SGU Episode 339

Introduction

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

This Day in Skepticism ( )

January 12, 1990 Is the death-date of Dr. Laurence Peter, creator of the Peter Principle, a scientific observation that employees will rise to the level of their incompetence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle

News Items

Tricorder X-prize ( )

http://nextbigfuture.com/2012/01/ten-million-dollar-qualcomm-medical.html

Sheldrake on Presentiment ( )

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2083279/Psychic-powers-How-thought-premonitions-telepathy-common-think.html

Physics Cranks ( )

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/cranks-and-physics/

Witch Hunter comes to US ( )

http://blog.newhumanist.org.uk/2012/01/notorious-nigerian-witch-hunter-to.html

Who's That Noisy? ( )

Answer to last week: Antivaxers

Name That Logical Fallacy ( )

Professor Iain Graham from Southern Cross University’s School of Health yesterday defended his university, saying the use of alternative therapies, such as homeopathy, can be traced as far back as ancient Greece. “Eighty per cent of Australians seek alternative therapies,” Prof Graham said. “Obviously orthodox medicine is not working for everyone,” he said. http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/fighting-cam-in-australia/

Science or Fiction ( )

Item number one. The Hubble telescope has identified the furthest galaxy protocluster ever discovered, about 13 billion light years away. Item number two. Researchers have designed a nanoparticle material that can automatically repair glass materials, such as the surface of an electronic device. And item number three. New research finds that surgeons generally continue to improve in skill and performance into their 60s.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ( )

Segment: Skeptical Quote of the Week Skeptical Quote of the Week "Where there is shouting there is no true knowledge." - Leonardo daVinci