SGU Episode 178

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SGU Episode 178
December 16th 2008
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 177                      SGU 179
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
'When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?'
John Maynard Keynes
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

News Items ()

Recording Dreams ()

• http://www.physorg.com/news148193433.html

Trapped by Ghost ()

• http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/15/burglar-spooked-claim-he-was-trapped-in-haunted-house/

Questions and E-mails ()

Question #1 The Bloop ()

Hello all. I was reading a cracked.com article about '6 Insane Discoveries That Science Can't Explain' linked below. One item in particular caught my attention- the Bloop. I'm not sure how in depth a humourous website like Cracked's research is but they say it was an extremely loud sound that 'scientists' say was likely made by an animal. An animal that would have to be much larger than even a blue whale as the sound was so loud. So is any of this true and could it really come from a massive undiscovered creature? It's all sounds very suspicious to me. Thanks.

http://www.cracked.com/article_16871_p2.html

Conor McCrory
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Question #2 ID Questions ()

I have been a fan of the podcast for a little over a year ago and I have noticed that the discussions have certainly had an impact on my world views - for the better. I have been listening to some of your earlier shows and I noticed these shows seemed to have more disagreements and debates (especially with guests). Later shows are still very interesting, but your discussions mostly involve everyone agreeing with each other. I would love for your show to have more thoughtful discussions from both sides of a legitimate debate.

Question: For a number of years I was firmly in the camp of Intelligent Design. After listening to your show and several others, I have realized the error of my ways. There have always, though, been some things that just didn't make sense. I have a couple evolutionary questions that I don't understand, and was hoping someone could enlighten me. How did the long neck of the giraffe evolve? If it happened gradually, that would suggest successive, incredibly similar mutations, which seems very unlikely. If it happened all at once, it would seem very unlikely that this long-necked freak would ever have a chance at finding a mate amongst its short-necked relatives. If one of these is the correct explanation, how is that possible, or is there a third alternative that I am unaware?

Thanks.

Russ Steger
United States/PA

Interview with Richard Wiseman ()

• Richard Wiseman is a psychologist, professor of the public understanding of science, and noted author. His works include Quirkology.
  
  http://www.richardwiseman.com/

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: Scientists find that pain hurts more if you believe it was inflicted on purpose. Item #2: Scientists discover two new species of crocodile in Africa. Item #3: A new analysis reveals that the earth’s magnetosphere has increased in strength by 10% over the last century.

Quote of the Week ()

'When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?' - John Maynard Keynes

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