The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 Flags, Magna Carta and Anti-Vaxxers We take a look at why some anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and 'sov-cits' carry upside down flags and quote the Magna Carta of 1215 while marching in the streets. What would King John say?? 0:20:11 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders The Great Australian Prediction Project From the pages of 'The Skeptic', the journal from Australian Skeptics, comes the long awaited offical report into the accuracy of so-called "psychic predictions". Find out the background, the methodology and the all important results and conclusions. Read by Adrienne Hill and Richard Saunders. 00:02:14: The Great Aust. P...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:45 The Ockham Awards We talk to Michael Marshall from the UK about the recent Ockham Awards. Michael is the project director of the Good Thinking Society and president of the Merseyside Skeptics Society. https://www.skeptic.org.uk 0:18:20 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham calls in to give us an overview of what to expect in the new addition of 'The Skeptic' the...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 A Day in Court Bradley John Hill - the licensee of a Hunter Valley pub that breached public health orders in regards to COVID-19 - was fined in a Singleton courthouse on Thursday. But just who exactly was in court? Strange story indeed. https://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/7534943/singleton-caledonian-licensee-fined-for-repeatedly-flouting-covid-19-...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:00 Squaring the Strange with Celestia Ward Our favourite and very talented caricature artist from Las Vegas Celestia Ward drops by to chat about her career as a skeptical podcaster on 'Squaring the Strange'. https://linktr.ee/Squaringthestrange https://www.2headsstudios.com Extra video content. You can watch the complete interview with Celestia Ward, with...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders With Susan Gerbic, Rob Palmer, Michelle Bijkersma, Lara Benham and Lynden Shields. 0:05:00 The ESP We catch up with the team from the European Skeptics Podcast to congratulate them on reaching 300 episodes. The European Skeptics Podcast (The ESP) is a weekly podcast recorded in English and hosted by three skeptics from several different European countries: And...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 COVID vaccine nurse at Perth clinic charged with fraud Western Australian Police have charged a nurse with fraudulently recording that a patient had been given a COVID-19 vaccine when the jab was allegedly never administered. https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Media-Centre/Media-Releases/4296-Registered-Nurse-Charged--Vaccine-Fraud https://www.abc.net.au/new...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:47 Uri Geller, James Randi and the CIA We find a document written by James Randi that was circulated in the CIA concerning so-called psychic Uri Geller. What did Geller's former manager have to say about the tricks and shenanigans in the 1970s? Find out with this review. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/uri-geller-no-faker-really-25333616 https...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard and Richard Saunders join Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan on a field trip to visit Sydney's most "haunted" street. We also find out more about Dr Siobhan's journey with Ovarian Cancer. Special extended content of this story on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykB67Sj5cYs 0:24:55 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the p...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Part #2 Famed science communicator Dr Karl tells us about COVID in chickens, making vaccines on a 3D printer, fighting climate change and Mr. Spock. Dr Karl is an Australian science communicator and popularizer, who is known as an author, and as a science commentator on Australian radio and television. Dr Karl is the Julius Sumne...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Part #1 Famed science communicator Dr Karl tells us about snipers, TikTok, Anti-Vaxers and the way in which social media companies pander to the advertising dollor. Dr Karl is an Australian science communicator and popularizer, who is known as an author, and as a science commentator on Australian radio and television. Dr Karl is...

The Skeptic Zone #679 - 10 October 2021 Dedicated to the memory of Michael Wolloghan The Skeptic Zone is very sad to inform you that one of our founding reporters Michael Wolloghan died unexpectedly in October 2021. Episode #679 is dedicated to his memory, including a replay of one of his reports. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Thank you Michael for being there at the...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The Herman Cain Freedom Award (HCFA) is reminiscent of the Darwin Awards. Taken directly from the sub-Reddit it says "Nominees have made public declaration of their anti-mask, anti-vax, or Covid-hoax views, followed by admission to hospital for Covid. The Award is granted upon the nominee's release from the...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 All Shook Up! What happens when a team of skeptics meet to analyse earthquake predictions? An earthquake! Skeptic Zone reporter Michelle Bijkersma (a friend of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet) tells us about the 'moving' experience. 0:09:33 TikTok Tarot A look at the hundreds of TikTokers taking to Tarot Cards. What do they have i...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Potential Harm of Psychics A dissussion with Susan Gerbic and Rob Palmer about the potential harm of believing in, and taking the advice of those who claim to be able to see into the future. Prediction Talk for Bay Area Skeptics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Emu-p0vIPU https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/belief-in-psychics-whats-the-harm-and...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Bigfoot Found! An interview with podcaster Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com, who comissioned a local artist in Bend, Oregon to create a giant figure of the mythical Bigfoot. Brian also updates us with the latest information on his documentary "Science Friction". 0:20:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:28 Threats made to GPs We read out a letter being sent to GPs in Australia which threatens legal action and other dire consequences if they keep administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Yet another example of what we call "COVID Crazy" by conspiracy theorists. 0:19:07 Freeman on the Land. With Shelley Stocken Shelley looks at a small but noisy movement that s...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. This week Adrienne reports on her visit to the famous tourist area of Jasper in Canada. What she discovers there, apart from the beautiful views, is a classic example of a new-age store. http://jasperrockandjade.com/Rocks/rocks.html 0:13:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Aust...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 5G Disinformation Special guest Pascual Romero from the 'Squaring the Strange' podcast gives us his opinions on a full page of 5G misinformation that appeared in the pages of the 'Byron Shire Echo' newspaper from the Northern Rivers of NSW, the heartland of conspiracy theorists in Australia. https://issuu.com/echopublications/docs/byronecho3609/14 http...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 COVID-19 As the COVID-19 situation grows worse by the day in Australia, we look at some of the related news stories from the past week. People travelling while infectious and those who still think protesting in the streets is a smart move. Also the frightening story of a COVID-19 healthcare worker being attacked for doing her job. 0:18:55 Australian Sk...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Michael Marshall Good Thinking welcomes new Standards. The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has announced new Standards for voluntary registers of healthcare providers, causing the Society of Homeopaths (SoH) to withdraw from the accreditation scheme. https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:30:35 Melbourne Anti-Lockdown Protest Hundreds of protesters d...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 Protester's Regrets News of the Sydney lockdown protester who now regrets his actions. Also the sad story of people in the United States who waited too long for their COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9837377/Covid-NSW-Sydney-anti-lockdown-protester-reveals-friends-deserted-views.html 0:14:11 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 Freedom Protests in Sydney At the worst possible time, protesters march through the main streets of downtown Sydney, with cries of "freedom". We ask the question, "what's the harm in believing in conspiracy theories?" https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/wild-scenes-as-sydney-antilockdown-protesters-clash-with-police/news-story/e5b47e510...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Lockdown Showdown Anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne. Melbourne was plunged into chaos hours before the state entered its fifth lockdown as protesters took to the streets. https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/antilockdown-protesters-storm-melbourne-hours-after-daniel-andrews-announcement/news-story/b8ddd8f95df6640bd0936add28f6d8f1 0:12:55...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill What's the deal with 666? This week Adrienne is joined by Kelly Burke to discover that if you look for it, the number 666 pops ups everywhere. Humans certainly are the pattern seeking, storytelling animal. Numberphile 666 - video https://youtu.be/UkZqFtYtqaI 0:22:10 The Book of Tim This week Tim Mendham tal...