SGU Episode 170

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

Psychology of Pattern Recognition

 * http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/322/5898/115

Yet Another Solar Breakthrough

 * http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/fullspect.htm

Cold War UFO

 * http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27279684/?gt1=43001

Announcing SkepticBlog

 * http://www.skepticblog.org

Question #1 Blacklight
"I am emailing from my iPhone while listening to you lot - what a great time we live in. Astonishing technology and intelligent discussion on tap. Blacklight power recently made renewed claims as reported in the New York times online. I don't see a lot of skeptical chatter on this. I found a brief mention on skepchick and reasonable coverage on wikipedia. I would be very interested to hear your views given the high profile backers who I read are invested in this. My gut says that it is nonsense, but who said that they prefer not to think with their gut? John Pollard UK http://www.blacklightpower.com/profile.shtml http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-12-21/news/quantum-leap/ http://www.mail-archive.com/vortex-l@eskimo.com/msg10909.html"

Interview with Phil Plait

 * We discuss with Phil his new book, Death from the Skies http://www.badastronomy.com http://www.randi.org

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A new study demonstrates that synaesthesia can be induced in normal subjects through hypnosis. Item #2: Scientists have discovered how to selectively and safely erase specific memories and have demonstrated this in mice. Item #3: Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, researchers were able to implant an image directly into the visual cortex of a subject.

Quote of the Week
"“There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you’ve made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you’ve made a discovery.” - Enrico Fermi"