1 00:00:12,370 --> 00:00:09,100 welcome to the skeptic zone the podcast 2 00:00:22,450 --> 00:00:12,380 from Australia for science and reason 3 00:00:25,279 --> 00:00:22,460 [Music] 4 00:00:28,519 --> 00:00:25,289 hello and welcome to the skeptic zone 5 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:28,529 episode number 429 for the 8th of 6 00:00:35,420 --> 00:00:32,250 January 2017 Richardson is here with you 7 00:00:38,930 --> 00:00:35,430 back in Sydney Australia muggy hot warm 8 00:00:41,150 --> 00:00:38,940 humid cloudy looking out the window 9 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:41,160 Sydney Australia nice to be back in 10 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:44,010 Australia nice to see Henrietta and more 11 00:00:48,619 --> 00:00:46,890 the skeptic zone cats as soon as I 12 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:48,629 walked in the door they looked at me and 13 00:00:54,590 --> 00:00:52,410 said time for food yes they haven't 14 00:00:56,569 --> 00:00:54,600 changed a bit thank you to the wonderful 15 00:00:58,670 --> 00:00:56,579 people I saw in the United States on my 16 00:01:01,340 --> 00:00:58,680 recent trip thank you to the people who 17 00:01:03,049 --> 00:01:01,350 helped put together my my talks over 18 00:01:05,570 --> 00:01:03,059 there wow what a great time I had I 19 00:01:07,130 --> 00:01:05,580 really enjoyed that very much and a big 20 00:01:09,620 --> 00:01:07,140 thank you to the Dunning family who 21 00:01:12,590 --> 00:01:09,630 looked after me so well in Southern 22 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:12,600 California and in fact later on in this 23 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:13,710 episode you'll be hearing from 24 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:17,490 up-and-coming young geologist Andrew 25 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:20,970 Dunning as he and I explore the La Brea 26 00:01:27,710 --> 00:01:24,840 Tar Pits yeah fantastic area in Los 27 00:01:30,679 --> 00:01:27,720 Angeles the brea tar pits and the 28 00:01:33,320 --> 00:01:30,689 associated museum wow what a magical 29 00:01:35,210 --> 00:01:33,330 place it is who would have ever thought 30 00:01:39,469 --> 00:01:35,220 that uh could be interesting it is 31 00:01:41,539 --> 00:01:39,479 because of all the remains of long 32 00:01:44,210 --> 00:01:41,549 extinct animals they do get out of these 33 00:01:47,270 --> 00:01:44,220 Tar Pits find out more later on in the 34 00:01:51,830 --> 00:01:47,280 show and also included in that report is 35 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:51,840 a visit to the space shuttle Endeavour 36 00:01:58,249 --> 00:01:54,710 which is also on display in Los Angeles 37 00:02:00,620 --> 00:01:58,259 links to those places in the show notes 38 00:02:05,510 --> 00:02:00,630 but what an interesting day I had 39 00:02:08,630 --> 00:02:05,520 exploring the science on offer in Los 40 00:02:10,910 --> 00:02:08,640 Angeles but before we get to that report 41 00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:10,920 I better tell you that we've got a new 42 00:02:17,449 --> 00:02:13,560 reporter a new reporter on the skeptic 43 00:02:21,039 --> 00:02:17,459 zone mandy lee Noble and her segment is 44 00:02:23,930 --> 00:02:21,049 going to be called the diet skeptic 45 00:02:26,410 --> 00:02:23,940 mandy lee noble is a dietician and 46 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:26,420 skeptic from Brisbane up in Queensland 47 00:02:31,990 --> 00:02:29,130 dedicated to exposing health and 48 00:02:34,370 --> 00:02:32,000 wellness whoo and promoting inclusive 49 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:34,380 evidence-based health care 50 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:37,110 member of the dietitians Association of 51 00:02:42,620 --> 00:02:39,210 Australia registered Australian 52 00:02:44,870 --> 00:02:42,630 independent dietitian nutritionist Wow 53 00:02:46,730 --> 00:02:44,880 the diet skeptic what's good to eat 54 00:02:49,850 --> 00:02:46,740 what's bad to eat what shouldn't you eat 55 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:49,860 what can I eat what's downstairs for me 56 00:02:55,700 --> 00:02:53,190 to eat find out with the diet skeptic 57 00:02:57,770 --> 00:02:55,710 very first report coming up at the top 58 00:03:00,380 --> 00:02:57,780 of the show also in this week's show we 59 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:00,390 here once again from dr. Danny chambers 60 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:04,170 the vet you will remember in the UK who 61 00:03:11,110 --> 00:03:07,410 is mounting a very strong campaign 62 00:03:14,060 --> 00:03:11,120 against homeopathic veterinary care 63 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:14,070 homeopathic veterinary care vets who 64 00:03:19,310 --> 00:03:16,890 prescribe homeopathy instead of real 65 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:19,320 medicine well he wrote an article for 66 00:03:24,230 --> 00:03:21,930 the veterinary times it's also published 67 00:03:28,130 --> 00:03:24,240 online and that's what I'll be reading 68 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:28,140 out today homeopathic veterinary care I 69 00:03:32,950 --> 00:03:31,170 don't think so also in this week's show 70 00:03:36,130 --> 00:03:32,960 we have a couple of reports from 71 00:03:40,130 --> 00:03:36,140 brouhaha from Australia science dot TV 72 00:03:42,530 --> 00:03:40,140 this week it's casey Harrigan now those 73 00:03:45,530 --> 00:03:42,540 people who listen to the skeptic ality 74 00:03:48,110 --> 00:03:45,540 podcast on a very recent episode i think 75 00:03:50,930 --> 00:03:48,120 the most recent episode is an interview 76 00:03:54,170 --> 00:03:50,940 with me conducted by susan go back from 77 00:03:56,570 --> 00:03:54,180 guerrilla skepticism non Wikipedia Thank 78 00:03:58,840 --> 00:03:56,580 You Derek from skeptic ality and thank 79 00:04:01,610 --> 00:03:58,850 you susan Kubek was a lot of fun being 80 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:01,620 interviewed the tables were turned on me 81 00:04:07,970 --> 00:04:03,090 for a change and the tables were turned 82 00:04:09,260 --> 00:04:07,980 earlier this morning very early 530am my 83 00:04:13,190 --> 00:04:09,270 time but that's okay I'm jet-lagged 84 00:04:15,890 --> 00:04:13,200 where I was interviewed by the ESP 85 00:04:18,830 --> 00:04:15,900 podcast and I think that'll be coming up 86 00:04:23,010 --> 00:04:18,840 pretty soon I on that particular show so 87 00:04:26,189 --> 00:04:23,020 thanks to the ESP for interviewing me 88 00:04:28,499 --> 00:04:26,199 and now here's something that's not 89 00:04:34,050 --> 00:04:28,509 skeptical in the least he had this 90 00:04:37,020 --> 00:04:34,060 wonderful music recently my brother and 91 00:04:38,969 --> 00:04:37,030 a friend went and traveled around Cuba 92 00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:38,979 they had a wonderful time listening to 93 00:04:45,420 --> 00:04:42,159 the local music and as a result there is 94 00:04:51,930 --> 00:04:45,430 now a Kickstarter page and the aim is to 95 00:04:54,570 --> 00:04:51,940 help produce a new album true Cuban 96 00:04:56,850 --> 00:04:54,580 music the album's going to be called 97 00:04:59,100 --> 00:04:56,860 Cala Alice Ted which translates to 98 00:05:02,010 --> 00:04:59,110 Friendship street it's going to be an 99 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:02,020 album of new music in the Sun style as 100 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:04,810 created by the next wave of musicians 101 00:05:09,390 --> 00:05:07,930 from Cuba wow if you love Latin music 102 00:05:11,550 --> 00:05:09,400 and that sort of beaten it sort of a 103 00:05:13,350 --> 00:05:11,560 rhythm that sort of music why not check 104 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:13,360 it out there is the link on this week's 105 00:05:18,749 --> 00:05:15,610 show notes and I've put a little loud a 106 00:05:20,850 --> 00:05:18,759 little banner on the the website of the 107 00:05:23,459 --> 00:05:20,860 skeptic zone if you like that sort of 108 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:23,469 thing well why not help out again not 109 00:05:27,629 --> 00:05:25,330 much to do with skepticism but it's nice 110 00:05:30,180 --> 00:05:27,639 to help out there my friends and family 111 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:30,190 from time to time but that's enough from 112 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:31,690 me right now I'm going to run down or 113 00:05:36,330 --> 00:05:34,690 before I run downstairs before I run 114 00:05:41,399 --> 00:05:36,340 downstairs now where I here they are 115 00:05:44,219 --> 00:05:41,409 here they are now hear this it's a 116 00:05:46,469 --> 00:05:44,229 packet of mints yes means I picked up in 117 00:05:48,659 --> 00:05:46,479 the United States the flavor is called 118 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:48,669 wintergreen and you can't get that 119 00:05:56,189 --> 00:05:51,310 flavor in Australia as far as i know and 120 00:05:58,140 --> 00:05:56,199 it's my instant favorite hmm wintergreen 121 00:06:01,260 --> 00:05:58,150 mints I wonder if you like them now 122 00:06:02,999 --> 00:06:01,270 people who know me when I go to the 123 00:06:05,550 --> 00:06:03,009 United States our waste take a packet of 124 00:06:08,010 --> 00:06:05,560 musk sticks with me the traditional 125 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:08,020 Australian candy and watch the faces of 126 00:06:13,409 --> 00:06:10,289 poor Americans as they try to eat it 127 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:13,419 many people spit it out well I was 128 00:06:18,689 --> 00:06:16,330 offering some wintergreen mints around 129 00:06:19,980 --> 00:06:18,699 the Australian skeptics committee just 130 00:06:23,070 --> 00:06:19,990 yesterday when I was catching up with 131 00:06:25,170 --> 00:06:23,080 everybody and I got similar expressions 132 00:06:27,390 --> 00:06:25,180 on their faces hmm do you like 133 00:06:29,459 --> 00:06:27,400 wintergreen can I get wintergreen in 134 00:06:32,430 --> 00:06:29,469 Australia these are important questions 135 00:06:35,129 --> 00:06:32,440 folks I must be really jet-lagged I'm 136 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:35,139 going to run downstairs looking out for 137 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:36,490 the skeptics and cats I'm going to 138 00:06:42,719 --> 00:06:39,610 downstairs just have a nice hot cup of 139 00:06:45,870 --> 00:06:42,729 tea and a biscuit Tina biscuit well I'm 140 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:45,880 doing that I hope you enjoy the skeptic 141 00:07:02,050 --> 00:06:46,490 zone 142 00:07:02,060 --> 00:07:08,470 that looks good enough to eat or does it 143 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:16,120 here's the diet skeptic mandy lee noble 144 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:20,360 hello skeptics own listeners mandy lee 145 00:07:30,410 --> 00:07:23,490 noble here dietitian and skeptic 146 00:07:33,290 --> 00:07:30,420 reporting from brisbane as the diet 147 00:07:36,350 --> 00:07:33,300 skeptic i hope to bring you many reports 148 00:07:39,290 --> 00:07:36,360 on my favorite skeptic topic health and 149 00:07:41,510 --> 00:07:39,300 wellness woo as well as reports on the 150 00:07:45,380 --> 00:07:41,520 other fantastic skeptic activities 151 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:45,390 happening here in Queensland when it 152 00:07:50,780 --> 00:07:47,850 comes to health and wellness whew there 153 00:07:54,110 --> 00:07:50,790 is no end to the pseudoscience and shams 154 00:07:57,380 --> 00:07:54,120 I could investigate but for my very 155 00:08:02,530 --> 00:07:57,390 first report the skeptic zone I have 156 00:08:04,850 --> 00:08:02,540 chosen MTHFR gene testing and treatments 157 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:04,860 this is an issue that is gaining 158 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:07,170 momentum in Australia with many 159 00:08:12,380 --> 00:08:08,960 complementary and alternative medicine 160 00:08:16,790 --> 00:08:12,390 providers now advising clients to have 161 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:16,800 genetic testing to verify their MTHFR 162 00:08:26,590 --> 00:08:21,690 status there is a dedicated MTHFR clinic 163 00:08:29,740 --> 00:08:26,600 in sydney called MTHFR support australia 164 00:08:33,050 --> 00:08:29,750 the clinic was founded by naturopath 165 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:33,060 carolyn lebowski it provides 166 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:36,210 consultations interpretations of genetic 167 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:39,810 test results educational webinars and a 168 00:08:46,070 --> 00:08:42,090 range of exorbitantly overpriced 169 00:08:49,100 --> 00:08:46,080 supplements unfortunately I also need to 170 00:08:51,170 --> 00:08:49,110 mention that MTHFR diagnosis and 171 00:08:55,130 --> 00:08:51,180 treatment is being practiced by a small 172 00:08:57,610 --> 00:08:55,140 number of GPS and dieticians and in many 173 00:09:04,400 --> 00:08:57,620 cases medicare is currently funding 174 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:04,410 MTHFR testing so what is MTHFR it is an 175 00:09:09,429 --> 00:09:05,970 acronym for 176 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:09,439 methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase an 177 00:09:14,569 --> 00:09:11,910 enzyme involved in the metabolism of 178 00:09:16,759 --> 00:09:14,579 follow allowing it to perform important 179 00:09:21,259 --> 00:09:16,769 functions in DNA replication and 180 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:21,269 maintenance the MTHFR enzyme is coded 181 00:09:27,550 --> 00:09:24,689 from the MTHFR gene which has a small 182 00:09:31,069 --> 00:09:27,560 number of variations in the population 183 00:09:34,639 --> 00:09:31,079 the variant enzymes are functional but 184 00:09:36,829 --> 00:09:34,649 less efficient we all have two copies of 185 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:36,839 each gene and the majority of people 186 00:09:43,790 --> 00:09:40,050 have at least one MTHFR gene that codes 187 00:09:46,699 --> 00:09:43,800 a less efficient enzyme genetic variants 188 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:46,709 makes us robust as a species and gene 189 00:09:51,499 --> 00:09:48,930 changes are not necessarily associated 190 00:09:55,819 --> 00:09:51,509 with disease the different blood groups 191 00:09:59,650 --> 00:09:55,829 a B and O are an example of gene 192 00:10:04,879 --> 00:09:59,660 variants so what are the implications of 193 00:10:08,809 --> 00:10:04,889 MTHFR studies show people with MTHFR 194 00:10:12,439 --> 00:10:08,819 variants in addition to a poor diet low 195 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:12,449 in folate may have reduced blood folate 196 00:10:17,780 --> 00:10:15,410 and increase homocysteine levels 197 00:10:21,379 --> 00:10:17,790 homocysteine levels have been associated 198 00:10:25,220 --> 00:10:21,389 with cardiovascular disease cancer 199 00:10:27,799 --> 00:10:25,230 autism mental illness as well as 200 00:10:31,579 --> 00:10:27,809 recurrent pregnancy loss and neural tube 201 00:10:34,490 --> 00:10:31,589 defects however the current evidence for 202 00:10:38,420 --> 00:10:34,500 all of these associations is described 203 00:10:40,569 --> 00:10:38,430 as either weak or inconclusive health 204 00:10:44,449 --> 00:10:40,579 authorities both here in Australia and 205 00:10:48,079 --> 00:10:44,459 internationally recommend not testing 206 00:10:52,699 --> 00:10:48,089 for the MTHFR variants in regards to any 207 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:52,709 health condition as MTHFR status is not 208 00:11:00,860 --> 00:10:56,610 relevant for diagnosis or treatment so 209 00:11:04,309 --> 00:11:00,870 other possible benefits of MTHFR 210 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:04,319 variants while proponents of MTHFR 211 00:11:10,519 --> 00:11:06,569 testing raise concerns about the 212 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:10,529 possible harms of MTHFR variants they 213 00:11:15,919 --> 00:11:12,569 neglect to mention that there is 214 00:11:19,430 --> 00:11:15,929 significant evidence that MTHFR variance 215 00:11:23,110 --> 00:11:19,440 is protective against colon cancer 216 00:11:26,060 --> 00:11:23,120 lymphatic leukemia and other cancers 217 00:11:28,910 --> 00:11:26,070 there also appears to be a strong 218 00:11:31,460 --> 00:11:28,920 evolutionary selection for the MTHFR 219 00:11:34,670 --> 00:11:31,470 variants where there is adequate 220 00:11:38,380 --> 00:11:34,680 followed intake indicating that the 221 00:11:41,570 --> 00:11:38,390 variants may provide a survival benefit 222 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:41,580 another claim by the proponents of MTHFR 223 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:44,730 testing is that folate in the form of 224 00:11:51,710 --> 00:11:47,640 folic acid is harmful to those with the 225 00:11:54,950 --> 00:11:51,720 variant genes many advocates for MTHFR 226 00:11:57,470 --> 00:11:54,960 testing prescribe and sell a very 227 00:12:01,460 --> 00:11:57,480 expensive alternative form of folate 228 00:12:03,350 --> 00:12:01,470 supplement called methyl folate however 229 00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:03,360 the research does not support these 230 00:12:09,380 --> 00:12:06,510 claims and in Australia folic acid added 231 00:12:12,410 --> 00:12:09,390 to wheat flour for bread making purposes 232 00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:12,420 has reduced the incidence of neural tube 233 00:12:17,810 --> 00:12:14,910 defects by fourteen percent in the 234 00:12:21,380 --> 00:12:17,820 general population and by seventy four 235 00:12:24,820 --> 00:12:21,390 percent in indigenous populations it is 236 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:24,830 also important to note that the MTHFR 237 00:12:32,410 --> 00:12:28,170 support clinic strongly advises clients 238 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:32,420 to adopt a completely gluten-free diet 239 00:12:38,780 --> 00:12:36,210 no scientifically robust reason is given 240 00:12:41,540 --> 00:12:38,790 for this advice and such a change would 241 00:12:44,690 --> 00:12:41,550 effectively reduce the folate intake 242 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:44,700 through fortified foods of those who may 243 00:12:51,110 --> 00:12:48,330 benefit most finally but very 244 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:51,120 importantly naturopathic Carolyn lab 245 00:12:58,510 --> 00:12:55,290 dowski also claims that MTHFR variants 246 00:13:01,910 --> 00:12:58,520 increases susceptibility to aluminium 247 00:13:05,630 --> 00:13:01,920 polysorbate and formaldehyde found in 248 00:13:07,820 --> 00:13:05,640 childhood vaccinations madoski does not 249 00:13:10,579 --> 00:13:07,830 provide any scientific evidence to 250 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:10,589 support these claims despite advising 251 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:13,170 her clients to either deviate from the 252 00:13:20,260 --> 00:13:15,930 current vaccination schedule or consider 253 00:13:23,390 --> 00:13:20,270 not vaccinating their child so what did 254 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:23,400 MTHFR testing become a thing in the 255 00:13:31,310 --> 00:13:27,810 first place carolyn Landowski founder of 256 00:13:32,930 --> 00:13:31,320 MTHFR support australia sums it up 257 00:13:36,710 --> 00:13:32,940 perfectly in her 258 00:13:40,070 --> 00:13:36,720 words on the MTHFR support website and I 259 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:40,080 quote I certainly got to this point 260 00:13:44,780 --> 00:13:42,450 because I continuously saw people in my 261 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:44,790 practice who just were not getting 262 00:13:50,210 --> 00:13:47,610 better despite giving them the normal 263 00:13:52,580 --> 00:13:50,220 supplements & herb's that I would expect 264 00:13:56,350 --> 00:13:52,590 them to respond to and I kept thinking 265 00:13:58,700 --> 00:13:56,360 that there had to be something more 266 00:14:01,640 --> 00:13:58,710 Occam's razor would suggest that the 267 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:01,650 supplements don't work but cognitive 268 00:14:10,580 --> 00:14:04,050 dissidence convince ladakhi that the 269 00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:10,590 something more is MTHFR so to wrap up if 270 00:14:16,340 --> 00:14:13,110 we were to take advice from all health 271 00:14:19,130 --> 00:14:16,350 authorities including the American Heart 272 00:14:21,590 --> 00:14:19,140 Association the American Congress of 273 00:14:24,130 --> 00:14:21,600 Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the 274 00:14:28,820 --> 00:14:24,140 American College of medical genetics as 275 00:14:31,670 --> 00:14:28,830 well as our own Royal Australian College 276 00:14:35,660 --> 00:14:31,680 of General Practitioners there would be 277 00:14:40,010 --> 00:14:35,670 no reason to ever recommend MTHFR gene 278 00:14:42,230 --> 00:14:40,020 testing given the evidence Australian 279 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:42,240 taxpayers and healthcare consumers 280 00:14:49,450 --> 00:14:44,730 should be asking questions about whether 281 00:14:53,690 --> 00:14:49,460 Medicare should be funding MTHFR testing 282 00:14:55,730 --> 00:14:53,700 reduced MTHFR dm's I'm function does not 283 00:14:59,570 --> 00:14:55,740 require treatment and those who have 284 00:15:00,920 --> 00:14:59,580 less efficient MTHFR enzymes benefit 285 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:00,930 most from the current health 286 00:15:09,890 --> 00:15:03,930 recommendations for diet and pregnancy 287 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:09,900 given to all Australians thanks everyone 288 00:15:15,290 --> 00:15:13,050 for listening I recommend that anyone 289 00:15:18,610 --> 00:15:15,300 with concerns regarding