1 00:00:08,470 --> 00:00:06,630 [Music] 2 00:00:11,270 --> 00:00:08,480 welcome to the skeptic zone 3 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:11,280 the podcast from australia for science 4 00:00:23,349 --> 00:00:16,850 and reason 5 00:00:25,189 --> 00:00:23,359 [Music] 6 00:00:27,830 --> 00:00:25,199 yes it's the skeptic zone podcast 7 00:00:30,790 --> 00:00:27,840 episode number 621 8 00:00:32,310 --> 00:00:30,800 for the 5th of september 2020 richard 9 00:00:33,270 --> 00:00:32,320 saunders here with you from sydney 10 00:00:36,470 --> 00:00:33,280 australia 11 00:00:37,910 --> 00:00:36,480 no you you need not check your calendars 12 00:00:39,350 --> 00:00:37,920 or your clocks or 13 00:00:41,510 --> 00:00:39,360 think you've traveled a day into the 14 00:00:44,310 --> 00:00:41,520 future the skeptic zone is out 15 00:00:46,470 --> 00:00:44,320 one day early this week very good reason 16 00:00:49,029 --> 00:00:46,480 for that because i wanted to 17 00:00:50,229 --> 00:00:49,039 really promote skeptrak at dragoncon 18 00:00:53,670 --> 00:00:50,239 which is happening 19 00:00:56,630 --> 00:00:53,680 right now as i speak and 20 00:00:57,510 --> 00:00:56,640 that is a chock-a-block program for you 21 00:00:59,990 --> 00:00:57,520 to view 22 00:01:01,029 --> 00:01:00,000 on youtube of skeptical talks i'm giving 23 00:01:04,710 --> 00:01:01,039 a talk 24 00:01:06,710 --> 00:01:04,720 uh pretty soon and in fact if you're 25 00:01:09,270 --> 00:01:06,720 listening to this and it's before 26 00:01:09,750 --> 00:01:09,280 sunday morning in australia i'm speaking 27 00:01:13,030 --> 00:01:09,760 at 28 00:01:13,510 --> 00:01:13,040 9 30 on sunday morning so this week's 29 00:01:16,310 --> 00:01:13,520 show 30 00:01:18,070 --> 00:01:16,320 is dedicated to skip track and some of 31 00:01:20,630 --> 00:01:18,080 the fun times and memories 32 00:01:22,230 --> 00:01:20,640 and basically promoting that skeptical 33 00:01:23,270 --> 00:01:22,240 outreach we're going to start with our 34 00:01:25,990 --> 00:01:23,280 new reporter 35 00:01:26,870 --> 00:01:26,000 jennifer hathawn who i met in atlanta 36 00:01:29,749 --> 00:01:26,880 georgia 37 00:01:31,670 --> 00:01:29,759 about a decade ago and she's going to be 38 00:01:33,990 --> 00:01:31,680 recounting some of her memories 39 00:01:34,870 --> 00:01:34,000 and the history of the skeptrak at 40 00:01:37,590 --> 00:01:34,880 dragoncon 41 00:01:39,109 --> 00:01:37,600 in atlanta georgia welcome jennifer to 42 00:01:42,389 --> 00:01:39,119 the skeptic zone 43 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:42,399 and her segment's called here's my two 44 00:01:47,350 --> 00:01:43,680 cents worth 45 00:01:50,069 --> 00:01:47,360 after that i ease drop live 46 00:01:51,350 --> 00:01:50,079 so to speak with skeptrak as it's 47 00:01:54,069 --> 00:01:51,360 happening right now 48 00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:54,079 i speak to dr angie matki and derek 49 00:01:58,550 --> 00:01:55,759 colenduno 50 00:01:59,109 --> 00:01:58,560 and i was very lucky to get them between 51 00:02:02,389 --> 00:01:59,119 talks 52 00:02:05,510 --> 00:02:02,399 so to speak a live crossover to the uh 53 00:02:07,429 --> 00:02:05,520 to the virtual dragon con this year 54 00:02:08,630 --> 00:02:07,439 following that it's my report about 55 00:02:12,150 --> 00:02:08,640 skeptrek 56 00:02:14,949 --> 00:02:12,160 and the solano stroll from 2019 57 00:02:16,550 --> 00:02:14,959 as uh reported in the pages of the 58 00:02:18,150 --> 00:02:16,560 skeptic magazine the journal from 59 00:02:21,589 --> 00:02:18,160 australian skeptics 60 00:02:25,510 --> 00:02:21,599 find out my impressions of dragon con 61 00:02:29,430 --> 00:02:25,520 2019 and the wonderful solano 62 00:02:31,430 --> 00:02:29,440 street fair in berkeley california 63 00:02:33,589 --> 00:02:31,440 where i was lucky enough to take part in 64 00:02:36,790 --> 00:02:33,599 some skeptical outreach 65 00:02:38,869 --> 00:02:36,800 and if you go back about a year 66 00:02:40,710 --> 00:02:38,879 and if you go back here buddy and if you 67 00:02:41,670 --> 00:02:40,720 go back about a year on the skeptic zone 68 00:02:44,390 --> 00:02:41,680 podcast 69 00:02:45,350 --> 00:02:44,400 you can hear my live reports from those 70 00:02:47,830 --> 00:02:45,360 events 71 00:02:48,949 --> 00:02:47,840 now because the show's out a day early 72 00:02:51,990 --> 00:02:48,959 it's a 73 00:02:53,589 --> 00:02:52,000 an abbreviated show this is the 74 00:02:55,990 --> 00:02:53,599 the reader's digest version of the 75 00:02:57,110 --> 00:02:56,000 skeptic zone so it's not as long as the 76 00:02:59,030 --> 00:02:57,120 normal show 77 00:03:01,430 --> 00:02:59,040 but i'm sure you'll understand i really 78 00:03:04,149 --> 00:03:01,440 needed to get this show out a bit early 79 00:03:04,790 --> 00:03:04,159 so uh people who didn't know really had 80 00:03:08,229 --> 00:03:04,800 a good 81 00:03:11,750 --> 00:03:08,239 uh chance to uh to tune into the live 82 00:03:14,790 --> 00:03:11,760 skip track events 83 00:03:15,830 --> 00:03:14,800 but now it's time for me to stay right 84 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:15,840 here 85 00:03:22,309 --> 00:03:19,040 switch on my youtube 86 00:03:22,949 --> 00:03:22,319 and keep watching skip track well i do 87 00:03:24,309 --> 00:03:22,959 that 88 00:03:26,869 --> 00:03:24,319 all right i'll have a cup of coffee 89 00:03:29,270 --> 00:03:26,879 while i'm doing it maybe a pancake 90 00:03:31,030 --> 00:03:29,280 some toast i wonder if there are any 91 00:03:47,730 --> 00:03:31,040 eggs well i do that 92 00:03:50,390 --> 00:03:47,740 i hope you enjoy the skeptic zone 93 00:03:55,830 --> 00:03:50,400 [Music] 94 00:04:03,350 --> 00:04:01,750 with jennifer hathorne 95 00:04:05,260 --> 00:04:03,360 here's my two cents worth about 96 00:04:09,030 --> 00:04:05,270 dragoncon 97 00:04:11,030 --> 00:04:09,040 [Music] 98 00:04:13,750 --> 00:04:11,040 dragoncon is the largest annual 99 00:04:16,469 --> 00:04:13,760 multimedia popular culture convention 100 00:04:17,349 --> 00:04:16,479 focusing on science science fiction 101 00:04:21,030 --> 00:04:17,359 fantasy 102 00:04:22,150 --> 00:04:21,040 gaming comics literature art music and 103 00:04:23,990 --> 00:04:22,160 film 104 00:04:25,270 --> 00:04:24,000 it takes place in atlanta georgia on 105 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:25,280 labor day weekend 106 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:29,680 which is the first weekend in september 107 00:04:33,350 --> 00:04:32,320 the convention got its start in 1987 as 108 00:04:35,030 --> 00:04:33,360 a project 109 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:35,040 of the local science fiction and gaming 110 00:04:38,230 --> 00:04:37,120 group the dragon alliance of gamers and 111 00:04:42,469 --> 00:04:38,240 role players 112 00:04:44,230 --> 00:04:42,479 and drew about 1400 attendees the idea 113 00:04:46,150 --> 00:04:44,240 behind the convention was combined 114 00:04:47,590 --> 00:04:46,160 phantoms and genres into a single 115 00:04:49,909 --> 00:04:47,600 convention for fans 116 00:04:51,990 --> 00:04:49,919 who like the founders were interested in 117 00:04:54,790 --> 00:04:52,000 different aspects of the culture 118 00:04:56,150 --> 00:04:54,800 33 years later dragoncon boasts a 119 