1 00:00:20,370 --> 00:00:15,860 Oh 2 00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:23,230 hello and welcome to the skeptic zone 3 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:27,310 show number 34 for the 12th of june 2009 4 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:29,210 richardsaunders here with you from 5 00:00:33,729 --> 00:00:31,910 sydney australia in this week's show we 6 00:00:36,100 --> 00:00:33,739 have a talk by australian skeptics 7 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:36,110 founder and patron the adventurer 8 00:00:40,750 --> 00:00:38,710 Explorer and entrepreneur dick smith 9 00:00:42,790 --> 00:00:40,760 following that we have a reading from 10 00:00:45,310 --> 00:00:42,800 the latest issue of the skeptic magazine 11 00:00:48,130 --> 00:00:45,320 that's the skeptic magazine from 12 00:00:50,380 --> 00:00:48,140 Australian skeptics by Joanne benim ooh 13 00:00:53,650 --> 00:00:50,390 where she tells us more of her 14 00:00:56,290 --> 00:00:53,660 experiences at the mind-body-spirit or 15 00:01:00,069 --> 00:00:56,300 as we like to call it mind body wallet 16 00:01:02,470 --> 00:01:00,079 festival here in sydney now just before 17 00:01:05,290 --> 00:01:02,480 we start a quick word to thank catherine 18 00:01:07,780 --> 00:01:05,300 donelson for her recent graphical design 19 00:01:10,749 --> 00:01:07,790 work that really helped make our trip to 20 00:01:13,050 --> 00:01:10,759 melbourne such a success you can visit 21 00:01:21,700 --> 00:01:13,060 the website of Faster Pussycat 22 00:01:25,420 --> 00:01:21,710 productions at WWF PP design com au for 23 00:01:28,090 --> 00:01:25,430 furry faces and furry yes design work 24 00:01:31,210 --> 00:01:28,100 everything from CD packaging logos 25 00:01:34,690 --> 00:01:31,220 corporate design and much more Thank You 26 00:01:37,690 --> 00:01:34,700 Catherine you even made us look good so 27 00:01:40,060 --> 00:01:37,700 now on to our talk from Dick Smith this 28 00:01:42,490 --> 00:01:40,070 was recorded live at sydney skeptics in 29 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:42,500 the pub using three microphones at three 30 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:46,250 different times why who knows but the 31 00:01:54,690 --> 00:01:48,530 audio quality does change during the 32 00:01:59,020 --> 00:01:57,010 hello and gentlemen let's give to our 33 00:02:00,340 --> 00:01:59,030 guest speaker tonight Amanda needs no 34 00:02:03,130 --> 00:02:00,350 introduction but he's going to get one 35 00:02:05,350 --> 00:02:03,140 anyway Nick Smurf I'm showing their all 36 00:02:07,419 --> 00:02:05,360 for me with the name he is one of the 37 00:02:08,619 --> 00:02:07,429 founders of Australian skeptics and was 38 00:02:10,180 --> 00:02:08,629 sort of wondering if that was about 39 00:02:12,970 --> 00:02:10,190 nineteen seventy-nine or nineteen eighty 40 00:02:15,790 --> 00:02:12,980 bills it was there about because our 41 00:02:17,640 --> 00:02:15,800 accomplishments include a sir no 42 00:02:19,809 --> 00:02:17,650 helicopter flight around the world 43 00:02:22,289 --> 00:02:19,819 allowing these helicopter to the North 44 00:02:24,970 --> 00:02:22,299 Pole and the South Pole I believe an 45 00:02:27,460 --> 00:02:24,980 incredible adventure plus many other 46 00:02:29,589 --> 00:02:27,470 adventures like getting in a hot air 47 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:29,599 balloon and flying from New Zealand to 48 00:02:34,990 --> 00:02:33,170 Australia and on and on it goes leak 49 00:02:36,729 --> 00:02:35,000 sealer tonight he's the patron of 50 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:36,739 Australian skeptics were very pleased to 51 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:38,090 have him along I know a lot of you 52 00:02:41,770 --> 00:02:39,890 people have come along to to hear what 53 00:02:51,270 --> 00:02:41,780 he has to say so without any more do I 54 00:02:56,470 --> 00:02:54,190 previously because i'm going to talk my 55 00:02:58,990 --> 00:02:56,480 the time of night or concern is not 56 00:03:02,110 --> 00:02:59,000 deluding and of course the other people 57 00:03:04,090 --> 00:03:02,120 here who Sumerians fantastic things you 58 00:03:05,770 --> 00:03:04,100 can drown computers would naturally 59 00:03:09,090 --> 00:03:05,780 understand that but someone at my 60 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:09,100 vintage I was the grandson of harold cat 61 00:03:16,510 --> 00:03:12,710 to a photographer the 1930s and on his 62 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:16,520 enlarger in the 1950s I used to stand 63 00:03:21,670 --> 00:03:18,710 behind him and he would be working on 64 00:03:24,130 --> 00:03:21,680 the enlarger to put in folk clouds and 65 00:03:25,660 --> 00:03:24,140 folk people on photographs that people 66 00:03:28,300 --> 00:03:25,670 thought were true that was back in the 67 00:03:31,300 --> 00:03:28,310 50s it's just another has been a skeptic 68 00:03:34,090 --> 00:03:31,310 I remember I came home from school from 69 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:34,100 Scripture class when I was fired and 70 00:03:38,260 --> 00:03:36,530 instead to my mother the scripture 71 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:38,270 teacher says that God is on everyone's 72 00:03:43,090 --> 00:03:41,030 shoulder and I think there are hundreds 73 00:03:44,890 --> 00:03:43,100 of people in the world that God be on 74 00:03:46,780 --> 00:03:44,900 every one shoulder I didn't know there 75 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:46,790 were billions my mother was quite 76 00:03:51,790 --> 00:03:48,770 disturbed and she said look you've got 77 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:51,800 to have faith I'll certainly have fun if 78 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:54,290 other people don't doubt i'm quite happy 79 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:55,850 that this ceiling is not going to fall 80 00:03:59,020 --> 00:03:57,290 in because when i came in you're all 81 00:04:01,690 --> 00:03:59,030 sitting here quite comfortable and 82 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:01,700 relaxed so there's no one driving it but 83 00:04:06,330 --> 00:04:03,410 we've people brought something that 84 00:04:08,410 --> 00:04:06,340 always makes me think is this a truly 85 00:04:10,990 --> 00:04:08,420 going to talk a little bit about 86 00:04:13,420 --> 00:04:11,000 delusion because I've look at the human 87 00:04:15,430 --> 00:04:13,430 track we ourself to leave ourselves in 88 00:04:18,700 --> 00:04:15,440 some ways and even though we've got the 89 00:04:21,280 --> 00:04:18,710 best skeptics in Australia here I've bet 90 00:04:23,170 --> 00:04:21,290 somewhere inside your sake you've got a 91 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:23,180 little self delusion it might be because 92 00:04:26,650 --> 00:04:25,250 you think like the only I want to 93 00:04:28,090 --> 00:04:26,660 achieve something in relation to 94 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:28,100 aviation reform and I know it's a 95 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:29,930 delusion I'll never get there and it's 96 00:04:36,280 --> 00:04:33,650 good to have that in about nineteen 97 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:36,290 seventy five I was watching television 98 00:04:40,810 --> 00:04:38,690 the dementia I was a regular on the Don 99 00:04:42,430 --> 00:04:40,820 line show I was playing dick smith 100 00:04:44,260 --> 00:04:42,440 electronics going and they were 101 00:04:45,790 --> 00:04:44,270 desperate for people who create a bit of 102 00:04:47,710 --> 00:04:45,800 interest in publicity in those days 103 00:04:49,870 --> 00:04:47,720 either be a par value at a 