The Completely Unnecessary Skeptical Podcast

News: Yet another study shows no link between MMR and autism - measles outbreaks going on all over the place including Canterbury Centre for Enquiry suing CVS Pubtalk How do you define a skeptic? Woo Zealand: Dowsing Friendly Athiest Sensing Murder - Noreen Hegarty, Peter Boland [Kelvin Cruickshank claiming success] Auckland tarot reader denied eftpos machine Siouxsie’s Suspicious Supplements: Essential oils WOTD: narcomancy Quote: "Reality provides us with facts so romantic that imagination itself could add nothing to them." Jules Verne

In which Soiuxsie gets sooty, Nathan knows more than he thought he knew, and Craig doesn't talk about his car. Noticeboard: Conference: https://conference.skeptics.nz/ Free Friday night Limited free tickets for students News: Bible Museum says five of its Dead Sea Scrolls are fake: Food supplement ruined my liver Ireland votes to oust ‘medieval’ blasphemy law Students missing out on science Effects of exercise - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2707428 Study finds that not only are vaginal jade eggs useless, they're not even an ancient remedy Pubtalk - TV resolution: https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/size-to-distance-relationship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTyzCOJm2fo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHkwyCHfCE Woo Zealand: Jesus for NZ Jesus for NZ Counterprotest https://www.jesusfornz.org/ Dentists warn of epidemic of tooth decay as more non-fluoride toothpastes launched Siouxsie’s Suspicious Supplements: Activated charcoal [Bonus experiment video] [https://www.facebook.com/roger.feeles/videos/10217690533914289/](https://www.facebook.com/roger.feeles/videos/10217690533914289/) Bonus experiment google sheet Migration of the Skeptic - David Attenborough WOTD: macromancy Quote: “Science is not a boy's game, it's not a girl's game. It's everyone's game. It's about where we are and where we're going. Space travel benefits us here on Earth. And we ain't stopped yet. There's more exploration to come.” - Nichelle Nichols

In which, we talk about 1080, observe the end of Goop, and finally discuss Wellington Paranormal (Spoilers. Maybe). http://conference.skeptics.nz Crowdfunding Quackery Goop Measles Fatwa 1080 “controversy” 1080 Facts Book - Matter of Fact Grief Vampires Massive increase in advertising spend on vitamins and supplements People behind Baa Baa amber teething beads are branching out The Carterton Incident Tru Niagen Snake Oil Visualization Wellington Paranormal Theme X-files Theme Gravity Falls Theme All Three at the same time WOTD: Libricide Quote: “Once intelligent design squeezes its way into our biology books, we might as well add astrology to our astrophysics lectures and toss in some alchemy education into the chemistry lab.” Cara Santa Maria

In which Nathan gets Goopy, Craig gets charged up and Siouxsie gets supplementary. Noticeboard: NZ Skeptics Conf 2018 News: Goop Hires Factchecker Water on Mars Craig’s Electric Car update Ken Ham’s knickers in a twist again (Polyamorous Parents) Pubtalk Climate change denialists communicate with Craig Placebos, alternative medicine, interview on RadioLIVE Woo Zealand: Wellington Paranormal <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/105660382/humanists-conference-organisers-shocked-at-immigration-nz-denials-for-hero-members https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScienceBasedHealthcare/permalink/1963431147053614/">Humanists denied visas to come to NZ for conference Acupuncture Evidence Siouxsie’s Suspicious Supplements: Deer velvet and Sexual function WOTD: kerasine - Horny, resembling horn, corneous Quote: “I often compare open source to science. To where science took this whole notion of developing ideas in the open and improving on other peoples' ideas and making it into what science is today and the incredible advances that we have had. And I compare that to witchcraft and alchemy, where openness was something you didn't do.” --Linus Torvalds Find out more on the The Completely Unnecessary Skeptical Podcast website.

Noticeboard: NZ Skeptics Conf 2018: conference.skeptics.nz Humanist conference News: Energy Healer Merka! Science popularisation uses religion’s tools Psychic pets Woo Zealand: Wellington Paranormal Deliah’s dubious device: The PIP! WOTD: janiform Quote: “When I was young I believed that ‘nonfiction’ meant ‘true.’ But you read a history written in, say, 1920 and a history of the same events written in 1995 and they’re very different. There may not be one Truth—there may be several truths—but saying that is not to say that reality doesn’t exist.” Margaret Atwood An Instance of the Fingerpost Novel by Iain Pears Find out more on the The Completely Unnecessary Skeptical Podcast website.

