International Skeptics United

Negative calorie foods, said to require more energy to digest than they provide, are a popular food fad. But is this supported by science, or is it just another pop urban legend?

Publishing early in recognition of the arrival on the red planet of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover, this week we talk to members of the mission team, revisit some previous successful planetary explorations and hear how UK engineers have made it possible for Rovers to think for themselves. Plus, news of why planets orbit in a plane and whether elephants purr, or just hum...

In this week's episode, Chris Hassall dropped by and joined the gang as a special guest. Chris started things off by presenting a completely uncontroversial segment about water fluoridation. Next, Elan led a Science Fact or Science Fiction (TM) game about Olympics and sport (during which Darren complained the whole time). Finally, Darren discussed whether or not it is better to leave a light on or turn it off and then on again.

Interview with Brian Wecht; This Day in Skepticism: First Fax; News Items: Superstition Fund, Curiosity's Sky Crane, Anti-Fluoridation News Fail, Bat-Winged Monkey Bird; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:40 Maynard's Spooky Action.. at TAM 2012 An interview with Bruce M. Hood. Bruce M. Hood is currently the Director of the Bristol Cognitive Development Centre in the Experimental Psychology Department at the University of Bristol. 0:16:05 Maynard's Spooky Action.. at TAM 2012 A chat with Jim Underdown James Underdown has been the executive director of The Center for Inquiry (CFI) Los Angeles since 1999. 0:23:30 Richard Saunders chats to UFO expoert Robert Sheaffer Robert Sheaffer is a freelance writer and a prominent investigator of unidentified flying objects, Christianity, academic feminism, and many other subjects. 036:00 Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael Dunlop This week Dr Rachie chats to Tim Farley Tim Farley is a computer software engineer, writer and instructor who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an expert in computer security and reverse engineering as well as a skeptic. He is a Research Fellow of the James Randi Educational Foundation.

From the book of Revelation to global warming catastrophes to the many predictions of the end of civilization, why does culture seem to be obsessed with the idea that the end is near? In this episode of Skepticality, Derek speaks with Mathew Gross: the man responsible for Howard Dean’s internet strategy in his bid for the presidency in 2004. Mathew is a nature trails historian, avid hiker, and recently the author of the new book, The Last Myth, which is a look into the rise of apocalyptic thinking and what it tells us about America.

Navajo witches and sorcerers are said to be able to shapeshift into dangerous animals that attack and harass the living. Some think there may be some science behind the tall tales.

Adam arrived without a voice for this week's episode but we decided to record anyway. First, raspy voice Gardner talked about alkaline diets. Next, Darren gave a brief tutorial of GDP. To finish off the show, Elan discussed the myth of whether or not it is illegal to count cards in blackjack.

How can science, technology and engineering aid the world's elite athletes? In this special edition of the Naked Scientists, we discover how physiology, psychology and technology help get us across the finish line. We'll be exploring the biochemical tests that can improve training, and Meera gets put through her paces on a treadmill! We also hear from Gold Medal winner Steve Redgrave and current Team GB competitors about the impact of science on their performance. Plus, how Formula One technology can make better bicycles, and why can technology can get so good, it has to be banned from competition...

This Day in Skepticism: Kennewick Man; News Items: Skeptical Conferences, Sally Ride Dies, Mood Photography, Computer Modeling Life, Artificial Jellyfish, Firewalking Mishap; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Multivitamins; Science or Fiction

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka 0:06:10 Maynard's Spooky Action.. at TAM 2012 An interview with George Hrab. George Hrab is a drummer, guitarist, composer and podcaster known for performing rock, funk and jazz and for exploring atheist, skeptic and science themes in his work. He has released six albums as a solo artist. 0:35:13 Richard Saunders chats to Michael Kruse about Bad Science Watch Bad Science Watch is an independent non-profit activist organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians by countering bad science. It is driven by a vision of a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Canada where critical thinking and sound science are paramount in the making of important societal decisions. 0:43:18 A Penny for your thoughts with Penny Chain Penny chats to Susan Gerbic about editing Wikipedia and her translating project.

Celebrating three years of podcasting! This is the podcast version of the show we streamed live over YouTube on Monday 23rd July 2012. Featuring sticky tape, skin, cats, dogs and Des Lynam. Plus pies, pirates, animal husbandry and a turkey cock. Crazy like a fox — it’s Skeptics with a K. You can read the [...]

Jessica Ahlquist on the Separation of Church and State and Todd Heywood on the Calhoun County Oil Spill

There's a bridge in Scotland where dogs are said to deliberately commit suicide. Is this indeed the case, or can science and observation shine a little better light on the question?

Darren explores the claims made by various popular energy drink manufacturers. Elan finds flaws in the logical assumptions that were made by the nerds who created the Tommy Westphall Universe. Adam discusses whether plants die when given microwaved water.