104 00:04:52,150 --> 00:04:49,880 petrol-powered pogo stick I'm tired of 105 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:52,160 my guys going into Sydney Harbour so I 106 00:04:57,850 --> 00:04:54,730 be falling down to the domain show and 107 00:04:59,290 --> 00:04:57,860 one matter was watching and you again 108 00:05:01,659 --> 00:04:59,300 bending spoons and I remember thinking 109 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:01,669 they said he wasn't a magician not a 110 00:05:06,369 --> 00:05:04,490 magician so I watched it I fell for 111 00:05:07,809 --> 00:05:06,379 completely thinking well he's not a 112 00:05:09,309 --> 00:05:07,819 magician but there's obviously a very 113 00:05:11,860 --> 00:05:09,319 simple explanation for what he's doing 114 00:05:14,020 --> 00:05:11,870 what absolutely tremendously was the 115 00:05:16,209 --> 00:05:14,030 next day was one more people in those 116 00:05:18,939 --> 00:05:16,219 days you have them thrown around I found 117 00:05:20,499 --> 00:05:18,949 that that he simply was a magician but I 118 00:05:22,510 --> 00:05:20,509 was upset about that and I ran the 119 00:05:24,100 --> 00:05:22,520 producer at channel 9 random Evelyn said 120 00:05:25,899 --> 00:05:24,110 what are you doing he said I'll look 121 00:05:27,790 --> 00:05:25,909 anyone sensible know that he's a 122 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:27,800 magician but it goes around the world 123 00:05:34,390 --> 00:05:31,810 say he isn't and at the same time I 124 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:34,400 somehow heard in the pipe without a 125 00:05:37,929 --> 00:05:35,930 group called cycle the committee for 126 00:05:39,999 --> 00:05:37,939 scientific investigation of claims of 127 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:40,009 the paranormal in the United States I 128 00:05:44,140 --> 00:05:41,930 immediately joined the battle at my 129 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:44,150 background a really simple car radio 130 00:05:48,550 --> 00:05:46,250 installer I'm not an intellectual like 131 00:05:51,159 --> 00:05:48,560 most of the people here but I haven't 132 00:05:54,219 --> 00:05:51,169 that common sense and lateral thinking 133 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:54,229 ability to know when someone makes a 134 00:05:58,629 --> 00:05:57,050 claim that there needs to be proof when 135 00:05:59,950 --> 00:05:58,639 someone makes an extraordinary claim 136 00:06:02,890 --> 00:05:59,960 there needs to be extraordinary proof 137 00:06:05,559 --> 00:06:02,900 and I became a member of psych happens 138 00:06:08,499 --> 00:06:05,569 read quite a bit about a farmers 139 00:06:10,899 --> 00:06:08,509 producing called chat James Randi at the 140 00:06:13,269 --> 00:06:10,909 time my friends were claiming that they 141 00:06:16,089 --> 00:06:13,279 could water divine and one of the easy 142 00:06:20,350 --> 00:06:16,099 things for water divine many claims of a 143 00:06:22,209 --> 00:06:20,360 power law are very hard to measure they 144 00:06:25,059 --> 00:06:22,219 water the binders between similar to 145 00:06:27,730 --> 00:06:25,069 start you can check it by drilling a 146 00:06:28,899 --> 00:06:27,740 hole to shoot this water because you'd 147 00:06:31,269 --> 00:06:28,909 be good if you can actually buy the 148 00:06:33,670 --> 00:06:31,279 place without water on top because 149 00:06:36,249 --> 00:06:33,680 there's water licensed radical we know 150 00:06:38,559 --> 00:06:36,259 that great the Great Artesian basin in 151 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:38,569 the up digit basin the greatest water 152 00:06:41,589 --> 00:06:40,250 dividers in Australia come from across 153 00:06:43,269 --> 00:06:41,599 the area you know you have to go to 154 00:06:44,860 --> 00:06:43,279 Boston and saw amber working for you the 155 00:06:49,490 --> 00:06:44,870 staff 156 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:49,500 despite read and only buy a new bike 157 00:06:53,570 --> 00:06:51,450 will see quite well before my policy 158 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:53,580 change someday he was a skeptic in the 159 00:06:56,870 --> 00:06:55,050 early days most people couldn't believe 160 00:06:59,780 --> 00:06:56,880 it and I said look would you be 161 00:07:02,090 --> 00:06:59,790 interested we'll run a contest here for 162 00:07:03,860 --> 00:07:02,100 all the dividers and I could get james 163 00:07:06,710 --> 00:07:03,870 randi out from the united states because 164 00:07:09,740 --> 00:07:06,720 he's done some particular test switch to 165 00:07:13,220 --> 00:07:09,750 me were very simple what James Randi did 166 00:07:15,530 --> 00:07:13,230 was have 12 pipes are manifold with full 167 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:15,540 plastic cup with water running in and 168 00:07:19,310 --> 00:07:17,610 you might say or how does that tell 169 00:07:21,830 --> 00:07:19,320 whether a person can find water in 170 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:21,840 strata under the ground in fact what we 171 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:23,130 were checking with the people who 172 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:25,770 claimed that they could find water in 173 00:07:30,110 --> 00:07:28,290 plastic irrigation boat you're very most 174 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:30,120 people claim they can follow an 175 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:33,330 irrigation pipe we want James reamed out 176 00:07:38,270 --> 00:07:35,610 I remember we've got the Reverend teck 177 00:07:40,580 --> 00:07:38,280 nutz is one of the judges and that prize 178 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:40,590 was about forty thousand dollars 10,000 179 00:07:44,990 --> 00:07:42,540 from herself ten thousand from the 180 00:07:46,910 --> 00:07:45,000 language of carbon ten thousands of film 181 00:07:50,540 --> 00:07:46,920 atoms and I forgot where the other team 182 00:07:52,790 --> 00:07:50,550 ran was wrong and in north ryde just 183 00:07:56,660 --> 00:07:52,800 near my cheeks and electronics I sweet 184 00:07:58,790 --> 00:07:56,670 bow upper field we put in the ten pipes 185 00:08:00,950 --> 00:07:58,800 we had water running through them in a 186 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:00,960 simple manner pole where the water that 187 00:08:06,860 --> 00:08:03,330 one through one of the ten pipes now 188 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:06,870 really arrived and first of all he got 189 00:08:11,930 --> 00:08:09,090 each one of the contestants we glue i 190 00:08:14,210 --> 00:08:11,940 think twenty of the top australian water 191 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:14,220 desires and older by the small around 192 00:08:20,030 --> 00:08:16,110 australia the will she show Bob Dinneen 193 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:20,040 and Randy made them sign an agreement 194 00:08:25,340 --> 00:08:22,530 which said that this test is one a happy 195 00:08:29,540 --> 00:08:25,350 with and they will offer no excuses if I 196 00:08:34,620 --> 00:08:32,520 because these people are totally genuine 197 00:08:36,900 --> 00:08:34,630 I've ever seen or any are these are 198 00:08:39,330 --> 00:08:36,910 people with their life depended on their 199 00:08:41,969 --> 00:08:39,340 abilities to water divine and some of 200 00:08:44,130 --> 00:08:41,979 them have engineering modifications so 201 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:44,140 they were academically qualified people 202 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:46,810 some were the typical farmer and I've 203 00:08:50,670 --> 00:08:49,090 never saying to Jack's ready to your ego 204 