1 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:24,270 hello and welcome to a skeptic zone it's 2 00:00:30,359 --> 00:00:27,090 show number 24 for the third of april 3 00:00:32,250 --> 00:00:30,369 2009 I'm Richard Saunders and I'm 4 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:32,260 looking forward to the wonderful special 5 00:00:37,170 --> 00:00:34,450 episode we have for you today aren't you 6 00:00:38,910 --> 00:00:37,180 Stefan yes indeed Richard I can hardly 7 00:00:43,170 --> 00:00:38,920 keep my gut flushed with the wonderment 8 00:00:44,549 --> 00:00:43,180 that I'm feeling Rachel we're never 9 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:44,559 going to convince them if you start 10 00:00:48,780 --> 00:00:46,750 laughing I'm sorry I'm sorry yeah well 11 00:00:50,610 --> 00:00:48,790 everyone knows your laugh it's a dead 12 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:50,620 giveaway well why do I have to be the 13 00:00:54,540 --> 00:00:52,449 funny one I'm not going to be able to do 14 00:00:56,460 --> 00:00:54,550 it if you give me all the one-liners how 15 00:00:59,460 --> 00:00:56,470 about I be Richard instead then I can 16 00:01:01,229 --> 00:00:59,470 just make silly puns and bad jokes okay 17 00:01:04,530 --> 00:01:01,239 but you have to say it like you you know 18 00:01:06,899 --> 00:01:04,540 yeah the skeptic zone the skeptics alone 19 00:01:08,789 --> 00:01:06,909 I should really be in a fridge for that 20 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:08,799 part shouldn't I right okay from the top 21 00:01:12,270 --> 00:01:10,450 and no laughing this is serious stuff 22 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:12,280 we've only got a minute to get the whole 23 00:01:16,190 --> 00:01:13,570 thing done because there's lots we're 24 00:01:19,109 --> 00:01:16,200 going to get through to that okay okay 25 00:01:21,899 --> 00:01:19,119 hello and welcome to the skeptic zone 26 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:21,909 this is show number 24 for the third of 27 00:01:27,690 --> 00:01:25,810 april 2009 I'm Richard Saunders from the 28 00:01:29,580 --> 00:01:27,700 one and I'm looking forward to the 29 00:01:32,279 --> 00:01:29,590 wonderful special episode we have for 30 00:01:34,349 --> 00:01:32,289 you today aren't you Stefan yes indeed 31 00:01:36,179 --> 00:01:34,359 which are it's wonderful I can hardly 32 00:01:38,130 --> 00:01:36,189 keep my gut flushed with the wonderment 33 00:01:40,999 --> 00:01:38,140 I'm feeling I practically went through 34 00:01:43,709 --> 00:01:41,009 an entire Lou or with every remedy 35 00:01:45,510 --> 00:01:43,719 you're doing it again I'm sorry I can't 36 00:01:47,069 --> 00:01:45,520 help that long well how do you think dr. 37 00:01:48,660 --> 00:01:47,079 Chrissy Wilson's going to feel if we 38 00:01:49,919 --> 00:01:48,670 don't introduce her properly now she 39 00:01:51,749 --> 00:01:49,929 came all the way over from the 40 00:01:53,550 --> 00:01:51,759 University of Tasmania to do a talk for 41 00:01:55,050 --> 00:01:53,560 the skeptics dinner and you just get the 42 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:55,060 giggles about it oh you don't need to 43 00:01:58,730 --> 00:01:56,890 tell me what the talk was about don't 44 00:02:01,109 --> 00:01:58,740 forget I was there it was brilliant 45 00:02:03,660 --> 00:02:01,119 Christie Wilson is always a really good 46 00:02:05,639 --> 00:02:03,670 speaker she told us all about being on 47 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:05,649 the telly her experiences with today 48 00:02:10,710 --> 00:02:08,530 tonight and the young psychic and her 49 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:10,720 research in a normal istic psychology oh 50 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:12,910 yeah yeah you got to hear wonderful 51 00:02:16,710 --> 00:02:15,010 Richard the one Saunders talk to dr. 52 00:02:18,570 --> 00:02:16,720 Chrissy Wilson about child psychics 53 00:02:20,730 --> 00:02:18,580 being on the telly and I'm stuck here 54 00:02:21,990 --> 00:02:20,740 with bottles of Stefan's freaking gut 55 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:22,000 flush well if you're going to be a 56 00:02:26,010 --> 00:02:23,770 member of the team you may as well be a 57 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:26,020 guinea pig to see if it actually works I 58 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:27,730 don't know why I have to be the one to 59 00:02:31,170 --> 00:02:29,110 try all the gut flash why is it Richard 60 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:31,180 drinking the gut flush I think he's 61 00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:33,250 still getting over his insomnia after 62 00:02:36,110 --> 00:02:34,110 adding all those 63 00:02:39,830 --> 00:02:36,120 homeopathic sleeping tablets during my 64 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:39,840 talk he ate 40 and he's still alive go 65 00:02:44,150 --> 00:02:42,570 figure you you be born Sydney Oh nutters 66 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:44,160 that's all I'm saying well we may be 67 00:02:48,050 --> 00:02:46,050 noticed but we give great talks and 68 00:02:50,090 --> 00:02:48,060 that's why Richard Saunders introduces 69 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:50,100 dr. Christie Wilson before her 70 00:02:54,650 --> 00:02:52,050 presentation for the Australian skeptics 71 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:54,660 dinner in Sydney and she is going to 72 00:02:58,820 --> 00:02:56,370 tell us all about her career and much 73 00:03:01,190 --> 00:02:58,830 much more well you have to do the voice 74 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:01,200 okay okay I'll do the voice and do it 75 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:04,170 properly okay okay and this is an 76 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:06,570 exclusive interview for the skeptic zone 77 00:03:11,510 --> 00:03:09,930 yeah that that's much better I've got to 78 00:03:13,340 --> 00:03:11,520 go finish off the rest of this gut flush 79 00:03:14,690 --> 00:03:13,350 you better do no one else is going to 80 00:03:16,490 --> 00:03:14,700 drink hits well i hope everyone 81 00:03:18,470 --> 00:03:16,500 appreciates his fabulous interview with 82 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:18,480 dr. chrissy wilson from the University 83 00:03:28,420 --> 00:03:20,730 of Tasmania with Richard Saunders for 84 00:03:33,860 --> 00:03:31,250 in this week's special we have an 85 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:33,870 interview with dr. prissy Wilson dr. 86 00:03:38,570 --> 00:03:35,910 Chrissy Wilson completed her PhD at 87 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:38,580 Goldsmiths University of London her main 88 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:40,410 area of interest is the psychology 89 00:03:44,210 --> 00:03:41,970 believe the unreliable nature of 90 