1 00:00:11,860 --> 00:00:09,110 welcome to the skeptic zone the podcast 2 00:00:13,930 --> 00:00:11,870 from Australia for science and reason 3 00:00:16,900 --> 00:00:13,940 [Music] 4 00:00:22,380 --> 00:00:16,910 [Applause] 5 00:00:24,910 --> 00:00:22,390 [Music] 6 00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:24,920 yes it's the skeptic zone podcast 7 00:00:31,540 --> 00:00:28,580 episode number 564 for the 11th of 8 00:00:36,180 --> 00:00:31,550 August 2019 which it Saunders here with 9 00:00:38,380 --> 00:00:36,190 you from Sydney Australia cold snap this 10 00:00:45,189 --> 00:00:38,390 cold snap 11 00:00:51,660 --> 00:00:45,199 not in Sydney but close by Sydney in the 12 00:00:55,060 --> 00:00:51,670 mountains freezing winds icebergs sleet 13 00:00:57,640 --> 00:00:55,070 polar bears you name it actually it's 14 00:01:00,130 --> 00:00:57,650 the sort of weather I like coming up on 15 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:00,140 this week's show I catch up with a 16 00:01:05,380 --> 00:01:02,690 friend I've never met Pontus Bookman 17 00:01:07,810 --> 00:01:05,390 from Sweden Qantas is part of the 18 00:01:10,030 --> 00:01:07,820 European sceptics podcast one of the 19 00:01:14,230 --> 00:01:10,040 three people doing that as they like to 20 00:01:16,690 --> 00:01:14,240 say the real ESP experience Pontus will 21 00:01:19,630 --> 00:01:16,700 be telling us about recent victories for 22 00:01:22,990 --> 00:01:19,640 skeptics in Sweden and also about the 23 00:01:26,230 --> 00:01:23,000 upcoming European skeptics Congress in 24 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:26,240 Belgium the joy of skepticism 25 00:01:32,230 --> 00:01:28,850 it says here looking quickly at the 26 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:32,240 European skeptics Congress page 18th 27 00:01:38,050 --> 00:01:35,510 European skeptics Congress 2019 every 28 00:01:40,210 --> 00:01:38,060 other year skeptics from all over Europe 29 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:40,220 come together to meet at a skeptics 30 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:42,170 Congress they listen to talks about a 31 00:01:46,630 --> 00:01:44,570 variety of subjects participate in 32 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:46,640 debates exchange experiences with 33 00:01:49,930 --> 00:01:48,890 colleagues from abroad while having a 34 00:01:52,420 --> 00:01:49,940 great time together 35 00:01:55,030 --> 00:01:52,430 this year we are meeting in Ghent one of 36 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:55,040 the great historical cities in Belgium 37 00:01:59,560 --> 00:01:57,170 home to one of its main universities 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:01:59,570 with a pre-program skeptics in the pub 39 00:02:04,540 --> 00:02:02,570 event in the center of Brussels come and 40 00:02:07,210 --> 00:02:04,550 join us for three to four days of fun 41 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:07,220 and learning and don't forget to sample 42 00:02:12,309 --> 00:02:10,250 Belgium's fine beers and chocolates 43 00:02:13,140 --> 00:02:12,319 while you're there that sounds pretty 44 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:13,150 good 45 00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:30,890 that website by the way is e s C 201.57 46 00:02:36,410 --> 00:02:34,110 a at the Australian Museum just 47 00:02:37,790 --> 00:02:36,420 yesterday Ian Bryce from the Australian 48 00:02:41,300 --> 00:02:37,800 skeptics and the mystery investigators 49 00:02:45,050 --> 00:02:41,310 and a high performed two shows at the 50 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:45,060 Museum - absolutely packed houses as 51 00:02:50,690 --> 00:02:47,850 that they say it was very nice to see so 52 00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:50,700 many people line up outside the door to 53 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:53,310 get into our shows in fact in fact 54 00:02:59,270 --> 00:02:55,850 people had to be turned away which was 55 00:03:02,120 --> 00:02:59,280 quite something really a report about 56 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:02,130 the show and a report about science day 57 00:03:07,790 --> 00:03:05,090 in the museum itself with only one 58 00:03:10,610 --> 00:03:07,800 disappointing aspect and that was a 59 00:03:14,210 --> 00:03:10,620 little bit of quackery a little bit of 60 00:03:17,210 --> 00:03:14,220 silly quackery snuck in to a science 61 00:03:19,970 --> 00:03:17,220 event find out more soon then to round 62 00:03:22,729 --> 00:03:19,980 off the show we dive into the pages of 63 00:03:26,300 --> 00:03:22,739 the skeptic magazine way back to 1996 64 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:26,310 and read about some skeptical activism 65 00:03:31,630 --> 00:03:29,010 way back then when Glenn Cardwell sent 66 00:03:35,170 --> 00:03:31,640 in a complaint to a magazine about an 67 00:03:37,820 --> 00:03:35,180 advertisement for the vinegar book 68 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:37,830 vinegar and it's quite interesting to 69 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:39,810 note that the author of this book like a 70 00:03:44,330 --> 00:03:42,450 lot of quacks tends to think that their 71 00:03:46,910 --> 00:03:44,340 pet quackery can solve everything 72 00:03:49,970 --> 00:03:46,920 I think the prime example is homeopathy 73 00:03:53,949 --> 00:03:49,980 where proponents of homeopathy think it 74 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:53,959 is the mystical cure-all for everything 75 00:03:58,660 --> 00:03:56,370 everything and the group here in 76 00:04:02,090 --> 00:03:58,670 Australia called homeopathy plus I note 77 00:04:04,250 --> 00:04:02,100 regularly put out newsletters about what 78 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:04,260 homeopathy can fix and cure and help I 79 00:04:10,009 --> 00:04:06,090 think something to do with radiation 80 00:04:13,699 --> 00:04:10,019 damage but that's that's a hallmark of 81 00:04:15,890 --> 00:04:13,709 quackery your fill in the blank here pet 82 00:04:18,469 --> 00:04:15,900 quackery can fix this this this this 83 00:04:20,900 --> 00:04:18,479 this this and lots of other things 84 00:04:23,510 --> 00:04:20,910 anyway find out about the skeptical 85 00:04:25,909 --> 00:04:23,520 activism all those years ago towards the 86 00:04:28,180 --> 00:04:25,919 end of the show stay tuned at the end of 87 00:04:31,070 --> 00:04:28,190 the show for more announcements from me 88 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:31,080 but now it's time for me to run 89 00:04:35,270 --> 00:04:32,910 downstairs put the kettle on and have a 90 00:04:39,170 --> 00:04:35,280 nice big mug of hot chocolate on such a 91 00:04:42,350 --> 00:04:39,180 cold day do I have any marshmallows oh I 92 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:42,360 don't think so oh well just a mug of hot 93 00:04:46,370 --> 00:04:44,130 chocolate well I do that I hope you 94 00:04:53,810 --> 00:04:46,380 enjoy the skeptics are 95 00:04:56,790 --> 00:04:53,820 [Music] 96 00:05:07,439 --> 00:04:56,800 [Applause] 97 00:05:10,300 --> 00:05:07,449 [Music] 98 00:05:12,700 --> 00:05:10,310 and joining me now from the city of 99 00:05:15,129 --> 00:05:12,710 Malmo which is in the south of Sweden 100 00:05:16,990 --> 00:05:15,139 and people who know the TV show the 101 00:05:19,719 --> 00:05:17,000 bridge which was very popular in 102 00:05:22,450 --> 00:05:19,729 Australia certainly know now no it's 103 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:22,460 pontus from the european sceptics 104 00:05:28,870 --> 00:05:25,490 podcast ESP and the Swedish sceptics 105 00:05:31,510 --> 00:05:28,880 hello hello Richard so good to talk to 106 00:05:32,830 --> 00:05:31,520 you it's interesting isn't it because I 107 00:05:34,540 --> 00:05:32,840 was just thinking before this interview 108 00:05:37,900 --> 00:05:34,550 started I've got a lot of friends around 109 00:05:39,850 --> 00:05:37,910 the world whom I have never met but I've 110 00:05:41,469 --> 00:05:39,860 sort of met you because we've spoken in 111 00:05:43,089 --> 00:05:41,479 the past and I can see you on the video 112 00:05:46,890 --> 00:05:43,099 but I've never actually seen you in 113 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:46,900 person no we have to fix that sometime I 114 00:05:53,050 --> 00:05:49,610 would I think I'll take you up on that 115 00:05:55,390 --> 00:05:53,060 offer I went to Sweden briefly odd over 116 00:05:57,610 --> 00:05:55,400 20 years ago I was in Sweden for New 117 00:05:59,290 --> 00:05:57,620 Year's once in the south of Sweden and I 118 00:06:01,990 --> 00:05:59,300 walked on an ice lake which was 119 00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:02,000 fantastic and a few years ago I was in 120 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:04,310 Oslo which I love so yes one year I will 121 00:06:09,070 --> 00:06:06,650 have to make my way to Sweden but please 122 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:09,080 for the sake of our worldwide audience 123 00:06:15,969 --> 00:06:12,370 what's the state of skepticism in Sweden 124 00:06:18,820 --> 00:06:15,979 yeah Oh in Sweden or in Europe in 125 00:06:22,180 --> 00:06:18,830 general I mean we have there's so much 126 00:06:24,430 --> 00:06:22,190 to tell really I think in in Sweden 127 00:06:27,219 --> 00:06:24,440 we've actually had just a very big win 128 00:06:30,610 --> 00:06:27,229 for skepticism and that is Oh excellent 129 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:30,620 please look at anthroposophical medicine 130 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:33,970 so-called medicine will no longer be 131 00:06:39,939 --> 00:06:37,370 allowed to sell be sold in Sweden from 132 00:06:42,249 --> 00:06:39,949 1st of September this year so is this 133 00:06:44,740 --> 00:06:42,259 this has been a theme that we've been 134 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:44,750 fighting for a long time there was an 135 00:06:51,610 --> 00:06:47,690 exception introduced I think several 136 00:06:54,719 --> 00:06:51,620 decades ago saying that one clinic and 137 00:06:57,700 --> 00:06:54,729 one pharmacy were allowed to sell these 138 00:07:00,760 --> 00:06:57,710 nonsense products even though they were 139 00:07:04,149 --> 00:07:00,770 not formally approved as medicine 140 00:07:05,620 --> 00:07:04,159 because how could they be and eventually 141 00:07:09,070 --> 00:07:05,630 well fine 142 00:07:12,460 --> 00:07:09,080 the this exception has been phased out 143 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:12,470 and from the 1st of September both the 144 