childhood 290 00:15:22,340 --> 00:15:18,620 vaccinations visit the Northern Rivers 291 00:15:34,590 --> 00:15:22,350 vaccination supporters website bye for 292 00:15:39,319 --> 00:15:36,009 [Music] 293 00:15:41,479 --> 00:15:39,329 it never ends a friend starts talking 294 00:15:43,099 --> 00:15:41,489 about his new Reiki Master and someone 295 00:15:45,799 --> 00:15:43,109 else just posted about another 296 00:15:48,319 --> 00:15:45,809 all-natural cancer cure that they don't 297 00:15:50,539 --> 00:15:48,329 want you to know about a skeptics we 298 00:15:52,639 --> 00:15:50,549 dedicate a lot of time trying to protect 299 00:15:54,859 --> 00:15:52,649 those around us but there's a way that 300 00:15:57,469 --> 00:15:54,869 you can reach millions guerrilla 301 00:15:59,359 --> 00:15:57,479 skepticism on Wikipedia is a group that 302 00:16:01,819 --> 00:15:59,369 is working to keep the best skeptical 303 00:16:04,909 --> 00:16:01,829 information at everyone's fingertips in 304 00:16:07,639 --> 00:16:04,919 all languages join us training is 305 00:16:10,339 --> 00:16:07,649 self-paced and fun and we have our very 306 00:16:12,859 --> 00:16:10,349 own super secret Facebook group you will 307 00:16:17,169 --> 00:16:12,869 be educating the world in your sleep to 308 00:16:21,229 --> 00:16:17,179 find out more email us at GS o w team @ 309 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:21,239 gmail.com guerrilla skepticism the time 310 00:16:31,410 --> 00:16:38,469 [Music] 311 00:16:43,609 --> 00:16:40,969 listens to the skeptic zone may well 312 00:16:46,759 --> 00:16:43,619 remember that he's shown number 404 on 313 00:16:49,909 --> 00:16:46,769 the seventeenth of July 2016 we 314 00:16:54,259 --> 00:16:49,919 interviewed UK the vet dr. Dani chambers 315 00:16:57,499 --> 00:16:54,269 about a petition he put together to stop 316 00:16:59,599 --> 00:16:57,509 vets from using homeopathy to treat 317 00:17:02,449 --> 00:16:59,609 animals we're pleased to bring you an 318 00:17:07,149 --> 00:17:02,459 update on the story in the way of an 319 00:17:13,789 --> 00:17:11,960 published in the veterinary times UK why 320 00:17:17,059 --> 00:17:13,799 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 321 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:17,069 must prevent vets from prescribing 322 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:20,369 homeopathy the case against homeopathy 323 00:17:26,419 --> 00:17:23,850 has never been a clearer with every well 324 00:17:29,619 --> 00:17:26,429 controlled study showing these remedies 325 00:17:32,899 --> 00:17:29,629 and no more effective than a placebo 326 00:17:35,749 --> 00:17:32,909 this is to be expected as homeopathic 327 00:17:39,499 --> 00:17:35,759 treatments contain no active substances 328 00:17:43,279 --> 00:17:39,509 at all the reason I started this 329 00:17:46,009 --> 00:17:43,289 campaign was because I figured I can't 330 00:17:48,289 --> 00:17:46,019 be the only vet who no longer wants to 331 00:17:50,980 --> 00:17:48,299 have to see animals whose perfectly 332 00:17:53,509 --> 00:17:50,990 treatable conditions have been left to 333 00:17:56,060 --> 00:17:53,519 deteriorate because their owners and 334 00:18:00,049 --> 00:17:56,070 vets were convinced homeopathic remedies 335 00:18:02,180 --> 00:18:00,059 would do the trick given more than 1,100 336 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:02,190 of my veterinary colleagues signed the 337 00:18:07,489 --> 00:18:05,610 petition it appears I was right it is 338 00:18:10,690 --> 00:18:07,499 clear to me treating animals with 339 00:18:13,759 --> 00:18:10,700 homeopathy at best leads to unnecessary 340 00:18:16,879 --> 00:18:13,769 suffering and reduced likelihood of a 341 00:18:19,340 --> 00:18:16,889 full recovery and at worst as with a 342 00:18:21,350 --> 00:18:19,350 case of a horse I saw that had been 343 00:18:23,649 --> 00:18:21,360 treated for cushing's syndrome and 344 00:18:26,289 --> 00:18:23,659 chronic laminitis homeopathic ly 345 00:18:29,299 --> 00:18:26,299 conditions deteriorate so severely that 346 00:18:31,970 --> 00:18:29,309 euthanasia is the only option I also 347 00:18:34,369 --> 00:18:31,980 feel very strongly the use of homeopathy 348 00:18:37,090 --> 00:18:34,379 and other pseudo-scientific treatments 349 00:18:39,739 --> 00:18:37,100 in the profession gives it a bad name 350 00:18:43,009 --> 00:18:39,749 members of the public expect when they 351 00:18:45,710 --> 00:18:43,019 see a vet to get advice that represents 352 00:18:46,790 --> 00:18:45,720 the best treatment based on the totality 353 00:18:55,190 --> 00:18:46,800 of 354 00:18:57,830 --> 00:18:55,200 they are instead given treatment based 355 00:19:00,500 --> 00:18:57,840 on the personal beliefs of an extreme 356 00:19:02,060 --> 00:19:00,510 fringe that directly contradicts the 357 00:19:05,090 --> 00:19:02,070 wealth of evidence gathered by the 358 00:19:07,820 --> 00:19:05,100 veterinary field this clearly undermines 359 00:19:11,630 --> 00:19:07,830 the reputation of the entire field is 360 00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:11,640 being reliable responsible and robust so 361 00:19:18,050 --> 00:19:15,270 if it is only a minority of vets why is 362 00:19:21,620 --> 00:19:18,060 it important given more than 22,000 363 00:19:24,470 --> 00:19:21,630 registered vets exist the 200 or fewer 364 00:19:26,750 --> 00:19:24,480 who practice homeopathy in fact an 365 00:19:29,620 --> 00:19:26,760 article cited 50 vets licensed to 366 00:19:33,620 --> 00:19:29,630 practice homeopathy represent around 367 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:33,630 point 25 to 1 percent of the profession 368 00:19:38,990 --> 00:19:36,330 yet if the Royal College of venery 369 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:39,000 surgeons fails to end the prescription 370 00:19:44,060 --> 00:19:41,250 of homeopathic remedies by this fringe 371 00:19:46,370 --> 00:19:44,070 group of vets it is an implicit 372 00:19:50,150 --> 00:19:46,380 endorsement of their use of these 373 00:19:52,580 --> 00:19:50,160 treatments it would therefore also be an 374 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:52,590 imp listen acceptance of vets who place 375 00:19:57,260 --> 00:19:55,290 animal welfare at risk by putting their 376 00:20:00,590 --> 00:19:57,270 personal beliefs ahead of evidence-based 377 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:00,600 medicine and the body of knowledge our 378 00:20:04,670 --> 00:20:02,730 profession has a cured that these 379 00:20:08,150 --> 00:20:04,680 treatments are offered by qualified vets 380 00:20:11,650 --> 00:20:08,160 suggests to the public homeopathy is not 381 00:20:14,810 --> 00:20:11,660 a wacky pseudoscience but an equivalent 382 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:14,820 legitimate option perhaps just as 383 00:20:19,610 --> 00:20:17,490 effective as conventional medicine they 384 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:19,620 may be more likely to use it on 385 00:20:24,890 --> 00:20:22,890 themselves or their children as some 386 00:20:27,020 --> 00:20:24,900 high-profile media cases have 387 00:20:29,810 --> 00:20:27,030 highlighted the consequences of 388 00:20:31,730 --> 00:20:29,820 well-meaning parents using homeopathic 389 00:20:35,510 --> 00:20:31,740 remedies to treat children suffering 390 00:20:37,910 --> 00:20:35,520 from meningitis can be tragic preventing 391 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:37,920 vets from using homeopathy would send a 392 00:20:43,780 --> 00:20:41,010 clear message to the public of it not 393 00:20:47,300 --> 00:20:43,790 being approved by medical professionals 394 00:20:49,930 --> 00:20:47,310 not being a genuine effective treatment 395 00:20:53,360 --> 00:20:49,940 and being firmly in the quote 396 00:20:57,380 --> 00:20:53,370 alternative and quote and in fact 397 00:20:59,510 --> 00:20:57,390 disproven camp with no backing by 398 00:21:00,960 --> 00:20:59,520 conventionally trained professionals 399 00:21:03,330 --> 00:21:00,970 while the number 400 00:21:05,490 --> 00:21:03,340 of companion animals that may suffer as 401 00:21:08,549 --> 00:21:05,500 a result of using homeopathic remedies 402 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:08,559 is relatively small given the fringe 403 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:11,110 nature of belief in homeopathy among 404 00:21:15,770 --> 00:21:13,570 vets clearly causing an amount of 405 00:21:18,690 --> 00:21:15,780 avoidable suffering is deeply unethical 406 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:18,700 furthermore if a vet who believed 407 00:21:26,010 --> 00:21:21,250 passionately in homeopathy was to raise 408 00:21:27,930 --> 00:21:26,020 to the position of CVO the potential 409 00:21:30,090 --> 00:21:27,940 damage done when forming government 410 00:21:33,630 --> 00:21:30,100 policy regarding antimicrobial 411 00:21:37,169 --> 00:21:33,640 resistance or disease outbreaks could be 412 00:21:39,899 --> 00:21:37,179 catastrophic I have regularly worked on 413 00:21:42,750 --> 00:21:39,909 rabies control projects in India to 414 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:42,760 prevent dogs from dying of rabies and to 415 00:21:48,029 --> 00:21:44,770 prevent the disease infecting and 416 00:21:50,190 --> 00:21:48,039 killing people to enjoy poem as a result 417 00:21:52,799 --> 00:21:50,200 of vaccinating and neutering eighty-five 418 00:21:55,230 --> 00:21:52,809 percent of the street dog population no 419 00:21:59,430 --> 00:21:55,240 reported human cases of rabies have 420 00:22:01,919 --> 00:21:59,440 occurred since 2003 in 2016 I worked on 421 00:22:04,950 --> 00:22:01,929 a post-conflict livestock vaccination 422 00:22:07,890 --> 00:22:04,960 program in Iraq to help improve food 423 00:22:10,620 --> 00:22:07,900 security these are projects that affect 424 00:22:14,010 --> 00:22:10,630 not just animal welfare but human 425 00:22:17,310 --> 00:22:14,020 well-being too if I was a homeopathic 426 00:22:19,980 --> 00:22:17,320 vet imagine the time money and lives 427 00:22:22,770 --> 00:22:19,990 that would have been wasted if I thought 428 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:22,780 homeopathic no doses could prevent 429 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:25,690 rabies and dogs or were a substitute for 430 00:22:32,010 --> 00:22:28,210 foot and mouth disease vaccination in 431 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:32,020 sheep and goats this would rightly be 432 00:22:36,450 --> 00:22:34,450 viewed as ridiculous and no competent 433 00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:36,460 vet would use homeopathy in those 434 00:22:41,669 --> 00:22:39,370 situations yet we know colleagues who 435 00:22:44,820 --> 00:22:41,679 put their faith in homeopathy offer no 436 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:44,830 doses in the place of vaccination the 437 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:46,210 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 438 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:48,970 States one reason for permitting vets to 439 00:22:54,029 --> 00:22:51,850 prescribe