SGU Episode 296

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SGU Episode 296
March 16th 2011
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 295                      SGU 297
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
'An unsophisticated forecaster uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp
posts - for support rather than for illumination.' - Andrew Lang
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 ()

• 1827: Charles Darwin made his earliest scientific discovery, at age 18. He dissected some specimens of a baranacle-like marine organism, the polyzoan Flustra. Thus he began what became a lifelong interest in natural history http://www.todayinsci.com/3/../2/2_12.htm#DarwinCharles

News Items ()

Japan Earthquake ()

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12766930

Time Traveling Particle ()

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110315163330.htm

Finding Atlantis ()

• http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-tsunami-atlantis-idUSTRE72B2JR20110312

TAM9 From Outer Space ()

• https://secure3.convio.net/jref/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=100061

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week - geese walking on pavement

Questions and Emails ()

Question #1 - Corrections ()

Magellan DNA Computing

Question #2 - Ambit Energy ()

The other day in my high school class Ambit Energy (http://ww2.ambitenergy.com/) came up because a few of the students have parents in the program. It was explained and my first reaction was 'this is a pyramid scheme and fraud' but I didn't have any evidence to back it up. Now that I've read the website it seems like it's clearly fraud, how do guys recommend I tell these guys that their parents, even if they are making money, are part of a scam? James New York

Interview with Mark Mervine ()

• We discuss the Japan nuclear power plant melt down with an expert on commercial nuclear power.

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: New Hubble measurements of the expansion of the universe lend support to the theory of dark energy. Item #2: A psychological researcher warns that obsessive compulsive disorder is on the rise because it is being triggered by obsessive collecting. Item #3: A new study shows that beaching of beaked whales is not caused by military use of sonar, as has been previously claimed.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

'An unsophisticated forecaster uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts - for support rather than for illumination.' - Andrew Lang

Voice-over: 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 www.theskepticsguide.org. You can also check out our other podcast, The SGU 5x5, as well as find links to our blogs and the SGU forums. For questions, suggestions, and other feedback, please use the "Contact Us" form on the website, or send an email to info@theskepticsguide.org. If you enjoyed this episode, then please help us spread the word by leaving us a review on iTunes, Zune, or your portal of choice. 'Theorem' is performed by Kineto, and used with permission.

References