SGU Episode 99

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

New Gallup Poll on Creationism in the US

 * www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/8/105636.shtml?s=us

Attack on Academic Freedom at the UCL

 * www.theness.com/neurologicablog/default.asp?Display=119

Mercury/Autism Controversy Goes to Court

 * www.theness.com/neurologicablog/default.asp?Display=117

Mr. Wizard Dies at 89

 * www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/12/obit.mr.wizard.ap/index.html

Rods
"Steve, I would love for skeptics guide to cover 'rods'. Some people believe they are a flying creature as yet unknown to most of science. A Los Angeles news program can be viewed here: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4569858645044577004&q=rods&hl=en  Of course the immediate idea is that these are artifacts of video cameras. I was frustrated that the crew didn't just film the phenomenon with two cameras and sync the footage. From that you could pretty quickly and imply determine if the event was in the camera or in the world. If it's in the world, you could determine size and speed from triangulating the two signals if you just recorded how far the cameras were from each other. It doesn't take much to really narrow down this kind of thing, and it's frustrating to see people miss easy opportunities.  Anyway, if you guys could discuss it, that could be a fun topic.  As always, you do great podcasts. Regards, Matt Dick  Wikipedia rods entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_(cryptozoology) Debunking site reproducing 'rod' pictures: www.opendb.com/sol/bugs.htm"

Zero Point Energy
"I was watching a show on the Science channel on cable, and they seemed to give some support to John Hutchinson & zero point energy, Jim Ventura and lifter research and anti gravity, Joseph Newman energy machine, Thomas Townsend Brown and anti gravity. Surprised they were taken quite seriously on a science channel. I don't know much about them, any science behind their claims? Thanks Frank Auer USA  Credulous ZPE theories: www.soulsofdistortion.nl/SODA_chapter4.html  Hutchinson article: www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/10/john-hutchison/  Thomas Townsend Brown: www.antigravitytechnology.net/thomas_townsend_brown.html  Skeptical article on Joseph Newman www.phact.org/e/skeptic/newman.htm"

Interview with Phil Plait

 * Phil Plait is the Bad Astronomer www.badastronomy.com/  Article on Expanding Universe news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/06/070604-universe.html

Science or Fiction
Question #1: A newly published study shows that spontaneously recovered memories of childhood abuse are almost as accurate as continuous memories. Question #2: Among the many new species recently discovered in the deep Antarctic ocean is a shrimp species the size of dolphin. Question #3: Physicians report a case of a man who bled green blood during a surgical procedure.

Skeptical Puzzle
"This Week's Puzzle Franklin D. Roosevelt Mark Twain Herbert Hoover J. Paul Getty Napoleon Bonaparte Rudolph Giuliani What un-skeptical trait do all of these famous people have in common?   Last Week's Puzzle  Name the former world leader that used to laugh at UFO believers, but later became a believer himself when he himself witnessed one.  Answer: Former US President Jimmy Carter Winner: Talus"

Quote of the Week
"'Education has failed in a very serious way to convey the most important lesson science can teach: skepticism'- David Suzuki (Canadian environmentalist, scientist and broadcaster b.1936)"