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:44,220 eyewitness testimony false memories and 91 00:03:48,380 --> 00:03:46,410 the impact of belief she currently works 92 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:48,390 at the University of Tasmania in 93 00:03:53,870 --> 00:03:52,170 launceston let us take you now to the 94 00:03:55,730 --> 00:03:53,880 Australian skeptics dinner talk in 95 00:03:57,710 --> 00:03:55,740 Sydney for Richard Saunders first 96 00:04:08,090 --> 00:03:57,720 introduces Chrissy to the audience and 97 00:04:09,949 --> 00:04:08,100 then chats to her about her career one 98 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:09,959 two three testing hello can you all hear 99 00:04:15,170 --> 00:04:12,930 me hello I might get the people behind 100 00:04:17,659 --> 00:04:15,180 the bar there somebody who knows to turn 101 00:04:20,780 --> 00:04:17,669 up the sensitivity on the microphone a 102 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:20,790 little bit I'll our speakers tonight on 103 00:04:27,500 --> 00:04:26,370 such shy retiring flowers I'm sure 104 00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:27,510 they'll figure that out in the moment 105 00:04:31,820 --> 00:04:29,910 welcome again to the skeptics dinner 106 00:04:34,430 --> 00:04:31,830 thank you to president bit about it for 107 00:04:36,020 --> 00:04:34,440 his welcome to you earlier on my name is 108 00:04:38,330 --> 00:04:36,030 Richard Saunders I'm a current vice 109 00:04:41,540 --> 00:04:38,340 president of the Australian skeptics 110 00:04:45,710 --> 00:04:41,550 here in New South Wales and I'm here for 111 00:04:49,490 --> 00:04:45,720 a number of reasons one first up to 112 00:04:51,409 --> 00:04:49,500 encourage you all if you're not 113 00:04:53,420 --> 00:04:51,419 subscribing to our magazine at the 114 00:04:56,330 --> 00:04:53,430 moment the skeptic there it is the 115 00:04:58,460 --> 00:04:56,340 latest issue to consider subscribing 116 00:05:02,360 --> 00:04:58,470 you'll find subscription forms on your 117 00:05:04,700 --> 00:05:02,370 tables if you know a subscriber they can 118 00:05:07,610 --> 00:05:04,710 get you a gift subscription for half 119 00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:07,620 price so if you know a subscriber have a 120 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:10,320 word to them it's a new look magazine 121 00:05:14,270 --> 00:05:11,880 for our new editor she's done a 122 00:05:16,430 --> 00:05:14,280 wonderful job full of interesting things 123 00:05:18,260 --> 00:05:16,440 and it's even got an astrology column oh 124 00:05:23,690 --> 00:05:18,270 yes 125 00:05:26,090 --> 00:05:23,700 we've got a very good astrologer there 126 00:05:28,820 --> 00:05:26,100 it is proof positive read your stars in 127 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:28,830 the skeptic see they all say to 128 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:32,090 subscribe to the magazine but nevermind 129 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:34,650 you'll also find on your table some 130 00:05:41,540 --> 00:05:37,890 older issues from the recent years that 131 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:41,550 they slightly different slightly 132 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:44,370 different size there ah you're welcome 133 00:05:48,140 --> 00:05:45,810 to keep those and take them home and 134 00:05:49,730 --> 00:05:48,150 have a good read encourage other people 135 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:49,740 to read them or take them to your 136 00:05:59,680 --> 00:05:52,650 doctor's waiting room oh yes or your 137 00:06:01,610 --> 00:05:59,690 naturopaths waiting room even better Oh 138 00:06:04,490 --> 00:06:01,620 suddenly would yeah that's much better 139 00:06:06,410 --> 00:06:04,500 thinking it was mentioned before of 140 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:06,420 course our skeptics in the pub dinner in 141 00:06:11,420 --> 00:06:08,490 the city which is thursday night now we 142 00:06:13,670 --> 00:06:11,430 started this about five years ago i 143 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:13,680 think richard if you remember about five 144 00:06:17,420 --> 00:06:15,330 years skeptics in the pub bingo 145 00:06:20,630 --> 00:06:17,430 something like five or six years it's 146 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:20,640 become we've become a victim of your own 147 00:06:24,620 --> 00:06:23,310 success because we now have so many 148 00:06:26,450 --> 00:06:24,630 people coming that we're finding 149 00:06:28,610 --> 00:06:26,460 difficult to fit everybody in which is a 150 00:06:30,110 --> 00:06:28,620 marvelous problem they have marvelous 151 00:06:32,690 --> 00:06:30,120 problem have but it's a great night 152 00:06:35,540 --> 00:06:32,700 there's a little bit of formality a few 153 00:06:37,070 --> 00:06:35,550 talks and interesting things going on 154 00:06:38,870 --> 00:06:37,080 and Dick Smith will be here this time 155 00:06:44,339 --> 00:06:38,880 which will be great but the rest of it 156 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:44,349 seriously blood blood blood 157 00:06:53,019 --> 00:06:48,650 what is homeopathic bien that's what 158 00:06:55,899 --> 00:06:53,029 they got I'd like to remind everybody 159 00:06:58,329 --> 00:06:55,909 that this year our national convention 160 00:07:02,439 --> 00:06:58,339 will be in Brisbane and that's on the 28 161 00:07:04,510 --> 00:07:02,449 and 29 of November so start planning now 162 00:07:07,329 --> 00:07:04,520 the Australian skeptics conventions are 163 00:07:12,100 --> 00:07:07,339 a very long running series conventions 164 00:07:15,149 --> 00:07:12,110 battery when was the first one 1986 165 00:07:18,579 --> 00:07:15,159 Barry's been to every one of them 166 00:07:20,469 --> 00:07:18,589 including 85 yes how do you mean to 167 00:07:24,189 --> 00:07:20,479 everyone I've been to quite a number 168 00:07:25,689 --> 00:07:24,199 over the last 10 years and wow what a 169 00:07:27,939 --> 00:07:25,699 great convention they are the 170 00:07:29,649 --> 00:07:27,949 Australians kept these conventions a 171 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:29,659 great time for everybody that speeches 172 00:07:37,089 --> 00:07:31,610 always first-class the forks they're 173 00:07:39,339 --> 00:07:37,099 very interesting and 2010 will be here 174 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:39,349 in swimming so you can start planning 175 00:07:46,179 --> 00:07:41,930 clatters November 2010 we are looking 176 00:07:48,189 --> 00:07:46,189 forward about him immensely now this is 177 00:07:49,959 --> 00:07:48,199 something there's a skeptic when we're 178 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:49,969 walking along we keep our eyes open for 179 00:07:54,429 --> 00:07:52,310 things many of you know there are lots 180 00:07:56,469 --> 00:07:54,439 of interesting free magazines you can 181 00:07:58,540 --> 00:07:56,479 get called over