00:07:17,830 --> 00:07:14,930 clinic will closed and the pharmacy will 145 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:17,840 close and all anthroposophical medicine 146 00:07:21,190 --> 00:07:20,450 is no longer allowed in Sweden so that's 147 00:07:23,770 --> 00:07:21,200 great 148 00:07:26,290 --> 00:07:23,780 what for people like me who aren't too 149 00:07:28,030 --> 00:07:26,300 sure what can you tell me about that 150 00:07:29,350 --> 00:07:28,040 sort of medicine what's the basis of it 151 00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:29,360 is it like homeopathy 152 00:07:35,170 --> 00:07:32,510 well it seems inspired by homeopathy but 153 00:07:38,170 --> 00:07:35,180 the antrum the anthroposophical movement 154 00:07:40,180 --> 00:07:38,180 become very testy and irritated when you 155 00:07:43,660 --> 00:07:40,190 call it homeopathy because there's 156 00:07:46,180 --> 00:07:43,670 there's a little bit in it not it's not 157 00:07:48,370 --> 00:07:46,190 totally Laimbeer so mapa the-- but it's 158 00:07:52,330 --> 00:07:48,380 a lot of nonsense it is it was invented 159 00:07:56,140 --> 00:07:52,340 by a Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900s 160 00:07:59,860 --> 00:07:56,150 and he believed in angels and believed 161 00:08:01,990 --> 00:07:59,870 in very many strange things so there's a 162 00:08:05,530 --> 00:08:02,000 lot of ritual involved so I know one 163 00:08:08,470 --> 00:08:05,540 nurse who actually practiced for a short 164 00:08:11,590 --> 00:08:08,480 while at this clinic and he told me that 165 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:11,600 when they prepared their medication it 166 00:08:16,030 --> 00:08:14,210 was very important to - it was third 167 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:16,040 seven times and it had to be 168 00:08:21,550 --> 00:08:19,250 counterclockwise and then seven times 169 00:08:23,890 --> 00:08:21,560 clockwise and then you looked at the 170 00:08:28,750 --> 00:08:23,900 moon or something it was that kind of 171 00:08:30,670 --> 00:08:28,760 hocus-pocus really you've got me 172 00:08:32,620 --> 00:08:30,680 picturing somebody looking at the moon 173 00:08:36,430 --> 00:08:32,630 stirring something very carefully now 174 00:08:38,680 --> 00:08:36,440 yeah I'm sure it's all true and that's 175 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:38,690 why it works because they put their 176 00:08:45,310 --> 00:08:43,130 mental energy into the so anyway that's 177 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:45,320 no longer allowed so that was that's 178 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:47,090 something we've been waiting for for a 179 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:48,770 long time actually the decision was 180 00:08:54,580 --> 00:08:50,960 taking a couple of years ago but now the 181 00:08:57,730 --> 00:08:54,590 the they faced it out over a couple of 182 00:09:01,090 --> 00:08:57,740 years and they gave of course there and 183 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:01,100 true Pacific people the the chance to if 184 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:03,710 you can register the you can register 185 00:09:09,460 --> 00:09:06,410 these things as medicine but you have to 186 00:09:11,740 --> 00:09:09,470 show that it works oh and they haven't 187 00:09:13,870 --> 00:09:11,750 even tried to do that because they know 188 00:09:15,730 --> 00:09:13,880 they can't prove it well that's 189 00:09:18,610 --> 00:09:15,740 fantastic I love to hear success stories 190 00:09:20,590 --> 00:09:18,620 like this I mean worldwide we're all 191 00:09:23,980 --> 00:09:20,600 moving to try and phase out homeopathy 192 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:23,990 and I think it's largely being it's 193 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:25,730 largely working a lot of countries 194 00:09:29,350 --> 00:09:27,170 around the world are cracking down on 195 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:29,360 homeopathy or phasing it out or no 196 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:31,970 longer tolerating it so every little bit 197 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:34,490 helps I think yeah and we do see that in 198 00:09:39,340 --> 00:09:37,610 Europe of course our good friends in the 199 00:09:42,730 --> 00:09:39,350 good thinking Society has been very 200 00:09:47,470 --> 00:09:42,740 successful in the UK getting the NHS to 201 00:09:49,570 --> 00:09:47,480 more or less now ban all the or not it's 202 00:09:52,510 --> 00:09:49,580 not banned but they no longer fund the 203 00:09:54,220 --> 00:09:52,520 whole homeopathy in the UK yeah we're 204 00:09:56,740 --> 00:09:54,230 seeing the similar things happening in 205 00:09:59,080 --> 00:09:56,750 in France just a month ago there was a 206 00:10:02,320 --> 00:09:59,090 decision to face out the funding for 207 00:10:06,870 --> 00:10:02,330 homeopathy in in France and we know that 208 00:10:09,670 --> 00:10:06,880 the German minister of health is also 209 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:09,680 looking into doing something similar in 210 00:10:16,410 --> 00:10:13,850 Germany which is a big sensation really 211 00:10:19,900 --> 00:10:16,420 because that's where it's very very big 212 00:10:22,150 --> 00:10:19,910 homeopathy of course and in Australia 213 00:10:23,740 --> 00:10:22,160 too over the years it's been well there 214 00:10:26,020 --> 00:10:23,750 are people I mean you get pockets of 215 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:26,030 people in every country who swear by it 216 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:28,490 and think it's absolutely the best 217 00:10:33,130 --> 00:10:31,610 system ever invented and we've had big 218 00:10:36,220 --> 00:10:33,140 problems in this country where people 219 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:36,230 have been selling we know the 220 00:10:40,450 --> 00:10:38,450 homeopathic medicine is fake anyway but 221 00:10:42,790 --> 00:10:40,460 they'll be selling things for 222 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:42,800 vaccinations which is caused a great 223 00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:45,530 alarm yeah and they say well that's why 224 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:47,690 they you can't say that it's harmless 225 00:10:51,370 --> 00:10:49,490 just because it doesn't do anything 226 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:51,380 because people take it instead of other 227 00:10:57,450 --> 00:10:54,710 things and it's both against cancer it's 228 00:11:00,570 --> 00:10:57,460 vaccinations it's it's for everything so 229 00:11:03,250 --> 00:11:00,580 really really harmful but it's hard to 230 00:11:05,380 --> 00:11:03,260 it's hard to convince people that it is 231 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:05,390 soundwave if it's just sugar pills and 232 00:11:11,140 --> 00:11:08,570 what's the harm yes exactly but as you 233 00:11:12,550 --> 00:11:11,150 well know most people and I know we're 234 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:12,560 straying from the original topic when 235 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:15,350 sort of concentrating on homeopathy we 236 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:17,450 can do that for a moment most people who 237 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:19,730 don't know much about homeopathy think 238 00:11:24,220 --> 00:11:21,530 that there's a little bit of this 239 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:24,230 substance in the in the remedy and when 240 00:11:28,330 --> 00:11:26,930 you tell them that there is no substance 241 00:11:29,830 --> 00:11:28,340 in the remedy they they get very 242 00:11:32,530 --> 00:11:29,840 confused because that's not what they 243 00:11:37,300 --> 00:11:32,540 thought now because it's ridic 244 00:11:40,030 --> 00:11:37,310 that can't be true right Ryan yeah mmm 245 00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:40,040 yeah so that's that that's wonderful to 246 00:11:44,050 --> 00:11:42,110 hear that this action is being taken in 247 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:44,060 Sweden I mean do you find generally 248 00:11:50,019 --> 00:11:47,210 there's a lot in Sweden that skeptics 249 00:11:52,870 --> 00:11:50,029 need to concern themselves with yeah I 250 00:11:54,850 --> 00:11:52,880 think we have well one thing was the 251 00:11:56,980 --> 00:11:54,860 anthroposophical movement because they 252 00:11:58,540 --> 00:11:56,990 are probably still have a lot of 253 00:12:01,269 --> 00:11:58,550 supporters here even though it's now 254 00:12:06,340 --> 00:12:01,279 being phased out but the other thing is 255 00:12:09,519 --> 00:12:06,350 of course the anti-vaccine you know we 256 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:09,529 following the the with horror we're 257 00:12:16,090 --> 00:12:13,370 following the measles epidemic going 258 00:12:20,410 --> 00:12:16,100 over the world and not not in the least 259 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:20,420 in Europe I'm I think we will look at 260 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:22,700 over a hundred thousand cases in Europe 261 00:12:29,860 --> 00:12:26,930 before the end of this year mmm the the 262 00:12:32,139 --> 00:12:29,870 increase is exponential it's not slowing 263 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:32,149 down at all so it's really really 264 00:12:42,370 --> 00:12:38,450 terrible WHL released a report a few 265 00:12:44,860 --> 00:12:42,380 months ago saying they made a study and 266 00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:44,870 they say that the vaccination rates in 267 00:12:50,110 --> 00:12:48,110 the world overall has not improved over 268 00:12:52,510 --> 00:12:50,120 the last eight years it was still at the 269 00:12:54,790 --> 00:12:52,520 same place so I don't see this going 270 00:12:57,090 --> 00:12:54,800 away now I don't see it going away 271 00:13:00,790 --> 00:12:57,100 either and it really speaks to how 272 00:13:05,380 --> 00:13:00,800 persuasive the other side can be with 273 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:05,390 their emotive fear campaigns and it 274 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:07,880 oddly it reminds me of things in the 275 00:13:13,329 --> 00:13:11,450 past where people will say well just be 276 00:13:15,340 --> 00:13:13,339 careful and and you know don't trust the 277 00:13:17,260 --> 00:13:15,350 government and teach both sides and you 278 00:13:19,030 --> 00:13:17,270 know more research needs to be done and 