homeopathy is pet owners will 440 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:54,039 want to use homeopathic treatments 441 00:22:59,039 --> 00:22:56,110 anyway so it is better for a vet to 442 00:23:01,500 --> 00:22:59,049 administer this as he or she will be 443 00:23:03,870 --> 00:23:01,510 better place to monitor the welfare it 444 00:23:06,810 --> 00:23:03,880 does not want homeopathic treatments to 445 00:23:09,630 --> 00:23:06,820 be forced quote underground men quote on 446 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:09,640 the surface this argument appears to 447 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:12,610 make sense but i believe it is flawed 448 00:23:17,210 --> 00:23:14,210 for a number of reasons 449 00:23:18,979 --> 00:23:17,220 firstly it does not make any difference 450 00:23:20,989 --> 00:23:18,989 to the animal whether effective 451 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:20,999 treatment or painkillers are withheld by 452 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:24,690 a lay person or a qualified vet a lay 453 00:23:30,109 --> 00:23:27,450 person can be prosecuted for not seeking 454 00:23:32,389 --> 00:23:30,119 veterinary treatment if he or she gives 455 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:32,399 homeopathy instead of appropriate 456 00:23:38,180 --> 00:23:35,730 interventions however if he or she goes 457 00:23:40,729 --> 00:23:38,190 to a homeopathic vet the outcome is the 458 00:23:43,399 --> 00:23:40,739 same for the animal but neither the 459 00:23:46,190 --> 00:23:43,409 owner nor the vet face any rebuke and 460 00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:46,200 the owner does not realize he or she has 461 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:50,940 been done a disservice secondly I don't 462 00:23:56,180 --> 00:23:53,129 believe homeopathic vets are best placed 463 00:23:58,970 --> 00:23:56,190 to monitor animal welfare because I feel 464 00:24:02,119 --> 00:23:58,980 their belief in a disproven modality 465 00:24:03,859 --> 00:24:02,129 casts doubts on their critical judgment 466 00:24:06,830 --> 00:24:03,869 take the example of a cat with 467 00:24:09,649 --> 00:24:06,840 hyperthyroidism if a homeopathic vet is 468 00:24:12,229 --> 00:24:09,659 willing to administer homeopathy instead 469 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:12,239 of appropriate treatment we know this 470 00:24:17,389 --> 00:24:14,730 lack of valid treatment can cause the 471 00:24:19,940 --> 00:24:17,399 animals health to deteriorate at what 472 00:24:22,700 --> 00:24:19,950 point do we trust the homeopathic vet to 473 00:24:26,060 --> 00:24:22,710 stop giving the homeopathy and treat the 474 00:24:29,029 --> 00:24:26,070 animal properly when it develops renal 475 00:24:32,299 --> 00:24:29,039 failure when its weight drops below a 476 00:24:34,340 --> 00:24:32,309 certain amount likewise if he or she is 477 00:24:37,970 --> 00:24:34,350 willing to treat a horse with laminitis 478 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:37,980 with homeopathy can we trust him or her 479 00:24:43,970 --> 00:24:40,590 to monitor welfare by giving proper 480 00:24:45,710 --> 00:24:43,980 treatment at some point maybe when the 481 00:24:48,590 --> 00:24:45,720 heart rate is more than 60 beats per 482 00:24:51,710 --> 00:24:48,600 minute or when there is visible rotation 483 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:51,720 of the pedal bones on radiographs the 484 00:24:58,220 --> 00:24:54,450 British Association of homeopathic of 485 00:25:01,549 --> 00:24:58,230 veterinary surgeons bah vs claims to 486 00:25:04,190 --> 00:25:01,559 cure cancer with homeopathy and Jeff 487 00:25:07,070 --> 00:25:04,200 Johnson the homeopath whose claims the 488 00:25:09,590 --> 00:25:07,080 bah vs features prominently on its 489 00:25:12,710 --> 00:25:09,600 website claimed during an interview with 490 00:25:16,399 --> 00:25:12,720 the BBC that he was treating quote many 491 00:25:19,879 --> 00:25:16,409 and quote dogs with a view to curing 492 00:25:22,399 --> 00:25:19,889 their cancer he told the BBC's Victoria 493 00:25:25,340 --> 00:25:22,409 Derbyshire his ability to cure cancer 494 00:25:27,289 --> 00:25:25,350 with homeopathy was one of the main 495 00:25:30,049 --> 00:25:27,299 reasons animal owners 496 00:25:33,590 --> 00:25:30,059 used to get treatment from him I do not 497 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:33,600 believe we nor the public are able to 498 00:25:37,970 --> 00:25:36,330 trust the clinical judgment of vets who 499 00:25:40,430 --> 00:25:37,980 believe they can cure cancer with 500 00:25:42,409 --> 00:25:40,440 homeopathy instead these animals need 501 00:25:45,019 --> 00:25:42,419 appropriate treatment or possibly 502 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:45,029 euthanasia their owners are being 503 00:25:49,639 --> 00:25:47,129 offered a disservice by being sold 504 00:25:52,279 --> 00:25:49,649 ineffective treatments that offer false 505 00:25:54,950 --> 00:25:52,289 hope the Royal College of venery 506 00:25:58,190 --> 00:25:54,960 surgeons stated quote homeopathy is 507 00:26:00,560 --> 00:25:58,200 accepted by society and quote though it 508 00:26:03,950 --> 00:26:00,570 doesn't make clear what it means by this 509 00:26:06,889 --> 00:26:03,960 claim what constitutes quote social 510 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:06,899 acceptance end quote evidently it 511 00:26:11,899 --> 00:26:09,450 ignores the fact that every credible 512 00:26:15,049 --> 00:26:11,909 expert and a large proportion of the 513 00:26:17,379 --> 00:26:15,059 public sees homeopathy has a nonsensical 514 00:26:20,330 --> 00:26:17,389 and potentially dangerous waste of time 515 00:26:22,879 --> 00:26:20,340 even if it were true that homeopathy was 516 00:26:26,690 --> 00:26:22,889 accepted by society it says nothing 517 00:26:28,609 --> 00:26:26,700 about whether the treatment works we do 518 00:26:31,940 --> 00:26:28,619 not make health interventions on the 519 00:26:34,639 --> 00:26:31,950 beliefs of a small but vocal fringe 520 00:26:37,180 --> 00:26:34,649 group in society we must follow the 521 00:26:40,580 --> 00:26:37,190 evidence many beliefs in society are 522 00:26:44,349 --> 00:26:40,590 incorrect but it is the purpose of 523 00:26:47,419 --> 00:26:44,359 research and expertise to help educate 524 00:26:49,549 --> 00:26:47,429 condoning and pandering to mistaken 525 00:26:51,349 --> 00:26:49,559 fringe beliefs there's nothing to 526 00:26:55,460 --> 00:26:51,359 improve society's understanding of 527 00:26:58,159 --> 00:26:55,470 science and medicine changing beliefs I 528 00:27:00,489 --> 00:26:58,169 want to make it clear I have no 529 00:27:03,739 --> 00:27:00,499 particular ax to grind with homeopathy 530 00:27:05,899 --> 00:27:03,749 specifically other then it runs so 531 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:05,909 clearly counter to evidence-based 532 00:27:11,299 --> 00:27:08,970 medicine unlike homeopaths if clinical 533 00:27:14,060 --> 00:27:11,309 trials showed a particular drug or 534 00:27:17,989 --> 00:27:14,070 surgical technique I had been using for 535 00:27:20,180 --> 00:27:17,999 years was useless did more harm or had 536 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:20,190 simply been superseded by something 537 00:27:26,659 --> 00:27:23,369 superior I would be eager to change my 538 00:27:29,210 --> 00:27:26,669 position I actively want to know when 539 00:27:31,460 --> 00:27:29,220 and if i can improve my clinical 540 00:27:34,340 --> 00:27:31,470 practice whether that means to stop 541 00:27:37,789 --> 00:27:34,350 using a product or switching to 542 00:27:40,279 --> 00:27:37,799 something better indeed it would be 543 00:27:41,030 --> 00:27:40,289 intellectually bankrupt of me too 544 00:27:43,070 --> 00:27:41,040 desperate 545 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:43,080 seek out every piece of anecdotal 546 00:27:47,690 --> 00:27:45,450 evidence I could find to support my 547 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:47,700 existing position or to cherry pick 548 00:27:52,010 --> 00:27:50,250 whatever study justifies continuing 549 00:27:54,580 --> 00:27:52,020 along my path in the face of 550 00:27:57,470 --> 00:27:54,590 overwhelming evidence to the contrary 551 00:28:00,410 --> 00:27:57,480 when discussing a faith-based belief 552 00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:00,420 system such as homeopathy emotions 553 00:28:06,230 --> 00:28:03,330 inevitably run high which is perhaps why 554 00:28:09,350 --> 00:28:06,240 this debate remains so persistent 555 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:09,360 despite it being fewer than 1% of vets 556 00:28:14,420 --> 00:28:12,570 who put their belief in homeopathy I am 557 00:28:17,360 --> 00:28:14,430 aware of no amount of scientific 558 00:28:20,060 --> 00:28:17,370 evidence will change the opinions of the 559 00:28:23,510 --> 00:28:20,070 hardcore believers that is the very 560 00:28:25,910 --> 00:28:23,520 nature of such a belief system if you 561 00:28:28,390 --> 00:28:25,920 are a believer in homeopathy I fully 562 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:28,400 understand you may be feeling persecuted 563 00:28:35,690 --> 00:28:33,090 by my petition and my calls to prevent 564 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:35,700 homeopathic treatments I know a belief 565 00:28:40,580 --> 00:28:38,250 in homeopathy some will have held for 566 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:40,590 decades will form a large part of your 567 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:43,410 identity I can identify with your 568 00:28:48,290 --> 00:28:45,570 position I was brought up in an 569 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:48,300 evangelical church that taught us the 570 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:51,510 earth was created in six days exactly as 571 00:28:59,450 --> 00:28:55,530 the Bible described around 6,000 years 572 00:29:01,760 --> 00:28:59,460 ago and evolution is alive these kinds 573 00:29:03,950 --> 00:29:01,770 of beliefs shape your whole identity it 574 00:29:05,990 --> 00:29:03,960 affects how you interpret scientific 575 00:29:09,410 --> 00:29:06,000 information I have personal 576 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:09,420 understanding of how hard it can be to 577 00:29:14,260 --> 00:29:11,730 tear yourself away from a belief that 578 00:29:17,450 --> 00:29:14,270 has influenced your thinking for years 579 00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:17,460 when I realized no big coordinated 580 00:29:22,940 --> 00:29:19,310 deception by the scientific community 581 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:22,950 existed I began a painful process to 582 00:29:29,030 --> 00:29:25,850 accept a literal six-day creation was 583 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:29,040 incorrect it was never my intention to 584 00:29:35,180 --> 00:29:32,010 deliberately upset anyone and I'm sorry 585 00:29:37,490 --> 00:29:35,190 for any hurt caused this is why I have 586 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:37,500 