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:50,680 is with this we're going to destroy 205 00:08:56,250 --> 00:08:53,170 these people in front of television in 206 00:08:58,080 --> 00:08:56,260 front of millions they say they can find 207 00:09:00,500 --> 00:08:58,090 some of water running in a pipe but play 208 00:09:03,030 --> 00:09:00,510 wants to run or at one point of time 209 00:09:05,250 --> 00:09:03,040 they say they can get ninety to a 210 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:05,260 hundred percent Muslim x hundred Pacific 211 00:09:09,060 --> 00:09:07,630 we said we'd accept eighty percent and I 212 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:09,070 said we're going to destroy them if they 213 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:11,170 fail and he said Nick you will have no 214 00:09:16,830 --> 00:09:14,410 effect on me believe what time I said 215 00:09:19,050 --> 00:09:16,840 James you're wrong because you've ripped 216 00:09:21,540 --> 00:09:19,060 out but have to sign a document that 217 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:21,550 they will not offer the excuse and this 218 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:23,740 will prove they count them what they 219 00:09:28,500 --> 00:09:26,050 claim that ability doesn't mean i can't 220 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:28,510 find water and stronger they train was i 221 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:30,490 can find it in a wartime the amazing 222 00:09:35,250 --> 00:09:33,130 thing was we've got each divided to walk 223 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:35,260 across the pipe with no water running in 224 00:09:40,680 --> 00:09:37,210 them but of the tender man is doing the 225 00:09:44,790 --> 00:09:40,690 water test to found streams underneath 226 00:09:46,050 --> 00:09:44,800 but the other i did and then we said the 227 00:09:47,610 --> 00:09:46,060 next thing is we're going to run the 228 00:09:49,470 --> 00:09:47,620 water click man fight when you have to 229 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:49,480 show that you're Rob thing or your 230 00:09:54,450 --> 00:09:51,970 pendulum twist soja your place that we 231 00:09:59,490 --> 00:09:54,460 battle if you like some of artifacts 232 00:10:01,650 --> 00:09:59,500 that the dead avani and when we ran the 233 00:10:03,450 --> 00:10:01,660 water through the pipe that they knew it 234 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:03,460 what which apartment was they've all got 235 00:10:06,990 --> 00:10:04,930 a hundred percent but it's quite 236 00:10:08,970 --> 00:10:07,000 impressive because they were all along 237 00:10:12,180 --> 00:10:08,980 the earth which is always bad the ten 238 00:10:14,730 --> 00:10:12,190 types it was my favorite part was and as 239 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:14,740 they got to my heart attacks are they 240 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:17,650 open the reading of the rods would then 241 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:19,930 know that the pendulums were looser than 242 00:10:24,030 --> 00:10:21,850 you think you're watching you think well 243 00:10:27,090 --> 00:10:24,040 this has got to be truths I'm not doing 244 00:10:29,310 --> 00:10:27,100 it to technique from the total reward or 245 00:10:30,990 --> 00:10:29,320 whatever time works but we then went to 246 00:10:31,680 --> 00:10:31,000 double-blind testing and now when you 247 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:31,690 the agent 248 00:10:37,470 --> 00:10:34,050 we do the whole thing and apparently 249 00:10:40,260 --> 00:10:37,480 they managed to get the course chances 250 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:40,270 waiting 10 gentlewoman but actually got 251 00:10:46,350 --> 00:10:43,770 less than one in ten to actually improve 252 00:10:48,930 --> 00:10:46,360 when they were divided immediately could 253 00:10:52,470 --> 00:10:48,940 not find the other test was a very 254 00:10:54,060 --> 00:10:52,480 simple one we put a lot of gold we even 255 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:54,070 had the security guards there from the 256 00:10:59,970 --> 00:10:57,250 Australian meet Allah God in one of 10 257 00:11:02,070 --> 00:10:59,980 shoe boxes are very easy test we sent to 258 00:11:04,350 --> 00:11:02,080 the goal dividers what's the chance of 259 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:04,360 you finding which one which shoe box 260 00:11:08,550 --> 00:11:06,490 these 10 shoe boxes your life under gold 261 00:11:10,710 --> 00:11:08,560 with two thousand dollars or whatever 262 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:10,720 gods and they train will overdo a 263 00:11:17,300 --> 00:11:13,210 hundred percent the gold of iron has 264 00:11:19,740 --> 00:11:17,310 managed to get once again weddington and 265 00:11:22,170 --> 00:11:19,750 interesting thing was at one stage one 266 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:22,180 of the diviners dropped on the tiny bit 267 00:11:27,030 --> 00:11:24,010 of gold he was using to demonstrate and 268 00:11:32,550 --> 00:11:27,040 so suddenly we had Australia's top 20 269 00:11:37,230 --> 00:11:32,560 divine or dividing it and you know and 270 00:11:38,790 --> 00:11:37,240 at the end when the regula came and they 271 00:11:40,950 --> 00:11:38,800 ran out the reports we have the Reverend 272 00:11:43,380 --> 00:11:40,960 technology independent judge it read out 273 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:43,390 the answers that I got one in ten within 274 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:46,210 minutes they were all rationalizing 275 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:48,010 coming up with an explanation one of 276 00:11:56,190 --> 00:11:49,990 them was it doesn't work if they're a 277 00:11:57,960 --> 00:11:56,200 skeptical people pray that every reason 278 00:11:59,880 --> 00:11:57,970 you would think of it and reading was 279 00:12:02,520 --> 00:11:59,890 right because I don't want to destroy 280 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:02,530 people's belief in themselves and these 281 00:12:07,890 --> 00:12:04,270 people different had a believe they 282 00:12:10,260 --> 00:12:07,900 could do it now randy said did organ is 283 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:10,270 it's early emotive ideomotor creation 284 00:12:14,730 --> 00:12:12,130 idea matter actually where the brain 285 00:12:18,060 --> 00:12:14,740 thinks it's there and it's moving the 286 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:18,070 rods subconsciously and did he give me a 287 00:12:21,980 --> 00:12:19,290 fantastic game show 288 00:12:24,860 --> 00:12:21,990 because the next day a reported honey I 289 00:12:26,689 --> 00:12:24,870 need to be ready and said look Brandi 290 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:26,699 doesn't matter what you say I believe in 291 00:12:31,819 --> 00:12:29,970 dividing my dad yet I can do it sai 292 00:12:33,439 --> 00:12:31,829 reddy said I will just hold on dick can 293 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:33,449 you get a speaker magna from the 294 00:12:38,629 --> 00:12:35,550 warehouse so we rushed down and we got a 295 00:12:40,699 --> 00:12:38,639 speaker magnetic and he said now I'm 296 00:12:42,829 --> 00:12:40,709 going to sit the speaker magnet I first 297 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:42,839 of all he checked with the divining rods 298 00:12:45,980 --> 00:12:44,250 he got them reported to hold the 299 00:12:48,499 --> 00:12:45,990 dividing ones we said now I want you to 300 00:12:49,699 --> 00:12:48,509 walk past the speaker magnet and of 301 00:12:51,949 --> 00:12:49,709 course the