things like that with 182 00:07:59,920 --> 00:07:58,550 full of interesting things but you can 183 00:08:01,749 --> 00:07:59,930 also get like interesting little 184 00:08:04,269 --> 00:08:01,759 leaflets I found this little leaflet in 185 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:04,279 the post office for some reason it says 186 00:08:09,670 --> 00:08:07,610 it is later than you think it was later 187 00:08:12,249 --> 00:08:09,680 than you think and it is full of very 188 00:08:15,010 --> 00:08:12,259 interesting advice to me telling me that 189 00:08:17,469 --> 00:08:15,020 catastrophe is that the many had feared 190 00:08:20,290 --> 00:08:17,479 will come to pass God's day of judgment 191 00:08:22,420 --> 00:08:20,300 and his wrath will fall upon you the 192 00:08:24,909 --> 00:08:22,430 Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven 193 00:08:26,860 --> 00:08:24,919 these mighty angels in flaming fire and 194 00:08:28,239 --> 00:08:26,870 chariots the interesting thing about 195 00:08:30,070 --> 00:08:28,249 this leaflet though is right on the 196 00:08:32,769 --> 00:08:30,080 front page where it says these are not 197 00:08:37,269 --> 00:08:32,779 the ratings of religious fanatics 198 00:08:39,429 --> 00:08:37,279 I was quite relieved alone that these in 199 00:08:43,509 --> 00:08:39,439 fact were not the ratings and purpose 200 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:43,519 this is that right there now ladies and 201 00:08:47,739 --> 00:08:45,290 gentlemen if you were here last year for 202 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:47,749 our I'd you know the end of last year we 203 00:08:51,850 --> 00:08:49,490 were very lucky to have a special guest 204 00:08:54,069 --> 00:08:51,860 dr. Chrissy Wilson who spoke to us 205 00:08:56,019 --> 00:08:54,079 Chrissy recently appeared on today 206 00:08:57,850 --> 00:08:56,029 tonight or a current affair or both for 207 00:09:00,429 --> 00:08:57,860 all three of one of those terrible shows 208 00:09:02,049 --> 00:09:00,439 where she was investigating an 209 00:09:04,239 --> 00:09:02,059 eight-year-old psychic now we're very 210 00:09:07,179 --> 00:09:04,249 lucky again tonight Chrissy is with us 211 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:07,189 and she'll give us a brief talk about 212 00:09:17,980 --> 00:09:16,269 thanks Richard well hello good evening 213 00:09:19,749 --> 00:09:17,990 everybody um that's what he loved you to 214 00:09:22,749 --> 00:09:19,759 be back and to catch up with you all 215 00:09:25,030 --> 00:09:22,759 again and when i was here in november i 216 00:09:28,150 --> 00:09:25,040 think when i gave a talk um I stood here 217 00:09:30,759 --> 00:09:28,160 I was incredibly nervous and very 218 00:09:33,189 --> 00:09:30,769 stressed by the whole thing and but now 219 00:09:37,350 --> 00:09:33,199 I'm king of the world because I've been 220 00:09:39,309 --> 00:09:37,360 on The Today Tonight Show which is them 221 00:09:42,870 --> 00:09:39,319 don't laugh because it's real 222 00:09:46,650 --> 00:09:42,880 cutting-edge research program 223 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:46,660 the flagship of channel 7 nose on the 224 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:51,730 horizon is real yeah yesterday they 225 00:09:56,810 --> 00:09:54,250 asked me to go on as the informed 226 00:10:01,230 --> 00:09:56,820 skeptic to run past comment on 227 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:01,240 Australia's longest psychic little 228 00:10:07,470 --> 00:10:04,450 eight-year-old Emily and now they they 229 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:07,480 sent me the tapes of this that let your 230 00:10:12,660 --> 00:10:10,090 old girl and I watched it and I listened 231 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:12,670 to the mother and um there's absolutely 232 00:10:17,940 --> 00:10:15,250 nothing real about the mother whatsoever 233 00:10:21,180 --> 00:10:17,950 even her accent is fake she has this 234 00:10:24,110 --> 00:10:21,190 bizarre some Australian American accent 235 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:24,120 now either she got kicked out of America 236 00:10:31,380 --> 00:10:27,810 and has come to Australia or I suspect 237 00:10:33,690 --> 00:10:31,390 since her I thought is John Edward which 238 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:33,700 kind of said they all looked she just 239 00:10:37,260 --> 00:10:35,140 spent all day watching reruns of 240 00:10:38,940 --> 00:10:37,270 crossing over and that's why she's got 241 00:10:41,070 --> 00:10:38,950 this bizarre accident but anyway she's 242 00:10:43,590 --> 00:10:41,080 got this aim year old girl and to be 243 00:10:46,410 --> 00:10:43,600 fair to Channel seven and they did let 244 00:10:49,650 --> 00:10:46,420 me say some fairly sarcastic comments on 245 00:10:53,970 --> 00:10:49,660 film and I called her the bindi Irwin of 246 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:53,980 the paranormal now I'm glad you are all 247 00:10:59,660 --> 00:10:56,530 laughing but unfortunately they took 248 00:11:02,390 --> 00:10:59,670 that as a compliment 249 00:11:05,090 --> 00:11:02,400 it wasn't meant to be a compliment but 250 00:11:10,250 --> 00:11:05,100 in a little did I know that some one of 251 00:11:13,490 --> 00:11:10,260 emily's idols is big Leo in any way this 252 00:11:18,740 --> 00:11:13,500 little eight-year-old she sees dead 253 00:11:23,270 --> 00:11:18,750 people she had messages for someone over 254 00:11:28,670 --> 00:11:23,280 there and I've got a message and um 255 00:11:30,740 --> 00:11:28,680 you're a very good person and then you 256 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:30,750 should know what a good person you are 257 00:11:37,550 --> 00:11:34,290 and and to feel the bell around you well 258 00:11:39,410 --> 00:11:37,560 I did about you but I'm a believer does 259 00:11:41,060 --> 00:11:39,420 convince me I mean a poor little kid 260 00:11:45,110 --> 00:11:41,070 she's clearly she's clearly been coached 261 00:11:46,820 --> 00:11:45,120 since she was zero watched a lot of John 262 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:46,830 Edwards clearly because at the end of 263 00:11:55,490 --> 00:11:48,570 everything she said she said the Chinese 264 00:11:58,730 --> 00:11:55,500 band John's band um that man and now the 265 00:12:01,040 --> 00:11:58,740 point of the program i think and media 266 00:12:02,990 --> 00:12:01,050 watch wrangly of the days after its 267 00:12:06,350 --> 00:12:03,000 shown and to ask me the same sort of 268 00:12:08,540 --> 00:12:06,360 thing the the angle that channel seven 269 00:12:10,820 --> 00:12:08,550 were going forward is this child 270 00:12:13,010 --> 00:12:10,830 exploitation you know if this poor kid 271 00:12:15,170 --> 00:12:13,020 being exploited by the parents to go on 272 00:12:16,730 --> 00:12:15,180 stage and you know do all these sorts of 273 00:12:19,970 --> 00:12:16,740 things and pretend that you can talk to 274 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:19,980 