SGU Episode 147

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SGU Episode 147
May 14th 2008
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 146                      SGU 148
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
'I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.'
James Garfield
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

News Items ()

Einstein and God ()

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1951333/Einstein-thought-religions-were-'childish'.html

Two UFO Stories ()

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7398784.stm
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm
  
  http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c012.html

China Quake Superstitions ()

• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3925096.ece

NASA's Big Announcement ()

• http://www.nasa.gov/news/media/newsaudio/index.html

Attack on Evolution in Maine ()

• http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5020017.html
  
  Ben Stein on TBN interview:
  http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php?p=294
  
  

Questions and E-mails ()

Follow up on Wizardry ()

Hello, I am a big fan of the show, and have been for about a year now. Last week you discussed the substitute who was fired for 'wizardry.' I live near Land O'Lakes and have talked to people who were involved in the case. Steve said that it wasn't that big a deal for letting students use un-authorized computers, which as it is stated isn't, but according to teachers, he would simply let students play online games rather then following the lesson plan for the day, which could be costly considering the school's funding is based off the standardized test scores, which are prepared for more then actual learning. As for the wizardry, it seems that came from one off hand remark from the supervisor and was blown out of proportion by the substitute and the local media.
Keep up the good work,

Jake Hall
Florida, US

Interview with Martin Rundkvist ()

• http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/
  http://www.vof.se/
  
  Martin is a skeptical archaeologist who discusses with the SGU skepticism and pseudoscience in Sweden, as well as archaeological woo.

Science or Fiction ()

Question #1: Researchers have developed a video game that is actually a research tool - gamers will learn how to fold proteins and may help advance medical research. Question #2: Researchers have developed a novel drug-delivery system: genetically altered skin flaps surgically implanted over tumors to deliver cancer-fighting proteins. Question #3: New research shows that natural selection favors parasites that actually make their hosts more fit.

Quote of the Week ()

'I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error.' - James Garfield

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by the New England Skeptical Society in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation and skepchick.org. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at www.theskepticsguide.org. 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 voting for us on Digg, or leaving us a review on iTunes. You can find links to these sites and others through our homepage. 'Theorem' is produced by Kineto, and is used with permission.

References