SGU Episode 447

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * February 8, 1855: The Devil’s Footprints: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Footprints

Detecting Computer Zombies

 * http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140204102054.htm

Sucralose Fearmongering

 * http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/sucralose-fearmongering/

Werewolf Diet

 * http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2545419/Forget-5-2-time-WEREWOLF-diet-Eating-lunar-calendar-like-Madonna-Demi-Moore-claims-shed-6lb-ONE-DAY.html

Nye-Ham Debate

 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6kgvhG3AkI&feature=share&t=13m16s

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week

Question #1: Thorium Car
"Credit to 'Gert from New Zealand' for letting me know about this…Sorry Evan (I think it is you most looking forward to the Thorium powered cars?). I waited a while before sending this because I was sure someone else would do it … but it seems not …http://matter2energy.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/thorium-laser-car-my-ass/And when you follow the link to the LPS website … you'll find 'red flag central'!http://www.laserpowersystems.com/Cheers,Roger from New Zealand."

Question #2: FTL Communication
"I listen to your podcasts every week but this is the first time I’ve emailed in with a question.I was listening to the segment last week about quantum entanglement and how information cannot be transmitted FTL.I’ll propose a thought experiment: imagine you have a rigid cylinder that has a length of say 2 light years (yes I know we would need some sort of super material to keep it rigid at this length, but it is a thought experiment after all), on both ends of the cylinder the letters of the alphabet are engraved around its circumference and both ends synced up. If I stand at one end and somebody else is at the other end and I turn the cylinder to spell out ”how are you” and the person at the other end receives this message and responds with ”I’m fine”. Now because this is a rigid cylinder both ends should turn at the same time isn’t this correct? As I’m communicating with somebody over the distance of 2 light years and getting meaningful information back how can this be possible if no information can travel faster than the speed of light?ThanksGareth"

Science or Fiction
Item #1: Scientists report strong evidence confirming the wave-particle duality of sound – demonstrating the coherent transport of quasiparticles called phonons. Item #2: Researchers have published the results of a phase III clinical trial of an HIV vaccine demonstrating >80% efficacy in preventing initial infection. Item #3: Scientists have developed the first prosthetic hand with real time “near-natural” sensory feedback, allowing sensation of grasping pressure, texture, shape, and hardness of held objects.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"“Fables should be taught as fables, myths as myths, and miracles as poetic fantasies. To teach superstitions as truths is a most terrible thing. The child mind accepts and believes them, and only through great pain and perhaps tragedy can he be in later years relieved of them.” - Hypatia"