dead people etc well if you'll pardon 275 00:12:26,060 --> 00:12:23,250 the technical term and i don't actually 276 00:12:27,860 --> 00:12:26,070 give a monkey's whether whether this 277 00:12:30,470 --> 00:12:27,870 King is being exploited or not I don't 278 00:12:33,980 --> 00:12:30,480 care if the mother wants to exploit her 279 00:12:37,490 --> 00:12:33,990 fine what interests be what concerns me 280 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:37,500 are all those mindless idiots that are 281 00:12:43,079 --> 00:12:41,010 prepared to pay $25 and warden i watch 282 00:12:45,689 --> 00:12:43,089 this and here 283 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:45,699 messages from the other side those are 284 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:47,529 the people that we should be interesting 285 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:50,110 and asking above why why do you believe 286 00:12:54,269 --> 00:12:51,970 that this little later I'll can do this 287 00:12:56,790 --> 00:12:54,279 it's rubbish read a book do something 288 00:12:59,129 --> 00:12:56,800 else with your lives now I've never had 289 00:13:02,239 --> 00:12:59,139 a cause in my life you know when I was 290 00:13:05,850 --> 00:13:02,249 at University everyone was you know 291 00:13:08,429 --> 00:13:05,860 fighting for the miners or I'm doing CMD 292 00:13:10,650 --> 00:13:08,439 you're the anti-nazi League or vegans 293 00:13:14,999 --> 00:13:10,660 against Fox sport or whatever it was and 294 00:13:17,790 --> 00:13:15,009 I never had a course until now when I 295 00:13:20,790 --> 00:13:17,800 was here last time I said that um you 296 00:13:23,179 --> 00:13:20,800 know psychics there either con artists 297 00:13:25,139 --> 00:13:23,189 all the people who believe they have 298 00:13:28,079 --> 00:13:25,149 psychic powers so they're either 299 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:28,089 criminals or they're delusional either 300 00:13:41,309 --> 00:13:31,930 way let's lock them all up that's my 301 00:13:49,029 --> 00:13:45,129 now I'm delighted to be talking with dr. 302 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:49,039 Christie Wilson hello Chrissy hi really 303 00:13:52,479 --> 00:13:50,569 nice to see you you're up here in Sydney 304 00:13:54,609 --> 00:13:52,489 to actually hear dr. Rachel Dunlop give 305 00:13:58,210 --> 00:13:54,619 her talk tonight yeah we're taught to 306 00:14:00,009 --> 00:13:58,220 see you you are a very interesting woman 307 00:14:01,809 --> 00:14:00,019 I must say you had a very interesting 308 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:01,819 career path can you tell listen to 309 00:14:05,349 --> 00:14:03,319 something about your background before 310 00:14:06,999 --> 00:14:05,359 we get into the interestingness okay I 311 00:14:10,179 --> 00:14:07,009 didn't know you guys doing that yeah 312 00:14:13,179 --> 00:14:10,189 about the fine yeah no that's or the 313 00:14:16,929 --> 00:14:13,189 glamour okay well in a previous life but 314 00:14:19,659 --> 00:14:16,939 not in the skeptical sent I started life 315 00:14:21,159 --> 00:14:19,669 as an actress my one claim to fame being 316 00:14:24,189 --> 00:14:21,169 that I once played a prostitute on the 317 00:14:26,439 --> 00:14:24,199 bills rule and that tends to impress 318 00:14:28,599 --> 00:14:26,449 people more than the phd fabrications or 319 00:14:30,159 --> 00:14:28,609 anything else's students especially when 320 00:14:32,109 --> 00:14:30,169 I find out that I was a prostitute on 321 00:14:33,659 --> 00:14:32,119 the bill think it's wonderful and so 322 00:14:36,609 --> 00:14:33,669 yeah I was actress for about nine years 323 00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:36,619 got bored with that decided that I 324 00:14:41,439 --> 00:14:39,289 wanted to travel the world so I became a 325 00:14:44,650 --> 00:14:41,449 trolley dolly minez doing it british 326 00:14:46,389 --> 00:14:44,660 airways and old british airways yeah i 327 00:14:48,009 --> 00:14:46,399 did that for about six years chucking 328 00:14:50,259 --> 00:14:48,019 out chicken beef giving out tea and 329 00:14:52,779 --> 00:14:50,269 coffee and one day I thought I'm sick of 330 00:14:55,119 --> 00:14:52,789 this I know I know what I want to do I 331 00:14:57,309 --> 00:14:55,129 want to be a psychologist so you gave up 332 00:14:59,949 --> 00:14:57,319 the glamour of international travel well 333 00:15:02,229 --> 00:14:59,959 I did an undergraduate degree in in 334 00:15:04,929 --> 00:15:02,239 psychology while i was still flying 335 00:15:06,939 --> 00:15:04,939 which was incredibly hard it was really 336 00:15:08,799 --> 00:15:06,949 difficult but got there in the end and 337 00:15:11,739 --> 00:15:08,809 then once I've got the degree I then did 338 00:15:16,289 --> 00:15:11,749 a masters and then decided to do a PhD 339 00:15:19,149 --> 00:15:16,299 and I did that at Goldsmiths College in 340 00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:19,159 university of london yeah um and that's 341 00:15:23,379 --> 00:15:20,809 where i got involved in the paranormal 342 00:15:26,769 --> 00:15:23,389 psychology belief and all my stuff and I 343 00:15:29,379 --> 00:15:26,779 did my doctorate in psychology belief 344 00:15:33,009 --> 00:15:29,389 memory and paranormal experiences and so 345 00:15:34,599 --> 00:15:33,019 on and then decide is fed up with London 346 00:15:36,189 --> 00:15:34,609 and what I really wanted to do is come 347 00:15:39,399 --> 00:15:36,199 to Australia of course I'd spread the 348 00:15:40,689 --> 00:15:39,409 word here what was already spread oh we 349 00:15:42,309 --> 00:15:40,699 can do we gonna need all the help we can 350 00:15:44,979 --> 00:15:42,319 you please yeah it needs more girls 351 00:15:46,719 --> 00:15:44,989 we're doing we need loudly skip women 352 00:15:48,189 --> 00:15:46,729 scary because they can't sighs get 353 00:15:50,259 --> 00:15:48,199 chicks because someone's pinch that all 354 00:15:53,140 --> 00:15:50,269 sounds better now we love the Skip cake 355 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:53,150 and let's get woman's hip boys and 356 00:15:58,510 --> 00:15:55,730 the rest of them now it was a during 357 00:16:01,450 --> 00:15:58,520 that time that your goldsmith that you 358 00:16:04,390 --> 00:16:01,460 and Chris fringe were part of that 359 00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:04,400 testing of the baby whisperer am I 360 00:16:07,830 --> 00:16:06,110 getting my timeline right here yes 361 00:16:12,430 --> 00:16:07,840 that's right yet we did his name Dark 362 00:16:15,340 --> 00:16:12,440 Lord Derek overly yoga V yet there's a 363 00:16:17,140 --> 00:16:15,350 very good program on channel 5 which is 364 00:16:19,570 --> 00:16:17,150 one of our channels in Britain and 365 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:19,580 called extraordinary people and I think 366 00:16:24,190 --> 00:16:22,250 it's shown over here I'm not sure um and 367 00:16:26,260 --> 00:16:24,200 it they pick you