279 00:13:22,420 --> 00:13:19,040 your children are more important all 280 00:13:25,750 --> 00:13:22,430 this can appeal I think to young parents 281 00:13:27,970 --> 00:13:25,760 yes yes and and as a parent of course 282 00:13:31,569 --> 00:13:27,980 you are looking for anything that could 283 00:13:35,110 --> 00:13:31,579 help or improve your child's situation 284 00:13:37,780 --> 00:13:35,120 in any case so you're open to to look at 285 00:13:40,990 --> 00:13:37,790 anything and that's that's very 286 00:13:42,790 --> 00:13:41,000 dangerous absolutely absolutely so again 287 00:13:44,269 --> 00:13:42,800 I'm pleased to hear of any progress 288 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:44,279 being made in 289 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:46,290 any part of the world but now how long 290 00:13:53,629 --> 00:13:50,850 have the the Swedish skeptics been been 291 00:13:56,210 --> 00:13:53,639 operating the Swedish skeptics were 292 00:13:59,809 --> 00:13:56,220 founded in in 1982 293 00:14:02,150 --> 00:13:59,819 so that was well before I was active so 294 00:14:04,009 --> 00:14:02,160 it started with a few professors or 295 00:14:05,829 --> 00:14:04,019 academics who got together and thought 296 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:05,839 we need to do something about this 297 00:14:09,619 --> 00:14:07,170 nonsense 298 00:14:12,009 --> 00:14:09,629 Yuri Geller was big I think it seems 299 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:12,019 Randi did a lot to inspire this 300 00:14:17,689 --> 00:14:15,689 formation as well and for for the first 301 00:14:20,869 --> 00:14:17,699 ten years it was more or less it was 302 00:14:23,449 --> 00:14:20,879 maybe a hundred people 100 members who 303 00:14:26,269 --> 00:14:23,459 kept in contact and there was a small 304 00:14:28,210 --> 00:14:26,279 leaflet or they call it a magazine but 305 00:14:33,199 --> 00:14:28,220 to be honest in the beginning was just a 306 00:14:36,009 --> 00:14:33,209 printed paper circulated and but then in 307 00:14:41,780 --> 00:14:36,019 the early 90s it started to take off and 308 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:41,790 by the end of the 90s we had over 2,000 309 00:14:48,439 --> 00:14:44,490 members and we're now well we're trying 310 00:14:51,710 --> 00:14:48,449 to reach 3000 now and it's it's a big 311 00:14:54,499 --> 00:14:51,720 movement we have we have our prices we 312 00:14:56,869 --> 00:14:54,509 just like you hand out the bent spoon 313 00:15:00,650 --> 00:14:56,879 award and whatnot we have our shame 314 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:00,660 price and we have our enlightener of the 315 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:02,730 Year prize as well for somebody's done 316 00:15:08,389 --> 00:15:05,850 very well and we do get quite some 317 00:15:12,290 --> 00:15:08,399 publicity in the papers etc when once we 318 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:12,300 hand out these awards so yeah I think 319 00:15:19,790 --> 00:15:16,110 we're we're a healthy organization and 320 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:19,800 we're looking to do even more well of 321 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:22,290 course the Australian skeptics have had 322 00:15:27,379 --> 00:15:25,110 a long long policy a long time policy of 323 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:27,389 helping any sceptical group around the 324 00:15:31,699 --> 00:15:29,490 world so of course we're always ready to 325 00:15:33,889 --> 00:15:31,709 help and speaking from the sceptic zone 326 00:15:36,710 --> 00:15:33,899 the skeptic zone has in fact been 327 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:36,720 helping in our very small way for quite 328 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:38,250 a few years now by running promotions 329 00:15:44,780 --> 00:15:41,610 about the swedish sceptics that is 330 00:15:46,189 --> 00:15:44,790 correct thank you very much and of 331 00:15:48,530 --> 00:15:46,199 course and of course we've been running 332 00:15:51,199 --> 00:15:48,540 promotions for well ever since you 333 00:15:53,990 --> 00:15:51,209 started with the ESP what a wonderful 334 00:15:56,150 --> 00:15:54,000 name for a podcast for those people who 335 00:15:57,880 --> 00:15:56,160 who may not have caught up with the ESP 336 00:16:01,000 --> 00:15:57,890 can you tell us a little bit of 337 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:01,010 that and how that's progressing yeah yes 338 00:16:07,509 --> 00:16:05,570 we we just three of us Andrus Gillian 339 00:16:09,490 --> 00:16:07,519 and myself the unrest is from Hungary 340 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:09,500 Jelena is from Latvia and I'm from 341 00:16:13,990 --> 00:16:11,450 Sweden obviously and we met a couple of 342 00:16:17,019 --> 00:16:14,000 times and we had a susan gerbic as a 343 00:16:19,750 --> 00:16:17,029 mutual friend uh-huh and we got together 344 00:16:21,550 --> 00:16:19,760 and we hit it off right away and said we 345 00:16:24,790 --> 00:16:21,560 need to do something and we realized 346 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:24,800 that there is there was a gap in all the 347 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:27,050 podcasts out there there was nobody who 348 00:16:35,650 --> 00:16:31,490 was covering the European scene per se 349 00:16:38,769 --> 00:16:35,660 when he when you look at not just the 350 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:38,779 english-speaking Europe but all of the 351 00:16:45,250 --> 00:16:40,850 other countries like Italy Spain and 352 00:16:48,519 --> 00:16:45,260 Germany Hungary Czech Czech Republic etc 353 00:16:50,650 --> 00:16:48,529 it was very hard to get news in English 354 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:50,660 from all of these countries today we 355 00:16:55,690 --> 00:16:52,610 know people in all these places or 356 00:16:56,259 --> 00:16:55,700 remote not all of them but but now we do 357 00:17:00,730 --> 00:16:56,269 I guess 358 00:17:02,410 --> 00:17:00,740 and we among the three of us we speak a 359 00:17:06,970 --> 00:17:02,420 number of languages and there's always 360 00:17:10,120 --> 00:17:06,980 Google Translate so let's do that and I 361 00:17:12,340 --> 00:17:10,130 I think we are doing something that is 362 00:17:16,569 --> 00:17:12,350 needed really and I think we've brought 363 00:17:18,850 --> 00:17:16,579 an awareness that there are skeptic 364 00:17:21,579 --> 00:17:18,860 groups in every country I can say that 365 00:17:23,350 --> 00:17:21,589 you don't hear a lot about the Romanian 366 00:17:27,130 --> 00:17:23,360 skeptics but they're there mmm and I 367 00:17:30,460 --> 00:17:27,140 think through this podcast these some of 368 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:30,470 them rather small groups are getting to 369 00:17:34,630 --> 00:17:32,450 know of each other and they can contact 370 00:17:37,150 --> 00:17:34,640 each other because we are all fighting 371 00:17:39,490 --> 00:17:37,160 the same fight really especially since a 372 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:39,500 lot of the legislation is the same or 373 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:42,530 similar in you folks if you're not too 374 00:17:47,830 --> 00:17:45,530 sure the podcast is in English but 375 00:17:51,340 --> 00:17:47,840 that's really a practical solution isn't 376 00:17:55,090 --> 00:17:51,350 it yes yes it is it is because we wanted 377 00:17:57,250 --> 00:17:55,100 well English is the most spoken language 378 00:17:59,620 --> 00:17:57,260 other easiest language to reach out in 379 00:18:02,080 --> 00:17:59,630 and anyway it was the language we knew 380 00:18:05,110 --> 00:18:02,090 best as well apart from our local 381 00:18:07,150 --> 00:18:05,120 language and and it has an appeal 382 00:18:09,100 --> 00:18:07,160 because if you look if we look at our 383 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:09,110 listener numbers actually we have a lot 384 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:11,210 of listeners in in the US you know 385 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:11,730 straight 386 00:18:17,419 --> 00:18:15,570 in other countries as well and we do 387 00:18:19,789 --> 00:18:17,429 also interview people from time to time 388 00:18:21,919 --> 00:18:19,799 prominent skeptics that are not from 389 00:18:23,990 --> 00:18:21,929 Europe such as yourself Richard you mean 390 00:18:26,659 --> 00:18:24,000 on new time my her views we've had James 391 00:18:29,930 --> 00:18:26,669 Rahon we've had James Randi and we've 392 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:29,940 had J novella several times once even as 393 00:18:34,909 --> 00:18:33,210 a co-host so so I think it's not just 394 00:18:36,860 --> 00:18:34,919 for European listeners if if you're 395 00:18:41,750 --> 00:18:36,870 interested in these topics I think you 396 00:18:45,259 --> 00:18:41,760 can enjoy this if from Argentina or 397 00:18:47,810 --> 00:18:45,269 Korea or wherever mmm well all podcasts 398 00:18:49,220 --> 00:18:47,820 of course a worldwide which is important 399 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:49,230 to remember I try to keep that in the 400 00:18:52,850 --> 00:18:50,850 back of my mind - I've got listeners 401 00:18:55,850 --> 00:18:52,860 from all around the world and I'm very 402 00:18:58,820 --> 00:18:55,860 pleased to say quite a lot of listeners 403 00:19:00,950 --> 00:18:58,830 in Sweden and Norway and I'm not sure 404 00:19:03,590 --> 00:19:00,960 about Finland I'm not sure about that 405 00:19:05,060 --> 00:19:03,600 but Sweden and Norway seem to like the 406 00:19:09,350 --> 00:19:05,070 skeptic zone so I'm very pleased about 407 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:09,360 that yeah yeah all the skeptics I would 408 00:19:14,779 --> 00:19:12,330 say that I talked to in Sweden Oh most 409 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:14,789 of them they are very well aware of what 410 00:19:18,950 --> 00:19:17,250 you're doing Richard so yes now of 411 00:19:21,769 --> 00:19:18,960 course here in Australia coming up in 412 00:19:23,149 --> 00:19:21,779 December we've got skeptic on 2019 we've 413 00:19:25,279 --> 00:19:23,159 got the skeptics guide to the universe 414 00:19:27,409 --> 00:19:25,289 and susan gerbic who we mentioned before 415 00:19:30,500 --> 00:19:27,419 i know there's big conventions coming up 416 00:19:34,039 --> 00:19:30,510 in Las Vegas with saikhan over there I'm 417 00:19:36,259 --> 00:19:34,049 going to Dragon Con meetings getting to 418 00:19:38,570 --> 00:19:36,269 know other skeptics hearing