00:04:59,189 --> 00:04:56,160 staggering 85 120 00:04:59,909 --> 00:04:59,199 000 plus attendees which in a very real 121 00:05:01,990 --> 00:04:59,919 way 122 00:05:03,350 --> 00:05:02,000 transforms the downtown atlanta area 123 00:05:06,790 --> 00:05:03,360 into a futuristic 124 00:05:09,950 --> 00:05:06,800 fantasy landscape everyone is in costume 125 00:05:12,150 --> 00:05:09,960 there are superheroes robots strange 126 00:05:15,430 --> 00:05:12,160 extraterrestrial beings 127 00:05:17,189 --> 00:05:15,440 spartans walking the streets eating in 128 00:05:19,909 --> 00:05:17,199 restaurants and living as though 129 00:05:21,430 --> 00:05:19,919 everything is perfectly normal music is 130 00:05:23,670 --> 00:05:21,440 in the air from both sponsored and 131 00:05:25,830 --> 00:05:23,680 spontaneous celebrations 132 00:05:27,430 --> 00:05:25,840 all you need to start a party is a radio 133 00:05:29,990 --> 00:05:27,440 and the will to get down 134 00:05:32,150 --> 00:05:30,000 let me emphasize there are people here 135 00:05:33,189 --> 00:05:32,160 representing every facet of popular 136 00:05:34,790 --> 00:05:33,199 culture 137 00:05:36,629 --> 00:05:34,800 whatever you can think of there's a 138 00:05:38,950 --> 00:05:36,639 person in the costume of it 139 00:05:39,909 --> 00:05:38,960 9 foot tall off miss prime they've got 140 00:05:42,230 --> 00:05:39,919 you covered 141 00:05:43,590 --> 00:05:42,240 screen accurate stormtroopers there are 142 00:05:46,550 --> 00:05:43,600 hundreds of them 143 00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:46,560 and they commit to the role too i once 144 00:05:51,270 --> 00:05:48,800 saw a person dressed as jason voorhees 145 00:05:52,870 --> 00:05:51,280 from the friday the 13th movies stand 146 00:05:54,710 --> 00:05:52,880 outside in the extreme 147 00:05:56,390 --> 00:05:54,720 heat and humidity of a southern us 148 00:05:58,309 --> 00:05:56,400 summer for 12 149 00:06:00,230 --> 00:05:58,319 hours just to scare people while in 150 00:06:02,230 --> 00:06:00,240 character and it is that kind of 151 00:06:02,469 --> 00:06:02,240 commitment to character that expressed 152 00:06:05,430 --> 00:06:02,479 in 153 00:06:07,189 --> 00:06:05,440 every happy attendee i guarantee no 154 00:06:07,909 --> 00:06:07,199 matter the size or newness of your 155 00:06:10,469 --> 00:06:07,919 fandom 156 00:06:12,950 --> 00:06:10,479 dragoncon will represent you my first 157 00:06:14,950 --> 00:06:12,960 dragoncon was 2001. 158 00:06:17,510 --> 00:06:14,960 it was my very first time going to any 159 00:06:20,070 --> 00:06:17,520 convention and folks believe me when i 160 00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:20,080 tell you that i was blown away 161 00:06:24,230 --> 00:06:22,240 from the inaugural dragoncon parade to 162 00:06:25,510 --> 00:06:24,240 the midnight live showing of the rocky 163 00:06:27,830 --> 00:06:25,520 horror picture show 164 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:27,840 i was enthralled and encompassed by 165 00:06:31,990 --> 00:06:30,080 waves of costume revelers 166 00:06:33,590 --> 00:06:32,000 that were just as happy to see me as i 167 00:06:36,790 --> 00:06:33,600 was to see them 168 00:06:37,189 --> 00:06:36,800 a real family atmosphere the years flew 169 00:06:39,029 --> 00:06:37,199 by 170 00:06:41,189 --> 00:06:39,039 and i would enjoy attending panels where 171 00:06:43,590 --> 00:06:41,199 i would meet my heroes from film 172 00:06:45,830 --> 00:06:43,600 television and literature by day while 173 00:06:46,550 --> 00:06:45,840 raging at parties taylor made for nerds 174 00:06:49,110 --> 00:06:46,560 like me 175 00:06:51,029 --> 00:06:49,120 at night but it was in 2008 that 176 00:06:54,710 --> 00:06:51,039 something different came along 177 00:06:56,790 --> 00:06:54,720 the skiptrack clearly founders derek 178 00:06:58,309 --> 00:06:56,800 colenduno and robin mccarthy 179 00:07:00,230 --> 00:06:58,319 saw a need in the community for a 180 00:07:01,510 --> 00:07:00,240 gathering place for critical thinkers to 181 00:07:04,150 --> 00:07:01,520 share ideas and ask 182 00:07:06,309 --> 00:07:04,160 questions skip track is a four day 183 00:07:07,510 --> 00:07:06,319 subconference within dragon con with 184 00:07:09,589 --> 00:07:07,520 panels featuring 185 00:07:11,749 --> 00:07:09,599 professional skeptics and free thinking 186 00:07:14,070 --> 00:07:11,759 celebrities from all over the world 187 00:07:15,110 --> 00:07:14,080 in the early years there were folks like 188 00:07:18,230 --> 00:07:15,120 george robb 189 00:07:19,670 --> 00:07:18,240 of the geological podcast dr phil plate 190 00:07:22,710 --> 00:07:19,680 the bad astronomer 191 00:07:25,029 --> 00:07:22,720 the sgu and none other than richard 192 00:07:28,550 --> 00:07:25,039 saunders and dr rachel dunlop 193 00:07:30,070 --> 00:07:28,560 from the skeptic zone and every year the 194 00:07:33,430 --> 00:07:30,080 skype track was more fabulous 195 00:07:35,510 --> 00:07:33,440 than the last oh the places you'll go 196 00:07:37,189 --> 00:07:35,520 i have so many favorites but i want to 197 00:07:38,790 --> 00:07:37,199 speak about my all-time thrills 198 00:07:41,110 --> 00:07:38,800 attending the skeptrac 199 00:07:43,110 --> 00:07:41,120 mendisa thomas the founder and president 200 00:07:45,270 --> 00:07:43,120 of black non-believers incorporated 201 00:07:47,110 --> 00:07:45,280 was a delight to speak with her 202 00:07:47,830 --> 00:07:47,120 organization's goals are eliminating 203 00:07:49,830 --> 00:07:47,840 stigma 204 00:07:52,070 --> 00:07:49,840 increasing visibility and providing 205 00:07:54,230 --> 00:07:52,080 support and networking opportunities 206 00:07:56,150 --> 00:07:54,240 around non-belief in the black community 207 00:07:58,390 --> 00:07:56,160 and their allies 208 00:07:59,830 --> 00:07:58,400 mendisa was warm and wonderful and made 209 00:08:01,110 --> 00:07:59,840 me feel welcome in all of our 210 00:08:03,830 --> 00:08:01,120 conversations 211 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:03,840 meeting the skeptics was awesome 212 00:08:07,270 --> 00:08:05,360 skepchick is an organization 213 00:08:09,189 --> 00:08:07,280 and blog dedicated to promoting 214 00:08:10,950 --> 00:08:09,199 skepticism and critical thinking among 215 00:08:14,469 --> 00:08:10,960 women around the world 216 00:08:17,589 --> 00:08:14,479 its founder rebecca watson was engaging 217 00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:17,599 dynamic and genuinely lovely to meet her 218 00:08:20,390 --> 00:08:19,759 grasp of how skeptic and social justice 219 00:08:23,430 --> 00:08:20,400 issues 220 00:08:25,110 --> 00:08:23,440 fits into the wider world is unmatched 221 00:08:28,309 --> 00:08:25,120 the skeptic parade a part of the 222 00:08:30,309 --> 00:08:28,319 dragoncon parade is a must-see event 223 00:08:32,310 --> 00:08:30,319 dragoncon attendees can sign up and 224 00:08:34,870 --> 00:08:32,320 dress up as their favorite skeptical 225 00:08:36,949 --> 00:08:34,880 or science personalities and wave to 226 00:08:38,389 --> 00:08:36,959 thousands of adoring fans as you walk 227 00:08:41,110 --> 00:08:38,399 with your fellow skeptics 228 00:08:42,389 --> 00:08:41,120 at over 000 other marching costume 229 00:08:44,790 --> 00:08:42,399 conventioneers 230 00:08:45,750 --> 00:08:44,800 through