directed this campaign towards the Royal 587 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:39,930 College of Veterinary Surgeons to be an 588 00:29:46,820 --> 00:29:43,950 impartial third party just like the rest 589 00:29:49,430 --> 00:29:46,830 of us homeopaths want what is best for 590 00:29:52,010 --> 00:29:49,440 animals under their care and what is 591 00:29:54,130 --> 00:29:52,020 best for the profession unfortunately 592 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:54,140 being well-intentioned 593 00:29:59,350 --> 00:29:56,810 and deluded is no substitute for being 594 00:30:01,840 --> 00:29:59,360 right especially when the cost of being 595 00:30:06,180 --> 00:30:01,850 wrong causes animals to suffer and 596 00:30:08,530 --> 00:30:06,190 brings the profession into disrepute and 597 00:30:10,690 --> 00:30:08,540 that was why the Royal College of 598 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:10,700 veterans must prevent vets from 599 00:30:14,650 --> 00:30:13,130 prescribing homeopathy written by dr. 600 00:30:33,010 --> 00:30:14,660 Danny chambers published in the 601 00:30:36,370 --> 00:30:33,020 veterinary times and now direct from the 602 00:30:43,330 --> 00:30:36,380 cafe at Australia's science channel its 603 00:30:45,610 --> 00:30:43,340 brouhaha with Casey Harrigan any time I 604 00:30:47,740 --> 00:30:45,620 see someone walking along all smugly 605 00:30:50,230 --> 00:30:47,750 holding party balloons I can't help but 606 00:30:53,590 --> 00:30:50,240 think oh we need that helium for science 607 00:30:55,330 --> 00:30:53,600 and I was right to until yesterday when 608 00:30:57,850 --> 00:30:55,340 researchers announced they discovered a 609 00:31:00,730 --> 00:30:57,860 huge helium gas field in the Rift Valley 610 00:31:03,070 --> 00:31:00,740 of Tanzania we're running out of a 611 00:31:04,690 --> 00:31:03,080 finite supply of helium because it 612 00:31:07,060 --> 00:31:04,700 literally slips through our fingers and 613 00:31:09,580 --> 00:31:07,070 shoots off through the atmosphere never 614 00:31:11,980 --> 00:31:09,590 to return this discovery gives us 615 00:31:14,710 --> 00:31:11,990 another seven years on our previous 20 616 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:14,720 year supply buying us more time to find 617 00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:16,970 even more helium reserves and get better 618 00:31:22,750 --> 00:31:20,210 at recycling what we do have it's seven 619 00:31:24,970 --> 00:31:22,760 extra years of MRI machines weather 620 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:24,980 balloons deep sea diving quantum 621 00:31:29,350 --> 00:31:27,170 computing Large Hadron Collider ring and 622 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:29,360 my personal favorite rocket engine 623 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:31,730 cleaning and yes but grudgingly I'll 624 00:31:36,490 --> 00:31:34,010 admit it seven extra is a party balloons 625 00:31:38,050 --> 00:31:36,500 but seriously what would you rather a 626 00:31:40,420 --> 00:31:38,060 balloon that makes you crane your neck 627 00:31:43,270 --> 00:31:40,430 to look at it or a fully functioning 628 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:43,280 rocket we need that helium for science 629 00:31:50,810 --> 00:31:46,450 guys science 630 00:31:53,460 --> 00:31:50,820 ah summer in the southern hemisphere 631 00:31:56,130 --> 00:31:53,470 cranking some tunes gazing out over the 632 00:31:59,040 --> 00:31:56,140 ocean and plowing through six meter deep 633 00:32:01,620 --> 00:31:59,050 snow to expose the road underneath yup 634 00:32:04,620 --> 00:32:01,630 summer is well and truly underway for 635 00:32:06,780 --> 00:32:04,630 the Ozzy's in Antarctica so while I'm 636 00:32:08,100 --> 00:32:06,790 drinking mojitos and splashing around at 637 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:08,110 the beach what will the summer 638 00:32:12,990 --> 00:32:09,910 highlights be for the intrepid folk 639 00:32:15,540 --> 00:32:13,000 calling Antarctica home first up the 640 00:32:17,820 --> 00:32:15,550 million-year ice core otherwise known as 641 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:17,830 the holy grail of climate science 642 00:32:21,630 --> 00:32:19,810 basically somewhere underneath 643 00:32:24,180 --> 00:32:21,640 Antarctica there's some ice that's a 644 00:32:26,790 --> 00:32:24,190 million years old and Australia is part 645 00:32:28,740 --> 00:32:26,800 of an international race to find it when 646 00:32:31,110 --> 00:32:28,750 we do it'll tell us all sorts of things 647 00:32:32,910 --> 00:32:31,120 about the history of our climate this 648 00:32:35,340 --> 00:32:32,920 summer will involve some preliminary 649 00:32:38,250 --> 00:32:35,350 drilling so that by 2020 we can track 650 00:32:41,070 --> 00:32:38,260 down the real thing meanwhile the 651 00:32:44,730 --> 00:32:41,080 largest ever all-female expedition to 652 00:32:46,580 --> 00:32:44,740 Antarctica is underway 76 women from all 653 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:46,590 sorts of scientific disciplines like 654 00:32:51,870 --> 00:32:49,930 astronomers engineers physicists doctors 655 00:32:53,700 --> 00:32:51,880 social scientists and teachers are 656 00:32:55,650 --> 00:32:53,710 chilling out together on the voyage as 657 00:32:58,050 --> 00:32:55,660 part of a larger project to develop 658 00:32:59,730 --> 00:32:58,060 women's leadership in science also 659 00:33:01,200 --> 00:32:59,740 because women should have just as many 660 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:01,210 opportunities to see penguins in the 661 00:33:07,810 --> 00:33:04,330 wild as men so no matter who you are or 662 00:33:11,170 --> 00:33:07,820 where you are have a great summer 663 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:11,180 for more brouhaha and Australian science 664 00:33:27,049 --> 00:33:16,130 head for ww Australia science TV 665 00:33:29,730 --> 00:33:27,059 [Music] 666 00:33:32,370 --> 00:33:29,740 see a stock simply idiot hey Sal who 667 00:33:34,590 --> 00:33:32,380 guys guys I just had the most amazing 668 00:33:36,450 --> 00:33:34,600 experience what experience unders unders 669 00:33:38,250 --> 00:33:36,460 have you been to the pub children not 670 00:33:40,740 --> 00:33:38,260 hang out with mash you know he was 671 00:33:43,230 --> 00:33:40,750 blessed by peter Popoff no yellow no i'm 672 00:33:45,630 --> 00:33:43,240 not talking about psychics it was a 673 00:33:47,250 --> 00:33:45,640 really SP experience now you have been 674 00:33:50,159 --> 00:33:47,260 to the pub either that or you've been 675 00:33:52,590 --> 00:33:50,169 smoking something no punches the ESP is 676 00:33:54,690 --> 00:33:52,600 the European skeptics podcast it's the 677 00:33:56,820 --> 00:33:54,700 most amazing thing you get to know so 678 00:33:59,669 --> 00:33:56,830 much about skeptics and their activities 679 00:34:01,770 --> 00:33:59,679 across Europe you know events hot topics 680 00:34:03,990 --> 00:34:01,780 and interviews with lots of interesting 681 00:34:05,730 --> 00:34:04,000 people oh wow cool by the way pointers 682 00:34:08,159 --> 00:34:05,740 you just come into the false dichotomy 683 00:34:11,010 --> 00:34:08,169 fallacy I guess that means I'm really 684 00:34:13,020 --> 00:34:11,020 wrong yep and you can even learn about 685 00:34:15,510 --> 00:34:13,030 those fallacies in the show and hear 686 00:34:17,790 --> 00:34:15,520 about people spreading silly ideas you 687 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:17,800 should really check it out it's the ESP 688 00:34:23,460 --> 00:34:20,770 the European skeptics podcast it's on 689 00:34:25,800 --> 00:34:23,470 never weak alright so where can I get 690 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:25,810 this is the experience it sounds good 691 00:34:31,530 --> 00:34:28,450 you can go online at the ESP do to you 692 00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:31,540 follow it on twitter at es podcast 693 00:34:36,690 --> 00:34:34,570 underscore EU or like the podcast on 694 00:34:39,750 --> 00:34:36,700 facebook oh and you can also contact the 695 00:34:43,590 --> 00:34:39,760 show by sending them an email to info at 696 00:34:45,629 --> 00:34:43,600 the ESPE you and if you want to 697 00:34:48,379 --> 00:34:45,639 subscribe do a quick search for the 698 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:48,389 european skeptic podcast on soundcloud 699 00:34:56,860 --> 00:34:51,770 itunes or stitcher 700 00:35:12,640 --> 00:34:56,870 I don't know I you can't believe 701 00:35:15,830 --> 00:35:12,650 [Music] 702 00:35:19,210 --> 00:35:15,840 well here we are the La Brea Tar Pits in 703 00:35:24,010 --> 00:35:19,220 beautiful Los Angeles on a cloudy day 704 00:35:28,520 --> 00:35:24,020 and we're looking over a vast swamp of 705 00:35:30,650 --> 00:35:28,530 oily goo and there's a model over there 706 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:30,660 of a master none I guess it is now I'm 707 00:35:35,030 --> 00:35:33,050 standing next to up-and-coming geologist 708 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:35,040 Andrew Dunning Andrew what are we 709 00:35:40,730 --> 00:35:37,890 looking at and what are those bubbles so 710 00:35:42,230 --> 00:35:40,740 this big lake here the most famous pit 711 00:35:43,970 --> 00:35:42,240 at the La Brea Tar Pits was an old 712 00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:43,980 asphalt mine that operated in the early 713 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:46,890 20th century and now that we've had a 714 00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:48,770 lot of rain recently there's a 715 00:35:53,690 --> 00:35:50,970 significant amount of water on top of it 716 00:35:55,550 --> 00:35:53,700 and you can see oil slicks and tar 717 00:35:57,680 --> 00:35:55,560 puddles on top of the water because as 718 00:35:59,840 --> 00:35:57,690 we know oil is less dense than water and 719 00:36:01,580 --> 00:35:59,850 there's lots of bubbles bubbling up 720 00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:01,590 through it smells quite strongly of 721 00:36:07,580 --> 00:36:05,310 methane and oil yep and these bubbles 722 00:36:09,620 --> 00:36:07,590 are produced by a unique several species 723 00:36:11,540 --> 00:36:09,630 of bacteria that are found probably 724 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:11,550 nowhere else in the world it's it so 725 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:13,050 it's an interesting view because what 726 00:36:16,820 --> 00:36:14,490 they've done is they've put that model 727 00:36:18,770 --> 00:36:16,830 of the mastodon over there as it's just 728 00:36:20,900 --> 00:36:18,780 about the staggering and we get caught 729 00:36:23,390 --> 00:36:20,910 in the Tar Pits which is exactly what 730 00:36:25,070 --> 00:36:23,400 this whole area is about which covers 731 00:36:27,170 --> 00:36:25,080 thousands upon thousands of years of 732 00:36:29,030 --> 00:36:27,180 history of this exact spot with animals 733 00:36:31,700 --> 00:36:29,040 wandering into the tar in getting stuck 734 00:36:33,770 --> 00:36:31,710 yeah that's