SGU Episode 424

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SGU Episode 424
August 31st 2013
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 423                      SGU 425
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
“A faith that cannot survive collision with the truth is not worth many regrets.”
Arthur C. Clarke, The Exploration of Space
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.

This Day in Skepticism ()

• August 31,1909: Nobelist Paul Ehrlich began the first chemotherapy (a term he coined).

News Items ()

Energized Water ()

• http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/wave-goodbye-to-global-warming-gm-and-pesticides-29525621.html

Probiotics for Mental Health ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/probiotics-for-mental-health/

Death by Iridology ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/death-by-iridology/

Immortality ()

• http://www.dvice.com/2013-8-20/study-most-americans-not-interested-immortality

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week: John Mack

Questions and Emails ()

Question #1: Question Authority ()

This week I noticed one of my anarcho-hippie friends’ ”Question Authority!” buttons. I appreciate the skeptical sentiment – obviously we should question whether Saddam Hussein has WMDs or whether God really exists. But some authorities are authoritative – we shouldn’t question the medical establishment on links between HIV and AIDS or the scientific establishment on the reality of anthropogenic global warming. Is there an SGU version of ”Question Authority!” that balances the necessity of open inquiry with the recognition of legitimate authorities? Is it short enough to print on a bumper sticker?Soren RagsdaleUnited Kingdom

Interview with Cara Santa Maria ()

• http://carasantamaria.com/

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: Acids taste sour, while bases taste bitterhttp://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/180acidsbases.html Item #2: The pH of spinal fluid averages from 4.5-5.5, mainly from the presence of carbonic acid. Item #3: In a study of 20 soft drinks, RC cola was found to be the most acidic at a pH of 2.4. Item #4: The world’s strongest acid, carborane, which is a million times more potent than sulphuric acid, is also one of the least corrosive.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

“A faith that cannot survive collision with the truth is not worth many regrets.”- Arthur C. Clarke, The Exploration of Space

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at theskepticsguide.org, where you will find the show notes as well as links to our blogs, videos, online forum, and other content. You can send us feedback or questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. Also, please consider supporting the SGU by visiting the store page on our website, where you will find merchandise, premium content, and subscription information. Our listeners are what make SGU possible.

References