1 00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:06,120 [Music] 2 00:00:11,890 --> 00:00:09,130 welcome to the skeptic zone the podcast 3 00:00:22,980 --> 00:00:11,900 from Australia for science and reason 4 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:22,990 [Music] 5 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:25,490 yes it's the skeptic zone podcast 6 00:00:35,110 --> 00:00:31,040 episode number 550 good grief for the 7 00:00:36,939 --> 00:00:35,120 fifth of May 2019 Richard Saunders here 8 00:00:38,830 --> 00:00:36,949 with you from Sydney Australia what a 9 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:38,840 big day we had yesterday folks the 10 00:00:45,759 --> 00:00:42,010 Australian skeptics we had our flu 11 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:45,769 vaccination day here in Sydney and it 12 00:00:50,890 --> 00:00:48,710 was a it was quite a success I certainly 13 00:00:52,990 --> 00:00:50,900 got my flu vaccination lots of people 14 00:00:55,810 --> 00:00:53,000 rolled up to get their flu vaccination a 15 00:00:58,000 --> 00:00:55,820 report coming up on next week's show 16 00:01:01,840 --> 00:00:58,010 because it just happened and I need time 17 00:01:04,260 --> 00:01:01,850 to edit all that together and then after 18 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:04,270 all that in the evening I went to 19 00:01:10,450 --> 00:01:07,850 Maenads Love Shack number two in glebe 20 00:01:12,999 --> 00:01:10,460 at the red bar and what a fun night that 21 00:01:14,859 --> 00:01:13,009 was in fact that was such a success 22 00:01:17,620 --> 00:01:14,869 that's going to be a Love Shack number 23 00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:17,630 three and you really haven't lived until 24 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:20,990 you've seen Maynard in action as a DJ 25 00:01:25,870 --> 00:01:23,330 but what's coming up on this week's show 26 00:01:28,899 --> 00:01:25,880 this week's show we have Jessica singer 27 00:01:32,260 --> 00:01:28,909 from the Australian skeptics talking 28 00:01:36,609 --> 00:01:32,270 about a visit to skeptics in the pub in 29 00:01:38,649 --> 00:01:36,619 London and the the segment does give 30 00:01:41,499 --> 00:01:38,659 general advice and insights about 31 00:01:42,969 --> 00:01:41,509 running as skeptics in the pub I've been 32 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:42,979 to quite a few skeptics in the pub 33 00:01:48,370 --> 00:01:45,970 around the world skeptics in the pubs 34 00:01:50,499 --> 00:01:48,380 skeptic in the pubs around the world 35 00:01:53,530 --> 00:01:50,509 it's a great opportunity to get together 36 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:53,540 in a very informal way to chat about 37 00:01:58,270 --> 00:01:56,450 skepticism and science advice tips and 38 00:02:01,719 --> 00:01:58,280 insights about running skeptics in the 39 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:01,729 pub coming up on this week's show and we 40 00:02:10,389 --> 00:02:08,570 have M SSX what is M SSX the Merseyside 41 00:02:12,850 --> 00:02:10,399 skeptics are having their 10 year 42 00:02:15,850 --> 00:02:12,860 anniversary we speak to Alice howarth 43 00:02:18,850 --> 00:02:15,860 and Laurie Phillips and see what they've 44 00:02:22,060 --> 00:02:18,860 got cooked up lined up in the pipeline 45 00:02:24,550 --> 00:02:22,070 for their 10 year anniversary also this 46 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:24,560 week we look at astrology an article by 47 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:26,570 Ron Reagan the son of Ronald and Nancy 48 00:02:31,979 --> 00:02:29,330 Reagan about his mother's belief in 49 00:02:34,180 --> 00:02:31,989 astrology and we play a clip from 50 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:34,190 Australian TV decades ago 51 00:02:39,970 --> 00:02:37,310 we're astrologers were debating skeptics 52 00:02:42,850 --> 00:02:39,980 and around off the show Maynard heads 53 00:02:45,700 --> 00:02:42,860 for skeptics in the pub and chats to 54 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:45,710 pubs and ask the big question should 55 00:02:53,050 --> 00:02:48,610 Australian skeptics carry on with our 56 00:02:54,490 --> 00:02:53,060 $100,000 prize for anybody who can prove 57 00:02:57,250 --> 00:02:54,500 their claim of the paranormal the 58 00:02:59,320 --> 00:02:57,260 supernatural now over recent years the 59 00:03:00,880 --> 00:02:59,330 James Randi Educational Foundation z-- 1 60 00:03:03,190 --> 00:03:00,890 million dollar prize has really been 61 00:03:04,210 --> 00:03:03,200 pushed to the background and it's not so 62 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:04,220 active anymore 63 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:06,110 however the Australian skeptics still 64 00:03:12,070 --> 00:03:09,170 have an upfront offer of $100,000 and we 65 00:03:15,340 --> 00:03:12,080 get the opinion of pub goers is this a 66 00:03:17,500 --> 00:03:15,350 good thing or is it dated more 67 00:03:19,420 --> 00:03:17,510 announcements from me at the end of the 68 00:03:21,850 --> 00:03:19,430 show but now it's time for me to run 69 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:21,860 downstairs being careful not to wake up 70 00:03:32,050 --> 00:03:26,690 the sleeping cat behind me no hear any I 71 00:03:37,030 --> 00:03:32,060 just woke her up dude no she's sleeping 72 00:03:39,699 --> 00:03:37,040 in a plastic box run downstairs make 73 00:03:41,979 --> 00:03:39,709 myself some mushrooms on toast or I'm 74 00:03:43,140 --> 00:03:41,989 doing that I hope you enjoy the skeptic 75 00:03:59,290 --> 00:03:43,150 zone 76 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:02,880 [Music] 77 00:04:08,910 --> 00:04:05,850 and joining me now on the line all the 78 00:04:11,970 --> 00:04:08,920 way from Liverpool in the UK it's Alice 79 00:04:12,540 --> 00:04:11,980 howarth and Laurie Phillips hello hi 80 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:12,550 there 81 00:04:17,699 --> 00:04:15,850 hi great to catch up with you and you 82 00:04:19,590 --> 00:04:17,709 know a certain mutual friend of ours 83 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:19,600 called Michael Marshall suggested I 84 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:21,930 tried to contact you because 85 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:24,670 unbelievably unbelievably the Merseyside 86 00:04:29,310 --> 00:04:27,130 skeptics are celebrating ten years 87 00:04:30,170 --> 00:04:29,320 what's what's what's the celebrations 88 00:04:33,330 --> 00:04:30,180 what's going on 89 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:33,340 it is our ten-year anniversary this year 90 00:04:38,580 --> 00:04:36,430 so we are I'm planning a little party 91 00:04:40,530 --> 00:04:38,590 there's no QED this year so and we 92 00:04:46,020 --> 00:04:40,540 thought we'd give ourselves almost just 93 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:46,030 as much work organize a one-day event in 94 00:04:49,470 --> 00:04:48,370 Liverpool we've got a host of speakers 95 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:49,480 that are going to be speaking throughout 96 00:04:54,270 --> 00:04:52,210 the entire day and evening entertainment 97 00:04:56,670 --> 00:04:54,280 it's going to be a fantastic event 98 00:05:00,600 --> 00:04:56,680 Laurie can tell us about some of the 99 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:00,610 speakers yes we're gonna be MC by day 100 00:05:05,820 --> 00:05:02,710 Vanek so he's well known to the UK 101 00:05:07,590 --> 00:05:05,830 skeptic and contingent you see he's 102 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:07,600 spoken about many different escapes in 103 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:09,370 the Pope's he's a magician so he's gonna 104 00:05:14,159 --> 00:05:10,690 do all sorts of do our evening 105 00:05:16,830 --> 00:05:14,169 entertainment and so we've got our very 106 00:05:19,020 --> 00:05:16,840 first speaker ever MSS was Chris French 107 00:05:22,110 --> 00:05:19,030 so he's going to be speaking for us 108 00:05:24,420 --> 00:05:22,120 again he's a key figure for us and we've 109 00:05:26,190 --> 00:05:24,430 got Marion Jones an investigative 110 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:26,200 reporter he's got some incredible 111 00:05:30,780 --> 00:05:28,330 stories and we always tell the story 112 00:05:32,550 --> 00:05:30,790 every when when we see is his desk top 113 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:32,560 of his laptop when he gives a talk it's 114 00:05:35,940 --> 00:05:34,570 incredible all the different folders 115 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:35,950 you've got these come there yeah he's 116 00:05:39,330 --> 00:05:37,630 done an incredible amount of immersive 117 00:05:40,710 --> 00:05:39,340 journalism so he's always got a great 118 00:05:42,060 --> 00:05:40,720 story no idea what he's gonna talk about 119 00:05:45,570 --> 00:05:42,070 this time but it's gonna be incredible 120 00:05:48,330 --> 00:05:45,580 we've got Emma McClure so she gave one 121 00:05:51,180 --> 00:05:48,340 of the the most well attended talks 122 00:05:53,250 --> 00:05:51,190 we've ever had that she's an a solicitor 123 00:05:54,719 --> 00:05:53,260 especially in specializing in prison and 124 00:06:00,409 --> 00:05:54,729 public law so she's going to be talking 125 00:06:03,210 --> 00:06:00,419 about parole and all things like that I 126 00:06:05,430 --> 00:06:03,220 only got someone called Alec power yeah 127 00:06:07,260 --> 00:06:05,440 I'm gonna do a little bit ever talk I 128 00:06:08,850 --> 00:06:07,270 have not decided what that's going to be 129 00:06:11,490 --> 00:06:08,860 on yet either 130 00:06:14,250 --> 00:06:11,500 potentially HIV and but we'll see we'll 131 00:06:15,630 --> 00:06:14,260 see I'll come to a decision see yeah and 132 00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:15,640 then so the final one we've announced so 133 00:06:19,540 --> 00:06:16,850 far is Simon Singh 134 00:06:21,310 --> 00:06:19,550 so he's going to be talking through some 135 00:06:23,620 --> 00:06:21,320 of its skeptical activities in the past 136 00:06:25,950 --> 00:06:23,630 and good thinking society activities so 137 00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:25,960 how accept good thinking up and then uh 138 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:28,910 and then we've got one one speaker yet 139 00:06:33,430 --> 00:06:31,250 to announce yes yes so we've still got a 140 00:06:34,930 --> 00:06:33,440 few little things to announce for the 141 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:34,940 day on this Saturday's it's gonna be a 142 