SGU Episode 106

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SGU Episode 106
August 1st 2007
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 106                      SGU 105
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
'Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.'
Albert Einstein (1875 - 1955) A physicist 'of some note.'
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

News Items ()

Death Cat ()

• www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959718/
  www.theness.com/neurologicablog/default.asp?Display=147
  skepchick.org/blog/?p=631
  

FDA Shuts down DCA ()

• www.buydca.com/index.html
  

Two Exorcisms Gone Bad ()

• www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2007/07/30/726915.html&cvqh=itn_exorcism
  www.theindychannel.com/news/13791738/detail.html
  

Questions and E-mails ()

Correction on Ward Churchill ()

I am usually in agreement with the panel on many topics, but I have to disagree with your assessment of Ward Churchill. In a speech at the University of Colorado, he had claimed he did not mean to portray the innocent victims, the janitors, and the passersby as 'little Eichmanns'. My understanding of his claims was that the retaliation by the Middle East is in response to the United States' foreign policy, which tends to mistreat people and countries who are not in agreement. Obviously, it is to destroy things and kill people, whether it is 9/11 or our misadventures in Iraq, but the explanation that if we get people mad, they will want to retaliate makes some sense to me. I didn't interpret his essay as claiming that 9/11 was an inside job, otherwise I would dismiss that claim as nonsense. What evidence do you have that Churchill said 9/11 was an inside job?

Eric Isenbarger
US

The Man with No Brain ()

Hello Skeptic Torchbearers!

I am a fairly recent listener. I got turned on (heh) to your podcast after listening to Dr. Novella as a guest on Astronomy Cast. Needless to say, you are now in the top 2 of podcasts I listen to. Although, admittedly I only listen to 2.

But, you guys are awesome and a treat to listen to. Even Rebecca, who, for a grazer can actually be pretty witty at times..although not quite to the level of Perry.

I just ran across this today and thought I'd run it past you guys as it seems to be right up Dr. Novellas alley in particular. It sounds more than a little bizarre and suspicious:

www.newscientist.com/article/dn12301-man-with-tiny-brain-shocks-doctors.html

I find it quite difficult to believe that a human being with by an account up to only 25% of a brain can leave a healthy life.

The article seems fairly well written and at least gives somewhat of a sense of credibility.

Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!
Eric Berns
Alberta, Canada.

The Overview Effect ()

If this is interesting to you, it might provide a distraction from the otherwise tedious creationists. The description reminds me of some of Ramachandrian's descriptions of temporal lobe disturbances(?)

Bob Calder

www.livescience.com/blogs/topic/society/

Interview with Barry Glassner ()

• Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California
  http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/faculty/faculty1003289.html
  
  Author of The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things
  www.amazon.com/Culture-Fear-Americans-Afraid-Things/dp/0465014909
  
  and
  
  The Gospel of Food
  http://www.gospeloffood.com.
  

Randi Speaks ()

• The Uncompromising Observations of a Veteran Skeptic
  
  James Randi returns to give his skeptical commentary in his own unique style.
  
  This week's topic: Who I met in the Green Room

Science or Fiction ()

Question #1: New fMRI study supports Freuds theory of humor as sexual-arousal relief. Question #2: Researchers have built the first artificial intelligence that has a sense of humor. Question #3: Psychology researchers have demonstrated that older adults do not understand jokes as well as younger adults.

Skeptical Puzzle ()

This Week's Puzzle:

What do you call a snake handler who appears between a stinger and a shooter?


Last Week's puzzle:

Name the person who believed that it was his Father's teachings, accompanied by study and prayer, that compelled him to dedicate his life to bringing down Darwinism, just as several of his fellows had dedicated their lives to bringing down Marxism.

Answer: Jonathan Welles
Winner: Orthodox Infidel

Quote of the Week ()

'Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.'- Albert Einstein (1875 - 1955) A physicist 'of some note.'

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by the New England Skeptical Society in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at www.theskepticsguide.org. Please send us your questions, suggestions, and other feedback; you can use the "Contact Us" page on our website, or you can send us an email to info@theskepticsguide.org'. 'Theorem' is produced by Kineto and is used with permission.

References