exactly right there's a the 735 00:36:36,110 --> 00:36:33,780 museum here the page Museum at the La 736 00:36:37,610 --> 00:36:36,120 Brea Tar Pits has thousands upon 737 00:36:40,430 --> 00:36:37,620 thousands of fossils that have been 738 00:36:44,390 --> 00:36:40,440 excavated since the late 19th century 739 00:36:46,970 --> 00:36:44,400 here of various predators and animals 740 00:36:48,560 --> 00:36:46,980 and insects pollen all sorts of things 741 00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:48,570 that have been trapped in the sticky tar 742 00:36:52,910 --> 00:36:51,570 for thousands of years and what and will 743 00:36:55,190 --> 00:36:52,920 go in would you still outside the 744 00:36:57,230 --> 00:36:55,200 gardens will go in soon and I was here 745 00:36:59,870 --> 00:36:57,240 many years ago with Brian Dunning from 746 00:37:01,880 --> 00:36:59,880 skip toy calm oddly enough and one of 747 00:37:05,180 --> 00:37:01,890 the things that I remember strongly all 748 00:37:06,860 --> 00:37:05,190 the direwolves my goodness me over 749 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:06,870 hundreds and thousands of years all the 750 00:37:10,430 --> 00:37:08,490 direwolves that ended their lives right 751 00:37:13,310 --> 00:37:10,440 here being stuck in the in the Tar Pits 752 00:37:15,530 --> 00:37:13,320 it's quite incredible now speaking of 753 00:37:19,180 --> 00:37:15,540 internet type things I noticed that you 754 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:19,190 have a interesting series about geology 755 00:37:23,360 --> 00:37:21,210 you're filming at the moment what can 756 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:23,370 you tell us about that a few months ago 757 00:37:27,050 --> 00:37:24,690 i started a 758 00:37:30,890 --> 00:37:27,060 youtube series called better geology all 759 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:30,900 one word that is all about geology in 760 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:33,690 places I go Death Valley the Cascade 761 00:37:37,940 --> 00:37:36,450 Mountains in the northwest a lot of the 762 00:37:42,589 --> 00:37:37,950 videos I've been working on have been 763 00:37:45,410 --> 00:37:42,599 following the standard university level 764 00:37:47,390 --> 00:37:45,420 of geology curriculum that I've been 765 00:37:49,640 --> 00:37:47,400 going through and going through and 766 00:37:51,380 --> 00:37:49,650 elaborating on those topics one at a 767 00:37:54,559 --> 00:37:51,390 time they're short videos one to two 768 00:37:58,250 --> 00:37:54,569 minutes on average and I'm doing my best 769 00:37:59,930 --> 00:37:58,260 to explain basic principles of geology I 770 00:38:01,640 --> 00:37:59,940 think it's wonderful and how can people 771 00:38:03,530 --> 00:38:01,650 view those videos well they're on 772 00:38:06,470 --> 00:38:03,540 YouTube better geology is the channel 773 00:38:07,940 --> 00:38:06,480 name there's seven videos I think right 774 00:38:09,349 --> 00:38:07,950 now and i'm working on a whole bunch of 775 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:09,359 them that i filmed from my most recent 776 00:38:15,620 --> 00:38:13,410 trip in Death Valley and they should be 777 00:38:17,480 --> 00:38:15,630 coming up in the coming weeks excellent 778 00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:17,490 well folks look I'll definitely linked 779 00:38:22,730 --> 00:38:19,530 to better geology on the show notes so 780 00:38:24,770 --> 00:38:22,740 we better wander around now around pass 781 00:38:26,660 --> 00:38:24,780 this tree this is all fenced off of 782 00:38:28,849 --> 00:38:26,670 course but it's a giant black pool folks 783 00:38:32,300 --> 00:38:28,859 if you can imagine that with various 784 00:38:33,950 --> 00:38:32,310 models of animals about to go into the 785 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:33,960 tar in fact there's a poor master on 786 00:38:39,890 --> 00:38:36,690 over there and its death flows it seems 787 00:38:41,809 --> 00:38:39,900 to me and lots of bubbling bubbling 788 00:38:45,050 --> 00:38:41,819 methane and all sorts of things bubbling 789 00:38:46,520 --> 00:38:45,060 up now if you come to Los Angeles and 790 00:38:48,380 --> 00:38:46,530 you do the Hollywood to as well that's 791 00:38:51,260 --> 00:38:48,390 very great but don't miss the La Brea 792 00:38:53,059 --> 00:38:51,270 Tar Pits as my second time here and I 793 00:38:59,510 --> 00:38:53,069 can't wait to go back inside and look at 794 00:39:03,770 --> 00:38:59,520 all the the history and the science so 795 00:39:07,930 --> 00:39:03,780 we've now in the main exhibit area of 796 00:39:12,079 --> 00:39:07,940 the Tar Pits here what do we have here a 797 00:39:14,990 --> 00:39:12,089 ground sloth which is about two meters 798 00:39:16,760 --> 00:39:15,000 tall it's bigger than a grizzly bear 799 00:39:18,380 --> 00:39:16,770 much bigger than a grizzly bear and the 800 00:39:21,530 --> 00:39:18,390 rib cage is tremendous this is one of 801 00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:21,540 the creatures that was a dragged out of 802 00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:25,050 the Tar Pits and stood over six feet 803 00:39:31,630 --> 00:39:27,650 tall well absolutely probably more 804 00:39:34,750 --> 00:39:31,640 and since he weighed 1500 pounds which I 805 00:39:37,140 --> 00:39:34,760 can believe it's nice to see so many 806 00:39:40,020 --> 00:39:37,150 people here lots of kids milling around 807 00:39:43,420 --> 00:39:40,030 and there are guides talking about the 808 00:39:44,830 --> 00:39:43,430 the California Sabretooth and if we look 809 00:39:48,640 --> 00:39:44,840 in this little display there's one 810 00:39:50,770 --> 00:39:48,650 looking back at us and oh hello we're 811 00:39:52,450 --> 00:39:50,780 doing a podcast from Sydney Australia at 812 00:39:54,250 --> 00:39:52,460 the moment welcome welcome to Los 813 00:39:56,380 --> 00:39:54,260 Angeles thank you and your name is it's 814 00:39:58,120 --> 00:39:56,390 tricia chasm and you're one of the 815 00:40:01,000 --> 00:39:58,130 guides yeah I'm one of the volunteers 816 00:40:02,830 --> 00:40:01,010 here I used to come here as a child 30 817 00:40:04,480 --> 00:40:02,840 years ago so now I work here with the 818 00:40:07,090 --> 00:40:04,490 children in a program and this is a 819 00:40:09,100 --> 00:40:07,100 saber-toothed cat well and she's holding 820 00:40:11,740 --> 00:40:09,110 this remarkable scholar Zetas is that a 821 00:40:13,750 --> 00:40:11,750 real scholar or a cost is actually a 822 00:40:15,580 --> 00:40:13,760 cast because I'm very clumsy and I break 823 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:15,590 everything so they didn't trust me but 824 00:40:19,750 --> 00:40:17,450 yes everything else you see here was 825 00:40:21,460 --> 00:40:19,760 down in this area but it's tremendous I 826 00:40:25,090 --> 00:40:21,470 mean look at those saber teeth that 827 00:40:27,340 --> 00:40:25,100 amazingly amazing California is really a 828 00:40:29,490 --> 00:40:27,350 pot of gold there are so many amazing 829 00:40:32,830 --> 00:40:29,500 treasures that you can be found in 830 00:40:34,390 --> 00:40:32,840 California so I advise everyone instead 831 00:40:36,610 --> 00:40:34,400 of going there's a million places you 832 00:40:38,200 --> 00:40:36,620 can see a beautiful oceans and beautiful 833 00:40:41,950 --> 00:40:38,210 mountains but where can you actually 834 00:40:44,980 --> 00:40:41,960 come and find things like this and touch 835 00:40:47,560 --> 00:40:44,990 them and the kids can play and it's an 836 00:40:49,780 --> 00:40:47,570 amazing time to come and especially in 837 00:40:51,190 --> 00:40:49,790 the middle of a city it is and I'm 838 00:40:53,290 --> 00:40:51,200 pleased to see so many people here 839 00:40:56,260 --> 00:40:53,300 milling around lots of children and when 840 00:41:00,130 --> 00:40:56,270 about when these poor creatures the 841 00:41:02,440 --> 00:41:00,140 saber-toothed cats is a saber-toothed 842 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:02,450 cats is a saber-toothed cat yes most 843 00:41:08,080 --> 00:41:04,610 people think it's a tiger but it's not 844 00:41:10,290 --> 00:41:08,090 it's a cat yes but they've been around 845 00:41:12,430 --> 00:41:10,300 quite a long time and we have found 846 00:41:15,490 --> 00:41:12,440 hundreds of these so this was a very 847 00:41:18,880 --> 00:41:15,500 prime area there was a lot of marshes a 848 00:41:20,920 --> 00:41:18,890 lot of hunting a lot of plans there it 849 00:41:23,350 --> 00:41:20,930 was just such a great breeding area 850 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:23,360 that's why we found so many dot like the 851 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:25,610 direwolf yeah if you've seen how many 852 00:41:31,450 --> 00:41:28,490 we've found a mini what we're finding 853 00:41:33,490 --> 00:41:31,460 today we have people excavators outside 854 00:41:34,050 --> 00:41:33,500 so just today every day we're finding 855 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:34,060 new things 856 00:41:39,600 --> 00:41:38,170 that's incredible job security well 857 00:41:41,190 --> 00:41:39,610 thank you for showing me that it's hard 858 00:41:42,960 --> 00:41:41,200 to describe to the listen is exactly 859 00:41:44,760 --> 00:41:42,970 what we're looking at but it's a 860 00:41:47,190 --> 00:41:44,770 tremendous it's a really impressive 861 00:41:49,950 --> 00:41:47,200 skull and i'm sure those teeth could 862 00:41:52,050 --> 00:41:49,960 have done some oh yeah Oh much much 863 00:41:53,730 --> 00:41:52,060 damage but welcome to Los Angeles and 864 00:41:55,740 --> 00:41:53,740 everyone is welcome please come and 865 00:41:57,540 --> 00:41:55,750 enjoy the Tar Pits and the Natural 866 00:42:01,400 --> 00:41:57,550 History Museum anytime we are always 867 00:42:07,020 --> 00:42:01,410 welcome thank you it's a woolly mammoth 868 00:42:11,220 --> 00:42:07,030 the great curved tusks so my god a model 869 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:11,230 it's swaying if I walk just behind it 870 00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:18,730 this a skeleton hear of a mammoth which 871 00:42:26,460 --> 00:42:22,210 is I couldn't have said it better myself 872 00:42:29,430 --> 00:42:26,470 it's huge Andrew Dunning this is a huge 873 00:42:33,450 --> 00:42:29,440 animal yes it is it's all you have to 874 00:42:36,450 --> 00:42:33,460 say about food I'd say the leg bones and 875 00:42:39,840 --> 00:42:36,460 the shoulder blades are their enormous 876 00:42:41,880 --> 00:42:39,850 far bigger than probably most modern 877 00:42:45,540 --> 00:42:41,890 elephants except for the largest African 878 00:42:48,030 --> 00:42:45,550 Bulls the the for the forearms and the 879 00:42:50,310 --> 00:42:48,040 four legs are at the widest probably 880 00:42:53,340 --> 00:42:50,320 between six and eight inches wide their 881 00:42:55,560 --> 00:42:53,350 narrowest there they're just massive 882 00:42:57,450 --> 00:42:55,570 yeah it's hard to describe the scale if 883 00:43:00,230 --> 00:42:57,460 we walk around here we can actually 884 00:43:03,870 --> 00:43:00,240 stand under the tusks which are 885 