00:06:38,740 --> 00:06:36,530 packed day on the Saturday and I'm gonna 143 00:06:40,690 --> 00:06:38,750 have that even entertainment from Dave 144 00:06:43,630 --> 00:06:40,700 anak which will be fantastic 145 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:43,640 he's a great magician and and really 146 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:45,770 great entertainer and so it's gonna be a 147 00:06:50,860 --> 00:06:48,710 great event and then we have the 148 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:50,870 following day every year at most I 149 00:06:54,670 --> 00:06:53,510 skeptics we run skeptics picnic in the 150 00:06:56,890 --> 00:06:54,680 park we kind of try and have a 151 00:06:59,200 --> 00:06:56,900 family-friendly event and where we can 152 00:07:01,690 --> 00:06:59,210 just sit and chill in the park and enjoy 153 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:01,700 the sunshine hopefully this event is 154 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:03,890 going to be July 6 so it's almost 155 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:08,210 guaranteed sunshine in the pool yeah so 156 00:07:11,830 --> 00:07:10,310 it should be nice so we can have that 157 00:07:14,260 --> 00:07:11,840 picnic in the park on the Sunday as well 158 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:14,270 for people to join us well since I am 159 00:07:17,830 --> 00:07:15,770 nice event where people come who've not 160 00:07:20,050 --> 00:07:17,840 been before as well it's kind of this is 161 00:07:21,370 --> 00:07:20,060 my first time at Modesto sceptics was 162 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:21,380 coming to the previous one of these 163 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:23,360 picnics so it's a great event so if 164 00:07:27,100 --> 00:07:25,490 that's happening the day after so anyone 165 00:07:28,690 --> 00:07:27,110 that comes along to demo so sex is 166 00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:28,700 obviously very welcome to join us again 167 00:07:35,830 --> 00:07:32,510 in the park the next day so it's MSS ex 168 00:07:38,860 --> 00:07:35,840 is in the Roman numeral 410 website MSS 169 00:07:42,670 --> 00:07:38,870 ex adopts code at UK it's July the six 170 00:07:46,150 --> 00:07:42,680 I'm in the liner hotel in Liverpool 29 171 00:07:48,340 --> 00:07:46,160 pound for ticket wow what a lineup folks 172 00:07:50,830 --> 00:07:48,350 on that Saturday July the 6th at the 173 00:07:53,950 --> 00:07:50,840 liner hotel and it's only twenty nine 174 00:07:59,440 --> 00:07:53,960 pounds twenty nine quid and you can find 175 00:08:03,250 --> 00:07:59,450 out more by visiting m/s/s x dot co dot 176 00:08:05,410 --> 00:08:03,260 UK I'm jealous I sounds like a lot of 177 00:08:08,620 --> 00:08:05,420 fun I wish I could be there but it must 178 00:08:10,390 --> 00:08:08,630 be interesting to reflect on ten years 179 00:08:12,550 --> 00:08:10,400 of any organization really and how 180 00:08:14,890 --> 00:08:12,560 things have changed Alice what have you 181 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:14,900 noticed in your time so I've been 182 00:08:20,530 --> 00:08:16,850 involved with the message gets exciting 183 00:08:23,860 --> 00:08:20,540 for at least half of those ten years and 184 00:08:26,980 --> 00:08:23,870 it's it's a great group in in their 185 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:26,990 focus on everything to do with the 186 00:08:31,490 --> 00:08:29,130 social aspect of skepticism so it 187 00:08:33,980 --> 00:08:31,500 it's people coming together having a 188 00:08:36,380 --> 00:08:33,990 great time together and the great ideas 189 00:08:38,090 --> 00:08:36,390 that come from that and it means that 190 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:38,100 you know we're constantly involved in 191 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:40,530 all sorts of different activism and we 192 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:42,510 go along to different been involved in 193 00:08:47,450 --> 00:08:44,250 going to psychic events and trying to 194 00:08:49,460 --> 00:08:47,460 understand how that works and all of 195 00:08:50,870 --> 00:08:49,470 these ideas just come from us all kind 196 00:08:53,540 --> 00:08:50,880 of hanging out together and having a 197 00:08:55,460 --> 00:08:53,550 good time at our social events and it's 198 00:08:57,800 --> 00:08:55,470 the primary focus and I think it's why 199 00:09:00,950 --> 00:08:57,810 the most isget societies lasted for ten 200 00:09:02,990 --> 00:09:00,960 years is because that is such a core 201 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:03,000 element of the group and Laurie I 202 00:09:07,490 --> 00:09:05,130 understand that you're well you must be 203 00:09:09,020 --> 00:09:07,500 of a similar mind to me in that where I 204 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:09,030 think it's very important to get out 205 00:09:13,130 --> 00:09:11,130 there and do your own investigations and 206 00:09:14,780 --> 00:09:13,140 not just sit back and have all the 207 00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:14,790 information come to you on the internet 208 00:09:20,570 --> 00:09:16,680 and I think you've been involved in in 209 00:09:22,580 --> 00:09:20,580 some investigations yourself yes early 210 00:09:24,470 --> 00:09:22,590 on when I first joined the medicine 211 00:09:27,050 --> 00:09:24,480 skeptic Society we we had an 212 00:09:29,420 --> 00:09:27,060 investigation with good thinking society 213 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:29,430 they ran it and where we looked at a 214 00:09:36,350 --> 00:09:32,850 bunch of psychics who were operating in 215 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:36,360 Blackpool so a few of us kind of where 216 00:09:42,980 --> 00:09:40,650 were miked up with little like spy spy 217 00:09:45,590 --> 00:09:42,990 cameras and we went in and basically had 218 00:09:47,180 --> 00:09:45,600 a psychic reading and it turned out 219 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:47,190 there were all identical word-for-word 220 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:50,490 matter okay we all made up some 221 00:09:54,050 --> 00:09:52,050 elaborate backstories we all had all 222 00:09:56,450 --> 00:09:54,060 sorts of you know many of different 223 00:09:58,550 --> 00:09:56,460 problems we were expecting cold reading 224 00:09:59,960 --> 00:09:58,560 and all sorts of things going back to 225 00:10:00,890 --> 00:09:59,970 them but no it was it was virtually 226 00:10:02,780 --> 00:10:00,900 word-for-word 227 00:10:04,730 --> 00:10:02,790 it was very scripted yeah it was 228 00:10:07,100 --> 00:10:04,740 incredible and but that's all up in up 229 00:10:08,870 --> 00:10:07,110 on YouTube so if anyone's to look into 230 00:10:10,850 --> 00:10:08,880 the past and have a look at that one 231 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:10,860 it's still that I don't think all right 232 00:10:15,020 --> 00:10:12,690 well folks our that's a very interesting 233 00:10:17,030 --> 00:10:15,030 investigation and if you want to see 234 00:10:19,430 --> 00:10:17,040 that for yourself I will add a link to 235 00:10:20,780 --> 00:10:19,440 the show notes or Alice if people just 236 00:10:23,570 --> 00:10:20,790 want to generally check out what's 237 00:10:25,580 --> 00:10:23,580 happening with the Merseyside skeptics 238 00:10:29,630 --> 00:10:25,590 where can they go our website is may 239 00:10:31,070 --> 00:10:29,640 decide skeptics dog you can find loads 240 00:10:34,850 --> 00:10:31,080 of stuff that we're up to there so we 241 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:34,860 have three plug casts and skeptics with 242 00:10:39,950 --> 00:10:36,510 a que which some of your listeners might 243 00:10:42,290 --> 00:10:39,960 already know and then Marsh hosts be 244 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:42,300 reasonable which is a fantastic monthly 245 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:42,930 podcast 246 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:45,930 he interviews somebody with views 247 00:10:51,860 --> 00:10:48,690 outside of the mainstream and then we 248 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:51,870 have a an occasional podcast incredulous 249 00:10:58,940 --> 00:10:56,970 a panel show that doesn't quite air 250 00:11:01,100 --> 00:10:58,950 quite as often as we'd like but it is a 251 00:11:01,639 --> 00:11:01,110 very fun podcast and all of that's on 252 00:11:04,610 --> 00:11:01,649 our website 253 00:11:06,139 --> 00:11:04,620 Metro skeptics org dot u K well that's 254 00:11:08,389 --> 00:11:06,149 the place to head to folks I can 255 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:08,399 certainly recommend those podcasts and 256 00:11:12,290 --> 00:11:10,770 get a quite an interesting experience 257 00:11:13,070 --> 00:11:12,300 every month when I listen to be 258 00:11:14,810 --> 00:11:13,080 reasonable 259 00:11:16,670 --> 00:11:14,820 sometimes it just does my head in it 260 00:11:19,850 --> 00:11:16,680 really does it's a great podcast 261 00:11:21,410 --> 00:11:19,860 nevertheless well Alice and Laurie thank 262 00:11:23,389 --> 00:11:21,420 you very much for letting us know about 263 00:11:25,850 --> 00:11:23,399 the one-day event coming up I wish I 264 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:25,860 could be there I'm sure it will be a 265 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:28,410 great success but for now thank you very 266 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:28,970 much 267 00:11:56,220 --> 00:11:54,700 Brisbane skeptics society 2019 skeptic 268 00:11:59,170 --> 00:11:56,230 amp 269 00:12:02,440 --> 00:11:59,180 that's right skeptic OHS it's time once 270 00:12:06,190 --> 00:12:02,450 again for our sort of annual brisbane 271 00:12:07,930 --> 00:12:06,200 skeptic camp on the 9th of june this is 272 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:07,940 a free event where members of our 273 00:12:13,570 --> 00:12:11,210 community you get to present whatever 274 00:12:16,270 --> 00:12:13,580 topic you are passionate about we are 275 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:16,280 very excited to be at the slideshow this 276 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:22,700 year this funky venue is in the West End 277 00:12:28,570 --> 00:12:25,250 but not right in town where parking is 278 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:28,580 terrible they have their own cafe on 279 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:32,930 site and beers with vegan treats outside 280 00:12:36,940 --> 00:12:34,730 food is welcome so if you don't like 281 