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 Maynard Susan Gerbic Ben Radford Jessica Singer Adrienne Hill Pontus Bockman Richard Saunders 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 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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The Skeptic Zone #872 - 22.June.2025
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
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The Skeptic Zone #871 - 15.June.2025
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 Â
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The Skeptic Zone #870 - 8.June.2025
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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The Skeptic Zone #869 - 1.June.2025
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
The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason.
Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments.
Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more.
Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.
Ireland