SGU Episode 488

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SGU Episode 488
November 15th 2014
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 487                      SGU 489
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
Without precisely defined sources, methods, and concepts, it is possible to see absolutely everything and its opposite.
Thomas Piketty
Links
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Show Notes
SGU Forum

Introduction

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

This Day in Skepticism ()

• November 15, 1873: Happy birthday to Sara Josephine Baker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Josephine_Baker

News Items

New Antibacterial ()

• http://www.theskepticsguide.org/the-antibiotic-thats-not-an-antibiotic

The Primeval Code ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-primeval-code/

Curiosity Discovery ()

• http://news.discovery.com/space/curiosity-finds-tantilizing-mineral-clues-for-mars-habitability-141105.htm

HAARP Closing ()

• http://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/conspiracy-theories-abound-u-s-military-closes-haarp-n112576

GMO Labeling ()

• http://io9.com/questionable-new-report-claims-gmo-labeling-wont-raise-1641760666

Interview with Sheldon Helms and Siouxsie Wiles ()

• http://www.ohlone.edu/instr/psychology/speakerseries/ http://conference.skeptics.org.nz/

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: Astronomers have found evidence that half of all stars in the universe exist outside of galaxies. Item #2: A new study finds that methods currently used at airports to detect deceptive passengers works only 3% of the time, but a new method being tested was effective 66% of the time. Item #3: The tiger beetle moves so fast it cannot see its prey, so instead, biologist recently found, it relies on thin hair-like projections that are 20 times the length of its body.

Skeptical Quote of the Week (1:19:44)

“Without precisely defined sources, methods, and concepts, it is possible to see absolutely everything and its opposite.” - Thomas Piketty

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