downtown atlanta georgia and 231 00:08:48,150 --> 00:08:45,760 finally 232 00:08:49,269 --> 00:08:48,160 there's a time i met the amazing james 233 00:08:51,430 --> 00:08:49,279 randy 234 00:08:54,310 --> 00:08:51,440 for those who don't know him he is a 235 00:08:56,310 --> 00:08:54,320 canadian american retired stage magician 236 00:08:57,910 --> 00:08:56,320 and scientific skeptic who was 237 00:08:59,990 --> 00:08:57,920 responsible for the formation of the 238 00:09:02,710 --> 00:09:00,000 committee for skeptical inquiry 239 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:02,720 the amazing meeting and the james randy 240 00:09:06,470 --> 00:09:04,320 educational foundation 241 00:09:08,710 --> 00:09:06,480 which most famously held the one million 242 00:09:10,870 --> 00:09:08,720 dollar paranormal challenge 243 00:09:12,710 --> 00:09:10,880 which offered a prize of 1 million us 244 00:09:14,470 --> 00:09:12,720 dollars to eligible applicants 245 00:09:16,550 --> 00:09:14,480 who could demonstrate evidence of any 246 00:09:19,110 --> 00:09:16,560 paranormal supernatural or 247 00:09:20,389 --> 00:09:19,120 cult power or event under test 248 00:09:23,590 --> 00:09:20,399 conditions 249 00:09:25,350 --> 00:09:23,600 james randy is a great man and a master 250 00:09:27,910 --> 00:09:25,360 of deception 251 00:09:28,389 --> 00:09:27,920 when he looked at me it was like he 252 00:09:30,949 --> 00:09:28,399 could see 253 00:09:32,470 --> 00:09:30,959 right through the back of my skull i was 254 00:09:35,350 --> 00:09:32,480 totally intimidated 255 00:09:35,990 --> 00:09:35,360 but folks let me tell you he was the 256 00:09:38,790 --> 00:09:36,000 kindest 257 00:09:41,269 --> 00:09:38,800 most caring person you'll ever meet it 258 00:09:43,030 --> 00:09:41,279 was a sincere pleasure to speak with him 259 00:09:44,790 --> 00:09:43,040 i was quite young at the time and he 260 00:09:45,829 --> 00:09:44,800 took an interest in my budding science 261 00:09:47,829 --> 00:09:45,839 career 262 00:09:51,430 --> 00:09:47,839 i was star struck and babbling the whole 263 00:09:53,910 --> 00:09:51,440 time and he listened he really listened 264 00:09:55,269 --> 00:09:53,920 speaking of the amazing randy i asked 265 00:09:57,110 --> 00:09:55,279 derek colin dunno 266 00:09:59,509 --> 00:09:57,120 director for scientific skepticism at 267 00:10:01,590 --> 00:09:59,519 dragoncon if he had a favorite highlight 268 00:10:03,430 --> 00:10:01,600 from years past 269 00:10:05,509 --> 00:10:03,440 he said that his favorite was when he 270 00:10:07,590 --> 00:10:05,519 got james randy to come to dragoncon 271 00:10:09,829 --> 00:10:07,600 at the last minute the same year that 272 00:10:12,069 --> 00:10:09,839 alice cooper was going to be there 273 00:10:14,310 --> 00:10:12,079 many fans of alice cooper don't know 274 00:10:16,829 --> 00:10:14,320 that it was james randy who helped form 275 00:10:18,069 --> 00:10:16,839 the alice cooper's signature look and 276 00:10:19,430 --> 00:10:18,079 character 277 00:10:21,670 --> 00:10:19,440 james randy was the one who helped 278 00:10:24,150 --> 00:10:21,680 design the stage show for the tour 279 00:10:25,990 --> 00:10:24,160 and was on stage for most of the time as 280 00:10:28,470 --> 00:10:26,000 different characters 281 00:10:30,949 --> 00:10:28,480 now if you think that's cool head over 282 00:10:33,030 --> 00:10:30,959 to the dragoncon videos on youtube 283 00:10:34,790 --> 00:10:33,040 and watch the on stage event where they 284 00:10:37,030 --> 00:10:34,800 share all sorts of cool stories about 285 00:10:38,389 --> 00:10:37,040 their time on the road together 286 00:10:40,550 --> 00:10:38,399 i've been privileged to witness a 287 00:10:43,590 --> 00:10:40,560 community of amazing skeptic talent that 288 00:10:45,590 --> 00:10:43,600 grew from just a few enthusiastic fans 289 00:10:48,470 --> 00:10:45,600 to one of the most significant skeptic 290 00:10:50,230 --> 00:10:48,480 events of the year in the u.s 291 00:10:52,870 --> 00:10:50,240 because it is a part of an ever-growing 292 00:10:54,790 --> 00:10:52,880 dragon con new people get to experience 293 00:10:56,710 --> 00:10:54,800 what it is like to attend a skeptical 294 00:10:57,750 --> 00:10:56,720 conference for the very first time every 295 00:11:02,470 --> 00:10:57,760 year 296 00:11:04,269 --> 00:11:02,480 will be open for everyone to attend 297 00:11:06,630 --> 00:11:04,279 you can check out details at 298 00:11:08,389 --> 00:11:06,640 dragoncon.org 299 00:11:09,990 --> 00:11:08,399 i'm delighted to say that our very own 300 00:11:12,389 --> 00:11:10,000 richard saunders will be speaking this 301 00:11:14,550 --> 00:11:12,399 year all the way from australia 302 00:11:17,269 --> 00:11:14,560 personally i plan on being there for as 303 00:11:19,350 --> 00:11:17,279 many panels as possible 304 00:11:20,389 --> 00:11:19,360 even if covet 19 keeps us physically 305 00:11:26,790 --> 00:11:20,399 distant 306 00:11:30,150 --> 00:11:29,030 and that my skeptical friends was my two 307 00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:30,160 cents worth 308 00:11:38,870 --> 00:11:33,580 until next time this is jennifer 309 00:11:42,260 --> 00:11:40,829 [Music] 310 00:11:48,630 --> 00:11:42,270 hathorne 311 00:11:53,430 --> 00:11:51,269 skepticon 2020 the australian skeptics 312 00:11:56,230 --> 00:11:53,440 national convention 313 00:11:56,870 --> 00:11:56,240 skeptic activism workshop with joe 314 00:12:00,949 --> 00:11:56,880 bedimu 315 00:12:03,750 --> 00:12:00,959 and mandy lee noble it is of no surprise 316 00:12:04,470 --> 00:12:03,760 but of great frustration to those in the 317 00:12:07,430 --> 00:12:04,480 skeptic 318 00:12:09,670 --> 00:12:07,440 community witnessing the false and often 319 00:12:09,990 --> 00:12:09,680 downright bizarre claims being made 320 00:12:12,629 --> 00:12:10,000 about 321 00:12:13,670 --> 00:12:12,639 health and medicine spurred on by the 322 00:12:17,269 --> 00:12:13,680 recent covert 323 00:12:19,430 --> 00:12:17,279 pandemic of course pseudoscientific 324 00:12:20,949 --> 00:12:19,440 assertions have long persisted in all 325 00:12:24,389 --> 00:12:20,959 areas of healthcare 326 00:12:27,509 --> 00:12:24,399 often causing harm or death as a result 327 00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:27,519 joe bettamu and mandy lee noble are no 328 00:12:33,110 --> 00:12:30,160 strangers to this working in fields 329 00:12:36,230 --> 00:12:33,120 often targeted by misinformation 330 00:12:37,269 --> 00:12:36,240 and woo joe benamu is a senior clinical 331 00:12:39,590 --> 00:12:37,279 research nurse 332 00:12:41,829 --> 00:12:39,600 at peter mccullum cancer center with 333 00:12:42,710 --> 00:12:41,839 almost 20 years of experience in 334 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:42,720 clinical 335 00:12:46,629 --> 00:12:45,200 nursing she is a founding member of 336 00:12:48,550 --> 00:12:46,639 stopped the avn 337 00:12:50,710 --> 00:12:48,560 and co-authored several papers 338 00:12:53,670 --> 00:12:50,720 challenging anti-vaccination papers 339 00:12:54,710 --> 00:12:53,680 in the scientific literature joe is also 340 00:12:57,509 --> 00:12:54,720 a vice president 341 00:12:59,670 --> 00:12:57,519 of australian skeptics inc mandy lee 342 00:13:00,710 --> 00:12:59,680 noble is an accredited practicing 343 