SGU Episode 134

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SGU Episode 134
February 13th 2008
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 133                      SGU 135
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
'For it is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true. In order to overcome that tendency it is not sufficient to exhibit the true; it is also necessary to expose and denounce the false.'
HL Menken.
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

News Items ()

UK Official Pays Psychic to Evict Ghost ()

• news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080212/od_nm/ghost_dc_1
  news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7240405.stm
  
  
  

Acupuncture and IVF ()

• www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=43
  
  
  

UFO Mind Control ()

• axcessnews.com/index.php/articles/show/id/13896
  
  
  

Darwin Day ()

• Darwin's 199th Birthday was on Tuesday February 12th.
  

Questions and E-mails ()

Fasting ()

I am a grad student in mechanical engineering at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. One of the people I share an office with is a PHD student from Germany. We often have discussions on a variety of issues you guys cover from week to week, and one day this led to the topic of fasting. My officemate claims that fasting is a worth while endeavour and he himself does it for health purposes. I went on webmd for some quick info on the practice and found the following claims/ controversies about fasting. 1) That it can help with weight loss 2) that it can cleanse the body of 'toxins' 3) it can cure certain diseases 4) you fast every night and are told to before surgery therefore) the ol' people have been doing
it for thousands of years so it must be good 6) it can help you live longer.

from my readings it seemed that weight loss with fasting is short term only. I was hoping you guys could discuss some of the other claims. I have been listening for about 8 months now and really enjoy the show.

Thanks

Michael Carl
Victoria, BC, Canada

Interview with PZ Myers ()

• Author of Pharyngula - the most popular science blog
  scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/
  
  Recent debate with an ID proponent
  www.kkmslive.com/MP3/15013108-Simmons%20&%20Myers.MP3
  

Science or Fiction ()

Question #1: Researchers report that fatal shark attacks increased by 350% in 2007, but cannot explain the increase. Question #2: Scientists have discovered a technique for boosting the mouse immune system, creating virtual immunity to viral infections. Question #3: Physicists have successfully simulated the event horizon of a black hole in the laboratory.

Quote of the Week ()

'For it is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true. In order to overcome that tendency it is not sufficient to exhibit the true; it is also necessary to expose and denounce the false.'- HL Menken.

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