SGU Episode 776

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SGU Episode 776
May 23rd 2020
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 775                      SGU 777
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
C: Cara Santa Maria
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Guest
DC: David Cheeseman, CISSP
Quote of the Week
Mathematical science shows what is. It is the language of unseen relations between things. But to use and apply that language, we must be able fully to appreciate, to feel, to seize the unseen, the unconscious.
Ada Lovelace, early computer programmer
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

COVID-19 Update ()

• Neurologica: No Benefit from Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

News Items

S:

B:

C:

J:

E:

(laughs) (laughter) (applause) [inaudible]

Online Symptom Checkers ()

• Neurologica: Low Accuracy in Online Symptom Checkers

Crewed Dragon ()

• Space.com: SpaceX just one week away from launching 1st astronauts on Crew Dragon for NASA

Robot Boots ()

• The Conversation: Robo-boot concept promises 50% faster running

Small Modular Reactors ()

• GE: U.S. Department of Energy Awards Two Advanced Reactor Projects Utilizing the BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor Design

Who's That Noisy? ()

• Answer to last week’s Noisy: Pet Fox Steals Phone

New Noisy ()

[brief, vague description of Noisy]

Questions/Emails/Corrections/Follow-ups ()

Email #1: V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai misinformation ()

Could you PLEASE talk about this MIT Ph.D. that has been spreading misinformation about COVID?! This is the description to his latest FB live: "Dr. Shiva LIVE: Hydroxychloroquine - How It Works, Benefits and Side Effects. Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai, MIT PhD in Biological Engineering, the Inventor of Email, world-renowned Systems Biologist, Innovator, Scientist will share the molecular systems biology of Hydroxycholorquine on how it works, its benefits and side effects." He also claims he invented email! - Gary W. Candido

Science or Fiction ()

Answer	Item
Fiction	Baker's dozen
Science	Presliced ban
Science	Dyed brown

Host	Result
Steve	win

Rogue	Guess
David	Dyed brown
Bob	Dyed brown
Evan	Dyed brown
Jay	Baker's dozen
Cara	Baker's dozen

Voiceover: It's time for Science or Fiction.

Theme: Bread
Item #1: The U.S. Government banned presliced bread in 1943, but the ban lasted only several months due to widespread protest.
Item #2: In the U.S., some products sold as wheat bread are just white bread dyed brown with caramel coloring.
Item #3: A "baker's dozen" is 13, originally used as a marketing ploy, as 13 is prime and cannot be easily divided, encouraging purchase of the full "dozen."

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

Mathematical science shows what is. It is the language of unseen relations between things. But to use and apply that language, we must be able fully to appreciate, to feel, to seize the unseen, the unconscious.
– Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), English mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine.

Signoff/Announcements ()

S: —and until next week, this is your Skeptics' Guide to the Universe.

S: Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information, visit us at theskepticsguide.org. Send your questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. And, if you would like to support the show and all the work that we do, go to patreon.com/SkepticsGuide and consider becoming a patron and becoming part of the SGU community. Our listeners and supporters are what make SGU possible.

Today I Learned

• Fact/Description, possibly with an article reference
• Fact/Description
• Fact/Description

References

Vocabulary