rights get pulled over 302 00:12:53,420 --> 00:12:51,959 towards the speaker magnet and so then 303 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:53,430 said now what we're going to do is put 304 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:55,050 the speaking handed in this look at all 305 00:12:59,120 --> 00:12:56,610 the rocks which of you can send money to 306 00:13:01,910 --> 00:12:59,130 the table they simply report now what I 307 00:13:04,069 --> 00:13:01,920 want you to do is to go past this [\h__\h] 308 00:13:06,590 --> 00:13:04,079 man but use your muscles and everything 309 00:13:08,660 --> 00:13:06,600 to try and stop the rods from moving 310 00:13:10,430 --> 00:13:08,670 over towards the magnet under let me say 311 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:10,440 this is ridiculous Randy we know it's 312 00:13:15,199 --> 00:13:13,230 not a bottle and rods it's just in theme 313 00:13:18,710 --> 00:13:15,209 of mine anyway said the reporter went 314 00:13:21,230 --> 00:13:18,720 backwards and forwards past the box and 315 00:13:24,079 --> 00:13:21,240 every time he couldn't stop the rods 316 00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:24,089 from going over to the box so after you 317 00:13:27,139 --> 00:13:25,649 did that three or four times venison are 318 00:13:29,540 --> 00:13:27,149 less interesting and lifted the cowboy 319 00:13:34,670 --> 00:13:29,550 box by suede of hand he'd removed the 320 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:34,680 map for the name and wow that's proof 321 00:13:39,199 --> 00:13:36,810 because even though journalist said I 322 00:13:41,689 --> 00:13:39,209 can't believe it because he thought it 323 00:13:44,030 --> 00:13:41,699 was there the rods were moving and 324 00:13:46,250 --> 00:13:44,040 you'll find people who can find water so 325 00:13:48,170 --> 00:13:46,260 often I lived in a country town for 326 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:48,180 years they know where the words like an 327 00:13:54,230 --> 00:13:50,370 immediate us are actually reading the 328 00:13:56,509 --> 00:13:54,240 strata and the way that Hills changing 329 00:13:59,059 --> 00:13:56,519 hood the ones who can follow the plastic 330 00:14:00,829 --> 00:13:59,069 irrigation piping are simply following 331 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:00,839 where the farmer put it in if they know 332 00:14:04,579 --> 00:14:02,970 it starts and ends there a farmer 333 00:14:06,769 --> 00:14:04,589 normally has a logical way around the 334 00:14:08,389 --> 00:14:06,779 shed and following ears is root so from 335 00:14:10,910 --> 00:14:08,399 that's what they're following it but 336 00:14:13,460 --> 00:14:10,920 they don't believe it and when we finish 337 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:13,470 this test with Australia 20 top diviners 338 00:14:19,129 --> 00:14:16,290 now we've succeeded but they all utterly 339 00:14:20,900 --> 00:14:19,139 convinced that they can do it that it 340 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:20,910 had no effect on they believe and that 341 00:14:24,980 --> 00:14:23,490 to me was a really telling thing about 342 00:14:27,980 --> 00:14:24,990 the human condition 343 00:14:30,199 --> 00:14:27,990 the human psyche that some of us and 344 00:14:32,660 --> 00:14:30,209 maybe all of us will have some little 345 00:14:34,389 --> 00:14:32,670 self delusion of course here we all 346 00:14:36,980 --> 00:14:34,399 believe it ready is to say to me give 347 00:14:38,389 --> 00:14:36,990 everyone as I self-delusion other than 348 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:38,399 you and me and any cooking inside 349 00:14:44,660 --> 00:14:42,330 sometimes are worried about you don't 350 00:14:46,610 --> 00:14:44,670 ever seen because a little about that 351 00:14:48,260 --> 00:14:46,620 time you started the Australian skeptics 352 00:14:51,019 --> 00:14:48,270 with Mark Plummer a solicitor from 353 00:14:52,820 --> 00:14:51,029 Melbourne Phillip Adams myself very 354 00:14:54,620 --> 00:14:52,830 quickly Barry Williams and lots of 355 00:14:56,660 --> 00:14:54,630 people came on side and done I'm very 356 00:14:58,550 --> 00:14:56,670 proud of what's happened here because I 357 00:15:00,889 --> 00:14:58,560 think it's very important if someone 358 00:15:02,630 --> 00:15:00,899 like Doris Stokes gyroscopes with a cold 359 00:15:05,540 --> 00:15:02,640 river that used to appear on the 360 00:15:07,220 --> 00:15:05,550 dementia if she turned up today the 361 00:15:09,019 --> 00:15:07,230 media wouldn't give a max time at all 362 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:09,029 yeah that wee bit of fun but I don't 363 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:11,370 think they would run it is a genuine but 364 00:15:15,170 --> 00:15:13,770 the person had paranormal powers of 365 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:15,180 course it's worked against me as a 366 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:17,250 public figure I remember when the 367 00:15:22,490 --> 00:15:19,890 Australian skeptics gave the late Peter 368 00:15:24,530 --> 00:15:22,500 brought the big spoon award remember 369 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:24,540 Peter rocket designed this little box 370 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:26,730 that sound with a car under the bonnet 371 00:15:31,250 --> 00:15:29,130 of your car and if energized something 372 00:15:33,260 --> 00:15:31,260 didn't have all the lines of a polarizer 373 00:15:35,269 --> 00:15:33,270 that's what it was well peter brock 374 00:15:37,519 --> 00:15:35,279 brainiacs and if you've got to stop the 375 00:15:39,230 --> 00:15:37,529 australian skeptics from presenting me 376 00:15:41,090 --> 00:15:39,240 with a big spoon would and I said Peter 377 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:41,100 I said our mother mother's I won't have 378 00:15:48,460 --> 00:15:45,810 any cuz all 11 even taller now seeing 379 00:15:51,170 --> 00:15:48,470 isn't believing it's interesting because 380 00:15:52,870 --> 00:15:51,180 when i started australian geographic we 381 00:15:55,100 --> 00:15:52,880 ran an article on the tasmanian tiger 382 00:15:56,510 --> 00:15:55,110 and it was going to be a skeptical 383 00:15:58,610 --> 00:15:56,520 article many people believe the 384 00:16:01,280 --> 00:15:58,620 tasmanian tiger still exists because 385 00:16:03,050 --> 00:16:01,290 it's seen Tasmania so what I got my 386 00:16:05,449 --> 00:16:03,060 researchers to do I said I want you to 387 00:16:07,940 --> 00:16:05,459 do a map of Tasmania showing all the 388 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:07,950 sightings well not only did they do that 389 00:16:11,900 --> 00:16:09,690 they said dick and they must have been 390 00:16:14,420 --> 00:16:11,910 150 members of the Tasmanian sightings 391 00:16:16,220 --> 00:16:14,430 everywhere but then they did a map of 392 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:16,230 Australia with all the sightings on 393 00:16:22,699 --> 00:16:18,450 mainland Australia we have Tasmanian 394 00:16:24,079 --> 00:16:22,709 Tigers all across and it really talking 395 00:16:26,980 --> 00:16:24,089 some most of these sightings with people 396 00:16:29,929 --> 00:16:26,990 who've seen it and believed it because 397 00:16:31,839 --> 00:16:29,939 they think if you see it and it's 398 00:16:34,789 --> 00:16:31,849 is what it is your tea you can believe 399 00:16:36,439 --> 00:16:34,799 that's of course not true I remember a 400 00:16:38,329 --> 00:16:36,449 little bit after that I was searching 401 00:16:40,479 --> 00:16:38,339 for the cook of our aircraft in the 402 00:16:44,239 --> 00:16:40,489 tanner my desert the cougar bar was a 403 00:16:46,849 --> 00:16:44,249 small