00:43:06,780 --> 00:43:03,880 tremendously long and curved right 886 00:43:09,600 --> 00:43:06,790 around again it's hard to describe the 887 00:43:13,560 --> 00:43:09,610 scale of this this animal it's almost 888 00:43:15,810 --> 00:43:13,570 like looking in a dinosaur museum and 889 00:43:19,590 --> 00:43:15,820 seeing a reasonably large dinosaur but 890 00:43:22,670 --> 00:43:19,600 this is a mammal now this is a working 891 00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:22,680 scientific institution and where it do 892 00:43:29,790 --> 00:43:25,810 the big glass case here with the 893 00:43:33,590 --> 00:43:29,800 paleontology laboratory and through the 894 00:43:36,390 --> 00:43:33,600 glass here we can see one two three 895 00:43:38,400 --> 00:43:36,400 scientists hard at work sorting out 896 00:43:40,890 --> 00:43:38,410 miniature fossils and they are looking 897 00:43:42,990 --> 00:43:40,900 for tiny little bits of bone fragment 898 00:43:45,170 --> 00:43:43,000 right in front of us and what they're 899 00:43:47,850 --> 00:43:45,180 looking at through the microscope is 900 00:43:50,250 --> 00:43:47,860 also projected on a large screen so we 901 00:43:53,160 --> 00:43:50,260 can easy exactly the tiny fragments 902 00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:53,170 these scientists are trying to discover 903 00:43:57,960 --> 00:43:54,810 and there's a row of magma of 904 00:44:01,200 --> 00:43:57,970 microscopes along here with various 905 00:44:04,920 --> 00:44:01,210 displays and animals so it's a it's a 906 00:44:07,260 --> 00:44:04,930 fascinating place it really is an 907 00:44:10,410 --> 00:44:07,270 interesting worthwhile place to come to 908 00:44:14,010 --> 00:44:10,420 as I walk around lots of displays and 909 00:44:16,310 --> 00:44:14,020 skulls and skeletons and we could see 910 00:44:18,420 --> 00:44:16,320 here some of the history of the Tar Pits 911 00:44:21,120 --> 00:44:18,430 dating back to the early part of last 912 00:44:26,100 --> 00:44:21,130 century with photographs of excavations 913 00:44:27,780 --> 00:44:26,110 and lots of bones in another window here 914 00:44:31,950 --> 00:44:27,790 we can look right into a scientist hard 915 00:44:36,570 --> 00:44:31,960 at work cataloguing and she's got camel 916 00:44:39,240 --> 00:44:36,580 bones camels camels yeah they're 917 00:44:41,220 --> 00:44:39,250 cataloguing camels and there's all these 918 00:44:42,870 --> 00:44:41,230 bones laid out in front of us and the 919 00:44:45,260 --> 00:44:42,880 scientists behind the glass panel 920 00:44:47,339 --> 00:44:45,270 there's it's got a little 921 00:44:50,099 --> 00:44:47,349 photographic what does the knife no 922 00:44:52,349 --> 00:44:50,109 sudden i phone a savvy do camera sort of 923 00:44:57,510 --> 00:44:52,359 device anyway and she's busily 924 00:44:59,400 --> 00:44:57,520 photographing endless camel bones well 925 00:45:01,109 --> 00:44:59,410 camels used to be quite common in this 926 00:45:04,589 --> 00:45:01,119 part of California until the end of the 927 00:45:06,390 --> 00:45:04,599 last ice age when the climate changed 928 00:45:10,950 --> 00:45:06,400 and eventually it became inhabitable for 929 00:45:14,010 --> 00:45:10,960 them so they died what a pity that's 930 00:45:16,020 --> 00:45:14,020 just too bad I'm sorry to hear that but 931 00:45:27,930 --> 00:45:16,030 I didn't I didn't remember that that the 932 00:45:31,260 --> 00:45:27,940 Campbells used to be here well now the 933 00:45:33,870 --> 00:45:31,270 display here with just the one bone from 934 00:45:37,230 --> 00:45:33,880 a condor but there are hundreds and 935 00:45:39,599 --> 00:45:37,240 hundreds on display almost all identical 936 00:45:42,960 --> 00:45:39,609 they vary in length only a couple of 937 00:45:44,820 --> 00:45:42,970 millimeters really and then Andrew 938 00:45:49,560 --> 00:45:44,830 Dunning from better geology is counting 939 00:45:52,230 --> 00:45:49,570 them all so it's 7 by 75 which is when 940 00:45:55,250 --> 00:45:52,240 he gets out his calculator because I 941 00:46:00,060 --> 00:45:55,260 can't do these quick mathematics 525 942 00:46:02,279 --> 00:46:00,070 lower right leg bones from condors it's 943 00:46:05,459 --> 00:46:02,289 a Lubbock indoors it's a lot of condos 944 00:46:07,949 --> 00:46:05,469 well now here's a skeleton of a coyote 945 00:46:11,429 --> 00:46:07,959 looking up to a tree with a skeleton of 946 00:46:13,859 --> 00:46:11,439 a condor or two and there's a point here 947 00:46:16,969 --> 00:46:13,869 to be made about evolution I think yeah 948 00:46:20,759 --> 00:46:16,979 so the coyote skeleton here is probably 949 00:46:23,069 --> 00:46:20,769 about about a meter tall I'd say by 950 00:46:24,900 --> 00:46:23,079 about a meter long minus the tail and 951 00:46:27,900 --> 00:46:24,910 they're much bigger than that in this 952 00:46:31,199 --> 00:46:27,910 part of the country today back when 953 00:46:32,669 --> 00:46:31,209 these were deposited as fossils and they 954 00:46:34,439 --> 00:46:32,679 got stuck in the tar and died they were 955 00:46:36,900 --> 00:46:34,449 a lot smaller because there was much 956 00:46:39,359 --> 00:46:36,910 more competition from the wolves and the 957 00:46:41,339 --> 00:46:39,369 American lions and mountain lions and 958 00:46:43,529 --> 00:46:41,349 saber-toothed cats and a whole wealth of 959 00:46:45,299 --> 00:46:43,539 other predators and as those other 960 00:46:47,489 --> 00:46:45,309 predators slowly went extinct over 961 00:46:48,929 --> 00:46:47,499 thousands of years the coyotes were able 962 00:46:51,299 --> 00:46:48,939 to get bigger and now as we see them 963 00:46:54,749 --> 00:46:51,309 today they're three and a half to four 964 00:46:56,579 --> 00:46:54,759 feet tall now at the head maybe by about 965 00:46:58,049 --> 00:46:56,589 as long they're much bigger creatures 966 00:46:59,880 --> 00:46:58,059 today than they were though they're like 967 00:47:02,519 --> 00:46:59,890 the ones we see on the TV in the movies 968 00:47:05,309 --> 00:47:02,529 yeah a familiar yeah so we've come to 969 00:47:08,159 --> 00:47:05,319 another section I just around the corner 970 00:47:11,159 --> 00:47:08,169 here where it's a long wall of pictures 971 00:47:13,259 --> 00:47:11,169 and each panel represents 2,000 years of 972 00:47:15,179 --> 00:47:13,269 history and starting back thirty eight 973 00:47:17,549 --> 00:47:15,189 thousand years ago and it progresses and 974 00:47:22,019 --> 00:47:17,559 we can see the animals that came and 975 00:47:24,449 --> 00:47:22,029 went and when we reach the 22,000 year 976 00:47:27,179 --> 00:47:24,459 mark twenty two thousand years ago there 977 00:47:30,089 --> 00:47:27,189 are the camels the camels that they used 978 00:47:33,839 --> 00:47:30,099 to roam this part of North America and 979 00:47:35,969 --> 00:47:33,849 we come along to the panel that says ten 980 00:47:39,950 --> 00:47:35,979 thousand years ago and there's a picture 981 00:47:47,010 --> 00:47:43,650 in situations and the panel says the 982 00:47:50,220 --> 00:47:47,020 remains of only one human 25 to 30 years 983 00:47:52,050 --> 00:47:50,230 of age have been found in the pits the 984 00:47:54,180 --> 00:47:52,060 structure of her skull indicates that 985 00:47:57,840 --> 00:47:54,190 she was related to the channel island 986 00:47:59,790 --> 00:47:57,850 Indians this is the way labrea woman may 987 00:48:01,590 --> 00:47:59,800 have a beard with the picture so 988 00:48:03,660 --> 00:48:01,600 described so that's interesting the 989 00:48:05,280 --> 00:48:03,670 whole history of this area and all the 990 00:48:08,430 --> 00:48:05,290 thousands upon thousands of bones are 991 00:48:10,410 --> 00:48:08,440 getting out only one human has been 992 00:48:12,510 --> 00:48:10,420 discovered it's pretty amazing uh they 993 00:48:15,090 --> 00:48:12,520 may have known that the Tar Pits were 994 00:48:17,310 --> 00:48:15,100 not a not a good place to go that you 995 00:48:19,110 --> 00:48:17,320 could get stuck in and it from my 996 00:48:21,090 --> 00:48:19,120 further reading it is determined that 997 00:48:22,770 --> 00:48:21,100 she may have been interred in the Tar 998 00:48:24,810 --> 00:48:22,780 Pits ceremonially I was thinking that 999 00:48:27,270 --> 00:48:24,820 could have been the case that instead of 1000 00:48:28,950 --> 00:48:27,280 her wandering in and getting stuck that 1001 00:48:32,540 --> 00:48:28,960 humans might have been a bit too clever 1002 00:48:35,340 --> 00:48:32,550 for that that they could have done that 1003 00:48:37,020 --> 00:48:35,350 there's a very good record of ceremonial 1004 00:48:39,780 --> 00:48:37,030 burials all over the American Southwest 1005 00:48:44,370 --> 00:48:39,790 dating back tens of thousands of years 1006 00:48:47,310 --> 00:48:44,380 the earliest that's one of them now I 1007 00:48:49,650 --> 00:48:47,320 think they've come back to life but the 1008 00:48:51,780 --> 00:48:49,660 the oldest human burial sites that i 1009 00:48:57,180 --> 00:48:51,790 know of date back about 8,000 years in 1010 00:48:58,590 --> 00:48:57,190 the death valley area there's so much 1011 00:49:00,660 --> 00:48:58,600 tar in this one is because that's where 1012 00:49:04,200 --> 00:49:00,670 they bubble and that's where they put 1013 00:49:06,180 --> 00:49:04,210 all of the stuff that they dig out we're 1014 00:49:07,680 --> 00:49:06,190 back out in the garden the grounds i 1015 00:49:10,170 --> 00:49:07,690 should say again we're walking around to 1016 00:49:12,780 --> 00:49:10,180 an active excavation and we're walking 1017 00:49:15,860 --> 00:49:12,790 through fenced off Tar Pits and I'm 1018 00:49:19,320 --> 00:49:15,870 delighted to say when we're in there 1019 00:49:22,410 --> 00:49:19,330 there's tyronn fe we're stepping into 1020 00:49:26,730 --> 00:49:22,420 I'm not delighted to say that we 1021 00:49:29,550 --> 00:49:26,740 actually made a little better geology 1022 00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:29,560 video which andrew will no doubt be 1023 00:49:36,180 --> 00:49:33,450 editing soon so you can marvel at that 1024 00:49:38,730 --> 00:49:36,190 hopefully before long now just walk down 1025 00:49:41,340 --> 00:49:38,740 these steps lots of little buildings 1026 00:49:44,850 --> 00:49:41,350 like temporary buildings here coming up 1027 00:49:47,190 --> 00:49:44,860 to one that says pit 91 and on the 1028 00:49:49,140 --> 00:49:47,200 outside of the building that actually 1029 00:49:51,520 --> 00:49:49,150 shows you the animals they've excavated 1030 00:49:56,440 --> 00:49:51,530 from the pit and how many 1031 00:49:58,150 --> 00:49:56,450 so we'll just walk inside and it's like 1032 00:50:00,160 --> 00:49:58,160 a little viewing platform and we look 1033 00:50:03,610 --> 00:50:00,170 down through the glass into one of the 1034 00:50:07,720 --> 00:50:03,620 pits which is bubbling like crazy down 1035 00:50:09,510 --> 00:50:07,730 there it's all sort of like you see in 1036 00:50:14,170 --> 00:50:09,520 the movies they've got the grid pattern 1037 00:50:16,000 --> 00:50:14,180 but it's just a really dark pit which 1038 00:50:22,030 --> 00:50:16,010 they have to go into to retrieve the 1039 00:50:24,490 --> 00:50:22,040 bones well the day here at the La Brea 1040 00:50:28,840 --> 00:50:24,500 Tar Pits the page museum