know people who have 368 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:26,270 either extraordinary gifts or have led 369 00:16:30,100 --> 00:16:27,890 extraordinary lives and there's like an 370 00:16:31,510 --> 00:16:30,110 hour program and I was horrified to 371 00:16:34,810 --> 00:16:31,520 discover that they want to do a program 372 00:16:37,270 --> 00:16:34,820 on Derek Ogilvy here yep he claims to be 373 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:37,280 able to telepathically communicate with 374 00:16:43,930 --> 00:16:40,360 babies okay so it's like what other 375 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:43,940 member of society can we hustle but who 376 00:16:47,050 --> 00:16:45,650 can't talk back so you know we've done 377 00:16:49,570 --> 00:16:47,060 the dead we've done that who else weird 378 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:49,580 to our babies they can't talk back yeah 379 00:16:55,770 --> 00:16:52,730 so anyway he has had considerable amount 380 00:16:58,600 --> 00:16:55,780 of success i'm sorry to say in terms of 381 00:17:01,270 --> 00:16:58,610 celebrity it was very popular America I 382 00:17:02,860 --> 00:17:01,280 mean he has really has massive meetings 383 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:02,870 people who come to sing it's one of 384 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:04,250 those things we always say there's more 385 00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:05,930 money on the other side oh definitely 386 00:17:12,340 --> 00:17:10,640 definitely um so yet he's he was he has 387 00:17:15,910 --> 00:17:12,350 his own show over there and goes on 388 00:17:18,550 --> 00:17:15,920 extensive tours all over America um not 389 00:17:21,310 --> 00:17:18,560 so well known in Britain but his his 390 00:17:24,070 --> 00:17:21,320 name is becoming better night yeah um 391 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:24,080 anyway so yeah he claims to be able to 392 00:17:28,180 --> 00:17:25,610 telepathically communicate with babies 393 00:17:29,860 --> 00:17:28,190 so he's in a room with the baby but 394 00:17:32,140 --> 00:17:29,870 basically what he does is he kool dreams 395 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:32,150 the mother yeah yeah yeah and that was 396 00:17:38,740 --> 00:17:36,110 obvious on the show that we have put on 397 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:38,750 YouTube which also has james randi where 398 00:17:43,630 --> 00:17:40,970 james van well he went to yet he goes to 399 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:43,640 America he goes to Florida and is tested 400 00:17:46,870 --> 00:17:44,930 by Randy and so the first thought the 401 00:17:48,540 --> 00:17:46,880 program was christened I testing him at 402 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:48,550 Goldsmiths and we'd sets up this 403 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:50,870 controlled little test for here which he 404 00:17:56,010 --> 00:17:54,290 failed miserably a blessing he was yes I 405 00:17:59,260 --> 00:17:56,020 worked up well I'm you know I'm not 406 00:18:00,580 --> 00:17:59,270 concern or not he is just deluded or 407 00:18:02,380 --> 00:18:00,590 whether he's a criminal you know whether 408 00:18:04,090 --> 00:18:02,390 he knows perfectly well or what he's 409 00:18:06,250 --> 00:18:04,100 doing his fake because he took it so 410 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:06,260 personally yes when you fail 411 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:07,970 and he was in floods of tears owe you 412 00:18:12,940 --> 00:18:11,210 one Kristen hired me took hours just to 413 00:18:15,010 --> 00:18:12,950 getting to come back in front of the 414 00:18:16,510 --> 00:18:15,020 camera again well I mean from there from 415 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:16,520 his point of view and I've come across 416 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:18,770 this myself when you put somebody who 417 00:18:22,690 --> 00:18:20,930 makes all these wonderful claims in the 418 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:22,700 slider situation where they're under 419 00:18:27,310 --> 00:18:25,310 scrutiny or there's some controls their 420 00:18:29,740 --> 00:18:27,320 confirm their control over the situation 421 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:29,750 goes out the window yeah and things go 422 00:18:34,930 --> 00:18:32,690 wrong and they crumble yeah well to me 423 00:18:36,940 --> 00:18:34,940 that's in an indication that they're 424 00:18:39,460 --> 00:18:36,950 probably sincere and there I thought I 425 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:39,470 think so with him but I don't probably 426 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:43,010 started off sincere yeah but then you 427 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:46,730 see money and power corrupt and when he 428 00:18:50,230 --> 00:18:48,530 sink when he started to get the 429 00:18:52,750 --> 00:18:50,240 celebrity when he started when the money 430 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:52,760 started to roll in I think he's let's 431 00:18:57,370 --> 00:18:55,610 say he's developed his talents so 432 00:18:59,860 --> 00:18:57,380 basically he called cold read your 433 00:19:02,050 --> 00:18:59,870 errand and that was obviously an even 434 00:19:03,970 --> 00:19:02,060 reading the minded child mine it wasn't 435 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:03,980 even the parent yeah seat belts in the 436 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:06,110 cars and also the same speed year for 437 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:08,570 this so it's just rather sad watching it 438 00:19:13,120 --> 00:19:11,210 really and Kristen I started up being 439 00:19:16,120 --> 00:19:13,130 quite amused by it but by the end of it 440 00:19:17,620 --> 00:19:16,130 it was all rather sad and we both felt 441 00:19:20,410 --> 00:19:17,630 quite sorry for him in the end because 442 00:19:23,380 --> 00:19:20,420 he was he was crushed by it genuine you 443 00:19:25,330 --> 00:19:23,390 know road we've oh is this good lord if 444 00:19:28,210 --> 00:19:25,340 we've crushed your what's really gonna 445 00:19:30,340 --> 00:19:28,220 do to the poor love and according flew 446 00:19:32,770 --> 00:19:30,350 to florida the very next day and there 447 00:19:35,590 --> 00:19:32,780 are filming with us and of course failed 448 00:19:37,030 --> 00:19:35,600 of course yeah there Randy you know no 449 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:37,040 to be a psychic to know that it was 450 00:19:40,810 --> 00:19:38,330 going to fail that particularly yeah 451 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:40,820 even though protein which is always the 452 00:19:46,990 --> 00:19:44,930 case and new doubters out there who 453 00:19:49,300 --> 00:19:47,000 always say that Randy sets up these 454 00:19:52,300 --> 