41,780 --> 00:32:40,140 do you think they're just a lot of 760 00:32:43,100 --> 00:32:41,790 rubbish but put your skeptical eye on 761 00:32:45,710 --> 00:32:43,110 new year's resolutions what do you think 762 00:32:47,420 --> 00:32:45,720 about that I don't really care for new 763 00:32:49,910 --> 00:32:47,430 year resolutions if you are determined 764 00:32:52,780 --> 00:32:49,920 to do something I don't think you need a 765 00:32:56,420 --> 00:32:52,790 new year resolution you can just have a 766 00:32:58,700 --> 00:32:56,430 determination to do it and and do 767 00:33:01,610 --> 00:32:58,710 something on your own but if some people 768 00:33:03,770 --> 00:33:01,620 like to have some date and fall go 769 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:03,780 through not fine with me any predictions 770 00:33:07,340 --> 00:33:05,850 piggley in the ITA field you might be 771 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:07,350 able to see further into the future than 772 00:33:10,550 --> 00:33:09,330 us mere mortals not in the i.t filled 773 00:33:14,090 --> 00:33:10,560 with a few Donald Trump who become 774 00:33:16,940 --> 00:33:14,100 president oh that's a bold one there now 775 00:33:19,460 --> 00:33:16,950 that I wanted some my prediction I don't 776 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:19,470 know I think that's okay though 777 00:33:23,060 --> 00:33:21,210 Oh what kind of knot by the end of the 778 00:33:25,070 --> 00:33:23,070 year I think redic is gonna get the 779 00:33:27,230 --> 00:33:25,080 Republican nomination little commotion 780 00:33:29,919 --> 00:33:27,240 so we can at least have fun listening to 781 00:33:31,909 --> 00:33:29,929 him debate Hillary for whoever gets the 782 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:31,919 Democratic that would be pretty 783 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:33,450 interesting what about you and 784 00:33:38,659 --> 00:33:35,130 resolutions how do you feel about them I 785 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:38,669 don't have near as resolutions and they 786 00:33:42,649 --> 00:33:41,250 make life work for some people but if 787 00:33:44,090 --> 00:33:42,659 they only make you feel depressed 788 00:33:46,220 --> 00:33:44,100 afterwards because he didn't follow 789 00:33:48,950 --> 00:33:46,230 throw them maybe they will just make you 790 00:33:49,850 --> 00:33:48,960 feel worse again you don't hear anyone 791 00:33:51,830 --> 00:33:49,860 talking about their new year's 792 00:33:53,390 --> 00:33:51,840 resolutions in February do that really 793 00:33:55,940 --> 00:33:53,400 it's all over by the end of January 794 00:33:57,260 --> 00:33:55,950 really yeah yeah yeah and then you 795 00:34:00,500 --> 00:33:57,270 forget about it done mentioning because 796 00:34:01,610 --> 00:34:00,510 I don't do it anymore I'm just hide well 797 00:34:03,590 --> 00:34:01,620 thank you for coming along i hope you'll 798 00:34:05,870 --> 00:34:03,600 see you here again will do thank you yes 799 00:34:08,690 --> 00:34:05,880 thank you very much guys remember those 800 00:34:10,399 --> 00:34:08,700 predictions people okay now what do you 801 00:34:12,500 --> 00:34:10,409 think on the issue of new year's 802 00:34:16,730 --> 00:34:12,510 resolutions or on the visibly 803 00:34:18,859 --> 00:34:16,740 predictions 2016 I'll go for both okay I 804 00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:18,869 think for the predictions but it's good 805 00:34:24,139 --> 00:34:22,169 because we reboot but the problem is it 806 00:34:25,940 --> 00:34:24,149 happens you have financial new year 807 00:34:27,740 --> 00:34:25,950 resolutions i Kenned have resolutions on 808 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:27,750 the hour you need something so i thinks 809 00:34:31,730 --> 00:34:30,570 helps her a lot of people but gives us 810 00:34:33,290 --> 00:34:31,740 something i think the reason why it's 811 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:33,300 good in years we're on holidays is that 812 00:34:35,930 --> 00:34:34,950 break he's trying to break habits and 813 00:34:37,940 --> 00:34:35,940 all this stuff you know what's a 814 00:34:39,770 --> 00:34:37,950 resolution to have on the hour I won't 815 00:34:42,680 --> 00:34:39,780 leave work early that's nothing I know 816 00:34:45,680 --> 00:34:42,690 won't leave work early well doing exams 817 00:34:47,480 --> 00:34:45,690 or stuff like that that said I'm still 818 00:34:49,099 --> 00:34:47,490 looking at my problem was being the year 819 00:34:50,780 --> 00:34:49,109 2000 and that occurred I had my 820 00:34:52,970 --> 00:34:50,790 resolution which I still haven't done 821 00:34:54,230 --> 00:34:52,980 yet and that's getting into 16 years now 822 00:34:56,270 --> 00:34:54,240 I don't want to talk about it but I 823 00:34:59,480 --> 00:34:56,280 think that's the problem so you need to 824 00:35:02,000 --> 00:34:59,490 be far enough away from the change of 825 00:35:06,859 --> 00:35:02,010 centuries to be close enough so maybe 826 00:35:09,079 --> 00:35:06,869 the criteria be from say plus or minus 827 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:09,089 20 years that that area around that the 828 00:35:12,410 --> 00:35:10,530 Turner century you don't make 829 00:35:13,339 --> 00:35:12,420 resolutions I don't know want to get to 830 00:35:14,510 --> 00:35:13,349 fair enough thing what about a 831 00:35:16,490 --> 00:35:14,520 prediction about you look like a guy 832 00:35:17,570 --> 00:35:16,500 who's just a touch psychic that's what 833 00:35:20,089 --> 00:35:17,580 the west of the word on the street is 834 00:35:21,589 --> 00:35:20,099 anywhere sidekick or sidekick I could 835 00:35:22,940 --> 00:35:21,599 have up mr. mixed up something like that 836 00:35:24,109 --> 00:35:22,950 that looked the people driving past in a 837 00:35:24,980 --> 00:35:24,119 car very quick I didn't hear what they 838 00:35:27,290 --> 00:35:24,990 yield thankfully 839 00:35:30,350 --> 00:35:27,300 now I think I think actually there's 840 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:30,360 going to be a lot more issues between 841 00:35:35,510 --> 00:35:34,170 skeptics and then the the Wu merchants I 842 00:35:37,370 --> 00:35:35,520 notice on twitter at the moment there's 843 00:35:39,140 --> 00:35:37,380 a lot of people firing backwards and 844 00:35:40,730 --> 00:35:39,150 forwards shots is going on there that 845 00:35:42,290 --> 00:35:40,740 there's some naturopath who's just 846 00:35:43,910 --> 00:35:42,300 getting all steamed up and he's broccoli 847 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:43,920 this is just the start I think that 848 00:35:47,300 --> 00:35:44,970 everyone's made their new year's 849 00:35:48,500 --> 00:35:47,310 resolutions about that so maybe I think 850 00:35:50,330 --> 00:35:48,510 this year I think people going to get 851 00:35:53,930 --> 00:35:50,340 aggressive is the year being aggressive 852 00:35:55,550 --> 00:35:53,940 where skeptics and the other crowd start 853 00:35:57,920 --> 00:35:55,560 coming out and we start killing each 854 00:36:01,100 --> 00:35:57,930 other and it's weird because it supposed 855 00:36:02,780 --> 00:36:01,110 to be based on an educated considered 856 00:36:04,850 --> 00:36:02,790 position everyone's this name calling it 857 00:36:06,290 --> 00:36:04,860 it's not a strangely fantastic to listen 858 00:36:08,180 --> 00:36:06,300 and watch too did you want to get into 859 00:36:09,890 --> 00:36:08,190 it with the naturopath or not or you 860 00:36:11,420 --> 00:36:09,900 just stay out of that kind of you enjoy 861 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:11,430 good Twitter argument or you are you 862 00:36:15,770 --> 00:36:13,650 elsewhere when that's happening I i must 863 00:36:17,270 --> 00:36:15,780 admit i do secretly look around on 864 00:36:20,210 --> 00:36:17,280 twitter and see these things and throw 865 00:36:21,470 --> 00:36:20,220 the occasional little comment but it's 866 00:36:23,480 --> 00:36:21,480 again you can't solve the world on 867 00:36:24,590 --> 00:36:23,490 twitter especially with 140 characters 868 00:36:26,240 --> 00:36:24,600 or less I don't know why these 869 00:36:28,250 --> 00:36:26,250 intelligent people are doing at this far 870 00:36:29,900 --> 00:36:28,260 more things to do maybe supposed to root 871 00:36:31,700 --> 00:36:29,910 photo or something just thrown off the 872 00:36:33,470 --> 00:36:31,710 track yeah that might be good maybe 873 00:36:35,390 --> 00:36:33,480 that's it well maybe we should decrease 874 00:36:37,550 --> 00:36:35,400 it to 14 characters you have the whole 875 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:37,560 arguments based on 14 characters I think 876 00:36:41,690 --> 00:36:39,930 that will distill these difficult 877 00:36:43,640 --> 00:36:41,700 argument so you can't why I mean it's 878 00:36:45,410 --> 00:36:43,650 important hustle do 140 characters I 879 00:36:47,510 --> 00:36:45,420 think you've predicted very busy you 880 00:37:04,980 --> 00:36:47,520 ahead on Twitter sir yeah I think that's 881 00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:07,570 today this is dr. Karl Karl Christmas he 882 00:37:11,440 --> 00:37:09,170 proud to be skeptic and you can find out 883 00:37:30,710 --> 00:37:11,450 more about me at dr. Karl calm and get 884 00:37:34,770 --> 00:37:33,240 thank you for listening to the skeptic 885 00:37:37,470 --> 00:37:34,780 zone you know I've noticed in the last 886 00:37:41,010 --> 00:37:37,480 few weeks the last week anyway that Mark 887 00:37:43,950 --> 00:37:41,020 Zuckerberg from facebook posted up a 888 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:43,960 nice pictures cute picture of him and 889 00:37:48,330 --> 00:37:45,370 his daughter waiting at the doctor's 890 00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:48,340 office for her to get her vaccinations 891 00:37:56,880 --> 00:37:53,410 well the anti-vaccination brigade have 892 00:38:00,990 --> 00:37:56,890 lost the plot again and some of the 893 00:38:02,790 --> 00:38:01,000 responses that have been simply vile now 894 00:38:06,030 --> 00:38:02,800 I love to send them up as you well know 895 00:38:07,830 --> 00:38:06,040 i call them tho zany wacky outrageous 896 00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:07,840 people from the anti-vaccination brigade 897 00:38:14,010 --> 00:38:11,110 but don't make any mistake I take them 898 00:38:16,730 --> 00:38:14,020 very seriously they are in some 899 00:38:19,050 --> 00:38:16,740 situations simply dangerous people I 900 00:38:21,030 --> 00:38:19,060 think we'll follow up this story we'll 901 00:38:24,180 --> 00:38:21,040 see if we can have something about it on 902 00:38:25,770 --> 00:38:24,190 next week's show but in the meantime if 903 00:38:28,110 --> 00:38:25,780 you google that if you google Mark 904 00:38:31,020 --> 00:38:28,120 Zuckerberg and vaccination I think 905 00:38:34,410 --> 00:38:31,030 you'll see some of the violent venom 906 00:38:36,750 --> 00:38:34,420 lies that have been perpetrated good 907 00:38:39,090 --> 00:38:36,760 luck to Mark Zuckerberg I've got no 908 00:38:42,330 --> 00:38:39,100 special feelings towards him one way or 909 00:38:44,610 --> 00:38:42,340 the other and he seems to be a decent 910 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:44,620 guy but he's certainly doing the right 911 00:38:49,230 --> 00:38:46,450 thing by getting his daughter vaccinated 912 00:38:51,480 --> 00:38:49,240 and I know he never misses the skeptic 913 00:38:53,610 --> 00:38:51,490 zone hmm thank you again to our 914 00:38:55,230 --> 00:38:53,620 wonderful reporters Joe alabasta wow 915 00:38:58,590 --> 00:38:55,240 that was a great report this week on 916 00:39:00,690 --> 00:38:58,600 black selves thank you to Maynard who's 917 00:39:03,390 --> 00:39:00,700 always there with these microphone ready 918 00:39:05,910 --> 00:39:03,400 to ask the questions looking forward 919 00:39:08,130 --> 00:39:05,920 later on to more reports from our other 920 00:39:11,070 --> 00:39:08,140 reporters around dr. Regina of course 921 00:39:12,710 --> 00:39:11,080 the wonderful Heidi Robinson but for 922 00:39:19,420 --> 00:39:12,720 this week this is Richard Saunders 923 00:39:25,610 --> 00:39:21,860 you've been listening to the skeptics 924 00:39:28,550 --> 00:39:25,620 own podcast visit our website at wwc a 925 00:39:31,970 --> 00:39:28,560 petting zoo TV for contacts and archive 926 00:39:34,670 --> 00:39:31,980 of all episodes since 2008 and our 927 00:39:36,580 --> 00:39:34,680 online store please support the skeptic 928 00:39:39,770 --> 00:39:36,590 zone by following us on twitter at 929 00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:39,780 skeptic zone liking us on facebook and 930 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:43,410 leaving a review on iTunes you can also 931 00:39:48,730 --> 00:39:45,570 show your support by subscribing via 932 00:39:51,530 --> 00:39:48,740 paypal for as little as 99 cents a week 933 00:39:53,150 --> 00:39:51,540 the skeptic zone is an independent 934 00:39:55,580 --> 00:39:53,160 production the views and opinions 935 00:39:57,680 --> 00:39:55,590 expressed on the skeptic zone and not