00:12:38,980 --> 00:12:36,950 their options you can get something 282 00:12:41,590 --> 00:12:38,990 delivered sounds too good to be true 283 00:12:44,770 --> 00:12:41,600 there are even comfy couches if you need 284 00:12:47,140 --> 00:12:44,780 time out this year we are very pleased 285 00:12:50,140 --> 00:12:47,150 our friends from the Gold Coast skeptics 286 00:12:51,190 --> 00:12:50,150 are co-hosting we also have musical 287 00:12:58,120 --> 00:12:51,200 entertainment lined up 288 00:13:00,400 --> 00:12:58,130 thanks to conspiracy of one with many 289 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:00,410 other venues the West End has to offer 290 00:13:06,580 --> 00:13:02,930 I'm sure there will be a few drinks 291 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:06,590 after we wrap up as well apply to speak 292 00:13:14,290 --> 00:13:10,250 send an email to skip tonight at big 293 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:14,300 pond calm to secure a spot that's sk EP 294 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:19,970 t IM ite at big pond calm please include 295 00:13:28,870 --> 00:13:22,670 your name and the title of your talk if 296 00:13:31,780 --> 00:13:28,880 you have a tight already mats brisbane 297 00:13:34,150 --> 00:13:31,790 skeptic camp for 2019 on the 9th of june 298 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:34,160 for more information head to brisbane 299 00:13:38,380 --> 00:13:37,370 skeptics org or just follow the link in 300 00:14:01,950 --> 00:13:38,390 this week's show notes 301 00:14:05,100 --> 00:14:01,960 [Music] 302 00:14:07,300 --> 00:14:05,110 now as many of you know I love the good 303 00:14:12,070 --> 00:14:07,310 old-fashioned skepticism 304 00:14:14,140 --> 00:14:12,080 I'm known over the term ears people like 305 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:14,150 me are called Bigfoot skeptics other 306 00:14:18,910 --> 00:14:16,250 than these are people who love the good 307 00:14:21,130 --> 00:14:18,920 old-fashioned stuff the ESP the monsters 308 00:14:26,470 --> 00:14:21,140 the obvious monster for example Bigfoot 309 00:14:28,270 --> 00:14:26,480 now is yetis telekinesis reading minds 310 00:14:29,830 --> 00:14:28,280 talking to the dead that sort of thing 311 00:14:32,230 --> 00:14:29,840 that's where my heart lies in the 312 00:14:34,780 --> 00:14:32,240 skeptical realms we have very important 313 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:34,790 issues of course like climate change 314 00:14:40,990 --> 00:14:38,690 denial and vaccination anti vaccination 315 00:14:44,020 --> 00:14:41,000 people and I think the record shows I 316 00:14:46,420 --> 00:14:44,030 have a very strong track record of 317 00:14:49,630 --> 00:14:46,430 activism when it comes to particularly 318 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:49,640 the anti vaccination crowd but yes my 319 00:14:53,890 --> 00:14:51,110 heart lies in the old-fashioned stuff 320 00:14:57,100 --> 00:14:53,900 and one of those topics is astrology 321 00:15:00,250 --> 00:14:57,110 good old astrology which comes and goes 322 00:15:01,990 --> 00:15:00,260 it's not as much in vogue anymore as it 323 00:15:03,730 --> 00:15:02,000 used to be but still millions of people 324 00:15:06,220 --> 00:15:03,740 around the world firmly believe that the 325 00:15:08,860 --> 00:15:06,230 position of the stars and planets will 326 00:15:11,490 --> 00:15:08,870 affect your character and the outcoming 327 00:15:14,380 --> 00:15:11,500 of the events and so on and so forth and 328 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:14,390 recently I've been reminded of something 329 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:18,290 that happened way back in the presidency 330 00:15:24,180 --> 00:15:21,050 of Ronald Reagan where there was a 331 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:24,190 period of time where Nancy Reagan was 332 00:15:31,540 --> 00:15:27,650 influenced by the advice and opinions of 333 00:15:34,750 --> 00:15:31,550 her astrologer by the name of Joan 334 00:15:38,530 --> 00:15:34,760 Quigley now Joan Quigley out in 2014 335 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:38,540 aged 87 but for a period of time during 336 00:15:45,190 --> 00:15:41,330 the Reagan presidency she was certainly 337 00:15:46,930 --> 00:15:45,200 in the news and an article appeared very 338 00:15:49,060 --> 00:15:46,940 recently in the Washington Post and I 339 00:15:52,870 --> 00:15:49,070 must think listener Gary Goldberg for 340 00:15:57,400 --> 00:15:52,880 helping me with this part of the story 341 00:15:58,510 --> 00:15:57,410 this is an opinion piece written by Ron 342 00:16:05,949 --> 00:15:58,520 Reagan 343 00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:05,959 strong points so I'll just read that 344 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:16,310 article to you now this comes to us from 345 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:19,910 the Washington Post on Sunday the 28th 346 00:16:25,180 --> 00:16:23,450 of April 2019 by Ron Reagan Ron Reagan 347 00:16:29,070 --> 00:16:25,190 is a writer and political commentator 348 00:16:33,190 --> 00:16:29,080 living in Seattle and Tuscany astrology 349 00:16:35,620 --> 00:16:33,200 in 1981 having scarcely begun his 350 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:35,630 presidency my father was shot in the 351 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:37,490 street by a young man trying to impress 352 00:16:42,820 --> 00:16:40,970 a famous actress my mother inside out 353 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:42,830 with worry and feeling helpless to 354 00:16:47,650 --> 00:16:44,290 prevent such things from happening again 355 00:16:50,050 --> 00:16:47,660 fell prey to an astrologer who promised 356 00:16:52,269 --> 00:16:50,060 to warn of any particularly inauspicious 357 00:16:55,030 --> 00:16:52,279 days for my father to leave the house 358 00:16:57,430 --> 00:16:55,040 this arrangement had little influence on 359 00:16:59,769 --> 00:16:57,440 his presidential schedule but produced 360 00:17:02,680 --> 00:16:59,779 considerable embarrassment when it was 361 00:17:05,350 --> 00:17:02,690 revealed sometime later my mother was 362 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:05,360 foolish of course but given the 363 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:07,910 stressful circumstances I'm inclined to 364 00:17:14,439 --> 00:17:11,410 forgive I'm less charitably inclined 365 00:17:18,340 --> 00:17:14,449 towards the charlatan who took advantage 366 00:17:21,150 --> 00:17:18,350 of her anxious or not it's past time we 367 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:21,160 abandoned astrology such 368 00:17:27,189 --> 00:17:24,110 pseudo-scientific piffle is it best 369 00:17:29,770 --> 00:17:27,199 harmless folly at worst it belongs to a 370 00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:29,780 family of more pernicious intellectual 371 00:17:35,740 --> 00:17:33,110 lapses with serious consequences climate 372 00:17:37,540 --> 00:17:35,750 change denial creationism the notion 373 00:17:40,090 --> 00:17:37,550 that we can install a reckless 374 00:17:42,310 --> 00:17:40,100 incompetent in the Oval Office without 375 00:17:45,730 --> 00:17:42,320 inviting disaster let's consider 376 00:17:49,390 --> 00:17:45,740 astrology and knock us as it may seem as 377 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:49,400 a kind of gateway drug it softens the 378 00:17:54,549 --> 00:17:51,710 mental ground for equally unsound but 379 00:17:55,150 --> 00:17:54,559 far more harmful ideas if you believe in 380 00:17:58,450 --> 00:17:55,160 the Stars 381 00:18:00,549 --> 00:17:58,460 you can believe anything astrology which 382 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:00,559 seems to be enjoying a renaissance among 383 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:04,010 Millennials and Gen X's is only one sad 384 00:18:09,549 --> 00:18:06,890 example of our flabby minded post truth 385 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:09,559 era a disturbing number of people are 386 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:12,410 foregoing vaccinations for their kids 387 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:15,410 or getting their news from assorted 388 00:18:20,740 --> 00:18:18,250 crackpots and hustlers on social media 389 00:18:23,490 --> 00:18:20,750 reasoning is a hallmark of our species 390 00:18:26,530 --> 00:18:23,500 but we're forgetting how to do it 391 00:18:29,470 --> 00:18:26,540 magical thinking is a bad habit we need 392 00:18:32,110 --> 00:18:29,480 to break we are not owned by our own 393 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:32,120 reality Nature doesn't care about 394 00:18:37,810 --> 00:18:34,610 politics Jupiter doesn't determine your 395 00:18:40,500 --> 00:18:37,820 character you do if you want to be 396 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:40,510 influenced by the Stars by a telescope 397 00:18:47,130 --> 00:18:44,570 and that was by Ron Reagan published in 398 00:18:53,620 --> 00:18:47,140 The Washington Post on the 28th of April 399 00:18:56,950 --> 00:18:53,630 2019 but it prompted me to do a little 400 00:19:00,070 --> 00:18:56,960 bit of digging and research and I found 401 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:00,080 some interesting snippets audio and 402 00:19:10,750 --> 00:19:04,370 video snippets online from John Quigley 403 00:19:13,630 --> 00:19:10,760 talking about her time advising Nancy 404 00:19:16,210 --> 00:19:13,640 and Ronald Reagan and here is some of 405 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:16,220 what she had to say I timed all the 406 00:19:21,610 --> 00:19:18,410 press conferences i time most of the 407 00:19:23,620 --> 00:19:21,620 speeches I timed when he would take Air 408 00:19:28,050 --> 00:19:23,630 Force front one when he would take off 409 00:19:32,430 --> 00:19:28,060 and when he would land I did a chart for 410 00:19:35,350 --> 00:19:32,440 Anthony Kennedy to to nominate him as a 411 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:35,360 justice for the Supreme Court it was an 412 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:37,250 almost impossible day to find a really 413 00:19:42,490 --> 00:19:40,010 good time it had to be so exact to the 414 00:19:44,740 --> 00:19:42,500 second and someone was sitting in the 415 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:44,750 audience with a stopwatch and gave a 416 00:19:49,870 --> 00:19:46,490 signal for the President to announce 417 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:49,880 that he was nominating Anthony Kennedy 418 00:19:55,990 --> 00:19:52,970 for the Supreme Court today