is coming to an 1041 00:50:31,810 --> 00:50:28,850 end Andrew we were just looking at the 1042 00:50:33,880 --> 00:50:31,820 poor mamus they're stuck in the old some 1043 00:50:36,220 --> 00:50:33,890 more gas coming up this this segment 1044 00:50:38,410 --> 00:50:36,230 it's today it's like how much thought 1045 00:50:40,510 --> 00:50:38,420 there's someone underneath for the straw 1046 00:50:41,740 --> 00:50:40,520 going and every now and then they have 1047 00:50:44,020 --> 00:50:41,750 to come up for air but there's lots of 1048 00:50:46,330 --> 00:50:44,030 natural gas coming up yeah the bubbles 1049 00:50:48,880 --> 00:50:46,340 are coming up all the time 24 hours a 1050 00:50:50,290 --> 00:50:48,890 day the thousands thousands of years as 1051 00:50:52,480 --> 00:50:50,300 long as the Tar Pits have been here they 1052 00:50:54,550 --> 00:50:52,490 will always continue to bubble up 1053 00:50:56,530 --> 00:50:54,560 methane from underground it's amazing 1054 00:50:57,940 --> 00:50:56,540 place so once again our recommendation 1055 00:50:59,890 --> 00:50:57,950 from the skeptic zone to you dear 1056 00:51:02,200 --> 00:50:59,900 listener if you're in Los Angeles make 1057 00:51:04,150 --> 00:51:02,210 sure you spare some time for the Brea 1058 00:51:06,299 --> 00:51:04,160 Tar Pits 1059 00:51:09,799 --> 00:51:06,309 [Music] 1060 00:51:13,650 --> 00:51:09,809 and now I find myself in a giant hangar 1061 00:51:17,999 --> 00:51:13,660 which displays the space shuttle 1062 00:51:23,579 --> 00:51:18,009 endeavour and it is a remarkable sight 1063 00:51:27,329 --> 00:51:23,589 its close-up it's not as clean and white 1064 00:51:30,059 --> 00:51:27,339 as you might imagine it's got obvious 1065 00:51:34,140 --> 00:51:30,069 signs of space wear and tear I guess you 1066 00:51:36,870 --> 00:51:34,150 would say but it is just magnificent to 1067 00:51:38,999 --> 00:51:36,880 be in the same building as a space 1068 00:51:41,609 --> 00:51:39,009 shuttle and I can walk right around it 1069 00:51:45,839 --> 00:51:41,619 and underneath it and look up to the 1070 00:51:48,109 --> 00:51:45,849 huge thin at the back the tail and I'm 1071 00:51:52,259 --> 00:51:48,119 approaching the front of Endeavour now 1072 00:51:55,019 --> 00:51:52,269 retro rocket ports along the back here 1073 00:51:58,099 --> 00:51:55,029 at the front to Andrew Dunning it's a 1074 00:52:00,660 --> 00:51:58,109 spectacular sight yes it is and you 1075 00:52:02,370 --> 00:52:00,670 could spend hours in here just inspect 1076 00:52:04,739 --> 00:52:02,380 and you when you get up close you can 1077 00:52:07,319 --> 00:52:04,749 actually read the individual tiles which 1078 00:52:09,539 --> 00:52:07,329 is interesting and you'll notice that 1079 00:52:11,910 --> 00:52:09,549 each individual tile has an individual 1080 00:52:14,459 --> 00:52:11,920 serial number yeah which was you need to 1081 00:52:16,979 --> 00:52:14,469 keep track of them very closely so if 1082 00:52:18,479 --> 00:52:16,989 any of them went wrong or had the 1083 00:52:21,029 --> 00:52:18,489 slightest defect they can be tracked 1084 00:52:22,949 --> 00:52:21,039 down they did ultrasonic testing of 1085 00:52:24,660 --> 00:52:22,959 every individual tile before it went up 1086 00:52:26,609 --> 00:52:24,670 to make sure they were all all in 1087 00:52:29,069 --> 00:52:26,619 working order because as we remember 1088 00:52:32,219 --> 00:52:29,079 from the Columbia one wrong tile can 1089 00:52:34,259 --> 00:52:32,229 make the whole thing so again yeah and I 1090 00:52:36,229 --> 00:52:34,269 what I find interesting is so if we walk 1091 00:52:39,719 --> 00:52:36,239 up closer to the edge here to the side 1092 00:52:43,519 --> 00:52:39,729 now we're on the the left front side of 1093 00:52:46,669 --> 00:52:43,529 the Space Shuttle under the cockpit and 1094 00:52:50,489 --> 00:52:46,679 we've got writing here for exam exhaust 1095 00:52:52,949 --> 00:52:50,499 but a purge poured over there and escape 1096 00:52:55,109 --> 00:52:52,959 instructions or big arrows to where the 1097 00:52:58,289 --> 00:52:55,119 escape is and on the other side there is 1098 00:53:00,239 --> 00:52:58,299 equal it's like on racing cars you see 1099 00:53:02,429 --> 00:53:00,249 things on the outside say battery here 1100 00:53:05,099 --> 00:53:02,439 and all this sort of thing so the same 1101 00:53:08,789 --> 00:53:05,109 was on the space shuttle now I'm walking 1102 00:53:11,290 --> 00:53:08,799 right under the very nose right of the 1103 00:53:14,010 --> 00:53:11,300 front of the space shuttle 1104 00:53:17,800 --> 00:53:14,020 where you can see the scoring and the 1105 00:53:21,070 --> 00:53:17,810 marking and again each tile is 1106 00:53:23,680 --> 00:53:21,080 individually labeled I guess I'm about 1107 00:53:26,100 --> 00:53:23,690 five feet under the the tip of the nose 1108 00:53:28,840 --> 00:53:26,110 walking around to the other side now and 1109 00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:28,850 the views are magnificent looking down 1110 00:53:35,380 --> 00:53:30,170 the side of the space shuttle to the 1111 00:53:40,630 --> 00:53:35,390 back wings or the wings now clear around 1112 00:53:43,000 --> 00:53:40,640 the other side I can look up under the 1113 00:53:49,240 --> 00:53:43,010 cockpit and cut here for emergency 1114 00:53:52,450 --> 00:53:49,250 rescue and so on and so forth and also 1115 00:53:56,290 --> 00:53:52,460 here are details of every shuttle 1116 00:53:57,910 --> 00:53:56,300 mission and other displays so another 1117 00:54:00,850 --> 00:53:57,920 wonderful thing to do if you find 1118 00:54:03,490 --> 00:54:00,860 yourself in Los Angeles it's well worth 1119 00:54:08,370 --> 00:54:03,500 your time to see this or inspiring space 1120 00:54:23,839 --> 00:54:20,949 [Music] 1121 00:54:27,889 --> 00:54:23,849 amazing news for supporters of Maynard 1122 00:54:31,149 --> 00:54:27,899 calm today you and maynards podcasts you 1123 00:54:36,889 --> 00:54:31,159 are entitled yes you you are entitled to 1124 00:54:38,929 --> 00:54:36,899 download the 2017 Maynard calendar be 1125 00:54:41,749 --> 00:54:38,939 the first person on your block and your 1126 00:54:44,630 --> 00:54:41,759 city perhaps even your country to own 1127 00:54:47,929 --> 00:54:44,640 the 2017 Maynard calendar yes spend 1128 00:54:51,319 --> 00:54:47,939 every month with me nerd for more 1129 00:54:54,019 --> 00:54:51,329 information visit www ma not calm day 1130 00:54:58,699 --> 00:54:54,029 you and send may not a message asking 1131 00:55:00,680 --> 00:54:58,709 about your 2017 Maynard downloadable 1132 00:55:16,719 --> 00:55:00,690 printable calendar 1133 00:55:21,400 --> 00:55:19,249 thank you for listening to the skeptic 1134 00:55:23,839 --> 00:55:21,410 zone and thank you to up-and-coming 1135 00:55:26,059 --> 00:55:23,849 geologist Andrew Dunning don't forget to 1136 00:55:30,170 --> 00:55:26,069 check out his YouTube videos at better 1137 00:55:34,969 --> 00:55:30,180 geology link on the show notes always 1138 00:55:37,489 --> 00:55:34,979 good to support promote encourage young 1139 00:55:40,910 --> 00:55:37,499 scientists coming up next week on the 1140 00:55:43,489 --> 00:55:40,920 show some more interviews from QED with 1141 00:55:46,249 --> 00:55:43,499 Iran sir give I thought I thought I'd 1142 00:55:48,920 --> 00:55:46,259 used them all up but when I came back to 1143 00:55:50,799 --> 00:55:48,930 Australia and I looked on my drive where 1144 00:55:53,329 --> 00:55:50,809 I keep some of the show files I 1145 00:55:55,819 --> 00:55:53,339 discovered some more interviews from QED 1146 00:55:58,099 --> 00:55:55,829 wonderful stuff again thank you to Iran 1147 00:56:00,249 --> 00:55:58,109 circuit for doing all that work over in 1148 00:56:03,890 --> 00:56:00,259 Manchester so next week some more 1149 00:56:05,719 --> 00:56:03,900 interviews from QED now before I go 1150 00:56:10,640 --> 00:56:05,729 every now and then on the skeptic zone I 1151 00:56:13,910 --> 00:56:10,650 like to give a a recommendation of this 1152 00:56:17,749 --> 00:56:13,920 that or the other and today I'd like to 1153 00:56:20,420 --> 00:56:17,759 recommend an app an app called prompt 1154 00:56:22,880 --> 00:56:20,430 smart now again there's no kick back to 1155 00:56:24,979 --> 00:56:22,890 me I get nothing out of this but I found 1156 00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:24,989 it incredibly useful and maybe you will 1157 00:56:30,890 --> 00:56:28,170 too it's a like an autocue program which 1158 00:56:34,370 --> 00:56:30,900 listens to your voice and progresses the 1159 00:56:36,829 --> 00:56:34,380 text at the speed you speak it's really 1160 00:56:38,239 --> 00:56:36,839 handy and I even used it in this week's 1161 00:56:40,519 --> 00:56:38,249 show when I was reading out that letter 1162 00:56:43,339 --> 00:56:40,529 from Danny chambers now I think it's 1163 00:56:46,489 --> 00:56:43,349 only available for iOS devices at the 1164 00:56:48,140 --> 00:56:46,499 moment but if you are a podcaster or you 1165 00:56:51,140 --> 00:56:48,150 need to read scripts or something like 1166 00:56:53,089 --> 00:56:51,150 that then yes I could recommend prompts 1167 00:56:54,769 --> 00:56:53,099 part thank you once again to those 1168 00:56:58,370 --> 00:56:54,779 people who contribute to the skeptic 1169 00:57:00,440 --> 00:56:58,380 zone and pity on or just a direct via 1170 00:57:03,890 --> 00:57:00,450 paypal you can do that at skeptic zone 1171 00:57:07,190 --> 00:57:03,900 dot TV without your support every week 1172 00:57:09,079 --> 00:57:07,200 the show simply couldn't go ahead so I 1173 00:57:10,789 --> 00:57:09,089 hope everybody enjoys the skeptic zone 1174 00:57:14,120 --> 00:57:10,799 that those people who do contribute I 1175 00:57:17,900 --> 00:57:14,130 hope you get that extra extra enjoyment 1176 00:57:19,519 --> 00:57:17,910 but i think it's now time for me to to 1177 00:57:21,950 --> 00:57:19,529 have a little rest on the couch while I 1178 00:57:23,839 --> 00:57:21,960 get over this last bit of jet lag thank 1179 00:57:25,640 --> 00:57:23,849 you once again for listening and for 1180 00:57:26,840 --> 00:57:25,650 this week this is Richard Saunders 1181 00:57:32,930 --> 00:57:26,850 signing off 1182 00:57:34,600 --> 00:57:32,940 from Sydney Australia you've been 1183 00:57:38,090 --> 00:57:34,610 listening to the skeptics own podcast 1184 00:57:41,150 --> 00:57:38,100 visit our website at wwc a petting zoo 1185 00:57:45,050 --> 00:57:41,160 TV for contacts and archive of all 1186 00:57:47,330 --> 00:57:45,060 episodes since 2008 and our online store 1187 00:57:50,050 --> 00:57:47,340 please support the skeptic zone by 1188 00:57:53,060 --> 00:57:50,060 following us on twitter at skeptic zone 1189 00:57:56,120 --> 00:57:53,070 liking us on facebook and leaving a 1190 00:57:59,000 --> 00:57:56,130 review on iTunes you can also show your 1191 00:58:02,450 --> 00:57:59,010 support by subscribing via PayPal or as 1192 00:58:04,820 --> 00:58:02,460 little as 99 cents a week the skeptic 1193 00:58:06,500 --> 00:58:04,830 zone is an independent production the 1194 00:58:08,600 --> 00:58:06,510 views and opinions expressed on the 1195 00:58:11,290 --> 00:58:08,610 skeptic zone and not necessarily those 1196 00:58:13,470 --> 00:58:11,300 of Australian skeptics or any other