Episode Notes In which Nathan gets a word worng, Siouxsie tries to find a correlation between homeopathy prescribers and antivaxers, and Craig makes a fart joke. Links: Day of Reckoning: https://www.pangburnphilosophy.com/dayofreckoning-auckland Humanist conference: https://www.facebook.com/events/984072268412998/ Monkey selfie case: https://phys.org/news/2018-04-court-monkey-selfie-copyright.html Ben Goldacre’s latest paper on homeopathy: https://openprescribing.net/ Myth of the 20 year old entrepreneur https://phys.org/news/2018-04-year-old-entrepreneur-myth.html The Bible is on a recommended “don’t read” list: https://www.gq.com/story/21-books-you-dont-have-to-read Obvious joke of the week - Uranus smells of farts: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43871497 Ark Park: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/04/21/ark-encounters-latest-attendance-numbers-are-ken-hams-nightmare/ David Silverman: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/04/16/american-atheists-answers-follow-up-questions-after-the-firing-of-its-president/ Israel folau / Briann Tamaki: http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/04/destiny-church-brian-tamaki-says-cry-baby-gays-will-go-to-hell.html Deliah’s dubious device: https://www.rebalance.co.nz/products/himalayan-crystal-salt-inhaler WOTD: ichthyocoprolite Quote: "There is so much material out there that looks real but isn’t, especially on the internet. Part of my focus is on giving young people the tools they need to assess and analyse the wealth of scientific claims that are made to legitimise beliefs and products. It’s so easy to be ripped off – I don’t see how anyone can survive in the 21st century without some degree of scientific literacy." — Tania Lineham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tania_Lineham Find out more on the The Completely Unnecessary Skeptical Podcast website.

In which Professor Steven Galbraith teaches us about bitcoin, Nathan gets a compliment, Craig tells us about electric car batteries and Siouxsie finds a totally legit, not a scam at all "bioscanner". Email / feedback: Mark Dawson: "Re governments using dowsers. In my past life as an ACT Government employee, I came across an old file that mentioned the Australian Government employing a dowser in Canberra back in 1931. I gather from the file that the ACT Lands Officer, James Brackenreg, was less than impressed: read more

In which Craig tells us about artificial people, Siouxsie doesn't Deliah, and Nathan interviews Street Epistemologist Anthony Magnabosco about Street Epistemology. News: Alex Jones and Mike Adams YT ban? https://debunkingdenialism.com/2018/03/04/natural-news-banned-youtube/ https://gizmodo.com/as-advertisers-flee-alex-jones-claims-his-youtube-ba... Lawrence Krauss https://www.buzzfeed.com/peteraldhous/lawrence-krauss-sexual-harassment-... Geoff posts again. This time about Cannabis Oil as a Cancer Cure! read more

In which Craig argues with people who are wrong on the Internet; Siouxsie hasn't read the research; and, somehow, Nathan is the Voice of Reason. https://www.facebook.com/Gardasil-Kills2-332186880241439/?hc_ref=ARRRmCg... Rates of great earthquakes not affected by moon phases, day of year: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180116131319.htm Satanic Temple religious freedom: http://deadstate.org/satanic-temple-argues-that-missouris-extreme-aborti... read more

In which Siouxsie &amp; Graeme Hill ruin an ear candle experiment, and Craig &amp; Nathan interview the amazing Cara Santa Maria... News: Conference report Roy Moore - Kids commit drive-by shootings because they are taught evolution http://reverepress.com/news/roy-moore-kids-commit-drive-shootings-taught... Christians and fingerprints http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2017/12/01/christian-who-th... First GMO person using CRISPR on their DNA read more

In which we continue our new trend of publishing regularly and on time, Craig follows instructions, Siouxsie is a cartoon, and Nathan shows up... --=Links=-- NZ Skeptics Conference - 2017 - Wellington 24th-26th November http://conference.skeptics.nz Xmas gifts! www.brightenz.net https://www.redbubble.com/people/SiouxsieW/shop News: Pope stubs out cigarette sales in Vatican: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/pope-stubs-out-cigarettes-sales... Woman fired for flipping off Trump’s motorcade: read more

In which we start podcasting again after a short break of only 15 months, Siouxsie dubiouses 3 devices, Craig teaches us about essential oils and Nathan is proved to be a genius. Noticeboard: NZ Skeptics Conference - 2017 - Wellington 24th-26th November http://conference.skeptics.nz News: Power in placebo rationale: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=11927543 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/09/26/placebo-effect-works-even-... http://droxygen.co.nz/index.php/dr-oxygen-2/ - http://youredesigned.co.nz doTERRA: read more

