SGU Episode 235

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

TAM Australia

 * Special Guest -Richard Saunders - gives us a preview of TAM Australia in November 2010

Tetrapod Footprints

 * http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/01/casey_luskin_embarrasses_himse.php

Airport Security

 * http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100108/D9D3HB101.html Including an interview with 'security guru' Bruce Schneier

Nearby Supernova

 * http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/01/07/no-a-nearby-supernova-wont-wipe-us-out/

Cancer Miracle

 * http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/mary-mackillops-miracles-under-question/story-e6frg6nf-1225813303561

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week - gas being ignited in a tube

Question # 1 - Evil Skeptics
"Just one more fan reporting in from New Zealand. Not a fact of much relevance but I just hope that if you make your way downunder you'll remember New Zealand and include a stop on this side of the Tasman Sea. Anyway a hypothetical question for the rogues. If each of you were to give up your morals and decided to make a living off of pseudo-science what would you choose and why? All the best and keep up the great work Chris Aitken New Zealand"

Name That Logical Fallacy
"“The current healthcare debate has brought up basic questions about how medicine should work. On one hand we have the medical establishment with its enormous cadre of M.D.s, medical schools, big pharma, and incredibly expensive hospital care. On the other we have the semi-condoned field of alternative medicine that attracts millions of patients a year and embraces literally thousands of treatment modalities not taught in medical school.” http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=3344"
 * Name That Logical Fallacy

Science or Fiction
Item # 1: Scientists discover the first clear evidence for the use of cosmetics by Neanderthals. Item # 2: New research suggests that a significant percentage of forest fires are caused by sunlight magnified by droplets of water. Item # 3: Researchers have published the first application of a quantum computer – calculating the total energy of molecular hydrogen.

Quote of the Week
"'Weary the path that does not challenge. Doubt is an incentive to truth and patient inquiry leadeth the way.' - Hosea Ballou"