announcing 419 00:19:58,450 --> 00:19:56,000 my intention they nominate the United 420 00:19:59,980 --> 00:19:58,460 States Circuit Judge Anthony Kennedy to 421 00:20:02,530 --> 00:19:59,990 be an Associate Justice of the Supreme 422 00:20:04,630 --> 00:20:02,540 Court they wanted to announce that 423 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:04,640 ronnie was running for a second term in 424 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:09,170 early December of 1983 and I said no 425 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:11,810 then it wouldn't work well I think it 426 00:20:17,540 --> 00:20:14,030 wrong and I delayed it till the last 427 00:20:20,360 --> 00:20:17,550 Sunday in January of 1984 justice 428 00:20:23,630 --> 00:20:20,370 I found a wonderful chart which was just 429 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:23,640 five minutes before the noon I am 430 00:20:28,940 --> 00:20:26,010 therefore announcing that I am a 431 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:28,950 candidate and will seek re-election she 432 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:30,570 was not only interested in the president 433 00:20:34,460 --> 00:20:32,970 safety and having me do for him the 434 00:20:38,120 --> 00:20:34,470 things that I'd done during the ad 435 00:20:41,330 --> 00:20:38,130 campaign but she was also interested in 436 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:41,340 improving her own image and I was very 437 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:46,290 occupied with that at first I picked a 438 00:20:52,100 --> 00:20:49,050 time on the day they left that was an 439 00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:52,110 excellent time for what I what we wanted 440 00:20:58,970 --> 00:20:56,310 to accomplish and I also changed their 441 00:21:02,480 --> 00:20:58,980 evil empire altitude by briefing them on 442 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:02,490 Gorbachev's horoscope by the time we 443 00:21:09,140 --> 00:21:06,690 were working on the Washington summit 444 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:09,150 she was calling me two and three times a 445 00:21:16,550 --> 00:21:13,050 day so according to her she had quite an 446 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:16,560 influence determining the time of major 447 00:21:21,380 --> 00:21:18,810 events for the Reagan's when they would 448 00:21:22,970 --> 00:21:21,390 go on overseas trips when this would 449 00:21:24,380 --> 00:21:22,980 happen when that would happen when the 450 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:24,390 best time to make a political 451 00:21:30,770 --> 00:21:27,690 appointment was and I also came across 452 00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:30,780 this very short clip of Nancy and Ronald 453 00:21:41,540 --> 00:21:38,910 Reagan and I think it shows in that 454 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:41,550 instance anyway that Nancy Reagan was 455 00:21:47,990 --> 00:21:44,970 prone to superstitions and magical 456 00:21:50,930 --> 00:21:48,000 thinking I also came across in my 457 00:21:52,430 --> 00:21:50,940 archive something I think I've mentioned 458 00:21:55,610 --> 00:21:52,440 or played before on the skeptic zone 459 00:21:59,300 --> 00:21:55,620 over the years and this is from 1992 an 460 00:22:02,060 --> 00:21:59,310 australian chat show audience 461 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:02,070 participation show called Couchman which 462 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:04,410 was popular at the time where he would 463 00:22:10,250 --> 00:22:07,050 basically bring in two camps of opposing 464 00:22:11,570 --> 00:22:10,260 views and discuss the issue and the 465 00:22:13,670 --> 00:22:11,580 topic of one of those episodes was 466 00:22:15,500 --> 00:22:13,680 astrology I thought I'd play you're 467 00:22:17,510 --> 00:22:15,510 shocked that the voices you will hear 468 00:22:21,590 --> 00:22:17,520 are in Bryce from the Australian 469 00:22:23,540 --> 00:22:21,600 skeptics astrologer ray Webb and I can't 470 00:22:25,970 --> 00:22:23,550 see anything recently on ray Webb 471 00:22:28,700 --> 00:22:25,980 although this was a very long time ago 472 00:22:31,250 --> 00:22:28,710 and the late great Barry Williams from 473 00:22:32,780 --> 00:22:31,260 the Australian skeptics as well let's 474 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:32,790 get down to tin tacks here because 475 00:22:36,530 --> 00:22:35,250 there's this one very basic question 476 00:22:38,419 --> 00:22:36,540 that I'd really like to hear your 477 00:22:40,580 --> 00:22:38,429 discuss and that is why should the 478 00:22:43,070 --> 00:22:40,590 position of the planets have any 479 00:22:44,990 --> 00:22:43,080 influence on how we turned out to be on 480 00:22:47,570 --> 00:22:45,000 our personalities on our characters even 481 00:22:49,730 --> 00:22:47,580 the choice of occupation that we might 482 00:22:52,010 --> 00:22:49,740 make what might happen in our lives why 483 00:22:55,039 --> 00:22:52,020 should that be can anyone explain that 484 00:23:01,310 --> 00:22:55,049 for me in 10 can anyone explain that for 485 00:23:03,830 --> 00:23:01,320 me in 10 seconds the answer to that's 486 00:23:05,419 --> 00:23:03,840 very simple Peter the forces that govern 487 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:05,429 the universe are quite well known and 488 00:23:09,890 --> 00:23:07,890 they have been for about half a century 489 00:23:12,020 --> 00:23:09,900 and they the forces do not account for 490 00:23:14,270 --> 00:23:12,030 any of those interactions the planets do 491 00:23:18,970 --> 00:23:14,280 not affect our personalities and the 492 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:21,680 well right can you can you explain for 493 00:23:25,370 --> 00:23:23,970 it simply how the position of the 494 00:23:27,500 --> 00:23:25,380 planets at the time of our birth might 495 00:23:30,140 --> 00:23:27,510 in any way affect what sort of people we 496 00:23:31,789 --> 00:23:30,150 are well Peter I think that first of all 497 00:23:33,130 --> 00:23:31,799 the purpose of astrology is not to 498 00:23:39,650 --> 00:23:33,140 foretell the future 499 00:23:41,180 --> 00:23:39,660 no to do what you people keep blaming we 500 00:23:43,580 --> 00:23:41,190 don't we don't just listen to an 501 00:23:45,020 --> 00:23:43,590 astrologer for 30 sec yeah okay just 502 00:23:46,970 --> 00:23:45,030 explain for us why the position of the 503 00:23:49,460 --> 00:23:46,980 planets should in any way influence our 504 00:23:51,530 --> 00:23:49,470 personalities the position of the 505 00:23:54,710 --> 00:23:51,540 planets when they're talking about the 506 00:23:57,799 --> 00:23:54,720 the solar system the most important 507 00:24:01,400 --> 00:23:57,809 thing in the solar system is the Sun you 508 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:01,410 switch off that Sun you've got a heap of 509 00:24:10,159 --> 00:24:05,970 rocks having said that there are four 510 00:24:12,510 --> 00:24:10,169 major seasons summer autumn winter 511 00:24:19,410 --> 00:24:12,520 spring 512 00:24:24,540 --> 00:24:19,420 will not grow in the summer I won't for 513 00:24:26,310 --> 00:24:24,550 you it goes well well no I think I think 514 00:24:28,380 --> 00:24:26,320 I think it is accepted by certainly 515 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:28,390 people who were who grow things all you 516 00:24:34,740 --> 00:24:30,970 have landed are influenced by the moon 517 00:24:37,049 --> 00:24:34,750 just a little further we are part of all 518 00:24:42,650 --> 00:24:37,059 we have met Arthur Bowman will tell you 519 00:24:46,230 --> 00:24:42,660 that every time in the universe is 520 00:24:48,510 --> 00:24:46,240 putting its tent impeccably and forever 521 00:24:51,650 --> 00:24:48,520 on every part of that universe that 522 00:24:54,980 --> 00:24:51,660 started at that moment including pizza a 523 00:24:57,990 --> 00:24:54,990 winter child is like a winter flower a 524 00:25:00,750 --> 00:24:58,000 summer child is like a summer flower we 525 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:00,760 are different I take a step I'm 526 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:02,770 different to the person who has one step 527 00:25:06,810 --> 00:25:04,330 behind me and different again to the 528 00:25:09,900 --> 00:25:06,820 person on either side of me the faith 529 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:09,910 that makes astrology work best is free 530 00:25:15,830 --> 00:25:13,290 will free will because you can have 531 00:25:18,750 --> 00:25:15,840 50,000 people born at the same instant 532 00:25:22,430 --> 00:25:18,760 under the same planetary influences and 533 00:25:26,030 --> 00:25:22,440 they exercise engaƱo 534 00:25:28,650 --> 00:25:26,040 make fifty thousand individual different 535 00:25:31,590 --> 00:25:28,660 decisions and each one of them can be 536 00:25:33,299 --> 00:25:31,600 right for you yes but hold on a minute 537 00:25:36,110 --> 00:25:33,309 does that mean that all those people who 538 00:25:39,030 --> 00:25:36,120 were born at the same minute that I was 539 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:39,040 also all those things that I am you know 540 00:25:44,340 --> 00:25:41,170 on the bad days malicious pessimistic 541 00:25:46,620 --> 00:25:44,350 and selfish way well it's your call 542 00:25:48,090 --> 00:25:46,630 twins like a person born on the in the 543 00:25:49,860 --> 00:25:48,100 same hospital around about the same time 544 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:49,870 as you would have a similar experience 545 00:25:54,630 --> 00:25:52,570 or life pattern but did that mean by by 546 00:25:55,700 --> 00:25:54,640 by that definition the greys just given 547 00:25:59,220 --> 00:25:55,710 us we should be almost identical 548 00:26:01,799 --> 00:25:59,230 personalities because we're taking into 549 00:26:04,620 --> 00:26:01,809 account the genetic processes that 550 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:04,630 arrive from the two family lines that a 551 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:07,210 conception then meet and that individual 552 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:08,650 is obviously going to display all of 553 00:26:12,750 --> 00:26:10,690 those genetic processes and is the 554 00:26:14,790 --> 00:26:12,760 environmental influences acting on those 555 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:14,800 genetic processes which is going to make 556 00:26:19,380 --> 00:26:17,890 that person what they are saying is 557 00:26:22,540 --> 00:26:19,390 cop-out from what they're claiming I 558 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:24,860 