Welcome to the Nathan Show. In which Nathan does science on his phone, Nathan tells us why we shouldn't send cat pictures to Kevin Folta, and Nathan gets something completely wrong! Craig and Siouxsie are also in there somewhere... http://themighty.com/2016/05/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-... Ben Goldacre coming to Auckland http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/an-evening-with-ben-goldacre/auckland Google Science: http://thenextweb.com/google/2016/05/20/googles-newest-app-turns-phone-s... read more

In which Siouxsie is rife with information, Nathan is helpful and hardworking, and Craig finds a quote from a woman! News: Why we shouldn’t say that vaccines don’t cause autism. http://thescientificparent.org/vaccines-dont-cause-autism-but-thats-not-... Australian ‘healer’ Chris Savage flees Bali: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/79413689/dhbs-warning-about-antiv... Aus Chiro: read more

In which we talk about the zirka virus, Craig gloats about meeting Penn and Teller, and Siouxsie gets away with anal sex on the radio... News: Pastafarians join Druids, Wiccans as official wedding celebrants: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-01/weddings-legalised-for-church-of-t... The PLOS ONE paper that mentions the Creator: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0146193 http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2016/03/02/the-human-hand-is-good... read more

In which we train our brains to be better at brain training, everyone's mean to Nathan for no reason, and we spend 5 minutes talking about what our palms look like. (For bonus points - play Guess the Palm with the profile picture) News: Brain “training” company Lumosity slapped with $2 million fine for misleading customers http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/popular-brain-game-maker-lumino... Charlie Sheen joining forces with Dr Oz to chase HIV cure read more

Our first inbetweenisode, and our first collaboration: Craig and Siouxsie join Skepticism Today at the 2015 NZ Skeptics Conference.

In which Siouxsie finds something else that gives you cancer that doesn't actually give you cancer, Nathan looks at asteroid mining, and Craig finds a ghost in a girls' school... News: Specialised shampoo does not slow colour fade: http://m.nzherald.co.nz/fashion-beauty/news/article.cfm?c_id=42&amp;objectid... Cooking oils &amp; cancer: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/67898649/which-cook... New Law asteroid mining: read more

In which we learn about the bubonic plague, discover alien civilisations, and examine fake butts. Email / feedback: Noticeboard: NZ Skeptics Conference 2015 http://conference.skeptics.nz/register Christchurch November 20th - 22nd News: Scientists discover cheese is an addictive as drugs http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/scientists-discover-cheese-addicti... http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117959 http://mic.com/articles/112656/if-you-re-basically-addicted-to-cheese-th... read more

In which we talk about wormholes, machine learning and memristers, and Harry Potter vibrating broomsticks. Email / feedback: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tripods https://web.archive.org/web/20020905195501/http://www.bushcountry.org/ne... Noticeboard: NZ Skeptics Conference 2015: http://conference.skeptics.nz/register Christchurch November 20th - 22nd Skeptic and logic course: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/logical-and-critical-thinking News: AHaH computing - machine learning and memristers read more

In which Nathan fails to notice a correlation between insulting his listeners and a lack of feedback, Craig makes obscure 80's music references and Siouxsie introduces us to a dubious device for men. Blindfold Driving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ScH1ALEn2E Celebrity sunscreen fail: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national/jessica-albas-sunscreen-... 7-year-old ordered to sit alone at lunch for telling classmates he didn’t believe in god: read more

In which we discuss talking snakes, baby robots, SETI getting funded (and criticised), and death matches featuring laser-wielding cells. Email / feedback: Noticeboard: Oprah in Auckland News: Scientists arm cells with mini lasers: http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2015/07/scientists-arm-cells-tiny-las... The end of Moore’s Law: read more

In which Craig asks "Will it float?" (and tries to float), Siouxsie talks about color-changing condoms, and Nathan misses an obvious joke. Also, our roving reporter Graeme Hill interviews Matt Dillahunty and AronRa. (It's a bit longer than normal because we had a lot of interview to fit in...) --===-- Email / feedback: Noticeboard: Skeptical activism Peter Boghossian http://reason.org.nz/index.php/news/96-peter-boghossian-coming-to-auckland News: read more

In which we alienate our listeners by misreading their feedback and calling them whores. We also talk about some news and we have an interview with the fabulous comedian Tom Binns Update: uni giving money back http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/may/08/climate-contrarian... News: Evangelical Christian family in child molestation cover up shock http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/boys-are-curious-meet-the-duggar-defende... read more