00:13:03,509 --> 00:13:00,720 dietitian 344 00:13:04,710 --> 00:13:03,519 and verified health at every size 345 00:13:06,710 --> 00:13:04,720 practitioner 346 00:13:08,550 --> 00:13:06,720 mandy looks after a range of clients 347 00:13:12,310 --> 00:13:08,560 including those with eating disorders 348 00:13:14,470 --> 00:13:12,320 ibs and chronic disease together 349 00:13:17,190 --> 00:13:14,480 joe and mandy will talk us through what 350 00:13:19,590 --> 00:13:17,200 we as a skeptical community can do 351 00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:19,600 to help fight for ethical and 352 00:13:26,790 --> 00:13:22,000 evidence-based approaches to healthcare 353 00:13:29,910 --> 00:13:26,800 in their skeptic activism workshop 354 00:13:32,470 --> 00:13:29,920 joe benamu and mandy lee noble just two 355 00:13:34,389 --> 00:13:32,480 of the speakers at skepticon 2020 356 00:13:36,310 --> 00:13:34,399 the australian skeptics national 357 00:13:39,330 --> 00:13:36,320 convention 358 00:13:40,750 --> 00:13:39,340 for more information and tickets visit 359 00:13:42,230 --> 00:13:40,760 [Music] 360 00:13:47,830 --> 00:13:42,240 www.skepticon.org 361 00:13:57,750 --> 00:13:47,840 dot a u 362 00:14:01,990 --> 00:14:00,470 and joining me now on the line direct 363 00:14:04,949 --> 00:14:02,000 direct from the skip track 364 00:14:06,310 --> 00:14:04,959 at dragoncon it's dr angie matkey hello 365 00:14:08,949 --> 00:14:06,320 angie 366 00:14:10,949 --> 00:14:08,959 hi richard how are you i'm really well 367 00:14:13,990 --> 00:14:10,959 i've got up especially early oh 368 00:14:15,269 --> 00:14:14,000 deary me because of the ridiculous time 369 00:14:17,430 --> 00:14:15,279 differences between here 370 00:14:18,949 --> 00:14:17,440 and atlanta you're in you're in the 371 00:14:19,750 --> 00:14:18,959 nerve center you're right there at 372 00:14:22,310 --> 00:14:19,760 dragon con 373 00:14:22,949 --> 00:14:22,320 well so to speak well we're at the 374 00:14:25,750 --> 00:14:22,959 virtual 375 00:14:26,069 --> 00:14:25,760 dragon con we're in the skeptic uh track 376 00:14:30,069 --> 00:14:26,079 uh 377 00:14:33,910 --> 00:14:30,079 held at 378 00:14:36,790 --> 00:14:33,920 calico studios which is mark ditzler's 379 00:14:37,990 --> 00:14:36,800 company he is kind and generous enough 380 00:14:40,470 --> 00:14:38,000 to give us 381 00:14:41,990 --> 00:14:40,480 the absolute best av that anywhere in 382 00:14:45,430 --> 00:14:42,000 the convention and so we are 383 00:14:48,790 --> 00:14:45,440 live streaming today tomorrow 384 00:14:49,990 --> 00:14:48,800 through monday uh and well monday in the 385 00:14:52,550 --> 00:14:50,000 us 386 00:14:54,949 --> 00:14:52,560 and um as far as we can tell we may be 387 00:14:56,790 --> 00:14:54,959 the only track that is streaming live 388 00:14:58,470 --> 00:14:56,800 everybody else seems to be posting their 389 00:14:59,110 --> 00:14:58,480 pre-recorded videos but we're doing it 390 00:15:01,670 --> 00:14:59,120 live 391 00:15:03,910 --> 00:15:01,680 well and i'm absolutely thrilled and 392 00:15:06,790 --> 00:15:03,920 delighted to be part of skeptrek 393 00:15:07,509 --> 00:15:06,800 uh this year and folks you can see me 394 00:15:10,949 --> 00:15:07,519 give a talk 395 00:15:14,550 --> 00:15:10,959 on sydney time it'll be sunday morning 396 00:15:16,629 --> 00:15:14,560 at 9 30 but check your 397 00:15:18,389 --> 00:15:16,639 guides and everything uh how's it been 398 00:15:21,110 --> 00:15:18,399 going so far 399 00:15:22,870 --> 00:15:21,120 so far we have been so lucky we had a 400 00:15:24,790 --> 00:15:22,880 couple of little technical glitches 401 00:15:25,670 --> 00:15:24,800 early but we've been doing fine ever 402 00:15:27,750 --> 00:15:25,680 since 403 00:15:29,509 --> 00:15:27,760 everyone has been so wonderful even 404 00:15:31,509 --> 00:15:29,519 accounting for time zones 405 00:15:33,269 --> 00:15:31,519 i'm in fact interviewing lynn kelly 406 00:15:35,829 --> 00:15:33,279 tonight from australia 407 00:15:36,310 --> 00:15:35,839 uh she is someone i have always wanted 408 00:15:39,829 --> 00:15:36,320 to get 409 00:15:41,590 --> 00:15:39,839 on dragon con but just the travel is 410 00:15:44,150 --> 00:15:41,600 just prohibitive sometimes 411 00:15:44,790 --> 00:15:44,160 and so i'm just delighted that we can 412 00:15:47,430 --> 00:15:44,800 have you 413 00:15:49,430 --> 00:15:47,440 and lynn and uh we've got leo iguay 414 00:15:50,389 --> 00:15:49,440 going to be calling in from nigeria on 415 00:15:54,389 --> 00:15:50,399 monday 416 00:15:56,550 --> 00:15:54,399 uh we've got um um uh 417 00:15:57,749 --> 00:15:56,560 we had a talk this morning from uh 418 00:16:01,350 --> 00:15:57,759 emergency physician 419 00:16:03,030 --> 00:16:01,360 in iowa on uh the relationship between 420 00:16:06,069 --> 00:16:03,040 love whiskey and adrenaline 421 00:16:06,550 --> 00:16:06,079 uh so these videos are all available on 422 00:16:09,590 --> 00:16:06,560 the 423 00:16:13,030 --> 00:16:09,600 skeptic track video feed 424 00:16:14,629 --> 00:16:13,040 at thevideo.skiptrack.com um 425 00:16:16,790 --> 00:16:14,639 these are the old videos and then you 426 00:16:17,509 --> 00:16:16,800 can also see these videos on the skeptic 427 00:16:20,150 --> 00:16:17,519 track 428 00:16:21,829 --> 00:16:20,160 feed on youtube i will certainly add to 429 00:16:23,430 --> 00:16:21,839 the link in the show notes folks but if 430 00:16:25,030 --> 00:16:23,440 you're listening to this show 431 00:16:26,470 --> 00:16:25,040 it's out a day early and if you're 432 00:16:30,230 --> 00:16:26,480 listening to it 433 00:16:31,269 --> 00:16:30,240 over the weekend go stop hit pause 434 00:16:33,110 --> 00:16:31,279 or listen to the rest of the show 435 00:16:33,910 --> 00:16:33,120 whatever you want to do and check out 436 00:16:36,710 --> 00:16:33,920 the live 437 00:16:38,629 --> 00:16:36,720 feed from dragoncon i love dragon con i 438 00:16:40,389 --> 00:16:38,639 was all geared up 439 00:16:42,629 --> 00:16:40,399 at the end of last year excitedly 440 00:16:44,710 --> 00:16:42,639 looking forward to this year 2020 441 00:16:47,430 --> 00:16:44,720 as people will hear in the next segment 442 00:16:49,990 --> 00:16:47,440 which is my report from about a year ago 443 00:16:52,150 --> 00:16:50,000 and folks i'm actually looking i've got 444 00:16:53,670 --> 00:16:52,160 a sneak peek i'm looking at dr 445 00:16:55,269 --> 00:16:53,680 angie you're standing in front of a 446 00:16:56,389 --> 00:16:55,279 green screen but before you were sort of 447 00:16:58,949 --> 00:16:56,399 turning the camera around 448 00:17:00,790 --> 00:16:58,959 i could see all the uh uh the amazing 449 00:17:04,069 --> 00:17:00,800 action there at the studios 450 00:17:06,309 --> 00:17:04,079 that's right wow that's right yeah it's 451 00:17:07,829 --> 00:17:06,319 it's really exciting to have everybody 452 00:17:10,870 --> 00:17:07,839 here we we've had 453 00:17:14,470 --> 00:17:10,880 we've had to oops we've had to um uh 454 00:17:16,390 --> 00:17:14,480 be very cautious about socializing 455 00:17:18,069 --> 00:17:16,400 because of covert we've all tested 456 00:17:21,429 --> 00:17:18,079 negatives so that we could have 457 00:17:23,350 --> 00:17:21,439 to get together and and um have our on 458 00:17:24,789 --> 00:17:23,360 our altogether discussion here comes 459 