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2006 Episodes
- December 13th: MythBusters interviews recorded at The Amazing Meeting 4
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It’s finally here! From the vaults of Skepticality, recorded at The Amazing Meeting 4 by our roving correspondent David Federlein, we give you Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, and Kari Byron — better known to television audiences as the MythBusters. Additionally, Derek & Swoopy take a closer look at he MythBusters phenomenon: is it real skepticism or just a lot of cool explosions?
- November 28th: Naked Skeptics & The Amazing Meeting 5
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What do pin-up photos of famous skeptics and The Amazing Meeting have in common? This week’s episode of Skepticality of course. Skepticality correspondent David Federlein interviews Skepchick founder Rebecca Watson about the 2007 Skepchicks and Skepdudes calendar. Then, Derek & Swoopy speak with the Bad Astronomer, Dr. Phil Plait, about his Skepdude photo as well as his contributions to the upcoming Amazing Meeting 5. Plus a sneak peak at next episodes’s MythBusters interviews.
- November 14th: Listener Feedback & Commentary
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This week, Derek & Swoopy play some great listener feedback, mostly stemming from the highly popular Episode #34, Dr. Michael Shermer’s excellent interview with James Randi. We also get some listener surprises, and James Randi himself makes a quick appearance.
- November 7th: Interview with Ann Druyan
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This week on Skepticality, we’re very pleased to present Dr. Michael Shermer’s new, in-depth interview with author and editor Ann Druyan, wife and collaborator of the late Dr. Carl Sagan. In this insightful hour, Ann gives us a look into Dr. Sagan’s thoughts on science, religion, and her decision to collect his acclaimed Gifford Lectures in the new book The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God.
- October 29th: A Very Houdini Halloween with James Randi & the Houdini Museum
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On this special Halloween-themed episode of Skepticality Derek and Spooky … er, Swoopy delve into the mysteries surrounding the life and death of the great Harry Houdini who died on Halloween, 1926. We have interviews with the curators of the Houdini Museum, Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brooks, regarding their annual Houdini Halloween Seance and James the Amazing Randi helps Swoopy sort out fact from fallacy in the Houdini mythos.
- October 24th: Fraser Cain interviews Dr. Simon Singh
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Fraser Cain of Universe Today interviews popular British author, journalist and particle physicist Dr. Simon Singh about dodgy homeopathy and his work to bring to light some of the dangerous practices of homeopaths in his country. Also, Derek & Swoopy play and discuss some listener voicemail, including Bad Astronomer Phil Plait, and provide a sneak peak at next week’s Halloween Special!
- October 8th: Interview with Jim Ottaviani
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Jim Ottaviani’s G.T. Labs is one of the biggest producers of science comic books. Join Derek & Swoopy as they delve into the world of graphic novels based on some of the most notable scientists in history. This is the second part of our big science and skeptical comics double episode.
- October 8th: Interview with Chris Wisnia
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Did you know there were comic books made for lovers of science? In this episode, Derek & Swoopy interview Chris Wisnia of Tabloia, the home of the character Dr. DeBunko. This is the first part of our big science and skeptical comics double episode.
- September 24th: Interview with Dr. Michael Shermer & James Randi
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Skeptic founder Dr. Michael Shermer provides us with a special one on one interview with the “Amazing” James Randi, recorded for Skepticality while at sea during the JREF’s Amazing Adventure cruise to the Bermuda Triangle.
- September 10th: Interview with Dr. Michael Shermer on Why Darwin Matters
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Derek & Swoopy wax nostalgic over Dragon*Con 2006, and Derek interviews Skeptic founder Dr. Michael Shermer about his new book, Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design.
- August 30th: Interview with Dr. Phil Plait: The Bad Astronomer talks Pluto
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We check in with Skeptic magazine’s founding publisher Dr. Michael Shermer about the dubious claims regarding Steorn’s perpetual motion machine. Then Dr. Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, weighs in on the trials and tribulations of Pluto.
- August 13th: The Return of Skepticality!
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Michael Shermer joins Derek & Swoopy for a short interview highlighting his love for podcasting and why Skepticality is now the OFFICAL podcast of Skeptic Magazine!
- February 12th: Evolution Sunday & Jeff Wagg Interview
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Derek & Swoopy celebrate Darwin Day by not singing, and David Federlein interviews Jeff Wagg, webmaster for Randi.org.
- February 3rd: The Scary QLink & Bob Carroll from TAM4
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Derek & Swoopy discuss the bizarre, and pointless, QLink device and rave about David Federlein’s excellent interviews from TAM4. First up, Bob Carroll of The Skeptic’s Dictionary.
- January 23rd: Interview with Professor Lawrence Krauss
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Derek & Swoopy whine a little, and more importantly Fraser Cain interviews Professor Lawrence Krauss on the subject of Intelligent Design.
- January 4th: Fraser Cain interviews Daniel Loxton
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Derek & Swoopy chat about TAM4, PodcasterCon and Skepchicks in fishnets. Fraser Cain interviews Daniel Loxton, editor of Skeptic magazine’s Junior Skeptic.
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The Believing Brain
(now in paperback)
Get the autographed paperback
In this, his magnum opus, Dr. Michael Shermer presents his comprehensive theory on how beliefs are born, formed, nourished, reinforced, challenged, changed, and extinguished. Sam Harris calls The Believing Brain “a wonderfully lucid, accessible, and wide-ranging account of the boundary between justified and unjustified belief.” Leonard Mlodinow calls it “a tour de force integrating neuroscience and the social sciences.”
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Top 10 Myths About Evolution (and how we know it really happened)
This concise pamphlet provides answers to common objections to evolution, such as: If humans came from apes, why aren’t apes evolving into humans?; Only an intelligent designer could have made something as complex as an eye; The second law of thermo-dynamics proves that evolution is impossible; Evolution can’t account for morality; and more…
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Top 10 Things You Should Know About Alternative Medicine
Harriet Hall, MD (aka the SkepDoc), shares her wit and wisdom about alternative medicine including: chiropractic, the placebo effect, homeopathy, acupuncture, and the questionable benefits of organic food, detoxification, and ‘natural’ remedies.
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Learn to be a Psychic in 10
Easy Lessons
Psychic readings and fortunetelling are an ancient art — a combination of acting and psychological manipulation. While some psychics are known to cheat and acquire information ahead of time, these ten tips focus on what is known as “cold reading” — reading someone “cold” without any prior knowledge about them.