SGU Episode 957

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SGU Episode 957
November 11th 2023
"A revival of the Connections docuseries on Curiosity Stream with science historian James Burke. Brace yourselves for a mind-blowing look at our past, and our future." (Image credit: Curiosity Stream)
SGU 956                      SGU 958
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
C: Cara Santa Maria
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Guest
JB: James Burke, science historian
Quote of the Week
Hungry for innovation that will change our ailing world, we're blind to hubris, misguided egos and wishful thinking.
Josie Cox, American journalist
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction, "Notacon" reflections

Voice-over: You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.

Dumbest Thing of the (prior) Week (11:05)

• [url_from_show_notes _article_title_]

News Items

S:

B:

C:

J:

E:

(laughs) (laughter) (applause) [inaudible]

ESA Plans Space Capsule (16:57)

• Europe to develop commercial space capsule

(click to create redirect page)

Oldest Evidence for Projectile Weapons (26:19)

• Terminal ballistic analysis of impact fractures reveals the use of spearthrower 31 ky ago at Maisières-Canal, Belgium

(click to create redirect page)

Vaccine for Cocaine Addiction (36:32)

• Scientists Unveil World-First Experimental Cocaine Addiction Vaccine

(click to create redirect page)

Ancient Planet Buried in Earth's Mantle (43:22)

• Bits of an ancient planet called Theia may be buried in Earth’s mantle

(click to create redirect page)

Bankman-Fried Guilty (53:23)

• Sam Bankman-Fried found guilty on all seven criminal fraud counts

Who's That Noisy? (1:06:26)

Answer to previous Noisy:

Nail violin

New Noisy (1:09:27)

[Overlapping, whistling harmonic vocalizations]

what this week's Noisy is

Announcements

[top]                        

Interview with James Burke (1:10:34)

• Connections is a science education television series created, written, and presented by British science historian James Burke
• James Burke discusses revival of famous Connections docuseries: Exclusive Q&A 
   (Note: this article is not from the SGU show notes page)

[top]                        

Science or Fiction (1:33:20)

Theme: Technology Item #1: In 1826 the first photograph was created by French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, requiring an 8-hour exposure. Item #2: The Terms and Conditions for iTunes includes the phrase: "You also agree that you will not use these products for the development, design, manufacture, or production of nuclear, missile, or chemical or biological weapons." Item #3: Apollo astronauts were each insured for $1 million USD in case they did not survive their mission, with coverage ending at the end of the post-mission quarantine.

Answer	Item
Fiction	Astronauts insured for $1M
Science	First photograph 8h exposure
Science	Phrase in iTunes T&C

Host	Result
Steve	swept

Rogue	Guess
Jay	Astronauts insured for $1M
Evan	Astronauts insured for $1M
Cara	Astronauts insured for $1M
Bob	Astronauts insured for $1M

Voice-over: It's time for Science or Fiction.

Skeptical Quote of the Week (1:45:54)

Hungry for innovation that will change our ailing world, we're blind to hubris, misguided egos and wishful thinking.  – Josie Cox, American journalist

Signoff

S: —and until next week, this is your Skeptics' Guide to the Universe.

S: Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information, visit us at theskepticsguide.org. Send your questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. And, if you would like to support the show and all the work that we do, go to patreon.com/SkepticsGuide and consider becoming a patron and becoming part of the SGU community. Our listeners and supporters are what make SGU possible.

[top]                        

Today I Learned

• Fact/Description, possibly with an article reference
• Fact/Description
• Fact/Description

References