talks are 419 00:19:41,330 --> 00:19:38,580 very important and I hear there's one 420 00:19:42,110 --> 00:19:41,340 coming up in your part of the world yes 421 00:19:45,019 --> 00:19:42,120 absolutely 422 00:19:47,389 --> 00:19:45,029 in just a couple of weeks we are meeting 423 00:19:50,360 --> 00:19:47,399 all the European skeptics are meeting in 424 00:19:53,210 --> 00:19:50,370 Ghent in Belgium for the European 425 00:19:55,759 --> 00:19:53,220 skeptics Congress which is a it's every 426 00:19:59,180 --> 00:19:55,769 second year and it's in different places 427 00:20:02,629 --> 00:19:59,190 every time and this time it is the the 428 00:20:04,370 --> 00:20:02,639 Belgian and Dutch skeptics together to 429 00:20:07,279 --> 00:20:04,380 organize this and it's going to be a 430 00:20:11,659 --> 00:20:07,289 full weekend or more than a weekend 431 00:20:14,539 --> 00:20:11,669 really and with fantastic speakers and 432 00:20:16,370 --> 00:20:14,549 and and very interesting topics that 433 00:20:18,740 --> 00:20:16,380 would be exciting I would love to visit 434 00:20:21,740 --> 00:20:18,750 that maybe whoa let me see now maybe in 435 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:21,750 2021 I can I can work something out what 436 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:24,090 is it what's the date of that that it 437 00:20:28,790 --> 00:20:25,530 starts on the 28th 438 00:20:31,370 --> 00:20:28,800 of August and finishes on the 1st of 439 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:31,380 September so it's just that the month 440 00:20:37,250 --> 00:20:35,310 end here coming up and there I mean week 441 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:37,260 we can say that there with there will be 442 00:20:42,170 --> 00:20:39,690 talks about of course quackery there 443 00:20:44,660 --> 00:20:42,180 will be a 30 year retrospective about 444 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:44,670 the European skepticism mm-hmm looking 445 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:47,910 forward to look at to hear about there 446 00:20:54,770 --> 00:20:52,290 will be animalistic psychology with our 447 00:20:57,640 --> 00:20:54,780 friend Christopher French from from the 448 00:21:00,140 --> 00:20:57,650 UK very interesting about near-death 449 00:21:03,350 --> 00:21:00,150 experiences and things like that and 450 00:21:06,250 --> 00:21:03,360 then there will be a section about green 451 00:21:10,130 --> 00:21:06,260 scepticism so that's this bit about 452 00:21:12,890 --> 00:21:10,140 climate change and GMOs and things like 453 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:12,900 that wow you're wetting my appetite I I 454 00:21:18,140 --> 00:21:15,090 mean I can't be in two places at once 455 00:21:19,790 --> 00:21:18,150 but that sounds like we'll be yeah that 456 00:21:22,780 --> 00:21:19,800 sounds like it'll be a terrific a 457 00:21:26,150 --> 00:21:22,790 terrific meeting folks I will add the 458 00:21:28,670 --> 00:21:26,160 URL in this week's show notes but for 459 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:28,680 now upon this what is the website for 460 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:35,610 that it is ESC 2019 with numbers dot B e 461 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:39,330 for Belgium uh-huh that's that's the 462 00:21:42,980 --> 00:21:40,890 website to go to folks but of course 463 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:42,990 there'll be a link in this week's show 464 00:21:47,540 --> 00:21:45,690 notes now part is just getting back to 465 00:21:51,260 --> 00:21:47,550 the ESB because you know I'm a podcaster 466 00:21:55,010 --> 00:21:51,270 at HUD I love doing a weekly show how 467 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:55,020 how do have you found it to be involved 468 00:21:58,670 --> 00:21:57,090 in a regular podcast is it something 469 00:22:00,800 --> 00:21:58,680 that you still like doing is it 470 00:22:03,770 --> 00:22:00,810 difficult to line up interviews do you 471 00:22:04,250 --> 00:22:03,780 have technical problems yes and yes and 472 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:04,260 yes 473 00:22:11,270 --> 00:22:08,730 I love it I think it's it's my favorite 474 00:22:14,750 --> 00:22:11,280 pastime now these days and but it is 475 00:22:16,670 --> 00:22:14,760 hard to I think we've managed most of 476 00:22:18,860 --> 00:22:16,680 the technical things now I mean we've 477 00:22:21,770 --> 00:22:18,870 done this for almost four years so shame 478 00:22:24,110 --> 00:22:21,780 on arson figured it out by now but the 479 00:22:27,350 --> 00:22:24,120 problem I think the biggest problem is 480 00:22:30,230 --> 00:22:27,360 to find time where we where we can 481 00:22:34,220 --> 00:22:30,240 record because we're on different time 482 00:22:35,930 --> 00:22:34,230 zones no and and rush has a he's working 483 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:35,940 as a tour guide so it's constantly 484 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:39,330 traveling so we are doing the recordings 485 00:22:46,729 --> 00:22:43,369 most crazy hours of the of the day but 486 00:22:49,369 --> 00:22:46,739 we do it because we love it and it's 487 00:22:52,190 --> 00:22:49,379 really really fun to do and of course 488 00:22:54,950 --> 00:22:52,200 once when we got together the three of 489 00:22:58,060 --> 00:22:54,960 us we hardly knew each other I mean we 490 00:23:01,279 --> 00:22:58,070 met a couple of times but now of course 491 00:23:03,979 --> 00:23:01,289 I'm Brazilian are my best friends that I 492 00:23:04,820 --> 00:23:03,989 talk to every week so it's very good 493 00:23:06,759 --> 00:23:04,830 very good 494 00:23:11,599 --> 00:23:06,769 and and I should say we also have other 495 00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:11,609 we had Claire Klingenberg who is yes she 496 00:23:16,159 --> 00:23:14,369 had she is also the head of the European 497 00:23:17,149 --> 00:23:16,169 Council of sceptical organizations 498 00:23:20,210 --> 00:23:17,159 mm-hmm 499 00:23:22,669 --> 00:23:20,220 behind the European skeptics Congress as 500 00:23:24,859 --> 00:23:22,679 she's been sitting in as co-hosts to 501 00:23:30,049 --> 00:23:24,869 come number of times and also Brian ergo 502 00:23:32,769 --> 00:23:30,059 from from Glasgow yes he is also joy to 503 00:23:35,509 --> 00:23:32,779 have on the podcast well I mean yeah and 504 00:23:37,820 --> 00:23:35,519 you're finding out what I have found out 505 00:23:39,879 --> 00:23:37,830 over the last 10 years nearly 11 years 506 00:23:43,399 --> 00:23:39,889 of the sceptic zone is you meet the most 507 00:23:45,919 --> 00:23:43,409 amazing people and and but part of that 508 00:23:47,239 --> 00:23:45,929 for me is sometimes waking up my alarm 509 00:23:49,369 --> 00:23:47,249 goes off at 3 o'clock in the morning 510 00:23:51,529 --> 00:23:49,379 because I've got an interview lined up 511 00:23:54,799 --> 00:23:51,539 with someone in some strange part of the 512 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:54,809 world I have to accommodate them of 513 00:23:58,009 --> 00:23:56,369 course but that's all part of the fun 514 00:24:00,560 --> 00:23:58,019 and then there's brain glowing 515 00:24:02,899 --> 00:24:00,570 microphones and what hookup can we use 516 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:02,909 and can I call you and all this sort of 517 00:24:08,090 --> 00:24:05,369 thing it's a it's a fascinating part of 518 00:24:10,039 --> 00:24:08,100 this bizarre this bizarre lifestyle 519 00:24:11,659 --> 00:24:10,049 we've chosen I guess any podcaster would 520 00:24:13,789 --> 00:24:11,669 go through that but I think we're 521 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:13,799 particularly lucky we're particularly 522 00:24:17,659 --> 00:24:15,570 lucky because we get to combine our love 523 00:24:20,869 --> 00:24:17,669 of science and skepticism with our love 524 00:24:23,210 --> 00:24:20,879 of podcasting yes yes absolutely 525 00:24:25,039 --> 00:24:23,220 well Ponder's what a what a pleasure it 526 00:24:28,399 --> 00:24:25,049 has been to catch up with you once again 527 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:28,409 folks again links to the ESP links to 528 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:30,210 the upcoming meeting in Ghent in Belgium 529 00:24:34,639 --> 00:24:32,730 in this week's show notes and who knows 530 00:24:36,830 --> 00:24:34,649 pontus one day we could might be able to 531 00:24:38,570 --> 00:24:36,840 do a joint podcast where we can all be 532 00:24:40,849 --> 00:24:38,580 in the same room with Jay novella and 533 00:24:44,450 --> 00:24:40,859 everybody in you and me and the whole of 534 00:24:47,029 --> 00:24:44,460 ESP and everybody we can think of that 535 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:47,039 would be a lot of fun that sounds great 536 00:24:52,159 --> 00:24:49,290 I thought must happen something 537 00:24:54,590 --> 00:24:52,169 that must happen sometime but for now 538 00:24:56,860 --> 00:24:54,600 all the way from malmö in southern 539 00:25:00,310 --> 00:24:56,870 Sweden fountas thank you very much 540 00:25:15,260 --> 00:25:00,320 thanks a lot Richards thank you 541 00:25:20,669 --> 00:25:18,779 hey Sam have you ever wondered what 542 00:25:22,649 --> 00:25:20,679 skeptics are up to in countries where 543 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:22,659 English is not necessarily the first 544 00:25:26,430 --> 00:25:24,730 language or are you interested to learn 545 00:25:28,860 --> 00:25:26,440 about some fascinating and sometimes 546 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:28,870 very bizarre Europe related facts events 547 00:25:32,610 --> 00:25:31,240 or people from history of skepticism or 548 00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:32,620 do you just want to know who's been 549 00:25:37,950 --> 00:25:35,230 really wrong lately you can find out all 550 00:25:41,460 --> 00:25:37,960 about that and more on the award-winning 551 00:25:44,100 --> 00:25:41,470 show the ESP the European sceptics 552 00:25:47,580 --> 00:25:44,110 podcast so where can people find the 553 00:25:49,500 --> 00:25:47,590 show you can find it online at the ESP 554 00:25:52,350 --> 00:25:49,510 dot EU but you can also follow us on 555 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:52,360 Twitter at es podcast and d'ascoyne you 556 00:25:57,149 --> 00:25:55,210 or like us on Facebook oh and you can 557 00:26:00,419 --> 00:25:57,159 contacts the show by sending an email to 558 00:26:02,549 --> 00:26:00,429 info at the ESP dot EU if you want to 559 00:26:05,159 --> 00:26:02,559 subscribe do a quick search for the 560 00:26:07,710 --> 00:26:05,169 European skeptics podcast on SoundCloud 561 00:26:10,529 --> 00:26:07,720 iTunes stitcher or whatever you get to 562 00:26:15,580 --> 00:26:10,539 your podcast the European skeptics 563 00:26:20,529 --> 00:26:15,590 podcast the real ESP experience 564 00:26:20,539 --> 00:26:27,450 I don't know why you can't believe 565 00:26:27,460 --> 00:26:52,380 [Music] 566 00:26:58,650 --> 00:26:54,780 it's super-science Saturday hit the 567 00:27:00,660 --> 00:26:58,660 Australian Museum the museum is going to 568 00:27:01,370 --> 00:27:00,670 be shutting later this month for a whole 569 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:01,380 year 570 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:04,210 for a massive renovation and 571 00:27:09,330 --> 00:27:07,570 refurbishment so it's great to see one 572 00:27:13,820 --> 00:27:09,340 of the holes here completely taken over 573 00:27:19,710 --> 00:27:17,640 organizations and hundreds of people 574 00:27:22,080 --> 00:27:19,720 mostly children here as well really good 575 00:27:24,360 --> 00:27:22,090 to see I'll be performing the mystery 576 00:27:26,220 --> 00:27:24,370 investigators show a little bit later on 577 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:26,230 in the afternoon two performances this 578 00:27:30,990 --> 00:27:28,650 afternoon with my good friend Ian Bryce 579 00:27:33,930 --> 00:27:31,000 who is one of the original members of 580 00:27:38,789 --> 00:27:33,940 the show way back in all 2003 I think it 581 00:27:42,930 --> 00:27:38,799 was but this Hall is filled with very 582 00:27:45,239 --> 00:27:42,940 interesting and interactive things to do 583 00:27:47,779 --> 00:27:45,249 and I just had a virtual reality tour 584 00:27:50,339 --> 00:27:47,789 inside the ANSTO facility which is 585 00:27:55,229 --> 00:27:50,349 Australia's only nuclear reactor 586 00:27:56,729 --> 00:27:55,239 I think they mostly make things for 587 00:27:58,619 --> 00:27:56,739 medical purposes there but was 588 00:28:01,379 --> 00:27:58,629 fascinating great use of the technology 589 00:28:04,799 --> 00:28:01,389 and virtual reality is certainly 590 00:28:06,330 --> 00:28:04,809 improving bit by bit every year I really 591 00:28:09,239 --> 00:28:06,340 felt I was in some of the rooms there 592 00:28:12,869 --> 00:28:09,249 that was quite something we have another 593 00:28:16,849 --> 00:28:12,879 display over here a superconductor with 594 00:28:19,049 --> 00:28:16,859 a little supercooled magnet on a track 595 00:28:21,690 --> 00:28:19,059 going upside down and round and round 596 00:28:23,910 --> 00:28:21,700 good to see it in person have only seen 597 00:28:26,550 --> 00:28:23,920 it on the TV 598 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:26,560 Macquarie University are here they've 599 00:28:31,230 --> 00:28:28,810 got a big group here studying frogs and 600 00:28:34,830 --> 00:28:31,240 tadpoles which the kids just love you 601 00:28:40,919 --> 00:28:37,259 the University of Wollongong with their 602 00:28:43,110 --> 00:28:40,929 science space and kids are crowding 603 00:28:44,519 --> 00:28:43,120 around there's a couple of presenters 604 00:28:47,690 --> 00:28:44,529 there with balloons and liquid nitrogen 605 00:28:51,090 --> 00:28:47,700 and all sorts of those 606 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:51,100 it certainly is loud in here 607 00:29:00,820 --> 00:28:58,149 New South Wales national parks and 608 00:29:03,389 --> 00:29:00,830 wildlife service's the Museum of applied 609 00:29:08,900 --> 00:29:03,399 arts and sciences have a display 610 00:29:14,130 --> 00:29:10,670 sometimes I think I'm gonna be 611 00:29:19,470 --> 00:29:17,460 and of course part of the Museum of 612 00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:19,480 applied Arts and Sciences is Sydney 613 00:29:24,060 --> 00:29:21,910 observatory 614 00:29:26,070 --> 00:29:24,070 which is a wonderful place to visit if 615 00:29:28,290 --> 00:29:26,080 you ever come to Sydney 616 00:29:30,510 --> 00:29:28,300 the Australian Museum themselves of 617 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:30,520 course have a number of tables here 618 00:29:34,460 --> 00:29:32,490 displaying all sorts of things 619 00:29:38,359 --> 00:29:34,470 [Music] 620 00:29:42,469 --> 00:29:39,769 it's quite hard to get my way through 621 00:29:48,289 --> 00:29:42,479 here there's so many people here and as 622 00:29:49,580 --> 00:29:48,299 I said mostly kids it's Ian Bryce from 623 00:29:51,109 --> 00:29:49,590 the Australian skeptics of the mr. 624 00:29:53,299 --> 00:29:51,119 investigators Ian it's so great to see 625 00:29:55,969 --> 00:29:53,309 so many kids here yes it is indeed 626 00:29:57,440 --> 00:29:55,979 that's the next generation but we must 627 00:30:01,219 --> 00:29:57,450 admit to a bit of surprise and 628 00:30:04,909 --> 00:30:01,229 disappointment from the UTS here science 629 00:30:06,019 --> 00:30:04,919 dot UTS dot edu a you we're walking 630 00:30:07,820 --> 00:30:06,029 along looking at everything and what 631 00:30:09,830 --> 00:30:07,830 comes up on the screen we see 632 00:30:13,879 --> 00:30:09,840 acupuncture and not only that but 633 00:30:16,690 --> 00:30:13,889 cupping cupping here in a science 634 00:30:22,009 --> 00:30:16,700 afternoon with children everywhere and 635 00:30:24,859 --> 00:30:22,019 the UTS promoting what they do and 636 00:30:26,180 --> 00:30:24,869 cupping comes up yes the brochure says 637 00:30:27,889 --> 00:30:26,190 it's part of their Bachelor of Health 638 00:30:30,589 --> 00:30:27,899 Science and perdition or Chinese 639 00:30:32,119 --> 00:30:30,599 medicine which lists acupuncture it 640 00:30:33,409 --> 00:30:32,129 doesn't put cupping on that page but 641 00:30:36,289 --> 00:30:33,419 apparently cupping is one of the 642 00:30:39,549 --> 00:30:36,299 modalities you learn so there's so much 643 00:30:41,899 --> 00:30:39,559 for science and evidence-based practices 644 00:30:44,450 --> 00:30:41,909 you know what this might be worth have 645 00:30:47,749 --> 00:30:44,460 been spoon domination indeed yes let's 646 00:30:49,279 --> 00:30:47,759 look into them and of course the UTS 647 00:30:52,700 --> 00:30:49,289 stands for the University of Technology 648 00:30:54,139 --> 00:30:52,710 in Sydney and it's not not too far from 649 00:30:58,070 --> 00:30:54,149 here really it's down the road and 650 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:01,410 mmm Ian we just completed one show we're 651 00:31:05,880 --> 00:31:03,730 both eating a minty it's very bad form 652 00:31:07,830 --> 00:31:05,890 to eat something while you're talking on 653 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:07,840 a microphone but that's right well let's 654 00:31:12,420 --> 00:31:10,210 do it anyway do it anyway look at this 655 00:31:14,940 --> 00:31:12,430 the crowds just pouring in mums and dads 656 00:31:17,580 --> 00:31:14,950 and kids ready for the next machine 657 00:31:20,340 --> 00:31:17,590 Investigator shop it's like a second 658 00:31:22,470 --> 00:31:20,350 sellout show so that's great what a lot 659 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:22,480 of fun okay new house we better get to 660 00:31:29,970 --> 00:31:27,970 it now this year we performed in front 661 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:29,980 of a mixed audience mums and dads and 662 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:30,970 kids of all ages 663 00:31:35,190 --> 00:31:32,650 normally the mystery investigators 664 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:35,200 performs for selected school groups 665 00:31:39,390 --> 00:31:36,970 primary school or high school or 666 00:31:41,550 --> 00:31:39,400 something like that so it was a nice 667 00:31:44,820 --> 00:31:41,560 change it was a treat to perform before 668 00:31:47,130 --> 00:31:44,830 all age groups and after the show we had 669 00:31:50,010 --> 00:31:47,140 a lot of people come down a lot of kids 670 00:31:53,670 --> 00:31:50,020 for photographs and thanking us which is 671 00:31:56,310 --> 00:31:53,680 so nice and a lot of parents coming down 672 00:31:58,410 --> 00:31:56,320 saying how much they enjoyed the show 673 00:32:00,390 --> 00:31:58,420 which means I think the mix is probably 674 00:32:02,250 --> 00:32:00,400 pretty good it's got a lot of very 675 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:02,260 interesting things like examples of 676 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:06,010 pareidolia it ends with pictures from 677 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:08,890 Mars which a lot of the parents really 678 00:32:13,770 --> 00:32:11,770 seem to like and the water divining the 679 00:32:17,510 --> 00:32:13,780 water dousing tests in the middle of the 680 00:32:20,010 --> 00:32:17,520 show always keep the audience spellbound 681 00:32:22,710 --> 00:32:20,020 although I must say a strange thing 682 00:32:25,010 --> 00:32:22,720 happened in show 1 where we were 683 00:32:27,780 --> 00:32:25,020 demonstrating the bed of nails and 684 00:32:30,090 --> 00:32:27,790 before I lie down on the bed of nails I 685 00:32:31,770 --> 00:32:30,100 show everybody that the nails are real 686 00:32:33,570 --> 00:32:31,780 we have a member of the audience come 687 00:32:36,660 --> 00:32:33,580 down and test the nails by touching them 688 00:32:38,250 --> 00:32:36,670 and making sure they're real then I sort 689 00:32:41,160 --> 00:32:38,260 of dropped the bed of nails down on the 690 00:32:43,220 --> 00:32:41,170 ground so it makes a big thud so people 691 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:43,230 can tell it's a heavy bed of nails 692 00:32:47,430 --> 00:32:45,610 unfortunately one of the locks we used 693 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:47,440 to lock up the bed of nails got stuck 694 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:49,810 underneath when I dropped it and it's 695 00:32:56,100 --> 00:32:53,290 smashed to smithereens when I looked 696 00:32:59,760 --> 00:32:56,110 down I could see the remnants of a lock 697 00:33:02,010 --> 00:32:59,770 a little combination lock absolutely 698 00:33:05,310 --> 00:33:02,020 smashed all the bits spread everywhere 699 00:33:07,260 --> 00:33:05,320 yes there are dangers to performing 700 00:33:09,890 --> 00:33:07,270 especially to poor little combination 701 00:33:12,420 --> 00:33:09,900 locks good thing we have insurance 702 00:33:15,670 --> 00:33:12,430 [Music] 703 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:15,680 it's all hovering I can I can hardly 704 00:33:20,830 --> 00:33:19,010 talk even though I was miked it was so 705 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:20,840 exciting and the kids and the adults and 706 00:33:24,730 --> 00:33:22,610 everybody