00:17:28,390 --> 00:17:24,799 derek i can see 460 00:17:28,789 --> 00:17:28,400 derrick collin coming my way my goodness 461 00:17:30,470 --> 00:17:28,799 me 462 00:17:32,310 --> 00:17:30,480 it's great to i don't know if he can 463 00:17:36,789 --> 00:17:32,320 hear me 464 00:17:39,270 --> 00:17:36,799 hi derek great to see you hello 465 00:17:40,230 --> 00:17:39,280 yeah he has injured his knee oh so he's 466 00:17:42,710 --> 00:17:40,240 limping around 467 00:17:43,750 --> 00:17:42,720 yes he always seems to injure himself 468 00:17:47,029 --> 00:17:43,760 around dragon con 469 00:17:49,110 --> 00:17:47,039 yeah i'm uh derek i'm 470 00:17:51,029 --> 00:17:49,120 i'm just telling i was just telling dr 471 00:17:53,270 --> 00:17:51,039 angie i'm putting the skeptic zone out 472 00:17:54,230 --> 00:17:53,280 uh 24 hours early this week which is 473 00:17:56,470 --> 00:17:54,240 very rare 474 00:17:59,110 --> 00:17:56,480 to make sure more people can tune in to 475 00:18:02,230 --> 00:17:59,120 uh to the scout track at dragoncon 476 00:18:02,470 --> 00:18:02,240 very cool yeah we have more stuff coming 477 00:18:05,510 --> 00:18:02,480 up 478 00:18:06,150 --> 00:18:05,520 in the next three days so indeed we've 479 00:18:08,789 --> 00:18:06,160 got uh 480 00:18:09,190 --> 00:18:08,799 some terrific speakers i'm very excited 481 00:18:11,190 --> 00:18:09,200 and 482 00:18:12,470 --> 00:18:11,200 we're excited to have you as part of our 483 00:18:14,870 --> 00:18:12,480 program we 484 00:18:16,789 --> 00:18:14,880 um have been working tirelessly mark 485 00:18:19,110 --> 00:18:16,799 ditzler is tearing his hair out 486 00:18:21,510 --> 00:18:19,120 which is actually pretty routine for him 487 00:18:23,190 --> 00:18:21,520 but but he always gives us such a great 488 00:18:23,590 --> 00:18:23,200 show we can't even complain about his 489 00:18:28,789 --> 00:18:23,600 method 490 00:18:31,830 --> 00:18:30,470 oh right we didn't have to rent a truck 491 00:18:35,510 --> 00:18:31,840 oh yeah of course 492 00:18:37,590 --> 00:18:35,520 well i i i i remember last year the 493 00:18:39,430 --> 00:18:37,600 setup was extraordinary and mark ditzer 494 00:18:41,990 --> 00:18:39,440 and his company certainly did 495 00:18:43,270 --> 00:18:42,000 a very worthwhile job there putting it 496 00:18:45,350 --> 00:18:43,280 all together it was just 497 00:18:46,390 --> 00:18:45,360 like being in a space station their 498 00:18:47,909 --> 00:18:46,400 control panel 499 00:18:50,710 --> 00:18:47,919 [Laughter] 500 00:18:52,710 --> 00:18:50,720 well look uh dr angie and derek i know 501 00:18:55,029 --> 00:18:52,720 you've got a ton of things to do it's 502 00:18:57,029 --> 00:18:55,039 wonderful to break into your 503 00:18:59,029 --> 00:18:57,039 evening or afternoon right now just 504 00:18:59,750 --> 00:18:59,039 quickly to update the skeptic's own 505 00:19:03,510 --> 00:18:59,760 listeners 506 00:19:05,909 --> 00:19:03,520 there a wonderful 507 00:19:07,110 --> 00:19:05,919 weekend of skepticism and outreach at 508 00:19:09,510 --> 00:19:07,120 dragoncon and 509 00:19:13,110 --> 00:19:09,520 i guess we can say well we hope we can 510 00:19:15,110 --> 00:19:13,120 all be together again in 2021 who knows 511 00:19:16,950 --> 00:19:15,120 i hope so richard i can't wait to see 512 00:19:19,110 --> 00:19:16,960 y'all and see you in person 513 00:19:20,710 --> 00:19:19,120 thank you so much for joining us on the 514 00:19:22,549 --> 00:19:20,720 on this live stream we're looking 515 00:19:26,070 --> 00:19:22,559 forward to having a chat 516 00:19:27,590 --> 00:19:26,080 uh officially all right and i think dr 517 00:19:28,470 --> 00:19:27,600 angie oddly enough you're going to be 518 00:19:30,230 --> 00:19:28,480 appearing on 519 00:19:31,909 --> 00:19:30,240 the next episode of the skeptic zone 520 00:19:36,870 --> 00:19:31,919 something about a a sick 521 00:19:41,590 --> 00:19:38,950 we'll see what happens next uh next week 522 00:19:44,789 --> 00:19:41,600 or about that 523 00:19:46,549 --> 00:19:44,799 but for now derek colenduno and dr 524 00:19:47,830 --> 00:19:46,559 angie mack here all the way over there 525 00:19:50,470 --> 00:19:47,840 in atlanta georgia 526 00:19:51,990 --> 00:19:50,480 get back to work and thank you very much 527 00:19:52,789 --> 00:19:52,000 for sparing some time for the skipping 528 00:19:54,710 --> 00:19:52,799 zone 529 00:20:06,650 --> 00:19:54,720 of course anytime thank you richard see 530 00:20:11,029 --> 00:20:06,660 you soon 531 00:20:13,430 --> 00:20:11,039 [Music] 532 00:20:15,270 --> 00:20:13,440 principles of curiosity is skeptoid 533 00:20:17,669 --> 00:20:15,280 media's 2017 534 00:20:18,310 --> 00:20:17,679 film that teaches an easy method anyone 535 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:18,320 can use 536 00:20:24,470 --> 00:20:21,520 to tell fact from fiction and now 537 00:20:26,950 --> 00:20:24,480 it's available on amazon prime 538 00:20:28,070 --> 00:20:26,960 principles of curiosity teaches the 539 00:20:30,950 --> 00:20:28,080 three c's 540 00:20:31,510 --> 00:20:30,960 challenge consider and conclude as a way 541 00:20:33,590 --> 00:20:31,520 to learn 542 00:20:35,110 --> 00:20:33,600 what's real and what's just more pop 543 00:20:37,669 --> 00:20:35,120 culture nonsense 544 00:20:39,590 --> 00:20:37,679 from the fiery depths of death valley to 545 00:20:42,070 --> 00:20:39,600 the farthest reaches of space 546 00:20:42,710 --> 00:20:42,080 principles of curiosity puts the three 547 00:20:45,990 --> 00:20:42,720 c's 548 00:20:48,470 --> 00:20:46,000 to the test search amazon prime for 549 00:20:50,149 --> 00:20:48,480 principles of curiosity watch it 550 00:20:52,390 --> 00:20:50,159 enjoy it and give it a rating so it'll 551 00:20:55,590 --> 00:20:52,400 be suggested to other prime customers 552 00:20:56,710 --> 00:20:55,600 who need it principles of curiosity from 553 00:21:02,230 --> 00:20:56,720 skeptoid 554 00:21:12,549 --> 00:21:02,240 now available on amazon prime 555 00:21:15,750 --> 00:21:14,390 now as i said at the top of the show how 556 00:21:18,070 --> 00:21:15,760 i would love 557 00:21:19,190 --> 00:21:18,080 to be in atlanta georgia right now i 558 00:21:20,950 --> 00:21:19,200 know it's it's fun to be in the 559 00:21:22,630 --> 00:21:20,960 skeptic's own studios but i'd love to be 560 00:21:24,149 --> 00:21:22,640 in atlanta georgia right now taking part 561 00:21:27,029 --> 00:21:24,159 in dragon con 562 00:21:28,870 --> 00:21:27,039 in the uh the skype track it's a crazy 563 00:21:31,029 --> 00:21:28,880 experience and a wonderful chance for 564 00:21:31,669 --> 00:21:31,039 outreach so i thought i would read to 565 00:21:33,430 --> 00:21:31,679 you 566 00:21:35,430 --> 00:21:33,440 my official report for the skeptic 567 00:21:38,390 --> 00:21:35,440 magazine the journal from australian 568 00:21:40,870 --> 00:21:38,400 skeptics of course not to be confused 569 00:21:42,830 --> 00:21:40,880 with other magazines of the same name my 570 00:21:45,909 --> 00:21:42,840 report about last year's dragoncon 571 00:21:47,909 --> 00:21:45,919 dragoncon 2019 572 00:21:49,350 --> 00:21:47,919 and this report appears in the skeptic 573 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:49,360 magazine 574 00:21:56,830 --> 00:21:52,810 volume 39 number four from december 575 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,909 