monoplane that had gone to search 404 00:16:48,469 --> 00:16:46,859 for kinships with in 1929 it was fourth 405 00:16:51,139 --> 00:16:48,479 down with two pilots lost their lives 406 00:16:54,169 --> 00:16:51,149 because the bodies were recovered and 407 00:16:57,439 --> 00:16:54,179 brought back the plane was met and it 408 00:16:59,089 --> 00:16:57,449 went missing for nearly 50 years 48 409 00:17:01,069 --> 00:16:59,099 years later the northern terminus of 410 00:17:04,490 --> 00:17:01,079 iowa's cross in the town of my desert 411 00:17:06,529 --> 00:17:04,500 and he was kissing one of these hunches 412 00:17:08,419 --> 00:17:06,539 and he looked and he saw a spoke wheel 413 00:17:10,579 --> 00:17:08,429 sticking out of a hitch abortion he 414 00:17:12,829 --> 00:17:10,589 raced over to it realized with a plane 415 00:17:14,799 --> 00:17:12,839 and looked around for bodies and when he 416 00:17:17,149 --> 00:17:14,809 finally got back to down he found that 417 00:17:19,819 --> 00:17:17,159 looked up the engine and that was the 418 00:17:21,710 --> 00:17:19,829 Lost kookaburra and so lots of hidden 419 00:17:23,659 --> 00:17:21,720 search for after 16 expeditions I 420 00:17:26,360 --> 00:17:23,669 organize an expedition from Australia 421 00:17:29,149 --> 00:17:26,370 from Sydney and I went up into the 10 of 422 00:17:33,499 --> 00:17:29,159 my Jessica staff of Darwin now I had a 423 00:17:34,759 --> 00:17:33,509 photo with me of the Kookaburra when it 424 00:17:36,740 --> 00:17:34,769 was found by the Northern Territory 425 00:17:38,360 --> 00:17:36,750 surveyor which was sort of a spoken 426 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:38,370 little bit of a skeleton everything I'd 427 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:41,250 seen that but I'm flying the one in the 428 00:17:46,310 --> 00:17:42,690 helicopter with a flying backwards and 429 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:46,320 forwards and as we turn the chopper I 430 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:48,990 saw the Google I saw the smoke with 431 00:17:53,149 --> 00:17:50,970 everything I did I said I say that we 432 00:17:55,070 --> 00:17:53,159 found it was flying around again wasn't 433 00:17:57,259 --> 00:17:55,080 there there was no sort of a bit of a 434 00:17:59,600 --> 00:17:57,269 stunt which wasn't really very like it 435 00:18:01,909 --> 00:17:59,610 at all so we went back to camp and I 436 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:01,919 said what I just don't understand I saw 437 00:18:07,999 --> 00:18:05,730 it absolutely now luckily for me the 438 00:18:11,180 --> 00:18:08,009 next year later we found the book about 439 00:18:14,659 --> 00:18:11,190 miles away from that location but it 440 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:14,669 shows you what the human brain can do so 441 00:18:20,180 --> 00:18:17,129 always remember seeing is not believing 442 00:18:21,619 --> 00:18:20,190 recently a friend of mine who does a lot 443 00:18:24,169 --> 00:18:21,629 of walking up the balloon mouth you said 444 00:18:26,830 --> 00:18:24,179 you saw what's it called these days that 445 00:18:29,980 --> 00:18:26,840 would happen here at the Muslim 446 00:18:31,930 --> 00:18:29,990 nope and fancy and when I said well I 447 00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:31,940 don't think you sorted said dick I saw 448 00:18:38,740 --> 00:18:35,510 through I said I wouldn't believe what I 449 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:38,750 saw so I think that's very important now 450 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:40,730 I'll tell you another with a wooden 451 00:18:45,250 --> 00:18:43,730 divining story the New Zealanders have 452 00:18:46,510 --> 00:18:45,260 heard that we're offering his money 453 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:46,520 woods by then went after a hundred 454 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:48,770 thousand dollars for anyone who can 455 00:18:54,730 --> 00:18:51,970 divide and so they did a major 456 00:18:57,580 --> 00:18:54,740 television program there and they sent 457 00:19:00,580 --> 00:18:57,590 to Australia New Zealand's top diviner 458 00:19:02,830 --> 00:19:00,590 and he could divine brass with a hundred 459 00:19:04,930 --> 00:19:02,840 percent accuracy and I said look don't 460 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:04,940 send him until you do a check because he 461 00:19:09,370 --> 00:19:07,490 had out of me and air backer and I said 462 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:09,380 get your cowboy shoe boxes and all the 463 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:11,330 rest and the back is if I don't need to 464 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:13,610 do that I know this bloke [\h__\h] 465 00:19:19,450 --> 00:19:16,850 anyway so he sent him over and to some 466 00:19:22,380 --> 00:19:19,460 reason the test was to take place of 467 00:19:24,490 --> 00:19:22,390 gospel with the gospel radio station and 468 00:19:25,750 --> 00:19:24,500 suddenly I realized I hope you get out 469 00:19:27,370 --> 00:19:25,760 the Russian so I jumped in the 470 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:27,380 helicopter now realize I never had any 471 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:30,890 money so I quickly said to my wife who 472 00:19:34,930 --> 00:19:32,090 you got you manage to several I've got 473 00:19:38,730 --> 00:19:34,940 the chip now they have [\h__\h] camp so I 474 00:19:41,410 --> 00:19:38,740 said quick so I run out of gin 400,000 475 00:19:43,750 --> 00:19:41,420 she said it's only a hundred sixty 476 00:19:46,510 --> 00:19:43,760 dollars in 477 00:19:48,790 --> 00:19:46,520 so I flew up to Boston veneers the radio 478 00:19:52,150 --> 00:19:48,800 station and there's but the man it's 479 00:19:54,250 --> 00:19:52,160 come from from New Zealand and so I get 480 00:19:57,220 --> 00:19:54,260 out the chair and I hand the chip to the 481 00:19:59,170 --> 00:19:57,230 radio station manager I said you are 482 00:20:01,300 --> 00:19:59,180 happier to be the judge and you're a 483 00:20:03,130 --> 00:20:01,310 hand the check out brands as laws and 484 00:20:10,390 --> 00:20:03,140 he's shaking to all I've did a hell so 485 00:20:11,710 --> 00:20:10,400 much money anyway the first we've been 486 00:20:13,270 --> 00:20:11,720 able to do we would have got the money 487 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:13,280 but if the particular time is that he 488 00:20:17,590 --> 00:20:16,010 was with me well the person started 489 00:20:20,530 --> 00:20:17,600 first of all he'd brought with him a 490 00:20:22,030 --> 00:20:20,540 brass doorknocker and he'll demonstrated 491 00:20:24,190 --> 00:20:22,040 the fantasy he put the door lock her 492 00:20:26,380 --> 00:20:24,200 down and the rods he couldn't believe I 493 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:26,390 mean you hard to believe that this 494 00:20:30,820 --> 00:20:28,970 involuntary muscle reaction that was 495 00:20:32,470 --> 00:20:30,830 doing it and he showed it everywhere so 496 00:20:34,510 --> 00:20:32,480 he said I'm now ready to do the test and 497 00:20:37,210 --> 00:20:34,520 so we got out the shoe boxes and I said 498 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:37,220 why don't you use your piece of brass 499 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:39,050 that you bought with you and he looked 500 00:20:43,090 --> 00:20:41,690 at he said you wouldn't let me de let us 501 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:43,100 and of course i would if you can find 502 00:20:48,670 --> 00:20:46,010 that more than one in ten times in their 503 00:20:50,350 --> 00:20:48,680 shoe boxes well so first of all he then 504 00:20:55,300 --> 00:20:50,360 looked suspiciously around and he found 505 00:20:57,510 --> 00:20:55,310 a briefcase that he got moved away so 506 00:21:00,400 --> 00:20:57,520 once again we did the test where we said 507 00:21:02,170 --> 00:21:00,410 we'll mark the box and in this 508 00:21:03,610 --> 00:21:02,180 particular case we put it in number two 509 00:21:06,670 --> 00:21:03,620 he was talking so much he went up and 510 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:06,680 down divine box number 3 and his wife 511 00:21:12,070 --> 00:21:09,530 said to hold on darling and keep what 512 00:21:13,360 --> 00:21:12,080 the box it was putting so even when we 513 00:21:16,940 --> 00:21:13,370 did the test where he put it in the 514 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:20,580 laughs but the interesting thing is I've 515 00:21:26,399 --> 00:21:24,010 never yet found a fraud a fraud the 516 00:21:30,360 --> 00:21:26,409 person these people are absolutely 517 00:21:32,669 --> 00:21:30,370 genuine and don't be careful of that 518 00:21:35,730 --> 00:21:32,679 ticking yes will that I bit bonkers 519 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:35,740 behind not because i believe it's part 520 00:21:39,990 --> 00:21:37,090 of our human condition we all have 521 00:21:41,580 --> 00:21:40,000 something let's hope people here who are 522 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:41,590 in line a way where we can delude 523 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:43,570 ourselves into believing or something so 524 00:21:48,659 --> 00:21:45,130 in this particular cut and by the other 525 00:21:52,380 --> 00:21:48,669 than leave this particular case he did 526 00:21:54,899 --> 00:21:52,390 the test and he got one in ten and that 527 00:21:56,430 --> 00:21:54,909 was of course the test a chance now 528 00:21:58,500 --> 00:21:56,440 since then we haven't spent a lot of 529 00:22:00,269 --> 00:21:58,510 time on water diviner because I must 530 00:22:04,769 --> 00:22:00,279 admit people are contacting me from time 531 00:22:06,269 --> 00:22:04,779 to time and it's it's just irritating to 532 00:22:08,610 --> 00:22:06,279 waste time when you know what the 533 00:22:11,669 --> 00:22:08,620 results going to be but from time to 534 00:22:15,149 --> 00:22:11,679 time it is a very simple way if someone 535 00:22:17,399 --> 00:22:15,159 says they can read the future or they 536 00:22:19,169 --> 00:22:17,409 are talking to someone who's dead it's a 537 00:22:21,870 --> 00:22:19,179 very hard to interpret of cold readers 538 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:21,880 are very good at their job but a simple 539 00:22:27,210 --> 00:22:23,890 water divided test is very simple to 540 00:22:30,389 --> 00:22:27,220 believe and of course it's shows quite 541 00:22:32,909 --> 00:22:30,399 clearly I think just skeptic about how 542 00:22:36,690 --> 00:22:32,919 human beings can delude themselves and 543 00:22:39,269 --> 00:22:36,700 even wen schauen quite clearly but they 544 00:22:42,299 --> 00:22:39,279 couldn't do what they said they can do 545 00:22:44,039 --> 00:22:42,309 many of them claimed I well I really 546 00:22:45,510 --> 00:22:44,049 wasn't any good at divining investment 547 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:45,520 touch we said well why did you do that 548 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:49,570 test and interesting thing is that at 549 00:22:53,970 --> 00:22:51,450 one stage over about a 30 year period 550 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:53,980 Water Conservation Commission give a 551 00:23:00,210 --> 00:22:57,010 celibate still around where they shipped 552 00:23:02,730 --> 00:23:00,220 the number of group drills that will put 553 00:23:06,899 --> 00:23:02,740 down with dividing the number that words 554 00:23:10,799 --> 00:23:06,909 and the divine Wells got around about a 555 00:23:12,530 --> 00:23:10,809 ninety four percent hit rate but a non 556 00:23:15,260 --> 00:23:12,540 divine Wells got a one 557 00:23:18,110 --> 00:23:15,270 % head right but if you use the 558 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:18,120 geologists to knew what it was of course 559 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:20,490 we've got to be careful because when I 560 00:23:25,550 --> 00:23:22,050 wanted to get some drilling down around 561 00:23:27,290 --> 00:23:25,560 fun my manager said I ran up the water 562 00:23:31,010 --> 00:23:27,300 drilling companies big waters and 563 00:23:33,110 --> 00:23:31,020 they've got a diviner here goes but when 564 00:23:35,060 --> 00:23:33,120 I actually a mess with him and he 565 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:35,070 realized I was a skeptic he said I local 566 00:23:38,570 --> 00:23:37,110 said everyone believes in divining he 567 00:23:40,310 --> 00:23:38,580 said so I come out and I walk around 568 00:23:42,350 --> 00:23:40,320 these for those logical places my 569 00:23:47,660 --> 00:23:42,360 experience then I get out the ones in 570 00:23:49,700 --> 00:23:47,670 one that's amazing how now I mention 571 00:23:51,830 --> 00:23:49,710 seeing is believing I think another 572 00:23:56,780 --> 00:23:51,840 great example of this is that in the 573 00:23:59,240 --> 00:23:56,790 1930s an aircraft flying from Brisbane 574 00:24:02,660 --> 00:23:59,250 to Sydney when decisions the famous case 575 00:24:04,850 --> 00:24:02,670 where the plane I won't mention where it 576 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:04,860 crashed at the moment but it was flying 577 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:07,250 in those days of anyone plan a day and 578 00:24:14,450 --> 00:24:10,770 it was sighted all the way down the 579 00:24:16,790 --> 00:24:14,460 coast from Brisbane lismore but the two 580 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:16,800 best sightings were from a policeman and 581 00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:20,010 a school teacher at gosford so they've 582 00:24:23,410 --> 00:24:21,510 searched around the hawkesbury river 583 00:24:25,730 --> 00:24:23,420 that the plane had landed on the ground 584 00:24:28,460 --> 00:24:25,740 searched and searched from wit and 585 00:24:31,490 --> 00:24:28,470 couldn't find anything after a week a 586 00:24:33,830 --> 00:24:31,500 young man who called Bernadeau riley in 587 00:24:37,130 --> 00:24:33,840 the mclarssen Rangers just 70 miles 588 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:37,140 south of Brisbane just had a feeling and 589 00:24:41,030 --> 00:24:39,330 asked some of them that we saw the plane 590 00:24:43,430 --> 00:24:41,040 fly over but it was really bad weather 591 00:24:46,460 --> 00:24:43,440 so he started working through the 592 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:46,470 rainforest and went for a house finally 593 00:24:49,910 --> 00:24:47,970 climbed up in a bit of a look at and 594 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:49,920 across the other side of the ravine you 595 00:24:57,020 --> 00:24:55,170 saw one dead tree and he tore all day to 596 00:24:58,670 --> 00:24:57,030 get to the dead tree as he got close to 597 00:25:02,450 --> 00:24:58,680 it he's yelling out he then some voices 598 00:25:04,670 --> 00:25:02,460 and two people were alive I think by 599 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:04,680 then it was eight days the plane had 600 00:25:09,950 --> 00:25:06,450 crashed three were allied wanted got to 601 00:25:11,750 --> 00:25:09,960 get help if he died he was thinking 602 00:25:13,490 --> 00:25:11,760 about that was the plane had never gone 603 00:25:15,950 --> 00:25:13,500 further south before 604 00:25:19,820 --> 00:25:15,960 Rangers but it was sighted all in the 605 00:25:22,340 --> 00:25:19,830 way by genuine people