loved it so much it was a 707 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:24,740 really good show to two shows yes I 708 00:33:28,330 --> 00:33:26,210 think it was great I noticed we had a 709 00:33:31,060 --> 00:33:28,340 slightly younger audience than other 710 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:31,070 years yeah well a lot of parents with 711 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:34,250 younger kids but all that all the people 712 00:33:38,920 --> 00:33:36,290 coming up after the show to thank us was 713 00:33:40,630 --> 00:33:38,930 just so um really it's really gratifying 714 00:33:43,960 --> 00:33:40,640 and they all wanted to try their own 715 00:33:45,970 --> 00:33:43,970 divining after the show which was even 716 00:33:49,990 --> 00:33:45,980 more fun we had an interesting case 717 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:50,000 where in the first show people divined 718 00:33:53,020 --> 00:33:51,530 correctly when they could see the bottle 719 00:33:54,910 --> 00:33:53,030 then suddenly all the divining powers 720 00:33:57,400 --> 00:33:54,920 disappeared in the next stage which was 721 00:33:58,870 --> 00:33:57,410 a bit awkward and then a young lady in 722 00:34:00,610 --> 00:33:58,880 the second show found the water which 723 00:34:03,370 --> 00:34:00,620 was fun yes even though it was 724 00:34:05,080 --> 00:34:03,380 double-blind them and randomized yeah I 725 00:34:07,780 --> 00:34:05,090 just crossing the street now here in the 726 00:34:09,669 --> 00:34:07,790 museum so it's quite exhausting being on 727 00:34:12,220 --> 00:34:09,679 the ball for two performances in a row 728 00:34:13,990 --> 00:34:12,230 but it's a wonderful fun the Miss 729 00:34:18,909 --> 00:34:14,000 investigators have now been performing 730 00:34:20,830 --> 00:34:18,919 the sixteen years which is a bit 731 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:20,840 frightening when I think about it and 732 00:34:25,659 --> 00:34:22,850 certainly a long time and a lot of shows 733 00:34:28,180 --> 00:34:25,669 and but and main art helps a new help 734 00:34:30,220 --> 00:34:28,190 and I've had both of you like stand on 735 00:34:32,050 --> 00:34:30,230 my back while I'm lying on the bed of 736 00:34:33,790 --> 00:34:32,060 nails many times and somehow I survived 737 00:34:36,930 --> 00:34:33,800 but I don't think we've stood on it 738 00:34:39,500 --> 00:34:36,940 simultaneously mine may not and myself 739 00:34:44,090 --> 00:34:39,510 but one's enough when Xena 740 00:34:45,710 --> 00:34:44,100 one's enough and yeah so science 741 00:34:49,730 --> 00:34:45,720 Saturday and the museum was been a great 742 00:34:54,129 --> 00:34:49,740 hit for everybody apart from the cupping 743 00:34:57,380 --> 00:34:54,139 which is a bit of a worry UTS science 744 00:35:00,050 --> 00:34:57,390 department has a video promoting their 745 00:35:03,710 --> 00:35:00,060 the skills they teach which includes 746 00:35:05,330 --> 00:35:03,720 acupuncture and cupping now I have to 747 00:35:06,620 --> 00:35:05,340 look into that I was hoping that the 748 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:06,630 cupping was a demonstration of 749 00:35:11,030 --> 00:35:08,850 thermodynamics where you you heat up the 750 00:35:13,340 --> 00:35:11,040 gas you seal it off you cool the gas and 751 00:35:14,330 --> 00:35:13,350 then it sucks it contracts there was 752 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:14,340 nothing to do with that it was 753 00:35:18,290 --> 00:35:16,170 traditional Chinese medicine so that was 754 00:35:19,820 --> 00:35:18,300 a bit disappointing well what I found 755 00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:19,830 disappointing was that cupping was on 756 00:35:23,270 --> 00:35:21,330 display on their promotional video and 757 00:35:25,760 --> 00:35:23,280 there were hundreds of kids walking past 758 00:35:28,099 --> 00:35:25,770 yes indeed not a good look 759 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:28,109 UTS not a good look alongside real 760 00:35:33,260 --> 00:35:30,410 science like Phil had a filter water 761 00:35:34,940 --> 00:35:33,270 that's a purified seawater and so forth 762 00:35:36,980 --> 00:35:34,950 real sorry lots of real science there 763 00:35:39,290 --> 00:35:36,990 get inside a cube alongside acupuncture 764 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:39,300 and capping yeah we might be having a 765 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:42,090 word to them about that but I mean on 766 00:35:45,980 --> 00:35:44,490 the positive side it was great fun to do 767 00:35:48,740 --> 00:35:45,990 such good shows alone and I must admit 768 00:35:51,260 --> 00:35:48,750 to um I wouldn't say plagiarizing Carl 769 00:35:52,609 --> 00:35:51,270 Sagan but inspired towards the end of 770 00:35:55,310 --> 00:35:52,619 the our show we have a picture of the 771 00:35:58,010 --> 00:35:55,320 Earth from Mars and I talked about the 772 00:36:00,260 --> 00:35:58,020 pale blue dot yes that's right it's 773 00:36:02,270 --> 00:36:00,270 quite revealing to think that all of the 774 00:36:05,090 --> 00:36:02,280 kids there and their parents and all of 775 00:36:06,830 --> 00:36:05,100 the history of mankind took place not in 776 00:36:10,010 --> 00:36:06,840 the universe at large but in one tiny 777 00:36:12,470 --> 00:36:10,020 little pale blue dot yeah yeah but that 778 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:12,480 impressed the kids I think it did with a 779 00:36:15,650 --> 00:36:13,770 lot of oohs and ahhs which was really 780 00:36:19,070 --> 00:36:15,660 nice I think then carries them to take 781 00:36:22,490 --> 00:36:19,080 better care of our pale blue dot than 782 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:22,500 their parents hopefully so well I have 783 00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:24,090 to take care of my voice it's just about 784 00:36:29,390 --> 00:36:27,810 shot now I think he and we might we're 785 00:36:31,490 --> 00:36:29,400 heading downtown City at the moment 786 00:36:35,390 --> 00:36:31,500 maybe to find a nice watering hole or 787 00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:35,400 something and then look forward to 2020 788 00:36:56,130 --> 00:36:52,510 [Music] 789 00:37:02,920 --> 00:36:56,140 the Surf Coast summer spring skeptic app 790 00:37:05,980 --> 00:37:02,930 14th of September this Surf Coast summer 791 00:37:08,260 --> 00:37:05,990 spring skeptic camp s cssc is 792 00:37:10,510 --> 00:37:08,270 Australia's longest-running skeptic camp 793 00:37:15,610 --> 00:37:10,520 this year we are celebrating our seventh 794 00:37:18,070 --> 00:37:15,620 year if you want to share something on a 795 00:37:20,170 --> 00:37:18,080 skeptically related topic in which you 796 00:37:22,750 --> 00:37:20,180 are interested highlight some practices 797 00:37:24,130 --> 00:37:22,760 that you see is dubious and need to be 798 00:37:26,890 --> 00:37:24,140 brought to the attention of the 799 00:37:29,350 --> 00:37:26,900 skeptical community please offer to 800 00:37:32,350 --> 00:37:29,360 share your thoughts this is a sharing 801 00:37:34,540 --> 00:37:32,360 event where many contributors combine to 802 00:37:37,270 --> 00:37:34,550 make a great day the event is free 803 00:37:39,250 --> 00:37:37,280 however please provide your own lunch 804 00:37:40,150 --> 00:37:39,260 but don't worry there are plenty of 805 00:37:43,210 --> 00:37:40,160 options 806 00:37:46,030 --> 00:37:43,220 locally tea coffee and biscuits will be 807 00:37:49,750 --> 00:37:46,040 provided all day that's Saturday the 808 00:37:51,510 --> 00:37:49,760 14th of September 2019 10:30 a.m. to 809 00:37:54,700 --> 00:37:51,520 4:00 p.m. 810 00:37:58,360 --> 00:37:54,710 the location is Aries in that community 811 00:38:01,420 --> 00:37:58,370 hall 6 Great Ocean Road aireys inlet 812 00:38:04,030 --> 00:38:01,430 Victoria office to present should be 813 00:38:10,540 --> 00:38:04,040 made to the skeptic groups of Victoria 814 00:38:14,500 --> 00:38:10,550 email address at SG o f v IC @ gmail.com 815 00:38:18,019 --> 00:38:14,510 and to register just follow the links in 816 00:38:23,849 --> 00:38:21,390 the Surf Coast summer/spring Skippy camp 817 00:38:40,559 --> 00:38:23,859 Australia's longest-running skeptic 818 00:38:42,749 --> 00:38:40,569 Hammond once again we turn to the pages 819 00:38:44,700 --> 00:38:42,759 of the skeptic the journal from 820 00:38:49,650 --> 00:38:44,710 Australian skeptics this time we go back 821 00:38:55,829 --> 00:38:49,660 to 1996 volume 16 number one and on page 822 00:39:04,920 --> 00:38:55,839 32 vinegar can be used for what by Glen 823 00:39:08,220 --> 00:39:04,930 Cod will want to get rich quick join the 824 00:39:11,730 --> 00:39:08,230 nutrition quackery promoters of fad 825 00:39:14,849 --> 00:39:11,740 mobilizers amino acid tablets cellulite 826 00:39:18,329 --> 00:39:14,859 treatments food combining digestive 827 00:39:21,989 --> 00:39:18,339 enzyme tablets fantasy books for example 828 00:39:24,509 --> 00:39:21,999 fit for life weight loss fraud protein 829 00:39:27,660 --> 00:39:24,519 powders fake vitamins magic nutrients 830 00:39:30,749 --> 00:39:27,670 finding non-existent allergies vitamin 831 00:39:34,589 --> 00:39:30,759 b12 injections can't securing diets and 832 00:39:37,849 --> 00:39:34,599 the list goes on better still create 833 00:39:41,870 --> 00:39:37,859 some new quackery success is measured by 834 00:39:44,069 --> 00:39:41,880 financial income not health outcome a 835 00:39:46,859 --> 00:39:44,079 personal favourite is the recent 836 00:39:51,239 --> 00:39:46,869 advertisement campaign for a book on the 837 00:39:52,739 --> 00:39:51,249 new superfood vinegar the advertisement 838 00:39:55,079 --> 00:39:52,749 makes the following statements 839 00:39:57,829 --> 00:39:55,089 scientific studies praised the curative 840 00:40:00,450 --> 00:39:57,839 and preventative powers of vinegar 841 00:40:02,930 --> 00:40:00,460 scientific tests show it's a natural 842 00:40:05,999 --> 00:40:02,940 storehouse of vitamins and minerals over 843 00:40:09,450 --> 00:40:06,009 93 different components to fight what 844 00:40:11,759 --> 00:40:09,460 ails you and to help extend life you'll 845 00:40:15,329 --> 00:40:11,769 learn how to melt away pounds with a 846 00:40:17,700 --> 00:40:15,339 mealtime vinegar cocktail just one 847 00:40:20,549 --> 00:40:17,710 spoonful of apple cider vinegar is 848 00:40:23,609 --> 00:40:20,559 endowed with vitamins minerals enzymes 849 00:40:26,789 --> 00:40:23,619 amino acids and important pectin and 850 00:40:29,759 --> 00:40:26,799 beta keratin whoops that last ones a 851 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:29,769 challah vinegar is a lousy source of 852 00:40:34,319 --> 