SGU Episode 388

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SGU Episode 388
22nd Dec 2012
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 387                      SGU 389
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion in themselves.
David Hume
Links
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SGU Podcast archive
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

S: Hello and welcome to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. Today is Monday, December 17, 2012, and this is your host Steven Novella. Joining me this week are Bob Novella,

B: Hey, everybody.

S: Rebecca Watson,

R: Hello, everyone.

S: and Evan Bernstein.

E: So this is what the afterlife is like. Looks a lot like real life.

B: Oh, yeah, that's right. (he laughs)

E: December 22nd!

B: I forgot I was dead. Cool.

S: Yeah, right.

E: When you're listening to this.

R: Well, yeah, I mean, but we don't know, because we are recording this beforehand, so who knows?

E: I am therefore putting down my chit right now, placing my bet. Here we are. December 22nd.

B: I'm gonna hedge my bets. To the aliens that find this as they examine the dead husk of the Earth: Wha'sup? Send more Chuck Berry! (Laughter)

S: Jay is in the process of moving, so he's not available tonight.

R: So sad. I mean, happy for him, but sad for humanity that we have to go without. (Laughter)

E: How will we manage?

S: For one week.

This Day in Skepticism (1:05)

• December 22, 1938: Coelacanth Discovered

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News Items

Sandy Hook Massacre (6:00)

• Some Thoughts on Sandy Hook

China Stabbing (24:22)

• Mayan Apocalypse Rumors Had Psychological Effect On Man Accused Of Knife Attack On School In China

AVN To Change Name (27:56)

• Minister orders anti-vaccination group to change its name

Megalapteryx Foot (30:44)

• Megalapteryx Foot

Invisibility Cloak (38:03)

• Company claims creation of Harry Potter-style invisibility cloak

Special Report - The Hobbit and High Frame Rate (48:19)

• The Science of High Frame Rates, Or: Why 'The Hobbit' Looks Bad At 48 FPS

Who's That Noisy? (57:07)

• Last Week's Puzzle: There are three boxes. One is labeled "CARROTS" another is labeled "CELERY". The last one is labeled "CARROTS AND CELERY". You know that each is labeled incorrectly. You may ask me to pick one vegetable from one box which you choose. How can you label the boxes correctly?

Science or Fiction (1:00:35)

Item number one: New research indicates that Alzheimer's disease may be a prion disease similar to mad cow disease. Item number two: Scientists have created a new form of DNA based upon 8 nucleic acids, rather than 4, with potential applications in DNA computing. And item number three: A new study finds that the ovaries of adult women contain stem cells that are able to generate new oocytes right up to menopause.

Skeptical Quote of the Week (1:14:19)

There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion in themselves.

David Hume

References