SGU Episode 428

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SGU Episode 428
September 28th 2013
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 427                      SGU 429
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
The grand aim of all science [is] to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest possible number of hypotheses or axioms.
Dr. Einstein
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

This Day in Skepticism ()

• September 28, 1836: Baptism Date of Thomas Crapper

News Items ()

GMO OK ()

• http://www.psmag.com/health/scientific-debate-gm-foods-theyre-safe-66711/

Angry Internet ()

• http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/24/anger-internet-most-powerful-emotion/2863869/http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/why-were-shutting-our-comments

Warning Labels ()

• http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/warning-of-potential-side-effects-of-a-product-can-increase-its-sales.html

When Black Holes Explode ()

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130924091317.htm

Carbon Nanotube Computers ()

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130925132314.htm

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week: Verner Von Braun

Interview with Jamie Williams ()

• http://badsciencewatch.com

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: For the first time scientists have created “photonic molecules” – coaxing photons of light to interact with each other to form a new state of matter. Item #2: A recently published study of deep brain stimulation finds it effective for increasing empathy in subjects who rate highly on the psychopath scale. Item #3: Astronomers have discovered a new type of pulsar that regularly switches between radio and X-ray emissions.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

The grand aim of all science [is] to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest possible number of hypotheses or axioms.

J: Dr. Einstein!

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