and as I mentioned 606 00:25:24,290 --> 00:25:22,350 seeing is not believing that what's 607 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:24,300 happened is their mind has said I would 608 00:25:28,670 --> 00:25:26,310 imagine let's send a plane fly over for 609 00:25:31,460 --> 00:25:28,680 probably 12 months then when they hear 610 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:31,470 it's missing somehow the bright the mind 611 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:34,170 gives a flip and says I that sighting of 612 00:25:38,870 --> 00:25:36,290 last week was actually yesterday and 613 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:38,880 that's what happened so you've got to be 614 00:26:05,120 --> 00:25:40,530 very skeptical about all of these things 615 00:26:10,830 --> 00:26:08,520 hi this is Morial boy boo from smarter 616 00:26:12,570 --> 00:26:10,840 than that calm and smart acts calm I 617 00:26:14,130 --> 00:26:12,580 don't know about you but I'm definitely 618 00:26:16,590 --> 00:26:14,140 coming to the amazing meeting this year 619 00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:16,600 and following last year's scientific 620 00:26:19,890 --> 00:26:18,280 success I would love to conduct a 621 00:26:22,170 --> 00:26:19,900 scientific experiment with Richard 622 00:26:24,330 --> 00:26:22,180 Saunders do you have any ideas of a 623 00:26:26,850 --> 00:26:24,340 scientific experiment we can conduct go 624 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:26,860 to smarter than that calm / contact and 625 00:26:30,300 --> 00:26:28,930 share your idea with me Richard and I 626 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:30,310 will pick the best experiment and 627 00:26:34,410 --> 00:26:32,050 conducted on this year's time 7 628 00:26:36,360 --> 00:26:34,420 personally I can't wait to see what your 629 00:26:38,310 --> 00:26:36,370 deviously scientific minds come up with 630 00:26:41,970 --> 00:26:38,320 I'm sure Richard will be happy to do 631 00:26:44,310 --> 00:26:41,980 anything you ask ok not anything almost 632 00:26:46,260 --> 00:26:44,320 anything ok ok maybe not almost anything 633 00:26:48,810 --> 00:26:46,270 either but you should still send your 634 00:26:50,070 --> 00:26:48,820 ideas to me I'll read them I promise so 635 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:50,080 I'll see you at the amazing meeting 636 00:26:59,760 --> 00:26:57,010 seven Las Vegas 2009 the skeptic zone is 637 00:27:02,220 --> 00:26:59,770 an effort by volunteers we do have 638 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:02,230 production costs not much but we do and 639 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:05,410 your donations are sincerely appreciated 640 00:27:11,510 --> 00:27:07,450 you can send a little bit of money our 641 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:11,520 way by going to ww skeptic zone TV and 642 00:27:24,150 --> 00:27:14,710 pressing the paypal button we really do 643 00:27:27,150 --> 00:27:24,160 appreciate it my name is Joanne been 644 00:27:29,130 --> 00:27:27,160 homo a few weeks ago myself and several 645 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:29,140 other skeptics went to the festival of 646 00:27:34,890 --> 00:27:31,330 mind body and spirit Sydney exhibition 647 00:27:36,300 --> 00:27:34,900 center as a registered nurse it concerns 648 00:27:38,250 --> 00:27:36,310 me that many people are choosing to 649 00:27:39,810 --> 00:27:38,260 dabble in untested health treatments 650 00:27:41,850 --> 00:27:39,820 that have not been held up to scientific 651 00:27:44,580 --> 00:27:41,860 scrutiny and could potentially cause 652 00:27:46,170 --> 00:27:44,590 harm I was keen to see with the festival 653 00:27:47,790 --> 00:27:46,180 offered and whether it would live up to 654 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:47,800 its reputation within the skeptical 655 00:27:53,160 --> 00:27:49,930 community as an arena for quackery 656 00:27:54,300 --> 00:27:53,170 nonsense and magical potions perhaps it 657 00:28:01,320 --> 00:27:54,310 would turn out to be just a bit of 658 00:28:01,330 --> 00:28:05,490 Oh 659 00:28:11,340 --> 00:28:08,850 in keeping with its name the festival of 660 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:11,350 mind body and spirit is nothing if not 661 00:28:16,170 --> 00:28:14,290 spirited upon entering the Sydney 662 00:28:18,690 --> 00:28:16,180 Exhibition Centre I was met by the 663 00:28:20,460 --> 00:28:18,700 jingle jangle of bells and air that 664 00:28:23,430 --> 00:28:20,470 sparkled with the stray glitter of 665 00:28:25,350 --> 00:28:23,440 passing fairy wings the hall was 666 00:28:27,750 --> 00:28:25,360 positively abuzz with enthusiastic 667 00:28:29,850 --> 00:28:27,760 stallholders passing out fliers and 668 00:28:31,830 --> 00:28:29,860 punters eagerly filling their 669 00:28:34,650 --> 00:28:31,840 complimentary carry bags of tonics 670 00:28:38,460 --> 00:28:34,660 crystals organic foods and promotional 671 00:28:41,010 --> 00:28:38,470 materials a huge queue had formed around 672 00:28:43,410 --> 00:28:41,020 the aura images stand we're having one's 673 00:28:46,890 --> 00:28:43,420 energy field photographed seemed to be 674 00:28:49,050 --> 00:28:46,900 the activity du jour as I watched the 675 00:28:51,660 --> 00:28:49,060 crowd lap up the rhetoric and jostle for 676 00:28:54,630 --> 00:28:51,670 treatments too vague ailments or more 677 00:28:56,610 --> 00:28:54,640 accurately symptoms of life I began to 678 00:28:59,130 --> 00:28:56,620 wonder what a blight on human progress 679 00:29:02,220 --> 00:28:59,140 it will prove to be to have so many of 680 00:29:03,990 --> 00:29:02,230 us waste our energies on products and 681 00:29:05,820 --> 00:29:04,000 procedures that refuse to be held 682 00:29:09,330 --> 00:29:05,830 accountable to all known laws of 683 00:29:12,180 --> 00:29:09,340 chemistry physics and biology and which 684 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:12,190 unfortunately have great potential to do 685 00:29:19,260 --> 00:29:15,850 harm my mind returned to the word harm 686 00:29:22,110 --> 00:29:19,270 frequently during the day as Tim Farley 687 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:22,120 superb website what's the harm net shows 688 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:25,930 us the harm is very real right now the 689 00:29:30,780 --> 00:29:27,930 world faces many difficult challenges 690 00:29:33,540 --> 00:29:30,790 some realized and some lurking on the 691 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:33,550 edge of our vision threatening but by no 692 00:29:38,250 --> 00:29:36,490 means guaranteed the return of some of 693 00:29:40,410 --> 00:29:38,260 the most frightening infectious diseases 694 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:40,420 that we have suffered as well as the 695 00:29:45,030 --> 00:29:42,370 potential for a deadly flu pandemic 696 00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:45,040 creates real challenges for both medical 697 00:29:50,100 --> 00:29:47,830 researchers and clinicians and yet 698 00:29:52,530 --> 00:29:50,110 rather than seeking education through 699 00:29:54,900 --> 00:29:52,540 vetted and verifiable sources or 700 00:29:57,810 --> 00:29:54,910 consulting medical experts with years of 701 00:29:59,600 --> 00:29:57,820 scientific training droves of people are 702 00:30:02,790 --> 00:29:59,610 throwing away their time and money on 703 00:30:05,370 --> 00:30:02,800 unsubstantiated mumbo jumbo that has not 704 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:05,380 been answerable to rigorous standards of 705 00:30:13,230 --> 00:30:10,960 remaining unanswerable proved to be a 706 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:13,240 theme of the day