2019 576 00:22:04,149 --> 00:22:02,310 enter the dragon richard saunders 577 00:22:07,590 --> 00:22:04,159 reports on skepticism 578 00:22:10,630 --> 00:22:07,600 in the us dragoncon and 579 00:22:13,110 --> 00:22:10,640 the solano stroll 580 00:22:13,990 --> 00:22:13,120 eleven years ago during the filming of 581 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:14,000 the tv show 582 00:22:18,070 --> 00:22:16,720 the one the search for australia's most 583 00:22:20,149 --> 00:22:18,080 gifted psychic 584 00:22:21,830 --> 00:22:20,159 i flew to las vegas to appear at the 585 00:22:24,870 --> 00:22:21,840 amazing meeting 586 00:22:27,430 --> 00:22:24,880 it was there i met derek colenduno 587 00:22:29,350 --> 00:22:27,440 and robin mccarthy who were famous in 588 00:22:33,190 --> 00:22:29,360 the skeptical world for their podcast 589 00:22:35,909 --> 00:22:33,200 skepticality at the time i was also 590 00:22:38,870 --> 00:22:35,919 planning to start a podcast to be called 591 00:22:41,270 --> 00:22:38,880 the skeptic zone so it was very good to 592 00:22:43,750 --> 00:22:41,280 meet and talk with them 593 00:22:45,270 --> 00:22:43,760 derek told me of another event held in 594 00:22:48,789 --> 00:22:45,280 atlanta georgia 595 00:22:52,390 --> 00:22:48,799 later in the year called dragoncon or 596 00:22:56,070 --> 00:22:52,400 dc a sort of 597 00:23:00,390 --> 00:22:56,080 fantasy sci-fi gaming tv movie 598 00:23:03,590 --> 00:23:00,400 fandom convention on a monumental scale 599 00:23:06,549 --> 00:23:03,600 before i knew it i was saving my pennies 600 00:23:07,990 --> 00:23:06,559 indeed the skeptic zone podcast had its 601 00:23:11,350 --> 00:23:08,000 first recording session 602 00:23:14,310 --> 00:23:11,360 at dc in the skype track 603 00:23:15,990 --> 00:23:14,320 a room dedicated to skeptical outreach a 604 00:23:17,669 --> 00:23:16,000 report from that year can be found in 605 00:23:20,789 --> 00:23:17,679 the pages of the skeptic 606 00:23:22,470 --> 00:23:20,799 december 2008 volume 28 number four i 607 00:23:26,230 --> 00:23:22,480 was to go back to skeptrac 608 00:23:29,029 --> 00:23:26,240 in 2009 and 2010 609 00:23:30,710 --> 00:23:29,039 fast forward to 2019 and after an 610 00:23:33,190 --> 00:23:30,720 absence of nine years i 611 00:23:34,710 --> 00:23:33,200 finally returned to atlanta derrick is 612 00:23:38,149 --> 00:23:34,720 still running the skeptrak 613 00:23:40,470 --> 00:23:38,159 with the aid of dr angie matki much 614 00:23:41,750 --> 00:23:40,480 was the same as it was all those years 615 00:23:45,029 --> 00:23:41,760 ago 616 00:23:48,149 --> 00:23:45,039 and much had changed drowning 617 00:23:48,870 --> 00:23:48,159 in people although i was warned that the 618 00:23:51,510 --> 00:23:48,880 event is 619 00:23:53,350 --> 00:23:51,520 much bigger than it was ten years ago i 620 00:23:56,630 --> 00:23:53,360 had trouble trying to comprehend 621 00:23:57,430 --> 00:23:56,640 how that could possibly be i remember 622 00:24:00,070 --> 00:23:57,440 being in a 623 00:24:00,710 --> 00:24:00,080 crush of thousands of people spread over 624 00:24:04,070 --> 00:24:00,720 many 625 00:24:06,230 --> 00:24:04,080 mega interconnected hotels not being 626 00:24:07,110 --> 00:24:06,240 able to use the lifts as they were full 627 00:24:09,669 --> 00:24:07,120 of 628 00:24:10,710 --> 00:24:09,679 wookies and other creatures from parts 629 00:24:13,990 --> 00:24:10,720 unknown 630 00:24:17,110 --> 00:24:14,000 in 2010 there were somewhere around 631 00:24:18,149 --> 00:24:17,120 30 000 people attending but the warning 632 00:24:21,430 --> 00:24:18,159 was correct 633 00:24:23,350 --> 00:24:21,440 the event has indeed grown in area 634 00:24:24,710 --> 00:24:23,360 now covering more hotels and other 635 00:24:27,190 --> 00:24:24,720 venues 636 00:24:28,710 --> 00:24:27,200 and in sheer number of people attending 637 00:24:32,870 --> 00:24:28,720 in 2019 638 00:24:35,430 --> 00:24:32,880 a record 85 000 639 00:24:37,909 --> 00:24:35,440 at times moving from one location to 640 00:24:40,870 --> 00:24:37,919 another proved to be a real challenge 641 00:24:42,310 --> 00:24:40,880 as a sea of people most of whom were in 642 00:24:45,830 --> 00:24:42,320 elaborate costumes 643 00:24:46,870 --> 00:24:45,840 acted as a human tide heading one way or 644 00:24:49,269 --> 00:24:46,880 another 645 00:24:51,669 --> 00:24:49,279 at the height of the crush i found the 646 00:24:52,230 --> 00:24:51,679 quickest way to get from one hotel to 647 00:24:55,510 --> 00:24:52,240 another 648 00:24:58,070 --> 00:24:55,520 was to run out into the street and find 649 00:24:58,950 --> 00:24:58,080 an e-scooter and zip around the side 650 00:25:01,350 --> 00:24:58,960 streets 651 00:25:02,710 --> 00:25:01,360 the e-scooters in downtown atlanta 652 00:25:05,830 --> 00:25:02,720 litter the footpaths 653 00:25:08,630 --> 00:25:05,840 but are an excellent if a bit dicey 654 00:25:10,710 --> 00:25:08,640 way of getting around putting all this 655 00:25:13,990 --> 00:25:10,720 madness and heat 656 00:25:16,870 --> 00:25:14,000 summer in atlanta is hot and muggy aside 657 00:25:18,549 --> 00:25:16,880 the reason i was at dc was to once again 658 00:25:20,470 --> 00:25:18,559 be part of skeptrak 659 00:25:21,830 --> 00:25:20,480 this is a large room on the first floor 660 00:25:24,549 --> 00:25:21,840 of the hilton hotel 661 00:25:25,510 --> 00:25:24,559 with skeptical talks and presentations 662 00:25:28,310 --> 00:25:25,520 every day 663 00:25:28,789 --> 00:25:28,320 over the four days of dc track is the 664 00:25:31,430 --> 00:25:28,799 name 665 00:25:32,070 --> 00:25:31,440 given to an area set aside for a certain 666 00:25:33,909 --> 00:25:32,080 theme 667 00:25:36,710 --> 00:25:33,919 so there was a science track an 668 00:25:39,190 --> 00:25:36,720 animation track horror track and so on 669 00:25:41,269 --> 00:25:39,200 anyone who has a general ticket can 670 00:25:44,789 --> 00:25:41,279 simply walk into the room 671 00:25:47,110 --> 00:25:44,799 find a seat and see the presentations 672 00:25:48,549 --> 00:25:47,120 this means the skeptrac room gets a lot 673 00:25:50,630 --> 00:25:48,559 of drop-ins 674 00:25:52,149 --> 00:25:50,640 people who stick their nose in to see 675 00:25:54,789 --> 00:25:52,159 what it's all about on their way to a 676 00:25:56,470 --> 00:25:54,799 star wars talk or to meet george takai 677 00:25:58,789 --> 00:25:56,480 from star trek 678 00:26:00,950 --> 00:25:58,799 yes he was at the event as well as a 679 00:26:01,909 --> 00:26:00,960 smattering of other heroes and heroines 680 00:26:05,430 --> 00:26:01,919 from 681 00:26:06,070 --> 00:26:05,440 time and space derek put me on several 682 00:26:08,870 --> 00:26:06,080 panels 683 00:26:10,549 --> 00:26:08,880 including one on end of the world 684 00:26:13,269 --> 00:26:10,559 hysteria 685 00:26:15,750 --> 00:26:13,279 people for millennia have been preparing 686 00:26:18,630 --> 00:26:15,760 for the final curtain of planet earth 687 00:26:19,830 --> 00:26:18,640 i recounted the time in the 1920s when 688 00:26:22,870 --> 00:26:19,840 an amphitheater 689 00:26:23,430 --> 00:26:22,880 was built at balmoral beach in sydney to 690 00:26:26,470 --> 00:26:23,440 welcome 691 00:26:27,750 --> 00:26:26,480 jesus christ as he strode on the waters 692 00:26:30,549 --> 00:26:27,760 of the