In which we discover a genetic element of the placebo effect, talk about 2 pieces of news about Tony Abbot that cancel each other out and Deliah discusses ... well just listen and find out. Noticeboard: New NZ skeptics website: http://skeptics.nz Conference videos on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NZSkepticsSociety News: New Kansas rules would limit spending of welfare benefits: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/19ac7428a2d34e5c8d692945316d7676/new-kans... read more

In which we discuss The Imitation Game, MMS for curing Autism, and Feline Serenity Pods. We'll also tell you how you can invest in the Bigfoot Business. --=Links=-- Stephen Meyer speaking at Auckland Uni: http://www.skepticblog.org/2013/08/28/stephen-meyers-fumbling-bumbling-a... https://www.facebook.com/events/816552078390463/ Darwin’s Doubt - The Origin of Animal Life and the case for Intelligent Design. Hosted by Auckland Student Life. Aron Ra &amp; Matt Dilihunty: https://www.facebook.com/events/1596674267232251/ read more

In which we discuss truck-sized fusion reactors, find out about how breast massage can help with headaches and discover a paranormal teddy bear... Email / feedback: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/your_health/complementary_med... "Oh, and for reference the NHMRC is the National Health and Medical Research Council, which is part of the Australian government." Noticeboard: 5th-7th December - Skeptics Guide peeps &amp; George appearing at NZ Skeptics Conf in Auckland - tickets now available News: read more

Noticeboard: 5th-7th December - Skeptics Guide peeps &amp; George appearing at NZ Skeptics Conf in Auckland - tickets now available News: Telepathic message sent over the internet! http://m.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&amp;objectid=11319916 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0105225 Newly described animals do not fit into known phylum http://doubtfulnews.com/2014/09/newly-described-animals-do-not-fit-into-... http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0102976 read more

Noticeboard: Save the dates: SkeptiCamp: Wellington - September 6th and 7th, The Fringe Bar 28 Allen Street https://www.facebook.com/events/498807646929403/?ref=4 5th-7th December - Skeptics Guide peeps &amp; George appearing at NZ Skeptics Conf in Auckland - tickets now available SGU Private Recording http://conference.skeptics.org.nz News: 1.http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/10338316/Barking-mad-Music-just-for-dogs http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michelleshocked1 2. Atheist TV - http://www.atheists.org/AtheistTV read more

In which we discuss Ken, Artificial Intelligence, and animals predicting the outcome of the Sportsball World Trophy Noticeboard: Save the dates: 5th-7th December - Skeptics Guide peeps &amp; George appearing at NZ Skeptics Conf in Auckland - tickets now available News: Turing Test https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140609/07284327524/no-computer-did-n... World cup fever gripping some of the world so it must be time for more psychic animals! read more

Conference tickets are Live! We're not dead! Cadbury are trying to weaken the muslims! These and even more news and interesting facts lie within. Click at your own peril. You have been warned... http://conference.skeptics.org.nz http://www.starstryder.com/2014/05/31/my-mistake-of-silence/ News: Non-news - the GRB that didn’t happen http://www.universetoday.com/112197/update-possible-nearby-gamma-ray-bur... Extinct Animal found alive and well in New Zealand http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/extinct-animal-found-alive-... read more

In which we discuss the harm caused by religion, missing school girls, celebrity moms, and Deliah tells us all about cupping. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/23/200-girls-missing-n... http://www.channel4.com/news/who-are-boko-haram http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/not-very-christian-rural-... - http://genesis2church.org/ read more

In which we talkabout anti-energy drinks, the birth of the universe, missing planes, the 2014 NZ Skeptics conference, and we absolutely don't discuss Ken Ring at all... Links: Conspiracy Paper retracted Stephan Lewandowsky talks about the paper RD &amp; NDGT read more

In which we discuss Ken, Ken and Kent. We look at the beneficial properties of honey and magnetic bracelets. And "Daliah" discusses chastity bras and vibrating underwear... --=Links=-- Tribute to Kent Hovind Race Stereotypes Magnetic Bracelets read more

In which we talk about ghost ships and cannibal rats, find out about the benefits of placebo sleep, and learn what Ken Ring thinks about whale stranding and earthquakes.

In which we find out what the weird luminescent alien off the coast of Bristol was, learn why sunscreen is bad for you, and we interview World Famous Ghost Hunter Hayley Stevens! --=Links=-- http://hayleyisaghost.co.uk/ http://www.livescience.com/41772-glowing-sea-creature-bristol.html http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/12/anti-gmo-crop-paper-to-be-forcibl... http://www.investigatemagazine.co.nz/Investigate/2998/vitamin-d-the-new-...