00:40:30,970 essential nutrient 853 00:40:37,589 --> 00:40:34,329 in fact the national value of Australian 854 00:40:39,450 --> 00:40:37,599 foods the US Department of Agriculture 855 00:40:42,720 --> 00:40:39,460 and the British food tables 856 00:40:45,540 --> 00:40:42,730 McCann's and Widdowson all lists vinegar 857 00:40:49,109 --> 00:40:45,550 as having no fiber therefore no pectin 858 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:49,119 no vitamins therefore no beta keratin 859 00:40:56,520 --> 00:40:52,930 and only a mere trace of calcium or iron 860 00:40:59,940 --> 00:40:56,530 and the same amount of protein and amino 861 00:41:04,500 --> 00:40:59,950 acids as you will find in one teaspoon 862 00:41:07,020 --> 00:41:04,510 of breadcrumbs or less USDA claims nil 863 00:41:10,560 --> 00:41:07,030 protein the number may have been rounded 864 00:41:13,109 --> 00:41:10,570 down the advertisement then lists 20 865 00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:13,119 medicinal properties of vinegar 866 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:16,170 including help lower cholesterol 867 00:41:23,130 --> 00:41:19,810 forestall osteoporosis help coughs and 868 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:23,140 colds lower high blood pressure relieve 869 00:41:27,720 --> 00:41:25,810 nighttime leg cramps these are 870 00:41:30,690 --> 00:41:27,730 significant claims all of which have 871 00:41:33,060 --> 00:41:30,700 evaded me in the last 20 years I had the 872 00:41:37,170 --> 00:41:33,070 Chuckle when it also listed the old 873 00:41:40,740 --> 00:41:37,180 quackery perlers aids digestion improves 874 00:41:43,710 --> 00:41:40,750 metabolism and aids to maintain health 875 00:41:47,010 --> 00:41:43,720 nothing like some meaningless feel-good 876 00:41:48,900 --> 00:41:47,020 statements to pad out your list my first 877 00:41:51,420 --> 00:41:48,910 complaint went to the magazine that 878 00:41:56,809 --> 00:41:51,430 published the advertisement stating that 879 00:42:00,780 --> 00:41:56,819 it included lies deception and quackery 880 00:42:04,140 --> 00:42:00,790 the potentially most damaging problem 881 00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:04,150 was that the advert was illegal due to 882 00:42:10,589 --> 00:42:06,970 the statement you'll learn how to melt 883 00:42:13,650 --> 00:42:10,599 away pounds in the slimming advertising 884 00:42:16,410 --> 00:42:13,660 code Media Council of Australia it 885 00:42:19,079 --> 00:42:16,420 points out that all advertising which 886 00:42:21,599 --> 00:42:19,089 includes weight loss claim shall conform 887 00:42:24,690 --> 00:42:21,609 to the requirements of this code this 888 00:42:27,240 --> 00:42:24,700 advertisement doesn't furthermore the 889 00:42:29,190 --> 00:42:27,250 code states all advertisements shall be 890 00:42:31,890 --> 00:42:29,200 subject to prior clearance by the 891 00:42:34,559 --> 00:42:31,900 relevant clearance office with print 892 00:42:36,540 --> 00:42:34,569 media the clearance number allocated 893 00:42:39,660 --> 00:42:36,550 shall be displayed within the dimensions 894 00:42:42,390 --> 00:42:39,670 of the advertisement any advertisement 895 00:42:44,520 --> 00:42:42,400 which does not meet these criteria shall 896 00:42:46,950 --> 00:42:44,530 be deemed to be in breach of the code 897 00:42:50,220 --> 00:42:46,960 no relevant Australian publishing Bureau 898 00:42:54,830 --> 00:42:50,230 clearance number was included with the 899 00:42:57,600 --> 00:42:54,840 advert the magazine replied quickly and 900 00:43:01,170 --> 00:42:57,610 reassured me that the advert would no 901 00:43:04,710 --> 00:43:01,180 longer be included and guess who was 902 00:43:08,940 --> 00:43:04,720 peeved the books Australian distributor 903 00:43:11,910 --> 00:43:08,950 willow tree press phoned me from Sydney 904 00:43:16,070 --> 00:43:11,920 on the 3rd of November and advised me 905 00:43:19,590 --> 00:43:16,080 against taking on tresco publishes us I 906 00:43:22,460 --> 00:43:19,600 thanked him for the warning on his 907 00:43:25,700 --> 00:43:22,470 second call he had calmed down somewhat 908 00:43:29,820 --> 00:43:25,710 the greatest remedy for anger is delay 909 00:43:32,390 --> 00:43:29,830 Seneca I explained my great interest in 910 00:43:35,940 --> 00:43:32,400 the therapeutic powers of vinegar and 911 00:43:38,760 --> 00:43:35,950 could he please forward any scientific 912 00:43:41,040 --> 00:43:38,770 details as these had never previously 913 00:43:42,930 --> 00:43:41,050 entered the public health discussion 914 00:43:45,030 --> 00:43:42,940 among health professionals 915 00:43:47,130 --> 00:43:45,040 he offered to send me a copy of the 916 00:43:49,050 --> 00:43:47,140 vinegar book guaranteed to answer my 917 00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:49,060 questions as there was a list of 918 00:43:53,550 --> 00:43:51,610 references at the back of the book the 919 00:43:55,860 --> 00:43:53,560 answers were easy to find 920 00:43:57,030 --> 00:43:55,870 they were on the inside front cover and 921 00:44:00,480 --> 00:43:57,040 on page 2 922 00:44:03,750 --> 00:44:00,490 allow me to quote this book is intended 923 00:44:07,110 --> 00:44:03,760 as a record of folk lore and historical 924 00:44:10,410 --> 00:44:07,120 solutions no claims are intended as to 925 00:44:13,110 --> 00:44:10,420 the safety or endorsing or effectiveness 926 00:44:15,530 --> 00:44:13,120 of any of the remedies remember these 927 00:44:20,240 --> 00:44:15,540 are only folk remedies not 928 00:44:24,180 --> 00:44:20,250 scientifically proven cures I repeat not 929 00:44:26,010 --> 00:44:24,190 scientifically proven cures now that 930 00:44:28,230 --> 00:44:26,020 would have been a useful and honest 931 00:44:30,990 --> 00:44:28,240 statement to include in the advert 932 00:44:33,630 --> 00:44:31,000 indeed the author has our welfare at 933 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:33,640 heart we are told that the Select 934 00:44:39,090 --> 00:44:36,010 Committee on Aging's Subcommittee on 935 00:44:42,630 --> 00:44:39,100 Health and long-term care House of 936 00:44:45,720 --> 00:44:42,640 Representative 98 Congress calls the 937 00:44:50,220 --> 00:44:45,730 marketing of supposed arthritis cures a 938 00:44:53,250 --> 00:44:50,230 10 billion dollar a year scandal it is 939 00:44:55,980 --> 00:44:53,260 much cheaper to use her arthritis remedy 940 00:44:59,150 --> 00:44:55,990 of 1 teaspoon of honey 941 00:45:01,890 --> 00:44:59,160 and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 942 00:45:04,530 --> 00:45:01,900 mixed into a glass of water and taken 943 00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:04,540 morning and evening I looked at 14 of 944 00:45:10,440 --> 00:45:06,490 the references listed in the back of the 945 00:45:12,630 --> 00:45:10,450 book of these eleven made no mention of 946 00:45:16,380 --> 00:45:12,640 vinegar rather they referred to 947 00:45:18,750 --> 00:45:16,390 nutrients not found in vinegar to others 948 00:45:22,560 --> 00:45:18,760 referred to vinegar reducing the 949 00:45:24,630 --> 00:45:22,570 severity of jellyfish stings this is 950 00:45:27,839 --> 00:45:24,640 well established in the Australian Red 951 00:45:30,690 --> 00:45:27,849 Cross first aid textbook recommends to 952 00:45:33,599 --> 00:45:30,700 pour vinegar over the stung area to 953 00:45:35,670 --> 00:45:33,609 inactivate bee stinging capsules and as 954 00:45:37,530 --> 00:45:35,680 an aside I'll say it's interesting that 955 00:45:41,880 --> 00:45:37,540 in the years since this was published I 956 00:45:45,120 --> 00:45:41,890 think the science now recommends against 957 00:45:47,460 --> 00:45:45,130 doing this we read on the final 958 00:45:50,730 --> 00:45:47,470 reference discussed the calcium content 959 00:45:54,150 --> 00:45:50,740 of soup stock with added vinegar where 960 00:45:57,720 --> 00:45:54,160 the author comments the decrease in pH 961 00:46:01,500 --> 00:45:57,730 due to the addition of 60 milliliters of 962 00:46:03,510 --> 00:46:01,510 vinegar was insufficient to extract a 963 00:46:06,510 --> 00:46:03,520 significant amount of calcium from the 964 00:46:09,120 --> 00:46:06,520 bones this is not the impression you get 965 00:46:12,180 --> 00:46:09,130 from reading page 18 of the book which 966 00:46:13,859 --> 00:46:12,190 implies vinegar added to soup can make a 967 00:46:16,170 --> 00:46:13,869 difference in the calcium which is 968 00:46:19,230 --> 00:46:16,180 pulled from boiled soup bones 969 00:46:21,270 --> 00:46:19,240 it is certainly bold of the author of 970 00:46:24,450 --> 00:46:21,280 the vinegar book to include a reference 971 00:46:27,720 --> 00:46:24,460 that refutes the various surgeons she 972 00:46:30,750 --> 00:46:27,730 makes misrepresenting research findings 973 00:46:32,760 --> 00:46:30,760 is common in nutrition quackery amino 974 00:46:35,460 --> 00:46:32,770 acids and bodybuilding is a wonderful 975 00:46:38,460 --> 00:46:35,470 example the very next sentence from this 976 00:46:41,099 --> 00:46:38,470 reference is nutrition misinformation 977 00:46:44,430 --> 00:46:41,109 can lead consumers into making choices 978 00:46:47,339 --> 00:46:44,440 that may result in serious consequences 979 00:46:51,300 --> 00:46:47,349 which would be the case if an individual 980 00:46:53,780 --> 00:46:51,310 relied primarily on a vinegar-based soup 981 00:46:56,570 --> 00:46:53,790 stock as a source of dietary calcium 982 00:46:58,980 --> 00:46:56,580 this study demonstrates the 983 00:47:01,950 --> 00:46:58,990 responsibility of the nutritional health 984 00:47:04,380 --> 00:47:01,960 professional to evaluate nutrition 985 00:47:07,680 --> 00:47:04,390 information critically through direct 986 00:47:08,920 --> 00:47:07,690 research or thorough review of reputable 987 00:47:10,809 --> 00:47:08,930 literature in 988 00:47:16,230 --> 00:47:10,819 to provide the public with the most 989 00:47:20,020 --> 00:47:16,240 accurate information available precisely 990 00:47:21,970 --> 00:47:20,030 and there is a footnote a complaint was 991 00:47:24,640 --> 00:47:21,980 also forwarded to the advertising 992 00:47:27,819 --> 00:47:24,650 standard Council the advertising 993 00:47:31,030 --> 00:47:27,829 watchdog consequently the advertisement 994 00:47:32,890 --> 00:47:31,040 cannot be run in its current form in a 995 00:47:36,400 --> 00:47:32,900 phone conversation with the Australian 996 00:47:39,730 --> 00:47:36,410 distributor on the 8th of December 1995 997 00:47:42,250 --> 00:47:39,740 he said to me what you've done is a 998 00:47:44,650 --> 00:47:42,260 crying shame you've done a lot of harm 999 00:47:47,140 --> 00:47:44,660 to people who could have been cured of 1000 00:47:48,910 --> 00:47:47,150 ailments the vinegar book has sold a 1001 00:47:52,870 --> 00:47:48,920 