harbour 693 00:26:31,990 --> 00:26:30,559 hard to tell the truth from myth but it 694 00:26:34,470 --> 00:26:32,000 gave the audience a laugh 695 00:26:35,029 --> 00:26:34,480 the skeptic zone was featured as i did a 696 00:26:37,110 --> 00:26:35,039 live 697 00:26:39,029 --> 00:26:37,120 taping of the show all the talks at 698 00:26:42,149 --> 00:26:39,039 skiptrack were also sent out 699 00:26:42,710 --> 00:26:42,159 as live video streams on the internet i 700 00:26:44,070 --> 00:26:42,720 spoke 701 00:26:46,149 --> 00:26:44,080 a little about the history of the 702 00:26:46,549 --> 00:26:46,159 podcast and then interviewed my old 703 00:26:48,789 --> 00:26:46,559 friend 704 00:26:50,789 --> 00:26:48,799 margaret downey who was very active in 705 00:26:54,070 --> 00:26:50,799 the humanist community 706 00:26:59,549 --> 00:26:54,080 in the usa you can watch this live 707 00:27:03,510 --> 00:27:01,029 video.skiptrack.org 708 00:27:04,070 --> 00:27:03,520 other highlights included me being a 709 00:27:06,549 --> 00:27:04,080 guest 710 00:27:08,310 --> 00:27:06,559 rogue on two recordings of the skeptic's 711 00:27:10,870 --> 00:27:08,320 guide to the universe podcast 712 00:27:11,990 --> 00:27:10,880 attending other tracks and talks taking 713 00:27:15,269 --> 00:27:12,000 part in the dc 714 00:27:18,549 --> 00:27:15,279 street parade dressed as epicurious a 715 00:27:21,350 --> 00:27:18,559 greek philosopher from 200 bce and 716 00:27:23,669 --> 00:27:21,360 getting lost on the four or five huge 717 00:27:26,950 --> 00:27:23,679 floors of the vendors building 718 00:27:30,070 --> 00:27:26,960 one can buy everything from replica 719 00:27:33,350 --> 00:27:30,080 laser guns to artworks to whatever 720 00:27:35,510 --> 00:27:33,360 you name it a big thanks to derek dr 721 00:27:37,510 --> 00:27:35,520 angie and the hard-working technical 722 00:27:41,350 --> 00:27:37,520 team at scope track 723 00:27:47,190 --> 00:27:41,360 hope to be back in 2020 724 00:27:51,590 --> 00:27:49,430 well as you know i am back i am back at 725 00:27:54,230 --> 00:27:51,600 dragoncon this year 726 00:27:54,950 --> 00:27:54,240 virtually and i'm very pleased to be 727 00:27:59,110 --> 00:27:54,960 able to be 728 00:28:02,470 --> 00:27:59,120 part of it again in one way or another 729 00:28:05,750 --> 00:28:02,480 but this article goes on solano 730 00:28:10,149 --> 00:28:08,470 meanwhile on the other side of the us i 731 00:28:11,430 --> 00:28:10,159 was invited to volunteer at the 732 00:28:14,710 --> 00:28:11,440 information stall 733 00:28:18,950 --> 00:28:14,720 of the bay area skeptics at the 734 00:28:21,190 --> 00:28:18,960 solano avenue stroll since 1974 735 00:28:23,350 --> 00:28:21,200 solano avenue and the twin cities of 736 00:28:26,549 --> 00:28:23,360 albany and berkeley california 737 00:28:28,630 --> 00:28:26,559 have hosted the solano avenue stroll 738 00:28:30,070 --> 00:28:28,640 one of the largest street festivals in 739 00:28:33,430 --> 00:28:30,080 the usa 740 00:28:34,070 --> 00:28:33,440 thousands of people march at a leisurely 741 00:28:36,870 --> 00:28:34,080 pace 742 00:28:39,190 --> 00:28:36,880 along the 3.5 kilometers of the fair 743 00:28:41,510 --> 00:28:39,200 stopping to visit the hundreds of small 744 00:28:44,389 --> 00:28:41,520 stalls and tents along the way 745 00:28:47,269 --> 00:28:44,399 with the crowds wandering by it is a 746 00:28:50,149 --> 00:28:47,279 great opportunity for outreach 747 00:28:51,430 --> 00:28:50,159 but how to get the punters to visit the 748 00:28:53,110 --> 00:28:51,440 stall 749 00:28:55,190 --> 00:28:53,120 bay area skeptics have come up with a 750 00:28:58,230 --> 00:28:55,200 simple and fun way to get people 751 00:28:59,190 --> 00:28:58,240 interested a test of one's psychic 752 00:29:02,230 --> 00:28:59,200 powers 753 00:29:04,470 --> 00:29:02,240 by way of telekinesis can 754 00:29:05,909 --> 00:29:04,480 passersby influence the role of a 755 00:29:09,510 --> 00:29:05,919 six-sided die 756 00:29:12,149 --> 00:29:09,520 with mind power alone the test was 757 00:29:12,630 --> 00:29:12,159 quick and easy as our would-be psychics 758 00:29:15,430 --> 00:29:12,640 chose 759 00:29:16,950 --> 00:29:15,440 in secret a number from one to six from 760 00:29:20,549 --> 00:29:16,960 a series of labeled 761 00:29:22,950 --> 00:29:20,559 cards they put that card in an envelope 762 00:29:23,590 --> 00:29:22,960 and hid the other five cards under a 763 00:29:26,549 --> 00:29:23,600 bowl 764 00:29:27,590 --> 00:29:26,559 on the table then they would roll a die 765 00:29:30,389 --> 00:29:27,600 into the bowl 766 00:29:31,110 --> 00:29:30,399 ten times each time willing the die to 767 00:29:34,470 --> 00:29:31,120 rest 768 00:29:35,350 --> 00:29:34,480 with the chosen number face up after the 769 00:29:37,350 --> 00:29:35,360 tenth roll 770 00:29:40,710 --> 00:29:37,360 the number they originally chose would 771 00:29:43,830 --> 00:29:40,720 be shown and we would work out the maths 772 00:29:46,950 --> 00:29:43,840 how many times were they successful 773 00:29:49,190 --> 00:29:46,960 and what that meant statistically 774 00:29:52,310 --> 00:29:49,200 needless to say at the end of the day 775 00:29:52,950 --> 00:29:52,320 the results of the about 45 trials 776 00:29:55,669 --> 00:29:52,960 fitted 777 00:29:57,510 --> 00:29:55,679 nicely into the bell curve predicted by 778 00:30:00,149 --> 00:29:57,520 pure random chance 779 00:30:01,590 --> 00:30:00,159 there was no evidence of any paranormal 780 00:30:04,149 --> 00:30:01,600 influence 781 00:30:04,710 --> 00:30:04,159 no one seemed disappointed although one 782 00:30:08,230 --> 00:30:04,720 woman 783 00:30:11,590 --> 00:30:08,240 who scored four hits out of ten 784 00:30:15,110 --> 00:30:11,600 said it confirmed what she already knew 785 00:30:16,630 --> 00:30:15,120 that she was indeed psychic it was a 786 00:30:18,549 --> 00:30:16,640 busy but pleasant day 787 00:30:20,630 --> 00:30:18,559 with people chatting to us to find out 788 00:30:23,110 --> 00:30:20,640 more i noted that 789 00:30:23,669 --> 00:30:23,120 more than a few people thought that we 790 00:30:26,470 --> 00:30:23,679 must 791 00:30:27,990 --> 00:30:26,480 also be climate change skeptics the 792 00:30:31,029 --> 00:30:28,000 curse of the word skeptic 793 00:30:31,909 --> 00:30:31,039 being used in the mass media we also had 794 00:30:43,269 --> 00:30:31,919 a 795 00:30:44,630 --> 00:30:43,279 they were the results of terrorism he 796 00:30:47,909 --> 00:30:44,640 exploded 797 00:30:50,070 --> 00:30:47,919 with a rant about professor so and so 798 00:30:52,389 --> 00:30:50,080 proving that the micro dust could only 799 00:30:54,070 --> 00:30:52,399 be produced by this or that explosive 800 00:30:57,990 --> 00:30:54,080 and on and on and on 801 00:31:01,190 --> 00:30:58,000 well i said calmly there you go 802 00:31:02,950 --> 00:31:01,200 and smiled amazingly enough he shook his 803 00:31:06,230 --> 00:31:02,960 head and stormed off 804 00:31:08,710 --> 00:31:06,240 a victory for my sanity at least 805 00:31:10,789 --> 00:31:08,720 thanks to dr eugenie scott and the bay 806 00:31:11,909 --> 00:31:10,799 area skeptics for letting this blow in 807 00:31:16,950 --> 00:31:11,919 from australia 808 00:31:21,909 --> 00:31:19,269 and that was enter the dragon richard 809 00:31:26,950 --> 00:31:21,919 saunders reports on