as I came to see 707 00:30:17,110 --> 00:30:15,650 despite the requirements set out by the 708 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:17,120 New South Wales Department of Health 709 00:30:21,070 --> 00:30:18,770 that the code of conduct for 710 00:30:22,690 --> 00:30:21,080 unregistered health practitioners be 711 00:30:25,510 --> 00:30:22,700 displayed in any place where they 712 00:30:29,770 --> 00:30:25,520 practice that document was noticeably 713 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:29,780 absent from every stall at a large stall 714 00:30:33,910 --> 00:30:31,850 offering holistic treatment for hundreds 715 00:30:36,610 --> 00:30:33,920 of conditions including cancer I 716 00:30:38,860 --> 00:30:36,620 witnessed an elderly lady being filmed 717 00:30:40,810 --> 00:30:38,870 by the stall holder as she hesitantly 718 00:30:42,430 --> 00:30:40,820 pulled herself out of her wheelchair to 719 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:42,440 try the special footwear that he had 720 00:30:47,110 --> 00:30:45,410 fitted her with sitting in a neat row on 721 00:30:50,770 --> 00:30:47,120 top of a table was a collection of 722 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:50,780 potions she walked a few steps and I 723 00:30:54,430 --> 00:30:52,370 couldn't shake the feeling that peter 724 00:30:59,530 --> 00:30:54,440 Popoff might leap out from behind the 725 00:31:01,420 --> 00:30:59,540 curtain yelling Jesus he hath healed dr. 726 00:31:03,790 --> 00:31:01,430 Rachel Dunlop one of my partners in 727 00:31:06,370 --> 00:31:03,800 investigation for the day ask the 728 00:31:08,140 --> 00:31:06,380 mustachioed man behind the camera if you 729 00:31:10,870 --> 00:31:08,150 would be able to help her friend who had 730 00:31:13,540 --> 00:31:10,880 recently been diagnosed with cancer he 731 00:31:15,750 --> 00:31:13,550 swiftly responded yes and with great 732 00:31:18,340 --> 00:31:15,760 flourish pointed to the row of bottles 733 00:31:20,670 --> 00:31:18,350 assuring us that those exact bottles 734 00:31:22,870 --> 00:31:20,680 were what her friend would need a 735 00:31:25,810 --> 00:31:22,880 consultation and then a liquid diet 736 00:31:28,150 --> 00:31:25,820 would be required altogether incurring a 737 00:31:31,660 --> 00:31:28,160 cost of twelve thousand dollars for one 738 00:31:35,590 --> 00:31:31,670 year the results he declared the cancer 739 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:35,600 would go away a burgeoning new trend in 740 00:31:39,430 --> 00:31:36,890 the world of complementary and 741 00:31:42,970 --> 00:31:39,440 alternative medicine is the promotion of 742 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:42,980 so-called alkaline water this centers on 743 00:31:47,740 --> 00:31:45,050 claims that the pH of the body is 744 00:31:50,110 --> 00:31:47,750 becoming increasingly acidic due to 745 00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:50,120 exposure to environmental toxins and 746 00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:53,510 poor lifestyle a large sign in front of 747 00:32:01,960 --> 00:31:57,410 one store invited passes by to ask how 748 00:32:03,580 --> 00:32:01,970 water can cure incurable diseases we 749 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:03,590 press the stallholders for more 750 00:32:08,019 --> 00:32:05,450 information about how this worked and 751 00:32:10,639 --> 00:32:08,029 whether it could cure our friends cancer 752 00:32:13,070 --> 00:32:10,649 they speedily backpedaled from their 753 00:32:14,740 --> 00:32:13,080 claims offering vague explanations about 754 00:32:17,690 --> 00:32:14,750 it helping the immune system 755 00:32:21,529 --> 00:32:17,700 neutralizing acid and detoxifying the 756 00:32:24,289 --> 00:32:21,539 body their bizarre logic and aggressive 757 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:24,299 demeanor led us to quickly retreat but 758 00:32:28,279 --> 00:32:26,370 not before one of them tapped Australian 759 00:32:30,409 --> 00:32:28,289 skeptics Vice President Richard Saunders 760 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:30,419 on the shoulder and with the great 761 00:32:35,269 --> 00:32:33,210 chuckle proffered that the aspartamay 762 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:35,279 aidan gum that Richard was chewing would 763 00:32:41,539 --> 00:32:38,730 soon give him brain cancer several 764 00:32:43,700 --> 00:32:41,549 stalls offered live blood analysis the 765 00:32:45,740 --> 00:32:43,710 pseudoscience claiming to diagnose 766 00:32:48,980 --> 00:32:45,750 illness by analyzing a drop of blood 767 00:32:50,990 --> 00:32:48,990 under a microscope after the diagnosis 768 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:51,000 punters are encouraged to buy the 769 00:32:56,509 --> 00:32:54,090 supplements on display we asked the 770 00:32:59,029 --> 00:32:56,519 stallholder how it worked whether they 771 00:33:01,909 --> 00:32:59,039 could use it for HIV or other viruses 772 00:33:04,460 --> 00:33:01,919 like swine flu we were told that it 773 00:33:07,250 --> 00:33:04,470 coats the cell creating a barrier so 774 00:33:09,139 --> 00:33:07,260 that nothing can get in when I inquired 775 00:33:12,529 --> 00:33:09,149 about how things that need to get into 776 00:33:14,779 --> 00:33:12,539 the cell like oxygen can do so he looked 777 00:33:18,350 --> 00:33:14,789 at me blankly and told me that the 778 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:18,360 barrier only lasted for one hour at the 779 00:33:22,850 --> 00:33:20,370 end of the day standing at the doors of 780 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:22,860 the Sydney exhibition center I couldn't 781 00:33:28,279 --> 00:33:26,250 help but wonder would such enthusiasm be 782 00:33:31,340 --> 00:33:28,289 on show for a festival grounded in real 783 00:33:34,039 --> 00:33:31,350 science are we no longer interested in 784 00:33:36,590 --> 00:33:34,049 scientific evidence and only able to 785 00:33:39,649 --> 00:33:36,600 absorb vague ideas based on ethereal 786 00:33:43,100 --> 00:33:39,659 notions of energy auras chakras and 787 00:33:45,799 --> 00:33:43,110 harmony with nature what kind of harm 788 00:33:48,460 --> 00:33:45,809 threatens humanity if we continue to 789 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:48,470 allow the celebration and indeed the 790 00:34:00,919 --> 00:33:51,450 commercialization of the unfounded cure 791 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:04,500 so that's why you can't eat her okay I 792 00:34:08,190 --> 00:34:07,210 was just talking to the student till now 793 00:34:11,070 --> 00:34:08,200 look I'm supposed to tell you about 794 00:34:14,790 --> 00:34:11,080 something the cosmic Tea Party a new 795 00:34:16,169 --> 00:34:14,800 science podcast podcast day who's it at 796 00:34:18,930 --> 00:34:16,179 any rate it's about science and 797 00:34:22,260 --> 00:34:18,940 mathematics sounds rather dull oh hang 798 00:34:23,879 --> 00:34:22,270 on I open it and says here not down so 799 00:34:27,570 --> 00:34:23,889 there you have it the cosmic Tea Party 800 00:34:39,740 --> 00:34:27,580 podcast WWE cosmic Tea Party or or 801 00:34:44,879 --> 00:34:42,359 thank you for downloading the skeptic 802 00:34:48,299 --> 00:34:44,889 zone next week the full shows back with 803 00:34:50,819 --> 00:34:48,309 grain of salt dr. Reggie reports and a 804 00:34:52,829 --> 00:34:50,829 think tank until then this is Richard 805 00:34:59,250 --> 00:34:52,839 Saunders signing off from Sydney 806 00:35:01,559 --> 00:34:59,260 Australia see you at tam you've been 807 00:35:06,630 --> 00:35:01,569 listening to the skeptic zone visit our 808 00:35:10,870 --> 00:35:06,640 website at WWF digs on TV for comments 809 00:35:15,910 --> 00:35:10,880 contacts and extra video reports