00:19:49,310 challenges so the contestant will fail 455 00:19:54,250 --> 00:19:52,310 no they're done in complete agreement is 456 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:54,260 there's no complete agreement the 457 00:19:58,660 --> 00:19:56,330 protest simply doesn't yet proceed I 458 00:20:00,700 --> 00:19:58,670 mean I we we get and I get personally 459 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:00,710 people writing to me saying Randy's a 460 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:02,330 fraud Randy's of fraud Randy's approach 461 00:20:04,970 --> 00:20:03,770 and they haven't got a clue what they're 462 00:20:08,060 --> 00:20:04,980 talking about 463 00:20:09,830 --> 00:20:08,070 no so he set up the experiment it was it 464 00:20:12,010 --> 00:20:09,840 was perfectly acceptable yeah because 465 00:20:16,070 --> 00:20:12,020 i've heard that as well about Randy oh 466 00:20:18,470 --> 00:20:16,080 um but yeah he failed that miserably um 467 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:18,480 but the believers will always have an 468 00:20:23,030 --> 00:20:21,330 out oh yeah of course and they'll end 469 00:20:25,010 --> 00:20:23,040 that's proven I mean it's on record 470 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:25,020 video tape they've always have an out 471 00:20:28,940 --> 00:20:26,850 yeah I mean he was a nice enough chap 472 00:20:31,039 --> 00:20:28,950 and as I said by the end of it Chris and 473 00:20:34,430 --> 00:20:31,049 I felt rather sorry for him really um 474 00:20:37,610 --> 00:20:34,440 but it what I did find extraordinary 475 00:20:40,970 --> 00:20:37,620 about the whole thing is why would such 476 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:40,980 a good documentary team make a program 477 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:43,290 about somebody who thinks they can talk 478 00:20:48,380 --> 00:20:45,570 to the right people want to watch it I 479 00:20:49,580 --> 00:20:48,390 know but isn't that awful yes and you 480 00:20:52,610 --> 00:20:49,590 know that's that's one of the things 481 00:20:54,919 --> 00:20:52,620 that I really want to try and tackle if 482 00:20:57,530 --> 00:20:54,929 I if I have a cause and it's gonna be 483 00:21:00,230 --> 00:20:57,540 that you know let's try reality is more 484 00:21:03,500 --> 00:21:00,240 interesting and fiction you're trying to 485 00:21:06,140 --> 00:21:03,510 well just doing away with these 486 00:21:08,150 --> 00:21:06,150 delusional beliefs you know this I know 487 00:21:10,130 --> 00:21:08,160 it's tough to accept that when we die 488 00:21:12,710 --> 00:21:10,140 that's it yeah but it's a fact of life 489 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:12,720 yeah until we know for sure that there's 490 00:21:17,900 --> 00:21:15,330 something else out there let's let's 491 00:21:19,970 --> 00:21:17,910 stop this nonsense I mean of course he 492 00:21:22,310 --> 00:21:19,980 couldn't talk to telepathically talked 493 00:21:24,380 --> 00:21:22,320 to debate I don't I know it is utterly 494 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:24,390 ridiculous absolutely but people fall 495 00:21:29,090 --> 00:21:26,490 for it yeah people want to believe that 496 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:29,100 it's real um and what we can actually do 497 00:21:33,049 --> 00:21:31,650 about that I'm not entirely sure I think 498 00:21:34,909 --> 00:21:33,059 we're doing the best we can I mean 499 00:21:37,700 --> 00:21:34,919 slowly slowly catchy monkey they are 500 00:21:40,010 --> 00:21:37,710 expression you softly softly mmm well 501 00:21:42,110 --> 00:21:40,020 I'm but there are some people we can't 502 00:21:44,120 --> 00:21:42,120 read you know and you know the more I 503 00:21:46,460 --> 00:21:44,130 the more I learn about this stuff more 504 00:21:48,830 --> 00:21:46,470 study it the more I teach about 505 00:21:51,230 --> 00:21:48,840 psychology believe it that as a lecturer 506 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:51,240 and the more talks i gave etcetera and 507 00:21:57,169 --> 00:21:53,970 more i meet believers and skeptics um 508 00:21:58,880 --> 00:21:57,179 the more I'm convinced that belief is 509 00:22:01,159 --> 00:21:58,890 something that we're we're always going 510 00:22:04,220 --> 00:22:01,169 to have I'm convinced that we are doing 511 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:04,230 yeah we're born to believe well then 512 00:22:10,190 --> 00:22:06,570 what it's if the age-old question is 513 00:22:12,260 --> 00:22:10,200 what makes you and I different well I 514 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:12,270 don't think we are we do believe we 515 00:22:15,710 --> 00:22:15,090 believe in skepticism we were here 516 00:22:17,330 --> 00:22:15,720 because it 517 00:22:20,870 --> 00:22:17,340 we believe in skepticism we believe in 518 00:22:22,460 --> 00:22:20,880 science but that is fundamentally not 519 00:22:25,580 --> 00:22:22,470 believing if you see where I'm coming 520 00:22:27,649 --> 00:22:25,590 from so we don't believe well I know I i 521 00:22:31,279 --> 00:22:27,659 disagree i think it is a belief yeah we 522 00:22:33,860 --> 00:22:31,289 believe in in skepticism that that in 523 00:22:36,350 --> 00:22:33,870 itself was only and i believe in science 524 00:22:40,549 --> 00:22:36,360 i believe the scientific maybe that the 525 00:22:42,350 --> 00:22:40,559 term belief can be a little vague on or 526 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:42,360 have your system you can stretch the 527 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:44,850 word belief because I don't you know 528 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:46,530 you're right I do believe in science I 529 00:22:50,419 --> 00:22:47,850 do believe it is the right way to go but 530 00:22:51,770 --> 00:22:50,429 when I use the word believe I don't 531 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:51,780 think I'm using the word believe in the 532 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:53,250 same way someone who would say I 533 00:22:57,980 --> 00:22:55,650 definitely believe in God would use it 534 00:23:00,830 --> 00:22:57,990 no but it's still belief still he's 535 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:00,840 still bling hmm and from the moment we 536 00:23:04,399 --> 00:23:03,210 start breathing we start believing in 537 00:23:10,970 --> 00:23:04,409 that case you start we believe in 538 00:23:13,159 --> 00:23:10,980 politics we believe in in we believe in 539 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:13,169 football you know we believe in all 540 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:15,090 kinds yeah yeah yeah you know I think 541 00:23:19,549 --> 00:23:18,450 it's fundamental to working then if we 542 00:23:22,850 --> 00:23:19,559 can use that word believe in that 543 00:23:26,690 --> 00:23:22,860 situation why do some people have one 544 00:23:29,120 --> 00:23:26,700 sort of belief belief that we