skepticism in the us 810 00:31:30,070 --> 00:31:28,549 and you can read that for yourself in 811 00:31:33,350 --> 00:31:30,080 the skeptic magazine 812 00:31:34,470 --> 00:31:33,360 volume 39 number four and i think that 813 00:31:37,669 --> 00:31:34,480 issue will be 814 00:31:40,630 --> 00:31:37,679 online free to download in the coming 815 00:31:42,470 --> 00:31:40,640 months but of course you can read many 816 00:31:44,549 --> 00:31:42,480 back issues of the skeptic magazine 817 00:31:48,230 --> 00:31:44,559 going back to 1981 818 00:31:53,110 --> 00:31:51,029 and maybe you'd like to do what i did i 819 00:31:56,310 --> 00:31:53,120 went to that page and i downloaded 820 00:31:59,269 --> 00:31:56,320 the complete back catalog to my ipad 821 00:31:59,990 --> 00:31:59,279 and put them in in the books app so 822 00:32:02,490 --> 00:32:00,000 they're always 823 00:32:10,710 --> 00:32:02,500 there at my fingertips 824 00:32:17,110 --> 00:32:13,509 hi there i'm abhijit and i host the 825 00:32:19,110 --> 00:32:17,120 rationable podcast on berationable.com 826 00:32:20,630 --> 00:32:19,120 every couple of weeks i science the hell 827 00:32:23,190 --> 00:32:20,640 out of alternative medicines 828 00:32:24,070 --> 00:32:23,200 health and nutrition fads social media 829 00:32:27,350 --> 00:32:24,080 forwards 830 00:32:29,830 --> 00:32:27,360 science news and lots more of course 831 00:32:31,750 --> 00:32:29,840 you can find all of my articles podcast 832 00:32:35,990 --> 00:32:31,760 episodes and lots more 833 00:32:40,830 --> 00:32:36,000 on www.berationable.com 834 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:40,840 see you there and until then always be 835 00:32:56,630 --> 00:32:54,870 [Applause] 836 00:32:58,950 --> 00:32:56,640 thank you for listening to the skeptic 837 00:33:00,710 --> 00:32:58,960 zone and now i hope 838 00:33:03,190 --> 00:33:00,720 that sweated your appetite and you can 839 00:33:06,470 --> 00:33:03,200 join in on the interesting live 840 00:33:09,909 --> 00:33:06,480 presentations direct more or less 841 00:33:12,310 --> 00:33:09,919 sort of from dragon con and the skep 842 00:33:14,389 --> 00:33:12,320 track coming up on next week's show the 843 00:33:18,470 --> 00:33:14,399 strange case of a uh 844 00:33:20,470 --> 00:33:18,480 a new age vet and a sick pussycat hmm 845 00:33:22,070 --> 00:33:20,480 i don't know what that's all about and 846 00:33:23,990 --> 00:33:22,080 of course as ever i can't look into the 847 00:33:25,830 --> 00:33:24,000 future so we'll just have to wait 848 00:33:27,669 --> 00:33:25,840 and find out thank you to those people 849 00:33:30,470 --> 00:33:27,679 and those new people who have uh 850 00:33:32,549 --> 00:33:30,480 recently chimed in to support the 851 00:33:34,950 --> 00:33:32,559 skeptic zone at patreon or paypal 852 00:33:37,029 --> 00:33:34,960 if you go to skepticzone.tv and click 853 00:33:40,310 --> 00:33:37,039 the obvious link 854 00:33:43,590 --> 00:33:40,320 you can you can certainly help out there 855 00:33:47,110 --> 00:33:43,600 and i must admit i think next year 856 00:33:49,590 --> 00:33:47,120 um you know the whole show well 90 857 00:33:51,110 --> 00:33:49,600 of it is actually produced off an ipad 858 00:33:54,710 --> 00:33:51,120 believe it or not 859 00:33:57,669 --> 00:33:54,720 uh and maybe maybe it's time that i 860 00:33:59,909 --> 00:33:57,679 i'd whatever model is coming next to the 861 00:34:03,590 --> 00:33:59,919 ipad so your contributions do help 862 00:34:05,669 --> 00:34:03,600 directly help keep the show going 863 00:34:07,029 --> 00:34:05,679 in many ways the microphone i'm speaking 864 00:34:09,270 --> 00:34:07,039 into right now 865 00:34:11,349 --> 00:34:09,280 which is being fed into another unit 866 00:34:13,510 --> 00:34:11,359 which is being fed into the ipad 867 00:34:14,470 --> 00:34:13,520 all paid for by skeptic zone listeners 868 00:34:16,550 --> 00:34:14,480 so i'm very 869 00:34:18,790 --> 00:34:16,560 very grateful indeed and it means that 870 00:34:21,190 --> 00:34:18,800 you and everybody else can 871 00:34:22,149 --> 00:34:21,200 keep hopefully enjoying the show but for 872 00:34:24,470 --> 00:34:22,159 this week 873 00:34:30,790 --> 00:34:24,480 this is richard saunders signing off 874 00:34:34,069 --> 00:34:32,629 you've been listening to the skeptic 875 00:34:37,230 --> 00:34:34,079 zone podcast 876 00:34:38,629 --> 00:34:37,240 please visit our website at 877 00:34:41,669 --> 00:34:38,639 www.skepticzone.tv 878 00:34:43,669 --> 00:34:41,679 for show notes contacts and to access 879 00:34:47,190 --> 00:34:43,679 the back catalog of episodes 880 00:34:49,270 --> 00:34:47,200 going back to 2008. you can follow the 881 00:34:52,710 --> 00:34:49,280 skeptic's own podcast on twitter 882 00:34:56,310 --> 00:34:52,720 at skepticzone visit our facebook page 883 00:34:57,670 --> 00:34:56,320 or leave a review on itunes you can also 884 00:35:00,870 --> 00:34:57,680 support the skeptic zone 885 00:35:01,670 --> 00:35:00,880 via patreon or paypal the skeptic zone 886 00:35:04,550 --> 00:35:01,680 podcast 887 00:35:06,310 --> 00:35:04,560 is an independent production the views 888 00:35:06,790 --> 00:35:06,320 and opinions expressed on the skeptic 889 00:35:08,790 --> 00:35:06,800 zone 890 00:35:09,990 --> 00:35:08,800 are not necessarily those of australian 891 00:35:23,750 --> 00:35:10,000 skeptics or 892 00:35:27,030 --> 00:35:25,349 hello to the people who listen after the 893 00:35:28,550 --> 00:35:27,040 music i haven't forgotten you 894 00:35:29,990 --> 00:35:28,560 i don't think we've done did we do this 895 00:35:32,310 --> 00:35:30,000 last week i can't remember no we didn't 896 00:35:35,910 --> 00:35:32,320 we didn't do this last week 897 00:35:39,589 --> 00:35:35,920 it's the dice game i roll a 10-sided die 898 00:35:42,630 --> 00:35:39,599 and you have three opportunities to uh 899 00:35:44,230 --> 00:35:42,640 foresee the number which has already 900 00:35:45,990 --> 00:35:44,240 happened by the time you hear this but 901 00:35:49,190 --> 00:35:46,000 that's just the quantum 902 00:35:50,630 --> 00:35:49,200 strange world we live in first number 903 00:35:53,030 --> 00:35:50,640 coming up 904 00:35:54,180 --> 00:35:53,040 oops first come keep dropping it here we 905 00:35:55,589 --> 00:35:54,190 go 906 00:35:59,349 --> 00:35:55,599 [Music] 907 00:36:02,470 --> 00:35:59,359 today's first number is six 908 00:36:05,109 --> 00:36:02,480 right six 909 00:36:06,310 --> 00:36:05,119 and if i ever see you in person once we 910 00:36:09,030 --> 00:36:06,320 get back to 911 00:36:09,829 --> 00:36:09,040 live talks and events and conferences 912 00:36:12,790 --> 00:36:09,839 and stuff 913 00:36:14,950 --> 00:36:12,800 come and say hello and i will give you a 914 00:36:17,270 --> 00:36:14,960 skeptic's own ten-sided die here we go 915 00:36:19,750 --> 00:36:17,280 next one 916 00:36:20,630 --> 00:36:19,760 next number is ten six and ten some 917 00:36:23,109 --> 00:36:20,640 people out there 918 00:36:24,950 --> 00:36:23,119 already have one i've given them over 919 00:36:27,190 --> 00:36:24,960 the years maybe they're playing along 920 00:36:29,349 --> 00:36:27,200 6 10 the last number coming up here we 921 00:36:32,790 --> 00:36:29,359 go 922 00:36:36,310 --> 00:36:32,800 oops nine 923 00:36:40,069 --> 00:36:36,320 there we go today's winning numbers