can't the skeptics have a sale aren't we 559 00:26:36,230 --> 00:26:33,210 alone isn't denying the whole basis of 560 00:26:37,580 --> 00:26:36,240 your line of rubbish about okay wait a 561 00:26:43,550 --> 00:26:37,590 minute go down here Barry Maggie was 562 00:26:53,510 --> 00:26:43,560 denying all these influences like that 563 00:26:55,220 --> 00:26:53,520 all right I can fall over Barry what are 564 00:26:57,140 --> 00:26:55,230 you going to say look the point is I 565 00:26:58,850 --> 00:26:57,150 make a statement about this influence 566 00:27:00,260 --> 00:26:58,860 they have and then the for the rest of 567 00:27:02,300 --> 00:27:00,270 the five minutes they've been talking 568 00:27:03,860 --> 00:27:02,310 I've been giving you the apps from it so 569 00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:03,870 that when it doesn't work for you well 570 00:27:06,380 --> 00:27:05,370 it might be a genetic influence or it 571 00:27:08,990 --> 00:27:06,390 might be a free will or it might be 572 00:27:11,120 --> 00:27:09,000 anything else I mean yes I'm in great 573 00:27:13,370 --> 00:27:11,130 agreeing with you about three well why 574 00:27:16,790 --> 00:27:13,380 do you have to then overlay your free 575 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:16,800 will with this absolute crime hold on 576 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:18,210 hold on a thing I'll break this off you 577 00:27:22,130 --> 00:27:19,530 know I've got to break this up here hold 578 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:22,140 on just at the beginning now I think 579 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:25,410 Barry may have been a little a little 580 00:27:29,300 --> 00:27:26,730 their fourth right there and his 581 00:27:30,980 --> 00:27:29,310 opinions but it was interesting to try 582 00:27:35,360 --> 00:27:30,990 and make sense out of the convoluted 583 00:27:37,100 --> 00:27:35,370 logic of the astrologer now it seems to 584 00:27:38,660 --> 00:27:37,110 me that many people still enjoy reading 585 00:27:40,340 --> 00:27:38,670 their horoscopes in the newspapers every 586 00:27:43,250 --> 00:27:40,350 day or their favorite magazine and 587 00:27:45,770 --> 00:27:43,260 that's all very very much 588 00:27:47,860 --> 00:27:45,780 silly fun and I don't I don't 589 00:27:51,770 --> 00:27:47,870 particularly think that's of any 590 00:27:53,780 --> 00:27:51,780 detriment but there are again many 591 00:27:55,610 --> 00:27:53,790 people who take it very seriously who 592 00:27:58,250 --> 00:27:55,620 spend a lot of money seeing astrologers 593 00:28:00,220 --> 00:27:58,260 and take advice based on the mystical 594 00:28:09,850 --> 00:28:00,230 movements of the stars 595 00:28:13,190 --> 00:28:09,860 [Music] 596 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:13,200 allora ciao mi chiamo profesora de vo 597 00:28:19,550 --> 00:28:15,570 tuvalu incendiary - teleca's solutions 598 00:28:23,890 --> 00:28:19,560 para la moda physica de chemica Volodya 599 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:23,900 astronomia Mathematica atonte ultra cosy 600 00:28:29,060 --> 00:28:27,210 guarda missile youtube arrivederci 601 00:28:30,770 --> 00:28:29,070 hey everyone this is Professor Dave I 602 00:28:32,510 --> 00:28:30,780 want to teach you about all kinds of 603 00:28:34,460 --> 00:28:32,520 things regarding science I want to tell 604 00:28:37,850 --> 00:28:34,470 you about physics I want to tell you 605 00:28:40,580 --> 00:28:37,860 about chemistry biology astronomy math 606 00:28:42,260 --> 00:28:40,590 and many many more things come check me 607 00:28:48,220 --> 00:28:42,270 out on youtube the channel is called 608 00:28:48,230 --> 00:28:53,160 [Applause] 609 00:28:53,170 --> 00:29:01,450 [Music] 610 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:03,380 well it might be skeptics in the pub 611 00:29:07,669 --> 00:29:05,370 here in Sydney first Thursday of the 612 00:29:09,919 --> 00:29:07,679 month of the Occidental hotel but I'm 613 00:29:11,330 --> 00:29:09,929 with Jessica Singh a longtime committee 614 00:29:12,980 --> 00:29:11,340 member of the Australian skeptics here 615 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:12,990 in New South Wales you've recently come 616 00:29:20,180 --> 00:29:16,530 back from a trip to the UK that's right 617 00:29:23,630 --> 00:29:20,190 I was in London and unfortunately it 618 00:29:26,210 --> 00:29:23,640 meant that I had to miss the last Sydney 619 00:29:28,130 --> 00:29:26,220 skeptics in the pub I did mean that I 620 00:29:30,710 --> 00:29:28,140 could go to the London skeptics in the 621 00:29:33,799 --> 00:29:30,720 pub now this is one of the oldest oi I 622 00:29:36,020 --> 00:29:33,809 think the oldest skeptics in the pub it 623 00:29:37,940 --> 00:29:36,030 was the whole idea was started by an 624 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:37,950 Australian wasn't it an Australian dr. 625 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:40,290 Scott Campbell who used to be on the 626 00:29:45,230 --> 00:29:42,650 Australian skeptics Inc committee and 627 00:29:48,260 --> 00:29:45,240 for professional reasons moved to the UK 628 00:29:50,870 --> 00:29:48,270 and started skeptics in the pub over 629 00:29:53,590 --> 00:29:50,880 there I think inspired by the politics 630 00:29:58,039 --> 00:29:53,600 and the pub and science in the pub model 631 00:30:01,370 --> 00:29:58,049 so yeah he's the founder that's great 632 00:30:03,020 --> 00:30:01,380 and I one day will will remember exactly 633 00:30:06,289 --> 00:30:03,030 what year it started here in Sydney I'm 634 00:30:08,750 --> 00:30:06,299 I think it was around 2003 but somebody 635 00:30:10,669 --> 00:30:08,760 somebody somebody he'll know but anyway 636 00:30:12,890 --> 00:30:10,679 so tonight we had a great night so you 637 00:30:14,450 --> 00:30:12,900 come along people we did we had a great 638 00:30:16,460 --> 00:30:14,460 night we had a really good night where 639 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:16,470 people come along they just order a beer 640 00:30:21,110 --> 00:30:18,210 a drink of their choice have a bit of 641 00:30:23,659 --> 00:30:21,120 dinner chat and then we have a speaker 642 00:30:26,210 --> 00:30:23,669 every month on varying scientists 643 00:30:28,370 --> 00:30:26,220 science topics tonight was all about rip 644 00:30:32,090 --> 00:30:28,380 currents at the beach that's right and 645 00:30:37,100 --> 00:30:32,100 the speaker was dr. Robert Brenda from 646 00:30:39,830 --> 00:30:37,110 UNSW and he researches rip currents it 647 00:30:43,930 --> 00:30:39,840 was his the subject of his PhD and he's 648 00:30:48,289 --> 00:30:43,940 done a lot of work come to overturn the 649 00:30:50,990 --> 00:30:48,299 accepted knowledge on models of rip 650 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:51,000 currents and apparently they're far more 651 00:30:55,340 --> 00:30:53,490 complex yes and variable than people 652 00:30:57,710 --> 00:30:55,350 believe it was it was enlightening 653 00:31:00,110 --> 00:30:57,720 tonight and it was enjoyable he was a 654 00:31:01,730 --> 00:31:00,120 great speaker so folks it's that's if 655 00:31:05,450 --> 00:31:01,740 you ever have a chance to see him talk 656 00:31:07,010 --> 00:31:05,460 yes and he does community talks 657 00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:07,020 particularly in the summer he goes up 658 00:31:10,860 --> 00:31:08,710 and down the coast and speaks it's a 659 00:31:12,810 --> 00:31:10,870 clubs talking about science of the surf 660 00:31:14,639 --> 00:31:12,820 teaching people about rips and beach 661 00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:14,649 safety and how to spot a rip it's all 662 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:15,970 about science and gets back to the 663 00:31:20,070 --> 00:31:18,610 science anyway so you're very familiar 664 00:31:22,500 --> 00:31:20,080 skeptic and I'm here in Sydney you've 665 00:31:24,930 --> 00:31:22,510 been many yes and I've been coming for a 666 00:31:28,260 --> 00:31:24,940 while and it's my job to organize the 667 00:31:30,990 --> 00:31:28,270 bigger each month so yeah so it was 668 00:31:33,060 --> 00:31:31,000 actually really refreshing to be able to 669 00:31:35,730 --> 00:31:33,070 go to a skeptics in the pub and not have 670 00:31:38,159 --> 00:31:35,740 to worry about it right do anything just 671 00:31:42,740 --> 00:31:38,169 turn up it was fabulous and where was 672 00:31:46,289 --> 00:31:42,750 the venue it is at the monarch hotel in 673 00:31:48,659 --> 00:31:46,299 or the monarch pub in Camden Town mm-hm 674 00:31:53,700 --> 00:31:48,669 so it's near Camden Market which is 675 00:31:57,240 --> 00:31:53,710 great and it's a rock and roll pub so it 676 00:32:01,110 --> 00:31:57,250 has a sound system so chatting to the 677 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:01,120 organizer said Rodriguez who's Ben yes 678 00:32:05,310 --> 00:32:03,730 did old friend who's been involved in 679 00:32:08,519 --> 00:32:05,320 skeptics for years and years and years 680 00:32:11,639 --> 00:32:08,529 it was interesting that they have 681 00:32:13,980 --> 00:32:11,649 exactly the same issues that we have in 682 00:32:16,409 --> 00:32:13,990 terms of a venue finding a venue that 683 00:32:19,289 --> 00:32:16,419 will have you that serves good food that 684 00:32:22,260 --> 00:32:19,299 has a sound system so you don't have to 685 00:32:24,060 --> 00:32:22,270 bring your own sound system so when you 686 00:32:27,510 --> 00:32:24,070 Richard started skeptics in the pub in 687 00:32:31,049 --> 00:32:27,520 2003 and then it got bigger and bigger 688 00:32:36,060 --> 00:32:31,059 and bigger so so we had a decided to 689 00:32:37,409 --> 00:32:36,070 have a monthly speaker you we had a pub 690 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:37,419 which didn't have a sound system so 691 00:32:43,110 --> 00:32:39,610 through we had to bring in our own sound 692 00:32:47,639 --> 00:32:43,120 system and then we've moved venues a 693 00:32:51,090 --> 00:32:47,649 couple of times mainly or not mainly but 694 00:32:52,350 --> 00:32:51,100 a major reason was to find a venue with 695 00:32:54,690 --> 00:32:52,360 the sound system and that's how we've 696 00:32:56,399 --> 00:32:54,700 ended up at the Oriental because not 697 00:33:00,630 --> 00:32:56,409 only do they have a sound system they 698 00:33:03,810 --> 00:33:00,640 have a projector they have a screen so 699 00:33:05,900 --> 00:33:03,820 they're really really well set up for us 700 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:05,910 to have an event 701 00:33:09,770 --> 00:33:07,290 [Applause] 702 00:33:11,180 --> 00:33:09,780 with a speaker and a presentation there 703 00:33:12,740 --> 00:33:11,190 are a number of