encounter 545 00:23:31,220 --> 00:23:29,130 yeah and maybe a skeptical log and when 546 00:23:33,260 --> 00:23:31,230 people like you and may have a different 547 00:23:35,390 --> 00:23:33,270 kind of belief and you must admit they 548 00:23:37,310 --> 00:23:35,400 are oh absolutely absolutely yeah and 549 00:23:38,630 --> 00:23:37,320 why is there a wire some some people 550 00:23:41,690 --> 00:23:38,640 have religious beliefs yeah I mean it's 551 00:23:45,470 --> 00:23:41,700 all part of the same thing a whole host 552 00:23:47,899 --> 00:23:45,480 of reasons hereditary you know we wrong 553 00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:47,909 beliefs handed down basically religious 554 00:23:53,659 --> 00:23:50,940 beliefs um environmental influences 555 00:23:55,730 --> 00:23:53,669 friends peers education do you think 556 00:23:57,380 --> 00:23:55,740 anybody from birth is capable of going 557 00:24:00,200 --> 00:23:57,390 one way or the other or some people will 558 00:24:02,149 --> 00:24:00,210 be completely locked up in fanciful 559 00:24:03,230 --> 00:24:02,159 beliefs let's say put it that way well 560 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:03,240 there's there's also personal 561 00:24:08,330 --> 00:24:05,850 experiences as well I mean an awful lot 562 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:08,340 of people believe in in the paranormal 563 00:24:12,680 --> 00:24:10,890 and related phenomena because they've 564 00:24:15,590 --> 00:24:12,690 had personal experiences overall they 565 00:24:17,990 --> 00:24:15,600 think this I think music or they've 566 00:24:20,180 --> 00:24:18,000 interpreted whatever experience of hell 567 00:24:22,610 --> 00:24:20,190 that it's paranormal so that's why they 568 00:24:24,139 --> 00:24:22,620 believe but there's all kinds of reason 569 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:24,149 why psychological reasons why people 570 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:26,610 believe because it fills a need 571 00:24:32,150 --> 00:24:30,450 yes or you know it's if we accept that 572 00:24:34,010 --> 00:24:32,160 you know it's very difficult for us to 573 00:24:39,950 --> 00:24:34,020 accept that life is probably meaningless 574 00:24:43,549 --> 00:24:39,960 yes it's a toughy yes it's hard for us 575 00:24:44,900 --> 00:24:43,559 it is so why not fill our world and why 576 00:24:46,700 --> 00:24:44,910 not give it many which is a lot more 577 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:46,710 pleasant yeah why not believe that 578 00:24:51,950 --> 00:24:49,010 there's stuff out there that's that's 579 00:24:53,660 --> 00:24:51,960 wonderful and there's a force out there 580 00:24:55,580 --> 00:24:53,670 that's looking after us and then people 581 00:24:57,049 --> 00:24:55,590 can talk to our dead relatives and that 582 00:24:58,760 --> 00:24:57,059 people can move objects with a pair of 583 00:25:00,230 --> 00:24:58,770 their mind you it's kind of nice to 584 00:25:03,039 --> 00:25:00,240 believe in these things it's nice to 585 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:03,049 believe in the Loch Ness monster um I 586 00:25:08,750 --> 00:25:06,090 don't think they're even believes in 587 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:08,760 Loch Ness monster anymore probably okay 588 00:25:12,049 --> 00:25:10,290 what an interesting thing about the Loch 589 00:25:14,539 --> 00:25:12,059 Ness monster when I do my school shows 590 00:25:19,190 --> 00:25:14,549 and I'm talking to kids who are I don't 591 00:25:20,780 --> 00:25:19,200 know 13 14 15 that age group it's like 592 00:25:22,789 --> 00:25:20,790 going in a little time walk back to when 593 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:22,799 I was a kid because we say who's heard 594 00:25:27,260 --> 00:25:24,450 of the Loch Ness monster all the hands 595 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:27,270 go up UFOs all the hands got Bigfoot all 596 00:25:32,330 --> 00:25:29,250 the hands got was he that's incredible 597 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:32,340 those old funny things from what I would 598 00:25:37,430 --> 00:25:36,090 say from the 70s have lasted generation 599 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:37,440 after generation sorta mean you know 600 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:38,850 right from the moment we start to 601 00:25:43,580 --> 00:25:40,890 breathe we are ahead all this stuff yeah 602 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:43,590 we're told to believe in Santa Claus yes 603 00:25:48,950 --> 00:25:46,770 you know I most eight-year-olds have 604 00:25:51,230 --> 00:25:48,960 figured out it's not actually Santa 605 00:25:54,350 --> 00:25:51,240 Claus it's just dad you know you know in 606 00:25:58,340 --> 00:25:54,360 a red suit little bit um but as to why 607 00:26:00,770 --> 00:25:58,350 lockout adults able to do the same thing 608 00:26:03,380 --> 00:26:00,780 okay not know but we've said all this 609 00:26:05,750 --> 00:26:03,390 right from the word we are beliefs now 610 00:26:08,330 --> 00:26:05,760 they're so you were saying before you've 611 00:26:11,030 --> 00:26:08,340 made the great journey the great has 612 00:26:13,730 --> 00:26:11,040 mania mania ha no I just kept going when 613 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:13,740 I hit said no known Darion on so tell us 614 00:26:19,669 --> 00:26:16,490 what you're up to entice me well um 615 00:26:23,390 --> 00:26:19,679 university of tasmania very kindly said 616 00:26:25,370 --> 00:26:23,400 that i can now teach my course on the 617 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:25,380 psychology of belief which i'm going to 618 00:26:30,740 --> 00:26:27,330 call and the science of self-deception 619 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:30,750 what that's gonna be liable because um i 620 00:26:36,409 --> 00:26:34,770 think all this is really part of part of 621 00:26:36,989 --> 00:26:36,419 what it is to be human and part of being 622 00:26:39,539 --> 00:26:36,999 human 623 00:26:41,879 --> 00:26:39,549 is is this ability that we all have to 624 00:26:44,789 --> 00:26:41,889 self deceive you know the self-deception 625 00:26:47,699 --> 00:26:44,799 it's it sometimes it's impossible not to 626 00:26:49,919 --> 00:26:47,709 do I mean I do have a little display 627 00:26:51,749 --> 00:26:49,929 with optical illusions mm-hmm in that 628 00:26:54,329 --> 00:26:51,759 situation there's no two ways about it 629 00:26:57,239 --> 00:26:54,339 you have to beat you out to see ya your 630 00:26:58,979 --> 00:26:57,249 eyes in your brains decided iram are 631 00:27:00,689 --> 00:26:58,989 cognitive abilities constantly let us 632 00:27:02,159 --> 00:27:00,699 down yeah now we see things that we 633 00:27:04,889 --> 00:27:02,169 haven't seen we hear things we haven't 634 00:27:06,719 --> 00:27:04,899 heard we even remember events that never 635 00:27:09,989 --> 00:27:06,729 even took place up solutely so we're 636 00:27:14,999 --> 00:27:09,999 