hundred and forty thousand copies in 1002 00:47:54,280 --> 00:47:52,880 Australia and supposedly 2.5 million 1003 00:47:58,510 --> 00:47:54,290 worldwide 1004 00:47:59,290 --> 00:47:58,520 oh why was I born with scruples the 1005 00:48:04,530 --> 00:47:59,300 vinegar book 1006 00:48:08,140 --> 00:48:04,540 Emily Thacker Tresckow publishers 1994 1007 00:48:10,780 --> 00:48:08,150 and that report can be found in the 1008 00:48:16,120 --> 00:48:10,790 pages of the skeptic magazine volume 16 1009 00:48:18,430 --> 00:48:16,130 number one from 1996 and I note that the 1010 00:48:20,319 --> 00:48:18,440 vinegar book is still available if you 1011 00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:20,329 google the vinegar book you still find 1012 00:48:28,180 --> 00:48:23,530 copies a copies and older copies 1013 00:48:30,780 --> 00:48:28,190 available online for more reports 1014 00:48:36,510 --> 00:48:30,790 interviews and articles free to download 1015 00:48:42,140 --> 00:48:36,520 visit WWF tag scum day you 1016 00:48:46,740 --> 00:48:44,820 hi I'm Darren McKee one of the hosts of 1017 00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:46,750 the reality check each week my co-host 1018 00:48:50,070 --> 00:48:48,490 and I explore a range of controversies 1019 00:48:51,570 --> 00:48:50,080 and curiosities using science and 1020 00:48:53,460 --> 00:48:51,580 critical thinking you can find us on 1021 00:48:55,050 --> 00:48:53,470 iTunes your favorite podcasting platform 1022 00:48:56,640 --> 00:48:55,060 and on Facebook by searching for the 1023 00:48:59,130 --> 00:48:56,650 reality check or by following us on 1024 00:49:00,780 --> 00:48:59,140 Twitter at TRC underscore podcast until 1025 00:49:02,920 --> 00:49:00,790 then keep an open mind but not so open 1026 00:49:13,700 --> 00:49:02,930 your brain falls out 1027 00:49:17,910 --> 00:49:16,019 thank you for listening to the skeptic 1028 00:49:21,479 --> 00:49:17,920 zone now this week it's come to my 1029 00:49:24,450 --> 00:49:21,489 attention that Wakefield press Wakefield 1030 00:49:27,749 --> 00:49:24,460 press calm today you have just released 1031 00:49:30,319 --> 00:49:27,759 a book called curious recollections life 1032 00:49:34,109 --> 00:49:30,329 in the curiosity show by Rob Morrison 1033 00:49:36,870 --> 00:49:34,119 now we've interviewed Rob Morrison on 1034 00:49:39,180 --> 00:49:36,880 the show before many years ago Rob and 1035 00:49:41,009 --> 00:49:39,190 Dean Dean Hutton were the presenters of 1036 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:41,019 the curiosity show in the 70s and the 1037 00:49:46,950 --> 00:49:43,930 80s here in Australia and did for people 1038 00:49:49,380 --> 00:49:46,960 like me it was a must-see after-school 1039 00:49:52,920 --> 00:49:49,390 show how to make things how things 1040 00:49:57,180 --> 00:49:52,930 worked lots of science lots of science 1041 00:49:59,370 --> 00:49:57,190 for kids I even made a hovercraft by 1042 00:50:03,269 --> 00:49:59,380 watching the curiosity show and many 1043 00:50:05,459 --> 00:50:03,279 years later I actually got the chance to 1044 00:50:08,640 --> 00:50:05,469 meet Rob and Dean which was fantastic 1045 00:50:11,549 --> 00:50:08,650 and I've been to Rob's house many years 1046 00:50:13,499 --> 00:50:11,559 ago I've spoken in front of both of them 1047 00:50:15,870 --> 00:50:13,509 which was quite a thrill talking about 1048 00:50:18,150 --> 00:50:15,880 skepticism anyway if you remember the 1049 00:50:19,559 --> 00:50:18,160 Curiosity show I'll add a link in this 1050 00:50:21,719 --> 00:50:19,569 week's show notes for curious 1051 00:50:24,150 --> 00:50:21,729 recollections life in the curiosity show 1052 00:50:26,729 --> 00:50:24,160 by Rob Morrison now the little blurb 1053 00:50:28,289 --> 00:50:26,739 says every child who grew up in 1054 00:50:31,200 --> 00:50:28,299 Australia in the 70s and the 80s 1055 00:50:33,209 --> 00:50:31,210 remembers the Curiosity show the science 1056 00:50:35,999 --> 00:50:33,219 show that encouraged kids to build their 1057 00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:36,009 own experiments at home running for 18 1058 00:50:40,559 --> 00:50:38,170 years it was a groundbreaking television 1059 00:50:42,959 --> 00:50:40,569 production winning awards and screening 1060 00:50:45,450 --> 00:50:42,969 into homes around the world actually 1061 00:50:48,289 --> 00:50:45,460 that's true because the show was dubbed 1062 00:50:51,870 --> 00:50:48,299 into other languages including German 1063 00:50:53,430 --> 00:50:51,880 which was quite fun anyway again a link 1064 00:50:56,009 --> 00:50:53,440 in this week's show notes if you grew up 1065 00:50:58,259 --> 00:50:56,019 with the Curiosity Show I'm sure you'd 1066 00:50:59,940 --> 00:50:58,269 want to get a copy of that book thank 1067 00:51:02,910 --> 00:50:59,950 you to those people who continue to 1068 00:51:05,309 --> 00:51:02,920 support the sceptic Zone in a very real 1069 00:51:08,249 --> 00:51:05,319 way financially there would be no show 1070 00:51:10,650 --> 00:51:08,259 unless people just like you supported 1071 00:51:14,130 --> 00:51:10,660 the show and you can do that via patreon 1072 00:51:15,779 --> 00:51:14,140 or PayPal at skeptic zone TV and I 1073 00:51:18,749 --> 00:51:15,789 encourage you to do so it'll give you a 1074 00:51:21,089 --> 00:51:18,759 wonderful warm feeling inside and help 1075 00:51:23,579 --> 00:51:21,099 me pay the bills for the show but of 1076 00:51:25,530 --> 00:51:23,589 course a very heartfelt thank you to the 1077 00:51:28,470 --> 00:51:25,540 people who have been supporting the 1078 00:51:31,140 --> 00:51:28,480 so for many years and the people who 1079 00:51:33,960 --> 00:51:31,150 just recently came on board the amount 1080 00:51:37,230 --> 00:51:33,970 is up to you but quite a few people have 1081 00:51:40,470 --> 00:51:37,240 decided that five dollars a month is the 1082 00:51:42,480 --> 00:51:40,480 right right contribution to make and 1083 00:51:44,550 --> 00:51:42,490 that's not too much to ask I don't think 1084 00:51:47,130 --> 00:51:44,560 next week's show we'll be coming to you 1085 00:51:49,530 --> 00:51:47,140 once again from California as I head 1086 00:51:51,810 --> 00:51:49,540 over there to get ready to go to Dragon 1087 00:51:54,090 --> 00:51:51,820 Con in Atlanta Georgia I need a little 1088 00:51:57,090 --> 00:51:54,100 bit of time to frankly to get over 1089 00:51:59,460 --> 00:51:57,100 jetlag otherwise I'm a complete mess I'm 1090 00:52:01,830 --> 00:51:59,470 a complete wreck so I spend a little bit 1091 00:52:04,050 --> 00:52:01,840 of time in California getting my head 1092 00:52:06,570 --> 00:52:04,060 together getting my sea legs my land 1093 00:52:09,480 --> 00:52:06,580 legs and then heading over to Dragon Con 1094 00:52:11,580 --> 00:52:09,490 where I hope to bring you many hours of 1095 00:52:14,910 --> 00:52:11,590 interesting interviews and insights and 1096 00:52:15,390 --> 00:52:14,920 lots of fun from Atlanta but for this 1097 00:52:17,220 --> 00:52:15,400 week 1098 00:52:23,820 --> 00:52:17,230 this is Richard Saunders signing off 1099 00:52:25,890 --> 00:52:23,830 from Sydney Australia you've been 1100 00:52:31,350 --> 00:52:25,900 listening to the skeptic zone podcast 1101 00:52:34,650 --> 00:52:31,360 please visit our website at WWDC because 1102 00:52:38,150 --> 00:52:34,660 shownotes contacts and to access the bat 1103 00:52:40,800 --> 00:52:38,160 catalog of episodes going back to 2008 1104 00:52:44,100 --> 00:52:40,810 you can follow the skeptic zone podcast 1105 00:52:46,380 --> 00:52:44,110 on twitter at skeptic zone visit our 1106 00:52:47,270 --> 00:52:46,390 facebook page or leave a review on 1107 00:52:49,950 --> 00:52:47,280 itunes 1108 00:52:53,340 --> 00:52:49,960 you can also support the skeptic zone 1109 00:52:56,730 --> 00:52:53,350 via patreon or PayPal the skeptic zone 1110 00:52:58,440 --> 00:52:56,740 podcast is an independent production the 1111 00:53:00,570 --> 00:52:58,450 views and opinions expressed on the 1112 00:53:02,910 --> 00:53:00,580 skeptic zone are not necessarily those 1113 00:53:04,720 --> 00:53:02,920 of Australian skeptics or any other 1114 00:53:15,560 --> 00:53:04,730 skeptical organisation 1115 00:53:20,120 --> 00:53:17,660 hello to the afterthoughts the people 1116 00:53:23,870 --> 00:53:20,130 who tuned in after the music tuning keep 1117 00:53:25,280 --> 00:53:23,880 listening to play the dice game and it's 1118 00:53:27,620 --> 00:53:25,290 quite good doing this because I don't 1119 00:53:30,200 --> 00:53:27,630 care if the planes come over which 1120 00:53:32,330 --> 00:53:30,210 they're doing every minute and a half at 1121 00:53:33,980 --> 00:53:32,340 the moment what's going on maybe it's 1122 00:53:36,080 --> 00:53:33,990 because of the cold winds they have to 1123 00:53:38,300 --> 00:53:36,090 change the flight path I'm not sure 1124 00:53:42,140 --> 00:53:38,310 what's going on and you might guess that 1125 00:53:44,540 --> 00:53:42,150 this studio is not exactly soundproof so 1126 00:53:46,700 --> 00:53:44,550 I have to stop recording frequently some 1127 00:53:48,560 --> 00:53:46,710 mornings anyway 1128 00:53:49,910 --> 00:53:48,570 anyway yes the dice game for those 1129 00:53:51,950 --> 00:53:49,920 people who don't know every now and then 1130 00:53:55,910 --> 00:53:51,960 at the end of the show I will roll and 1131 00:54:00,320 --> 00:53:55,920 die sometimes it's a d6 excited 1132 00:54:03,170 --> 00:54:00,330 sometimes it's a d-10 it's been up to D 1133 00:54:06,880 --> 00:54:03,180 60 in the past I think today it's going 1134 00:54:09,880 --> 00:54:06,890 to be a d 100 well sort of I have a d-10 1135 00:54:12,500 --> 00:54:09,890 10 sided die I'm gonna roll it twice 1136 00:54:16,730 --> 00:54:12,510 twice you see and that will give you a 1137 00:54:19,640 --> 00:54:16,740 number between 1 or from 1 to 100 I'm 1138 00:54:22,490 --> 00:54:19,650 going to do this three times why not 1139 00:54:24,550 --> 00:54:22,500 where's my pen no he's after write down 1140 00:54:28,130 --> 00:54:24,560 the values here because I could forget 1141 00:54:30,430 --> 00:54:28,140 here we go ready to go so I want you now 1142 00:54:33,430 --> 00:54:30,440 to use your psychic powers 1143 00:54:37,850 --> 00:54:33,440 here's your predicting powers and 1144 00:54:52,340 --> 00:54:37,860 predict a number from 1 to 100 here we 1145 00:54:54,590 --> 00:54:52,350 go the first number is 39 39 good luck 1146 00:55:05,090 --> 00:54:54,600 if you got that ok the next number from 1147 00:55:23,160 --> 00:55:11,850 3:53 39 and 53 in the last number how's 1148 00:55:26,010 --> 00:55:23,170 your predicting going 50 again 57 all 1149 00:55:31,320 --> 00:55:26,020 odd numbers all odd numbers three nine 1150 00:55:39,840 --> 00:55:31,330 five three five seven thirty nine 53 57