In which we discus food, studying religion, and whether your morality changes depending on the time of day... Vaccine Myths Fats and diet Morality time of day Soy products lead to Gay Sex read more

In which we discuss the 2013 NZ Skeptics Convention, more efforts to introduce creationism in schools (Texas - where else...), A scientist who's proven that homosexuality is wrong - with SCIENCE! Also we learn about the Aliens found recently in earth's atmosphere...

In which Siouxsie delivers a report to the class about what she did in her holiday and Craig Rants. Also atheists that aren't white men, fluoridation, teething necklaces and why you won't be getting a glow-in-the-dark cat as a stretch goal on kickstarter any time soon.

A podcast. We talk about stuff. Listen to it.

In which Craig and Siouxsie attempt to complete an episode without the guiding light, calming influence and comedy genius usually provided by Nathan. Asteroids, Popes, flatulence and Phil Plait. And a fascinating interview with Michael Edmonds ---==--- Asteroids and chances of dying International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State Flatulence on planes read more

In which we discuss the beauty potential of snails, find out how gay marriage is going to bring about the downfall of society, learn who Stanislaw Burzynski is trying to sue now and investigate how many atheists there are in Turkey. Siouxsie also tells us why you shouldn't give algae a math test and we interview David Veart, author of "First Catch Your Weka", who takes us on a tour of 20th century food fads. 1. Feedback and Email 2. Noticeboard 3. News 4. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 5. Interview - David Veart 6. Quote and WOTD read more

In which we talk about The NZ Skeptics Conference, 2012, The Marshall Protocol, Atheism+, and Lab-grown genitals. 1. Feedback and Email 2. Noticeboard 3. News 4. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 5. Quote and WOTD Smarter Monkies 3D without glasses read more

In which we discuss Bible in Schools with the Secular Education Network's Peter Harrison, find out how creationism in New Zealand can be literally insane, and hear about nano 3D printing. 1. Feedback and Email 2. Noticeboard - Skeptics Conf 3. News 4. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 5. Interview - Peter Harrison 6. Quote and WOTD 3D Nano Printer Speedos read more

In which we get a donation, we hear about UK Homeopaths suicide note, Craig tells us all about New Zealand's own Creation Museum, and we interview Professor Lawrence Krauss - again! 1. Feedback and Email 2. Noticeboard - Skeptics Conf 3. News 4. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 5. Interview - Lawrence Krauss 6. Quote and WOTD --=Links=-- Analytic Thinking Can Decrease Religious Belief read more

Bit short this month due to some audio problems (about half of Siousxie's track. I.e. 90% of the good stuff) - sorry about that. So, in this episode: Mormons complain, Homeopaths threaten, religious people do nutty things. And so forth. --=Links=-- http://sciblogs.co.nz/infectious-thoughts/2012/04/08/coming-soon-more-sc... http://scifundchallenge.org/ http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/play/snake-oil-supplements/ http://www.comcom.govt.nz/fair-trading-act-fact-sheets/ read more

In which we hear about Harold Camping's appology and retraction, Psychic Sally's recent exposure as a fraud, steamed demons, and NZ's latest attempt at cancer quackery. Siouxsie also tells us about this month's old wives tale. (And has a bit of a rant about the Ponsonby News.) Feedback and Email Noticeboard - Skeptics Conf News Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News Old Wives Tales Debunked Quote and WOTD --=Links==- read more

In which we interview Professor Shaun Holt about alt med that actually works; find out about a bullet-proof spider silk / human skin hybrid and detachable spider penises; and learn the shocking truth about Tip Top vanilla ice cream. 1. Email and Feedback 2. News 3. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 4. New Segment! - Old Wives Tales Debunked 5. Interview - Shaun Holt 6. WOTD and Quote --==Links==-- http://www.huggies.co.nz/baby-care/health/reflux http://www.huggies.co.nz/baby-care/health/reflux/management-tips read more

In which we discuss the recent New Years honours and time travelling countries; we learn who Siouxsie wants to be when she grows up and we try to estimate just how much of a quack the Burzynski Clinic is. 1. Email and feedback 2. News 3. Woo Zealand 4. Siouxsie Rants about the Ponsonby News 5. Quote and WOTD Links: Kighthoods: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16362899 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16367022 Samoa Time-travels into the Future Times Square Billboard: read more

In which we celebrate some victories, and find some new things to be mad about. Some trubees miss the point and fail to answer questions, and we interview Kylie Sturgess Oh - and Siouxsie tells us what it's like to masturbate in an MRI scanner. 1. Emails and feedback 2. News 3. Siouxsie Rants About the Ponsonby News 4. Interview: Kylie Sturgess 5. Quote and Word of the Day --=Links==- read more