constantly being my case I forget things 637 00:27:16,439 --> 00:27:15,009 all the time that well v2 um there's 638 00:27:21,419 --> 00:27:16,449 another story us usually views about 639 00:27:23,669 --> 00:27:21,429 girls so there you go there you are in 640 00:27:26,219 --> 00:27:23,679 launceston yet so and so I'm setting up 641 00:27:29,399 --> 00:27:26,229 my course that'll probably be next year 642 00:27:30,659 --> 00:27:29,409 so first semester of 2010 which we 643 00:27:32,869 --> 00:27:30,669 lovely to be able to do that because 644 00:27:34,619 --> 00:27:32,879 then hopefully that will attract um 645 00:27:36,659 --> 00:27:34,629 students that will go on and do 646 00:27:39,539 --> 00:27:36,669 postgraduate work so I can sort of 647 00:27:41,099 --> 00:27:39,549 increase the research output I'm doing 648 00:27:43,139 --> 00:27:41,109 some research currently with someone a 649 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:43,149 student looking at various things we're 650 00:27:46,739 --> 00:27:45,129 looking at belief in astrology and why 651 00:27:48,299 --> 00:27:46,749 people believe in astrology and looking 652 00:27:49,829 --> 00:27:48,309 at cognitive biases and the role that 653 00:27:51,839 --> 00:27:49,839 that might play and why people believe 654 00:27:55,409 --> 00:27:51,849 in astrology and I've got another chap 655 00:27:57,989 --> 00:27:55,419 who's looking at some paranormal belief 656 00:28:00,329 --> 00:27:57,999 and religious belief and because 657 00:28:03,779 --> 00:28:00,339 Tasmania's fantastic it's unbelievable 658 00:28:06,239 --> 00:28:03,789 it's them it's this incredible mixture 659 00:28:08,009 --> 00:28:06,249 of weird and wonderful beliefs I mean 660 00:28:10,199 --> 00:28:08,019 Island I've found all sorts of 661 00:28:13,079 --> 00:28:10,209 incredibly weird people with something 662 00:28:14,849 --> 00:28:13,089 really stopping you to edit that out 663 00:28:16,769 --> 00:28:14,859 actually that's it that's an in-joke for 664 00:28:20,099 --> 00:28:16,779 Australia to those funny folks in 665 00:28:22,409 --> 00:28:20,109 Tasmania well it's wonderful it's there 666 00:28:24,869 --> 00:28:22,419 are Satanists there are all kinds of 667 00:28:27,809 --> 00:28:24,879 Christians and this funny little pockets 668 00:28:30,389 --> 00:28:27,819 of communities where weird beliefs I 669 00:28:31,829 --> 00:28:30,399 gave a talk to the pagan society in 670 00:28:35,249 --> 00:28:31,839 launceston which is a very weird 671 00:28:37,139 --> 00:28:35,259 experience um yeah it's fantastic so um 672 00:28:40,649 --> 00:28:37,149 and there hasn't been any sort of 673 00:28:43,229 --> 00:28:40,659 widespread research done in Tasmania on 674 00:28:45,269 --> 00:28:43,239 beliefs over this so my sample will be 675 00:28:46,739 --> 00:28:45,279 sort of fresh and news that it's quite 676 00:28:47,690 --> 00:28:46,749 interesting and I'd be interested to 677 00:28:50,730 --> 00:28:47,700 compare 678 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:50,740 surveys with surveys that have been done 679 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:52,690 in on the mainland and sinkers any 680 00:28:58,410 --> 00:28:54,250 difference because it's very much 681 00:28:59,730 --> 00:28:58,420 there's very much island relatives mania 682 00:29:01,020 --> 00:28:59,740 there is a wonderful place I usually 683 00:29:03,540 --> 00:29:01,030 love is I've been there comfortably 684 00:29:06,030 --> 00:29:03,550 housed gorgeous it really is home for me 685 00:29:09,300 --> 00:29:06,040 now um but it did get down to Hobart 686 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:09,310 much and I try to yeah because I'm I 687 00:29:12,420 --> 00:29:10,690 have to travel down there lucky Harbor 688 00:29:15,690 --> 00:29:12,430 times it's his it's very pretty places 689 00:29:18,540 --> 00:29:15,700 we were there no one was at last year or 690 00:29:20,010 --> 00:29:18,550 the year before 2007 that was the 691 00:29:21,870 --> 00:29:20,020 conference conference was the week I 692 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:21,880 arrived yeah yes that was the week we 693 00:29:27,630 --> 00:29:24,430 met whose was it was like the year 694 00:29:29,700 --> 00:29:27,640 before last yes I said they were I 695 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:29,710 remember you gave a great talk yeah yeah 696 00:29:37,590 --> 00:29:34,570 somebody sang this song for Satan that 697 00:29:40,050 --> 00:29:37,600 was the bee oh no the Led Zeppelin 698 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:40,060 yelling back would ya what is it this 699 00:29:47,330 --> 00:29:43,330 little tool that's fine if you play 700 00:29:51,210 --> 00:29:47,340 led zeppelin backwards folks or 701 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:51,220 everything saying ya know how I'm 702 00:29:55,290 --> 00:29:53,410 Hobart's nice but I Launceston's very 703 00:29:57,900 --> 00:29:55,300 pretty too since I'm glad I'm up in the 704 00:29:59,490 --> 00:29:57,910 north yeah if people want to find out 705 00:30:01,230 --> 00:29:59,500 more about what you're up to your course 706 00:30:06,060 --> 00:30:01,240 how can they contact ok well they can 707 00:30:08,790 --> 00:30:06,070 email me Christie Wilson @ utah.edu a 708 00:30:10,560 --> 00:30:08,800 you look on the website there should be 709 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:10,570 stuff up there and about me and what I 710 00:30:15,870 --> 00:30:13,690 do and hopefully hopefully next year 711 00:30:18,570 --> 00:30:15,880 I'll be able to set up my own research 712 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:18,580 lab that's the plan the idea was that I 713 00:30:22,230 --> 00:30:19,810 was going to call it the center of 714 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:22,240 research for an ominous tick psychology 715 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:28,090 or crap for sure but i'm not sure that i 716 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:30,250 was a perfect they are going to be too 717 00:30:34,530 --> 00:30:32,110 pleased about that because I just I'm so 718 00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:34,540 desperate to sell introduce my solo by 719 00:30:40,590 --> 00:30:35,890 name is dr. Christie Wilson I'm head of 720 00:30:42,990 --> 00:30:40,600 crack at you tears I hope you do I hope 721 00:30:44,230 --> 00:30:43,000 you do thanks Chrissie always a pleasure 722 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:44,240 and 723 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:54,280 thank you for joining me for this 724 00:31:01,800 --> 00:30:57,050 special edition of the skeptic zone join 725 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:04,210 you've been listening to the skeptic 726 00:31:11,980 --> 00:31:08,210 zone visit our website at www skeptics 727 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:11,990 on TV for comments contacts and extra 728 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:14,610 video reports