SGU Episode 67

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

Dr. Novella on the History Channel

 * Dr. Novella was interviewed for a History Channel special on Exorcism.

Glossolalia

 * SPECT Scan study of glossolalia reveals brain activity while subjects speaking in tongues. www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TBW-4M3J0R4-1&_ user=10&_coverDate=10%2F12%2F2006&_alid=478403489&_rdoc=1&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_ sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_ userid=10&md5=079916493e1546cc32f988c5b44092bc

Elephant in the Mirror

 * news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6100430.stm Elephants join elite club of animals that can recognize themselves in the mirror

Holiday Weight

 * How much weight to people put on over the holidays?

Skepticism Myths
"www.rpi.edu/~sofkam/papers/skeptik.html An article criticizing Skeptics and pointing out various 'myths' that they proffer. How do you guys react to this? It seems to be a fair bit of straw manning.  Havermayer From the SGU forums"

Michael J. Fox Smear
"The smear against Michael J. Fox comes from Rush Limbaugh, who made baseless accusations against the actor. It's very disappointing to hear this smear repeated on your show. This is why ultra-right wing media types do this stuff: they get this garbage repeated everywhere in the media. You just did their work for them. Rob Zuber Pittsburgh, PA"

Face on Earth
"I read about this today. A natural rock formation that puts the face on Mars to shame. www.cbc.ca/aih/features/2006/alberta_rock_sculpture_20061026.html ?f=q&hl=en&q=medicine%2Bhat,%2Balberta&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=50.010083,-110.113006&spn=0.009432,0.026951&t=k&om=1%20 Gary McKeown Sweden"

Interview with Richard Wiseman

 * www.theatreofscience.co.uk/ Professor Richard Wiseman started his working life as an award-winning professional magician, and was one of the youngest members of The Magic Circle. He then obtained a first class honours degree in Psychology from University College London and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Edinburgh. For the past twelve years he has been the head of a research unit at the University of Hertfordshire, and in 2002 was awarded Britain's first Professorship in the Public Understanding of Psychology. Prof Wiseman has established an international reputation for his research into unusual areas of psychology, including deception, luck and the paranormal. He has published over 40 papers in refereed academic journals. He is the author of numerous books, including The Luck Factor, Parapschology, and Deception and Self Deception.

Randi Speaks

 * The Uncompromising Observations of a Veteran Skeptic Each week James Randi gives a skeptical commentary in his own unique style.  This week's topic: Alice Cooper and Metal Detectors

Science or Fiction
Question #1: Scientists have resurrected a 5 million year old retrovirus. Question #2: Newly published study apparently confirms a link between microwave cooking certain foods, such as potatoes, and cancer risk. Question #3: New study strongly correlates salt intake and obesity.

Skeptical Puzzle
"Last Week's Puzzle Let's assume that I am not a skeptical person. I have a symptom, and I want to take a homeopathic remedy to cure it. I go to a homeopathic website, type in my symptom, and they suggest I take an elixir with Aconitum Napellus as the active ingredient. Based on that information, can you guess what symptom I am trying to cure?  Answer  gullibility"

Quote of the Week
"The least questioned assumptions are often the most questionable.- Paul Broca"