SGU Episode 591
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SGU Episode 591 |
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November 5th 2016 |
(brief caption for the episode icon) |
Skeptical Rogues |
S: Steven Novella |
B: Bob Novella |
C: Cara Santa Maria |
J: Jay Novella |
E: Evan Bernstein |
Quote of the Week |
"I'm a scientific expert; that means I know nothing about absolutely everything." Dr. Heywood Floyd, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clark |
Dr. Heywood Floyd, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clark |
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Download Podcast |
Show Notes |
Forum Discussion |
Introduction
You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.
What's the Word ()
- Relict
News Items
Expanding Universe Follow up ()
Mystery Human Ancestor ()
Alaskan Lake Monster ()
Who's That Noisy ()
- Answer to last week: Minke Whale, The Thing
Questions and Emails
Question #1: Memory ()
If we ever find a way to solve aging, or otherwise greatly extend human lifespans, could we run up against limits to the storage capacity of our brains? Do you think an otherwise healthy brain could get 'full' of memories, memes, and TV theme song lyrics? Could we find that at a certain age, new experiences fully overwrite old ones? Or are our brains less like computers than I tend to assume? Thank you all for doing such great work, even Jay, Mike McPhaden Toronto, Canada
Question #2: Halloween Candy Tampering ()
Hi all. You've mentioned that razor blades in candy is a bit of a Halloween myth. Not really, apparently: http://globalnews.ca/news/3038102/police-urging-parents-to-check-halloween-candy-after-sewing-needles-razor-blades-found-in-candy-bars/?campaign_id=A100 Your fan, Christos
Interview with Brian Wecht ()
Science or Fiction ()
Item #1: New studies find that diamond nanothreads, which are even thinner than carbon nanotubes, are much more flexible, and therefore have more potential applications, including possible use in building a space elevator. Item #2: #2) Scientists have created 3-D printed permanent magnets that are over 100 times more powerful than traditionally made magnets of the same material. Item #3: Chemists have created low cost, non-toxic paper that can be printed, completely erased, and reused up to 40 times.
Skeptical Quote of the Week ()
"I'm a scientific expert; that means I know nothing about absolutely everything." Dr. Heywood Floyd, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clark
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