things that you must 704 00:33:14,270 --> 00:33:12,750 check off folks if you're considering 705 00:33:16,850 --> 00:33:14,280 doing your skeptics in the pub in your 706 00:33:20,420 --> 00:33:16,860 area there's a check I guess there is a 707 00:33:21,980 --> 00:33:20,430 check list it has to be accessible if 708 00:33:24,670 --> 00:33:21,990 you're in a city near public transports 709 00:33:28,730 --> 00:33:24,680 the idea a room where you can have 710 00:33:30,620 --> 00:33:28,740 privacy Oh exclusive use is really 711 00:33:33,890 --> 00:33:30,630 important that's what we've found over 712 00:33:35,630 --> 00:33:33,900 the years because we've been in venues 713 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:35,640 where we didn't have exclusive use and 714 00:33:41,390 --> 00:33:38,250 then the sound system broke down and it 715 00:33:43,190 --> 00:33:41,400 was horrendous in fact we had two on one 716 00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:43,200 awful occasion had to tell the speaker 717 00:33:49,340 --> 00:33:47,490 look just stop no you know any Hugh and 718 00:33:53,030 --> 00:33:49,350 another time we did have the sound 719 00:33:56,240 --> 00:33:53,040 system and in Bryce committee member and 720 00:33:59,240 --> 00:33:56,250 our resident rocket scientist who was 721 00:34:01,970 --> 00:33:59,250 giving a very detailed and interesting 722 00:34:03,830 --> 00:34:01,980 presentation was that one about gravity 723 00:34:05,690 --> 00:34:03,840 waves it might have been sounds really 724 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:05,700 there's something like that anyway down 725 00:34:11,990 --> 00:34:07,410 the other end of the room there was a 726 00:34:14,600 --> 00:34:12,000 very raucous birthday party going on and 727 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:14,610 I think I think it was that that made us 728 00:34:19,460 --> 00:34:17,850 decide we have to find a new venue where 729 00:34:21,409 --> 00:34:19,470 we have exclusive use and a sound system 730 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:21,419 that's right it's just common courtesy 731 00:34:25,669 --> 00:34:23,610 to the speaker so they're not fighting 732 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:25,679 with other noise or distractions in the 733 00:34:29,780 --> 00:34:28,050 room and everybody can give their full 734 00:34:31,820 --> 00:34:29,790 attention so that's what we've we have 735 00:34:34,629 --> 00:34:31,830 at the moment which is fantastic be 736 00:34:39,010 --> 00:34:34,639 getting back to London getting ready 737 00:34:43,780 --> 00:34:39,020 it's so well we just talk about us 738 00:34:46,399 --> 00:34:43,790 we do Lana was really good it was some 739 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:46,409 different of course but the same and 740 00:34:52,310 --> 00:34:48,690 that was that was nice to be able to 741 00:34:54,889 --> 00:34:52,320 walk into a room full of strangers but 742 00:34:56,899 --> 00:34:54,899 to know that we all had something in 743 00:34:59,780 --> 00:34:56,909 common which was skepticism and science 744 00:35:02,210 --> 00:34:59,790 and science communication and just be 745 00:35:04,370 --> 00:35:02,220 able to bowl up and have a meal and chat 746 00:35:06,770 --> 00:35:04,380 with people so it was you'd have a drink 747 00:35:08,660 --> 00:35:06,780 a meal just like here just like here 748 00:35:10,490 --> 00:35:08,670 interesting yeah and it's so important 749 00:35:13,330 --> 00:35:10,500 it helps the social atmosphere doesn't 750 00:35:18,220 --> 00:35:13,340 it it does it does and I met um me 751 00:35:23,890 --> 00:35:18,230 quite a few people and from America from 752 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:23,900 from Europe from the UK someone from the 753 00:35:29,110 --> 00:35:26,810 UK who lived in America now but happened 754 00:35:32,770 --> 00:35:29,120 it happens to happen happen to be back 755 00:35:34,990 --> 00:35:32,780 in London yeah we've had people coming 756 00:35:36,700 --> 00:35:35,000 through town from Hong Kong or New 757 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:36,710 Zealand they find out about it and 758 00:35:44,050 --> 00:35:39,530 they're here for a week and luckily for 759 00:35:45,760 --> 00:35:44,060 them it coincides with with the skeptics 760 00:35:47,590 --> 00:35:45,770 in the pub so they can come along yeah 761 00:35:50,050 --> 00:35:47,600 you look quite a few people have come 762 00:35:52,060 --> 00:35:50,060 along that way you know is it a monthly 763 00:35:54,970 --> 00:35:52,070 event in there in London it's a monthly 764 00:35:58,270 --> 00:35:54,980 event and they like us have a meetup 765 00:36:01,420 --> 00:35:58,280 group so you can sign up to the meetup 766 00:36:05,190 --> 00:36:01,430 group and you get a very nice welcome 767 00:36:08,290 --> 00:36:05,200 message from I think it's carmina 768 00:36:12,490 --> 00:36:08,300 welcoming you to the group and saying I 769 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:12,500 hope you come along and so just like the 770 00:36:18,790 --> 00:36:15,770 Sydney skeptics meetup group you get a 771 00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:18,800 little email in your mmm inbox when they 772 00:36:24,250 --> 00:36:20,930 announce a function and then you get 773 00:36:26,620 --> 00:36:24,260 reminders yeah there you are folks it's 774 00:36:28,600 --> 00:36:26,630 all a good idea we've had many happy 775 00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:28,610 years of skeptics in the pub in Sydney 776 00:36:33,580 --> 00:36:30,770 many speakers on all sorts of topics 777 00:36:35,380 --> 00:36:33,590 it's it's not it doesn't run itself you 778 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:35,390 have to organise it you have to put in 779 00:36:39,520 --> 00:36:37,010 some footwork and you certainly do that 780 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:39,530 yes and I was chatting with Sid about 781 00:36:45,820 --> 00:36:43,490 that and I'm quite envious of the UK 782 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:45,830 because of course with the larger 783 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:48,130 population they have a larger pool of 784 00:36:54,790 --> 00:36:51,410 potential speakers to draw upon and they 785 00:36:57,990 --> 00:36:54,800 also have a really good network via 786 00:37:02,680 --> 00:36:58,000 Facebook of skeptics in the pub 787 00:37:05,110 --> 00:37:02,690 organisers to trade ideas and ask for 788 00:37:07,510 --> 00:37:05,120 ideas as to speakers and because the 789 00:37:12,450 --> 00:37:07,520 distances are relatively short compared 790 00:37:15,220 --> 00:37:12,460 with Australia they can they can really 791 00:37:17,650 --> 00:37:15,230 leverage the groups can really leverage 792 00:37:20,140 --> 00:37:17,660 off each other when it comes to finding 793 00:37:23,080 --> 00:37:20,150 speakers and getting getting speakers to 794 00:37:25,330 --> 00:37:23,090 the different groups whereas here I 795 00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:25,340 suppose that's closest group is Canberra 796 00:37:28,660 --> 00:37:26,330 there 797 00:37:30,430 --> 00:37:28,670 not too far away it's not too far away 798 00:37:34,690 --> 00:37:30,440 it's not exactly close not exactly close 799 00:37:36,640 --> 00:37:34,700 but Brisbane and Melbourne are the next 800 00:37:39,160 --> 00:37:36,650 closest I think another tip I would give 801 00:37:40,840 --> 00:37:39,170 anybody considering it is don't don't 802 00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:40,850 think you have to have a talk every 803 00:37:46,540 --> 00:37:43,970 month on skepticism absolutely not 804 00:37:50,110 --> 00:37:46,550 oh no and in fact the the speaker at 805 00:37:55,740 --> 00:37:50,120 London skeptics in the pub was a guy 806 00:37:59,290 --> 00:37:55,750 called Alex Clegg and he's the I think 807 00:38:02,440 --> 00:37:59,300 projects and communications officer from 808 00:38:04,540 --> 00:38:02,450 sense about science oh yeah now sense 809 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:04,550 about science that's the UK charity 810 00:38:11,590 --> 00:38:07,490 which was founded in 2002 to promote the 811 00:38:14,500 --> 00:38:11,600 public understanding of science and Alex 812 00:38:18,850 --> 00:38:14,510 was talking about their latest public 813 00:38:21,490 --> 00:38:18,860 campaign which is a an online tool to 814 00:38:24,010 --> 00:38:21,500 encourage and assist people to request 815 00:38:26,410 --> 00:38:24,020 evidence for any claims they encounter 816 00:38:28,840 --> 00:38:26,420 so if you read an article or you hear 817 00:38:31,870 --> 00:38:28,850 something on the radio or you meet 818 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:31,880 someone and they have a claim like this 819 00:38:38,770 --> 00:38:35,330 cures cancer hmm you can then use the 820 00:38:41,620 --> 00:38:38,780 sense about science online tool to send 821 00:38:44,590 --> 00:38:41,630 a query what's the evidence please give 822 00:38:46,060 --> 00:38:44,600 us your evidence so um that was a really 823 00:38:49,030 --> 00:38:46,070 interesting talk and it sounds like a 824 00:38:51,490 --> 00:38:49,040 great tool so there'd be no it's a great 825 00:38:53,110 --> 00:38:51,500 example and if in fact if you had a 826 00:38:54,730 --> 00:38:53,120 sceptical topic every month I think 827 00:38:56,620 --> 00:38:54,740 people and you'd run out of topics I 828 00:38:58,420 --> 00:38:56,630 guess I don't get a bit sick of it but 829 00:39:00,370 --> 00:38:58,430 people love to hear about frogs and rip 830 00:39:03,010 --> 00:39:00,380 currents and all sorts of other science 831 00:39:05,050 --> 00:39:03,020 space space whenever we have a Spacey 832 00:39:07,300 --> 00:39:05,060 topic or an astronomy topic that's 833 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:07,310 always really popular yeah well thanks 834 00:39:10,660 --> 00:39:08,810 for Jessica for chatting to us about 835 00:39:13,030 --> 00:39:10,670 your experience with skeptics in the pub 836 00:39:15,370 --> 00:39:13,040 in London and I know it there are 837 00:39:17,650 --> 00:39:15,380 skeptics in the pub or there is a pub 838 00:39:19,390 --> 00:39:17,660 all around the world if there's not one 839 00:39:24,110 --> 00:39:19,400 in your local area it might be worth 840 00:39:24,120 --> 00:39:41,080 [Music] 841 00:39:53,390 --> 00:39:49,070 saikhan 2019 people are finally starting 842 00:39:56,660 --> 00:39:53,400 to wake up and eve axes denounced as a 843 00:40:01,060 --> 00:39:56,670 danger to public health climate science 844 00:40:04,190 --> 00:40:01,070 deniers exposed is ideological zealots 845 00:40:04,970 --> 00:40:04,200 celebrity psychics have been caught 846 00:40:10,250 --> 00:40:04,980 red-handed 847 