SGU Episode 519

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SGU Episode 519
June 20th 2015
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 518                      SGU 520
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
I read science, because to me, that's extremely exciting. It's like a great detective story, and it's happening right in front of us.
Alan Alda
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Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

Forgotten Superheroes of Science ()

• Jerry Lawson: Electronic engineer and video game pioneer who helped to develop the first gaming system with interchangeable games

News Items

Nutrition Research ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-debate-over-nutrition-research/

Graphene Light Emission ()

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaxKbATmTCE&feature=youtu.be

Global Warming Challenge ()

• http://www.csicop.org/news/press_releases/show/skeptics_dare_heartland_institute Also: Pope on Global Warming: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33144573

Philae Wakes Up ()

• http://www.theskepticsguide.org/philae-the-sleeper-has-awakened

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week: First singing computer

Dumbest Thing of the Week ()

• https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/david-tredinnick-quack-candidate-for-health-select-committee-chair/

Some people think that all complementary therapies should be available on the NHS, some people think none should, and some believe, as I do, that we need to determine what works for what conditions and provide those treatments for patients. We cannot get bogged down with demands for randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence, as some do.

Questions and Emails

Question #1: Hive Mind ()

Hi Rouges I read this article in Aeon magazine http://aeon.co/magazine/psychology/do-we-really-want-to-fuse-our-minds-together/ It is saying that if two or more consciouses were joined with a high data rate link they would disappear and a new conscious would arise He also mentions anaesthetising half a persons brain revealing a new personality I can't find any mention of the anaesthetic experiment on the web and wondered is it true and also would a repeat of both experiments reveal the same personality when repeated?? Love to know what you think Key passage below Thanks for your show Steve

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: An extensive study of gorilla behavior finds that the dominant male does not distinguish his own offspring from that of other males. Item #2: Engineers have developed a 3D printer that is capable of printing objects entirely out of carbon nanotubes. Item #3: A new discovery finds that the moon in shrouded in a permanent dust cloud.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

'I read science, because to me, that's extremely exciting. It's like a great detective story, and it's happening right in front of us.' - Alan Alda

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