The Skeptic Zone
The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason - Since 2008
Click Here for The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project
| The Skeptic Zone #874 - 6 July 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Kat McLeod |
| 00:03:04
You Can Count on Adrienne
In part 1 of adventures with Adrienne and Susan, Adrienne Hill chats cheerfully with Susan Gerbic about their marvelous May meanderings, starting with the 'WeCanReason' conference and wrapping up with the sensational St. Louis Skepticamp shenanigans, orchestrated by Karl Withakay (Karl Gerhardt). I chat and giggle gleefully with Karl in the second half of this You Can Count on Adrienne episode. Stay tuned next week for part 2 where the pair head to Raleigh North Carolina. Links to Susan's articles: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-skeptical-society-of-st-louis/ https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/edmonton-qe2-skepticamp-2025/ Link to the Skeptical Society of St. Louis: https://skepticalstl.com/ |
| 0:20:30
Maynard's Spooky Action
Maynard is back at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to investigate AI. Includes interviews with Sue Ieraci, Jessica Singer and the guest speaker Dr James Dunn. Dr James Dunn is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow and Lecturer in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on face and person recognition, forensic science, and individual differences, using advanced methodologies such as behavioral methods, machine learning, AI and eye-tracking. Dr. Dunn's work bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, particularly in high-stakes environments where accurate cognitive assessments are crucial. University of New South Wales Face Test https://facetest.psy.unsw.edu.au |
| 0:34:42 Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:47:30
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to James Randi. 1956.09.15 - Billboard Magazine 1976.01.01 - The Dispatch Lexington North Carolina http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
| Also |
Adventures
AI in the Pub
Your Host
| The Skeptic Zone #873 - 29 June 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 0:04:04
The Book of Tim. For Tim Mendham
This week we pay tribute to retiring editor of the Skeptic Magazine, Tim Mendham. After many years of hard work behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, Tim is stepping back to enjoy more of his hobbies. These include skeptical investigations and BBQs! Congratulations Tim on a huge contribution to the skeptical movement. With
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| 00:26:18
The Matter of Dowsing
By far the most common claim that was made for the Million Dollar Challenge offered by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) was dowsing. Dowsing is, as strictly defined, the claimed ability to discover underground sources of water or metals by means of a "dowsing rod." Another term used is "divining." http://www.dowsing-research.net/dowsing/articles/Randi_2-Swift_Vol_1_No_1_1997.pdf |
| 0:41:10
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi. 1974.12.06 - Daily Item https://tinyurl.com/y5446ut7 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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Skeptical BBQs
Where's my BBQ?
I'll Cook the Steak!
| The Skeptic Zone #872 - 22 June 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 00:04:06
Science and Psudoscience
Americans (Kind of) Smarter on Science We look at a news report from 2007 on the state of science and pseudoscience in America. 2007.02.18 - Lakeland Ledger |
| 0:17:42 Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:32:06
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi in Australia. 1980.07.24 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.06.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.07.30 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.07.30 - The Canberra Times 1980.11.09 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1980.11.13 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
| Also
Richard Saunders on Squaring the Strange Podcast
https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com/episode-256-look-into-my-eyes-with-richard-saunders |
News and Thunderstorms
In Print
Your Host
| The Skeptic Zone #871 - 15 June 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 00:04:22
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill.
Adrienne interviews Sebastian Toews, Dawson VonStein, and D.J. Crossland, all students from Grant McEwan University who presented at the Edmonton QE II Skepticamp that Kat McLeod and Rodney Schmaltz organised. Then she talks to Coleman Watts after a hike near Banff where they discuss his latest video release. Then look out as they encounter a Bigfoot wannabe in the form of a grizzly bear! |
| 0:16:16
What is Pseudoscience?
Science or Pseudoscience? What are the hallmarks of something that masquerades as or pretends to be scientific? This week we look at some of the ways you can identify fake science from real science. |
| 0:27:14
For crying out loud! It's Kat McLeod
This week Kat pays homage to her prairie roots by having a look at something that has crept back into the news lately, crop circles. Yes, just when you thought they were left behind in the 1990s or early 2000s, they are back and crazier than ever. |
| 0:37:12
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian and international newspapers on a search for references to ESP. 1974.07.19 - The Ledger 1984.01.14 - Waycross Journal-Herald 1971.09.28 - Sarasota Journal 1995.11.30 - The Canberra Times The Case of ESP - BBC 1984 https://youtu.be/h2Gog3xMluA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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A Grizzly Story
Circular Crops
Your Host
| The Skeptic Zone #870 - 8 June 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 00:03:22
Randi Restored
45 years ago, James Randi flew to Australia at the invitation of Dick Smith. He came to test a score of water diviners in Australia's first major investigation of these claims. The resulting documentary, "James Randi in Australia" was shown on Australian TV and then lost forever. Luckily it was recorded onto video tape via a VCR at the time and this version has now been restored to its former glory. http://www.tinyurl.com/randiaustralia |
| 0:23:32 Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:37:14
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi's Project Alpha. 1983.01.29 - The Victoria Advocate 1983.02.16 - Record-Journal, Meriden, Ct. Project Alpha - An Honest Liar https://youtu.be/Ewr3uqfHzMM&t=2720 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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Classic Documentary
Australian Skeptics News
Your Host
| The Skeptic Zone #869 - 1 June 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 00:03:06
Armidale SitP
Join Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they travel to Armidale in the New England area of Australia to enjoy the hospitality of the local skeptics. Included is a field report from Armidale Skeptics in the Pub. With thanks to Amelia and Brian Willmer. |
| 0:17:00
Squaring the Strange with Celestia and Ben
We catch up with those famed skeptical podcasts from the United States, Ben Radford and Celestial award from the Squaring the Strange Podcast. What's new? What's old? What's going on? https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com |
| 0:24:12
Psychic Penny's Horoscopes
Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. |
| 0:29:32
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Rex Gilroy. 1979.07.24 - The Age 1976.09.16 - The Citizen - Ottowa 1977.03.13 - The Sun Herald 1979.10.02 - The Age 1987.10.13 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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Skeptical Journey
Squaring the Strange
Look to the Stars
| The Skeptic Zone #868 - 25 May 2025 |
| Show Notes |
| 0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders |
| 00:05:06
Is that a Ghost?
Ghosts, ghouls, phantoms and apparitions. Are you living in a haunted house? This week Richard Saunders looks at some of the aspects and implications of ghosts and spirits. |
| 0:16:48
The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham
Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 5 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:26:54 Australian
Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
| 0:41:06
The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Dorothy Allison and James Randi. 1982.06.21 - The Spokane Chronicle http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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BOO!!
Book of Tim
Newsletter
The Vaccination
Chonicles |
Solar Flare |
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Featuring YouTube
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Also featuring the hit song It's old time radio from the future! |
Origami Pigasus was invented by Richard Saunders in 2007 at the request of his friend James "The Amazing" Randi.
Video Folding Instructions |
Booklet |
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Cranes Folded and Photographed |
Pigasus Invented, Folded and Photographed |
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Cranes
on Matches Folded and Photographed |
Ducks
on a Coin Folded and Photographed |