00:40:12,550 --> 00:40:10,260 using trickery flat earthers seriously 848 00:40:16,040 --> 00:40:12,560 [Music] 849 00:40:18,440 --> 00:40:16,050 skeptics must seize this moment as Miss 850 00:40:21,170 --> 00:40:18,450 information is colliding with reality in 851 00:40:23,180 --> 00:40:21,180 plain sight now is the time for the 852 00:40:25,430 --> 00:40:23,190 brightest minds in science and reason to 853 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:25,440 come together to turn the tide against 854 00:40:31,790 --> 00:40:28,130 pseudoscience conspiracy theories and 855 00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:31,800 alternative facts and naturally we 856 00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:34,410 should do it in Las Vegas it's more fun 857 00:40:40,880 --> 00:40:36,290 that way 858 00:40:43,760 --> 00:40:40,890 now is the time for saikhan 2019 October 859 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:43,770 the 16th to the 20th at the Flamingo 860 00:40:51,589 --> 00:40:49,170 resort in Las Vegas the incredible 861 00:40:54,339 --> 00:40:51,599 lineup of speakers includes actor John 862 00:40:57,650 --> 00:40:54,349 de Lancie of Star Trek and Breaking Bad 863 00:40:58,280 --> 00:40:57,660 Julia Sweeney of SNL and letting go of 864 00:41:01,540 --> 00:40:58,290 God 865 00:41:03,859 --> 00:41:01,550 string theory Pioneer Brian Greene 866 00:41:07,970 --> 00:41:03,869 evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins 867 00:41:11,450 --> 00:41:07,980 ex naturopath Britt Marie Hermes Gweneth 868 00:41:14,260 --> 00:41:11,460 Paltrow zwarst nightmare dr. Jen Gunter 869 00:41:16,970 --> 00:41:14,270 climate expert Michael Mann 870 00:41:20,180 --> 00:41:16,980 entertainment from illusionist Banacek 871 00:41:23,330 --> 00:41:20,190 comedian Leeanne Lord and we even have a 872 00:41:26,060 --> 00:41:23,340 dragon plus hands-on workshops with the 873 00:41:28,190 --> 00:41:26,070 skeptics toolbox for for book signings a 874 00:41:31,970 --> 00:41:28,200 fresh round of Sunday papers 875 00:41:35,390 --> 00:41:31,980 presentations and even a 1950s themed 876 00:41:36,410 --> 00:41:35,400 party register now October will be here 877 00:41:41,870 --> 00:41:36,420 before you know it 878 00:41:45,079 --> 00:41:41,880 so let's seize this moment that's icon 879 00:41:48,370 --> 00:41:45,089 2019 from October the 16th to the 20th 880 00:41:52,010 --> 00:41:48,380 at the Flamingo resort in Las Vegas 881 00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:52,020 register at SCI conference dot org 882 00:42:00,280 --> 00:41:56,690 that's CSI conference dot org 883 00:42:12,059 --> 00:42:00,290 it's your best bet in Las Vegas 884 00:42:20,340 --> 00:42:16,990 here's may not spooky action at a 885 00:42:25,270 --> 00:42:23,410 I'm just sitting next to a Tim Mendham 886 00:42:28,420 --> 00:42:25,280 which is the he's at the pointy end of 887 00:42:30,460 --> 00:42:28,430 the $100,000 challenge here and look 888 00:42:32,380 --> 00:42:30,470 Saunders causes a trouble maker has 889 00:42:33,790 --> 00:42:32,390 asked me to ask people do you think they 890 00:42:35,050 --> 00:42:33,800 should just give this whole thing away 891 00:42:36,280 --> 00:42:35,060 do you think the challenge should be 892 00:42:39,460 --> 00:42:36,290 given away because you're the guy who 893 00:42:40,870 --> 00:42:39,470 takes the phone calls no I mean the 894 00:42:42,130 --> 00:42:40,880 money given away or the whole concept of 895 00:42:44,650 --> 00:42:42,140 the challenge yeah the whole concept the 896 00:42:47,230 --> 00:42:44,660 chart I get I get messages at least once 897 00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:47,240 a week from someone somewhere who's 898 00:42:52,450 --> 00:42:50,210 applying for the challenge so people are 899 00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:52,460 very very keen on it actually once they 900 00:42:58,180 --> 00:42:54,610 find out they actually have to do a test 901 00:43:01,870 --> 00:42:58,190 rather just oh yeah I say I can fly oh 902 00:43:04,900 --> 00:43:01,880 here's the money right 90% of them drop 903 00:43:06,520 --> 00:43:04,910 there and that's stage okay what they 904 00:43:09,940 --> 00:43:06,530 think they can just go I can fly and 905 00:43:11,470 --> 00:43:09,950 here's your cash I've had people do 906 00:43:13,780 --> 00:43:11,480 exactly that actually I've also people 907 00:43:15,460 --> 00:43:13,790 get very aggressive when I say no you 908 00:43:17,380 --> 00:43:15,470 can't get the money until you get proven 909 00:43:20,140 --> 00:43:17,390 is if I made the money now I can someone 910 00:43:21,340 --> 00:43:20,150 be really really nasty to me and I think 911 00:43:23,170 --> 00:43:21,350 well there's no chance you're gonna get 912 00:43:24,490 --> 00:43:23,180 the money mate what's the weirdest one 913 00:43:26,940 --> 00:43:24,500 you've had what's the weirdest claim 914 00:43:29,730 --> 00:43:26,950 you've had that's never gone any further 915 00:43:32,710 --> 00:43:29,740 we disclaimer there's a lot of them 916 00:43:36,460 --> 00:43:32,720 there was a fellow who was covered in 917 00:43:36,940 --> 00:43:36,470 UFO dust I'm sorry he's covered in UFO 918 00:43:39,550 --> 00:43:36,950 dust 919 00:43:42,160 --> 00:43:39,560 yeah he was first of all he was first of 920 00:43:44,650 --> 00:43:42,170 all claiming that he could see dark 921 00:43:47,920 --> 00:43:44,660 matter which was basically the shadows 922 00:43:49,840 --> 00:43:47,930 of contrails on clouds and that was 923 00:43:53,080 --> 00:43:49,850 darkness it runs parallel with the plane 924 00:43:54,370 --> 00:43:53,090 I said yeah it's a shadow right and then 925 00:43:58,030 --> 00:43:54,380 he came down with something else he said 926 00:44:00,310 --> 00:43:58,040 I filmed UFOs he sent me videos which I 927 00:44:02,320 --> 00:44:00,320 then had to follow through ever trying 928 00:44:04,420 --> 00:44:02,330 to a frame by frame of a video online 929 00:44:06,160 --> 00:44:04,430 it's a bit difficult right because he 930 00:44:07,870 --> 00:44:06,170 havea third press here pause button all 931 00:44:10,920 --> 00:44:07,880 the time and I finally found what he was 932 00:44:13,630 --> 00:44:10,930 talking about it was a spot on one frame 933 00:44:16,870 --> 00:44:13,640 how good are you at being polite 934 00:44:19,180 --> 00:44:16,880 so go ring-ring ring-ring I'm very 935 00:44:22,240 --> 00:44:19,190 polite okay I've got a claim that's 936 00:44:24,730 --> 00:44:22,250 amazing thank you what is your claim I 937 00:44:28,570 --> 00:44:24,740 believe that I look good in this suit 938 00:44:30,370 --> 00:44:28,580 you're an idiot aren't you is that 939 00:44:31,690 --> 00:44:30,380 require extraordinary evidence or not I 940 00:44:34,120 --> 00:44:31,700 think so if you have photographic 941 00:44:35,740 --> 00:44:34,130 evidence of this yes it's not good but 942 00:44:36,850 --> 00:44:35,750 okay well I'm afraid yeah I've looked at 943 00:44:38,890 --> 00:44:36,860 the photographs they're not very good 944 00:44:40,750 --> 00:44:38,900 quality they are a bit fuzzy and arrive 945 00:44:43,240 --> 00:44:40,760 and looks like something moving is that 946 00:44:46,360 --> 00:44:43,250 you and then you make a noise it sounds 947 00:44:47,740 --> 00:44:46,370 like boo and your hang-up I've been 948 00:44:49,330 --> 00:44:47,750 asking people tonight should this get 949 00:44:50,740 --> 00:44:49,340 big speed bother doing the hundred 950 00:44:52,150 --> 00:44:50,750 thousand dollar thing because it hasn't 951 00:44:54,850 --> 00:44:52,160 really gone off but what do you think 952 00:44:57,610 --> 00:44:54,860 well I like it when we have 953 00:45:01,900 --> 00:44:57,620 conversations with people who think that 954 00:45:04,300 --> 00:45:01,910 you know they can divine for water or or 955 00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:04,310 see ghosts so it's handy to be able to 956 00:45:07,930 --> 00:45:06,770 say well give the skipping it's a call 957 00:45:10,510 --> 00:45:07,940 they'll give you a hundred thousand 958 00:45:12,640 --> 00:45:10,520 bucks and they never do do they III 959 00:45:15,850 --> 00:45:12,650 don't know luckily I'm insulated from 960 00:45:17,200 --> 00:45:15,860 whether or not they do but I mean I 961 00:45:20,530 --> 00:45:17,210 guess I'm not doing any other work 962 00:45:23,710 --> 00:45:20,540 related to it I've been asking about the 963 00:45:26,050 --> 00:45:23,720 whole hundred thousand dollar thing and 964 00:45:27,150 --> 00:45:26,060 should it still keep going or do you 965 00:45:30,460 --> 00:45:27,160 think it's just a bit of a wacky 966 00:45:35,790 --> 00:45:30,470 hangover from back in the days so my 967 00:45:38,530 --> 00:45:35,800 opinions on this I think very strong I 968 00:45:41,340 --> 00:45:38,540 do have opinions and I like to share 969 00:45:43,650 --> 00:45:41,350 them often on this podcast 970 00:45:46,770 --> 00:45:43,660 so my opinion of the $100,000 challenge 971 00:45:48,530 --> 00:45:46,780 is I think it's good a good marketing 972 00:45:51,330 --> 00:45:48,540 tool I think it's a good way of 973 00:45:54,090 --> 00:45:51,340 introducing ourselves to people that 974 00:45:55,350 --> 00:45:54,100 wouldn't otherwise be aware it's a good 975 00:45:56,850 --> 00:45:55,360 little marketing tool around the pub 976 00:45:58,740 --> 00:45:56,860 because obviously you know Richard 977 00:46:00,270 --> 00:45:58,750 distributes the little checks around the 978 00:46:02,820 --> 00:46:00,280 pub which is a good talking point with a 979 00:46:05,370 --> 00:46:02,830 lot of people my main issue with 980 00:46:06,990 --> 00:46:05,380 $100,000 times is that I've noticed that 981 00:46:09,720 --> 00:46:07,000 in recent years especially a lot of the 982 00:46:10,940 --> 00:46:09,730 applicants you know - their challenge 983 00:46:13,350 --> 00:46:10,950 [Music] 984 00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:13,360 well shall we say they're not of the 985 00:46:17,820 --> 00:46:15,010 type of people that we'd really want to 986 00:46:19,500 --> 00:46:17,830 be making a funnel and that is 987 00:46:21,780 --> 00:46:19,510 essentially what we're doing in the 988 00:46:23,760 --> 00:46:21,790 challenge itself is it's a bit of which 989 00:46:25,590 --> 00:46:23,770 is kind of why we have to amend them on 990 00:46:29,160 --> 00:46:25,600 the phone and not you who should be 991 00:46:31,320 --> 00:46:29,170 going off shake up please I'm sorry go 992 00:46:32,610 --> 00:46:31,330 away yeah well I wouldn't say it to them 993 00:46:36,180 --> 00:46:32,620 no I'd like to think I'm a bit more 994 00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:36,190 tactful than that but but I do think 995 00:46:40,500 --> 00:46:37,930 that a lot of the times people that 996 00:46:43,260 --> 00:46:40,510 contact us claiming these powers are 997 00:46:45,570 --> 