SGU Episode 150

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SGU Episode 150
June 4th 2008
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 149                      SGU 151
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
E: Evan Bernstein
Guest
WI: Walter Isaacson
Quote of the Week
A popular feel for scientific endeavors should, if possible, be restored given the needs of the twenty-first century. This does not mean that every literature major should take a watered-down physics course or that a corporate lawyer should stay abreast of quantum mechanics. Rather, it means that an appreciation for the methods of science is a useful asset for a responsible citizenry. What science teaches us, very significantly, is the correlation between factual evidence and general theories, something well illustrated in Einstein's life.
Walter Isaacson
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Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

News Items ()

New Alien Video (1:50)

• www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/30/alien-commission-causes-commotion/
  br.youtube.com/watch?v=4h_ZR5F0PFg
  
  Stan Romanek: www.stanromanek.com/03)%20Picture%20&%20Video%20Timeline%20Page_website/
  
  
  

Solar Power from Space (8:53)

• www.universetoday.com/2008/06/01/harvesting-solar-power-from-space/
  
  
  

Green Our Vaccines Rally in DC (14:07)

• scienceblogs.com/insolence/OpenLetterFinal.pdf
  www.safevaccines.org/press-080527.htm
  www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9
  abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=4987758
  
  
  

Questions and E-mails (25:16)

Cold Fusion

I just stumbled upon an article online that seems to ridicule the idea of cold fusion as supposedly described in this article physicsworld.com/blog/2008/05/coldfusion_demonstration_a_suc_1.html, along with the likes of perpetual motion machines. I understand why a perpetual motion machine can't theoretically be possible could you please explain if cold fusion is as unlikely to be possible.

Sam Spreull
Brighton, UK

Interview with Walter Isaacson (34:39)

• Author of Einstein
  www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?tab=1&pid=349181
  

Science or Fiction (1:06:24)

Question #1: New study shows that we pick our friends based largely on similarity of physical appearance. Question #2: Playing golf prolongs life expectancy by an average of 5 years. Question #3: New research shows that when it comes to collective traumatic events, like terrorists attacks, it is psychologically healthy to keep feelings inside rather than discussing them with others.

Quote of the Week (1:16:04)

'A popular feel for scientific endeavors should, if possible, be restored given the needs of the twenty-first century. This does not mean that every literature major should take a watered-down physics course or that a corporate lawyer should stay abreast of quantum mechanics. Rather, it means that an appreciation for the methods of science is a useful asset for a responsible citizenry. What science teaches us, very significantly, is the correlation between factual evidence and general theories, something well illustrated in Einstein's life.'- Walter Isaacson

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by the New England Skeptical Society in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation and skepchick.org. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at www.theskepticsguide.org. For questions, suggestions, and other feedback, please use the "Contact Us" form on the website, or send an email to info@theskepticsguide.org. If you enjoyed this episode, then please help us spread the word by voting for us on Digg, or leaving us a review on iTunes. You can find links to these sites and others through our homepage. 'Theorem' is produced by Kineto, and is used with permission.

References