SGU Episode 426
|
This is the transcript for the latest episode and it is not yet complete. Please help us complete it! Add a Transcribing template to the top of this episode before you start so that we don't duplicate your efforts. |
|
This episode needs: transcription, time stamps, formatting, links, 'Today I Learned' list, categories, segment redirects. Please help out by contributing! |
How to Contribute |
| SGU Episode 426 |
|---|
| September 14th 2013 |
 |
| (brief caption for the episode icon) |
| Skeptical Rogues |
| S: Steven Novella |
B: Bob Novella |
R: Rebecca Watson |
J: Jay Novella |
E: Evan Bernstein |
| Quote of the Week |
When he found that his long cherished beliefs did not agree with the most precise observations, he accepted the uncomfortable facts. He preferred the hard truth to his dearest delusions, that is the heart of science. |
| Links |
| Show Notes |
| Forum Discussion |
Introduction
You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.
This Day in Skepticism ()
- September 11, 2001: 9/11 terrorist attacks
News Items ()
Motivated Numeracy ()
Arctic ice ()
Robot Traders ()
Teenage Exorcists ()
Homeopathic Vaccines ()
Mission to Mars ()
Who's That Noisy ()
- Answer to last week: Ayn Rand
Questions and Emails ()
Question #1: Bdellovibrio ()
Hey Guys! I recently attended a lecture, given by a researcher from Newcastle University, upon the topic of the bdellovibrio bacteria. This is a bacterium which invades other bacterial cells including pathogens harmful to humans, e.g. E. coli. I found this extremely interesting; it seems it could be a major replacement to our, ever more ineffective, antibiotics I would like to hear the host Dr Steven Novella’s, and the rest of the panel’s, opinions on it. I apologise if this has already been covered by the podcast. Thank you very much for your time, I’m a big fan and love the work you do: keep it up.Yours faithfullySam Johnson
Science or Fiction (1:03:58)
|
This section is in the middle of being transcribed by jakebathman (talk) as of September 16 2013. To help avoid duplication, please do not transcribe this section while this message is displayed. |
S: Each week I come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine and one fictitious, and then I challenge my panel of skeptics to tell me which one is the fake. And yet again we have a theme this week.
J: Aww come on.
S: Although, this does involve actual news items this time, three news items, but there is a theme: these are all items from the Journal of Consumer Research, so these are all items involving consumer research, the psychology of buying stuff.
B: Good luck everyone! We can't let Steve win this week, guys.
S: Ok, here we go. Item number one: New research finds that hearing a salesperson flatter another customer causes a negative reaction to the salesperson but increases the desire to buy an expensive item. Item n umber two: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive, high-status item. And item number three: Researchers find that women are more likely to purchase expensive accessories when they feel threatened in their relationship, and that this strategy works because women are also less likely to pursue a man whose girlfriend has expensive accessories.
RS: Ooo
B: I didn't even get that. What? Who?
R: Yeah, I didn't get that either.
Item #1: New research finds that hearing a salesperson flatter another customer causes a negative reaction to the salesperson but increases the desire to buy an expensive item. Item #2: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive item. Item #3: Researchers find that women are more likely to purchase expensive accessories when they feel threatened in their relationship, and that this strategy works because women are also less likely to pursue a man whose girlfriend has expensive accessories.
Skeptical Quote of the Week ()
“When he found that his long cherished beliefs did not agree with the most precise observations, he accepted the uncomfortable facts. He preferred the hard truth to his dearest delusions, that is the heart of science.” - Carl Sagan
S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at theskepticsguide.org, where you will find the show notes as well as links to our blogs, videos, online forum, and other content. You can send us feedback or questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. Also, please consider supporting the SGU by visiting the store page on our website, where you will find merchandise, premium content, and subscription information. Our listeners are what make SGU possible.
References
|
|
|