00:46:43,270 maybe themselves in need of some help 998 00:46:46,920 --> 00:46:45,580 and some attention I don't think that 999 00:46:49,800 --> 00:46:46,930 this is the kind of attention or help 1000 00:46:51,780 --> 00:46:49,810 that they actually do require fair 1001 00:46:54,150 --> 00:46:51,790 enough well I have a claim I claim that 1002 00:46:57,660 --> 00:46:54,160 in this suit and this shirt and this tie 1003 00:46:59,640 --> 00:46:57,670 I look as good as some mid-range 90s 1004 00:47:01,080 --> 00:46:59,650 band that was moderately successful in 1005 00:47:06,210 --> 00:47:01,090 the UK you could definitely be in 1006 00:47:10,040 --> 00:47:06,220 Kraftwerk look what do you think about 1007 00:47:13,620 --> 00:47:10,050 the $100,000 challenge I think it's 1008 00:47:15,660 --> 00:47:13,630 great I hope someone wins at CERN Wow 1009 00:47:17,400 --> 00:47:15,670 it's been too long well I'm pretty close 1010 00:47:19,410 --> 00:47:17,410 with the suit I'm making a claim about 1011 00:47:22,420 --> 00:47:19,420 this suit it is it is quite 1012 00:47:25,450 --> 00:47:22,430 supernaturally appealing 1013 00:47:26,470 --> 00:47:25,460 okay but look we're talking about if 1014 00:47:29,500 --> 00:47:26,480 these skeptics have their hammer 1015 00:47:31,029 --> 00:47:29,510 $100,000 thing that goes off should they 1016 00:47:32,289 --> 00:47:31,039 keep doing that or should they just give 1017 00:47:34,240 --> 00:47:32,299 it up as a bit of a joke and give it a 1018 00:47:39,730 --> 00:47:34,250 rest no they should keep doing that 1019 00:47:43,150 --> 00:47:39,740 because I feel like once it's kind of 1020 00:47:44,650 --> 00:47:43,160 quit then people have got they can they 1021 00:47:48,160 --> 00:47:44,660 can sit back and just make all sorts of 1022 00:47:50,529 --> 00:47:48,170 excuses as to why nobody got it without 1023 00:47:52,599 --> 00:47:50,539 like we need to be able to trust that in 1024 00:47:54,099 --> 00:47:52,609 their face and say well if you can do 1025 00:47:55,660 --> 00:47:54,109 what you say you do then why don't you 1026 00:47:58,900 --> 00:47:55,670 do this whereas if we don't have it 1027 00:48:00,160 --> 00:47:58,910 there then become what's wrong you think 1028 00:48:03,370 --> 00:48:00,170 that's the most ridiculous that people 1029 00:48:05,260 --> 00:48:03,380 bring out the people have tried oh gosh 1030 00:48:06,519 --> 00:48:05,270 I really don't know may not I'm not 1031 00:48:08,620 --> 00:48:06,529 entirely sure I know there's been a lot 1032 00:48:11,140 --> 00:48:08,630 of them dowsers and I always feel like 1033 00:48:13,180 --> 00:48:11,150 I'm calling with the dowsing rods 1034 00:48:14,500 --> 00:48:13,190 there's another name look I'm making a 1035 00:48:17,019 --> 00:48:14,510 claim here in this suit 1036 00:48:19,420 --> 00:48:17,029 that I look like some mid-level UK band 1037 00:48:21,190 --> 00:48:19,430 from the mid 90s I think it has to be a 1038 00:48:23,470 --> 00:48:21,200 pseudo-scientific claim to make 1039 00:48:28,029 --> 00:48:23,480 paranormal so are you saying fashion 1040 00:48:28,480 --> 00:48:28,039 isn't science no I'm saying you're 1041 00:48:31,559 --> 00:48:28,490 saying 1042 00:48:33,940 --> 00:48:31,569 fashion isn't science yeah I'm confused 1043 00:48:36,039 --> 00:48:33,950 I'm saying that the claim has to be 1044 00:48:37,900 --> 00:48:36,049 pseudo scientific oh we're having to 1045 00:48:40,359 --> 00:48:37,910 prove so what is your pseudo scientific 1046 00:48:45,059 --> 00:48:40,369 claim about fashion that I look a bit 1047 00:48:51,789 --> 00:48:49,569 okay so $100,000 you just got at work 1048 00:48:54,549 --> 00:48:51,799 speak to Richard and you can plan a 1049 00:48:56,260 --> 00:48:54,559 trial together and work out how you're 1050 00:48:59,000 --> 00:48:56,270 gonna prove it 1051 00:49:00,349 --> 00:48:59,010 look rich it does look like a band from 1052 00:49:02,770 --> 00:49:00,359 the 70s I just don't know which one 1053 00:49:07,010 --> 00:49:02,780 Earth Wind and Fire 1054 00:49:08,180 --> 00:49:07,020 if only retreat is a bit and don't take 1055 00:49:15,400 --> 00:49:08,190 this the wrong way Richard but you're a 1056 00:49:18,349 --> 00:49:15,410 bit like the no David Essex's manager no 1057 00:49:20,930 --> 00:49:18,359 that Len is cool well think about four 1058 00:49:24,440 --> 00:49:20,940 opinion and obviously what I've worn has 1059 00:49:27,829 --> 00:49:24,450 had no effect on it was ever even the 1060 00:49:29,720 --> 00:49:27,839 question may not it was my claim I was 1061 00:49:32,210 --> 00:49:29,730 making that claim you look very smooth 1062 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:32,220 tonight thank you oh and by the way 1063 00:49:37,640 --> 00:49:35,010 Trish said if if you had a nice night 1064 00:49:39,200 --> 00:49:37,650 with someone and you want to indicate to 1065 00:49:41,240 --> 00:49:39,210 them that it was a nice night but you 1066 00:49:44,059 --> 00:49:41,250 might not want to see them again what's 1067 00:49:44,510 --> 00:49:44,069 the language would you use Trish will 1068 00:49:51,770 --> 00:49:44,520 you explain 1069 00:49:53,120 --> 00:49:51,780 oh that was an experience a little bit 1070 00:49:55,549 --> 00:49:53,130 vague that they could interpret 1071 00:50:10,870 --> 00:49:55,559 different way so people if you hear that 1072 00:50:10,880 --> 00:50:20,489 [Music] 1073 00:50:24,699 --> 00:50:22,930 thanks for listening to the skeptic zone 1074 00:50:27,459 --> 00:50:24,709 now here's an announcement from our 1075 00:50:29,109 --> 00:50:27,469 friends in Victoria the Australian 1076 00:50:31,449 --> 00:50:29,119 skeptics National Convention will be in 1077 00:50:33,640 --> 00:50:31,459 December in Melbourne this year and 1078 00:50:36,339 --> 00:50:33,650 they've just announced that Susan garvik 1079 00:50:38,380 --> 00:50:36,349 from guerrilla skepticism on Wikipedia 1080 00:50:40,089 --> 00:50:38,390 and a frequent guest on the skeptics own 1081 00:50:43,329 --> 00:50:40,099 will be attending this year's convention 1082 00:50:48,249 --> 00:50:43,339 in Melbourne for more information head 1083 00:50:50,049 --> 00:50:48,259 to skeptic on org dot au and it will be 1084 00:50:52,299 --> 00:50:50,059 great to see Susan go back back in 1085 00:50:54,279 --> 00:50:52,309 Australia coming up on next week's show 1086 00:50:57,219 --> 00:50:54,289 the report from the flu vaccination day 1087 00:50:59,499 --> 00:50:57,229 we had yesterday on Star Wars day here 1088 00:51:02,380 --> 00:50:59,509 in Sydney and the force was certainly 1089 00:51:06,789 --> 00:51:02,390 with us we look at a new web series 1090 00:51:09,430 --> 00:51:06,799 called fact underscore me underscore Oz 1091 00:51:11,170 --> 00:51:09,440 and hopefully we have a new report 1092 00:51:14,170 --> 00:51:11,180 coming up from Michelle Franklin up in 1093 00:51:15,699 --> 00:51:14,180 the Northern Territory but for this week 1094 00:51:19,329 --> 00:51:15,709 in thanking everybody for helping us 1095 00:51:21,249 --> 00:51:19,339 reach show number 550 this is Richard 1096 00:51:27,400 --> 00:51:21,259 Saunders signing off from Sydney 1097 00:51:30,069 --> 00:51:27,410 Australia you've been listening to the 1098 00:51:37,029 --> 00:51:30,079 skeptic zone podcast please visit our 1099 00:51:39,579 --> 00:51:37,039 website at wwlp.com tax and to access 1100 00:51:43,180 --> 00:51:39,589 the bat catalogue of episodes going back 1101 00:51:46,809 --> 00:51:43,190 to 2008 you can follow the skeptic zone 1102 00:51:49,209 --> 00:51:46,819 podcast on twitter at skeptic zone visit 1103 00:51:52,569 --> 00:51:49,219 our facebook page or leave a review on 1104 00:51:55,959 --> 00:51:52,579 itunes you can also support the skeptic 1105 00:51:58,299 --> 00:51:55,969 zone via patreon or PayPal the skeptic 1106 00:52:00,489 --> 00:51:58,309 zone podcast is an independent 1107 00:52:02,469 --> 00:52:00,499 production the views and opinions 1108 00:52:04,599 --> 00:52:02,479 expressed on the skeptic zone are not 1109 00:52:07,530 --> 00:52:04,609 necessarily those of Australian skeptics 1110 00:52:21,290 --> 00:52:07,540 or any other sceptical organisation 1111 00:52:27,960 --> 00:52:23,910 show new goals are Dyson's they give me 1112 00:52:30,270 --> 00:52:27,970 the hellos people who stay after the 1113 00:52:32,040 --> 00:52:30,280 closing music yes once again it's the 1114 00:52:33,540 --> 00:52:32,050 losers they've got they've got nothing 1115 00:52:35,550 --> 00:52:33,550 going on their life except to listen to 1116 00:52:36,540 --> 00:52:35,560 the end of the skeptic zone the whole 1117 00:52:38,580 --> 00:52:36,550 bunch of stuff for you but listening to 1118 00:52:41,040 --> 00:52:38,590 but know you're listening to the end of 1119 00:52:47,730 --> 00:52:41,050 the show and there's not even any cats 1120 00:52:49,590 --> 00:52:47,740 and dogs not necessarily now as long 1121 00:52:51,690 --> 00:52:49,600 term listeners know we play the dice 1122 00:52:53,430 --> 00:52:51,700 game and new listeners every now and 1123 00:52:56,490 --> 00:52:53,440 then we roll a 10 sided die three times 1124 00:52:58,050 --> 00:52:56,500 and you have to use your home are you in 1125 00:53:00,210 --> 00:52:58,060 the car you commuting have to use your 1126 00:53:01,710 --> 00:53:00,220 psychic power to predict what numbers 1127 00:53:03,840 --> 00:53:01,720 gonna come up and we've got a special 1128 00:53:06,210 --> 00:53:03,850 guest tonight you are my name is Larry 1129 00:53:08,040 --> 00:53:06,220 and you're going to play along you see 1130 00:53:10,590 --> 00:53:08,050 so in a moment Jessica's gonna roll out 1131 00:53:14,210 --> 00:53:10,600 to inside a dive and you have to use 1132 00:53:17,070 --> 00:53:14,220 your magical predicting power right 1133 00:53:19,410 --> 00:53:17,080 predicting look into the future what 1134 00:53:21,810 --> 00:53:19,420 number do you predict it'll be zero to 1135 00:53:24,690 --> 00:53:21,820 denial which is really one to ten but 1136 00:53:27,750 --> 00:53:24,700 anyway okay so the answer is not 42 no 1137 00:53:30,060 --> 00:53:27,760 okay do I have to say you know just 1138 00:53:34,350 --> 00:53:30,070 think it well you can think it but it's 1139 00:53:36,570 --> 00:53:34,360 more fun if you suck in five and here we 1140 00:53:40,740 --> 00:53:36,580 come left the wave form here it comes 1141 00:53:45,560 --> 00:53:40,750 Jessica's rolling now and it was five 1142 00:53:50,010 --> 00:53:48,600 I'm scrupulously honest okay that was 1143 00:53:52,280 --> 00:53:50,020 the first girl gonna do it two more 1144 00:53:57,150 --> 00:53:52,290 times oh so think again what do you get 1145 00:54:00,120 --> 00:53:57,160 500 just for change oh no six 1146 00:54:02,280 --> 00:54:00,130 oh so close I know a little bit psychic 1147 00:54:07,620 --> 00:54:02,290 all right I'm the last time just get 1148 00:54:10,290 --> 00:54:07,630 ready oh six weeks ago I went off that's