SGU Episode 218

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

Raptorex

 * http://news.uchicago.edu/news.php?asset_id=1710

Bill Maher Antiscience

 * http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/09/is_bill_maher_really_that_ignorant_part_2.php

Panama Monster

 * http://skepchick.org/blog/2009/09/the-panama-monster-is-not-a-monster/

Interview with Michael Vassar

 * President, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/people/Michael-Vassar/ Singularity Summit http://www.singularitysummit.com/

Science or Fiction
Item # 1: A new study finds that use of texting, or so-called chat-speak, is significantly correlated with poorer spelling ability in students. Don't forget to check the box to tell us which one was the Fiction. Item # 2: New research finds that mortality rates increase by 6% in UK hospitals in the first week of August – when new doctors begin training. Item # 3: A meta-analysis finds that community smoking bans decrease heart attack admissions by 36% at three years.

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: translation of brain wave activity into sound

Quote of the Week
"'Yo Oprah, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Jenny McCarthy is one of the biggest idiots of all time.' - Kanye West (a parody of the MTV Music Awards)"