The European Skeptics Podcast – The ESP

As everyone else these days we are moving from X to Bluesky, any help in driving traffic our way is much appreciated. The Humanists UK has published a new exciting book called What I Believe, named after podcast by the same name. You should check it out! In TWISH we hear about how the (then) Prince of Wales got his favorite charity for SCAM (So-Called Alternative Medicine) struck from the UK Charity Commission. Then, we head for the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: 2024 will be the first year above 1.5°C
• INTERNATIONAL: Climate crisis to blame for dozens of ‘impossible’ heatwaves, studies reveal
• INTERNATIONAL: Retraction Watch is hiring!
• SPAIN: Video does not show ‘HAARP ship’ floating near Spain before floods
• INTERNATIONAL: WHO teams up with TikTok to combat misinformation on social media

The Really Wrong Award goes to the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam for making a chiropractor professor.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-454.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:11:56 TWISH

0:16:37 News

0:36:14 Really Wrong

0:40:55 Quote

0:42:32 Outro

0:43:47 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s one election after another. The same day that the US voted orange, Germany decided on a snap election after the current coalition fell apart. Let’s hope people over here are better informed than the American voters. In TWISH we hear about ‘Doctor Universalis’ Albertus Magnus whose scientific mindset in the 13th century helped Europe begin its long and winding road out of the dark ages. Then we explore the news:

• ONLINE: ‘Akusoli’ is a typical example of woowoo products that are aggressively marketed online
• UK: Assisted dying bill’s ‘strict’ safeguards to include long jail terms for coercion
• SWEDEN: Warning regarding fake medicine online
• GERMANY: Who trusts science and who doesn’t?
• UK: The Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church abuse scandal

The Really Wrong Award is split between oil producer Shell and a Dutch court of appeals that overturned Shell’s requirement to reduce their emission goals.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-453.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:53 Greetings

0:04:54 TWISH

0:12:16 News

0:36:35 Really Wrong

0:40:13 Quote

0:42:08 Outro

0:43:23 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first “regular episode” for a while and of course we cannot help to mourn the stupid results of the US elections. But since this is a European show we cannot let that stop us, so after a TWISH story of how Charles Darwin, 130 years after his death, gained over 4000 votes in the elections in the US state of Georgia, it’s time for the news:

• BULGARIA / NORTH MACEDONIA: Baba Vanga (баба Ванга), the Bulgarian psychic
• INTERNATIONAL: Wanna help out the Skeptical Science team?
• UK: King Charles and Queen Camilla on secret Bengaluru trip for woo treatment
• INTERNATIONAL: A little help to nurses in combatting vaccine misinformation
• NORWAY: Spouse of Norwegian princess, ‘shaman’ Durek Verrett, accused of sexual assault
• UK: Religious hate crimes at record high levels

The NHS in the UK has all but done away with homeopathy, but still funds a number of unproven nonsense treatments and for that the receive this week award for being Really Wrong. And then before we sign off, we go to Turkey for a Word of the Week.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-452.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:06:01 TWISH

0:11:19 News

0:37:06 Really Wrong

0:39:58 Word of the Week

0:43:26 Quote

0:48:38 Outro

0:49:53 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A longer episode this week, jampacked with interviews from QED! One of the marvelous things with conferences (don’t forget about the upcoming Skepticon XL in Sydney!) is that you meet so many fantastic people. We tried to capture a little of that feeling by recording a bunch of interviews, so tune in to hear from Clio Bellenis, Diana Barbosa, João Monteiro, Igor Stroev, David Glass, and Hayley Stevens! As if that is not enough we also have a longer interview with the winner of this year’s Ockham Award, Dr Flint Dibble!

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:11:57 Interviews:

0:12:00 Clio Bellenis

0:18:19 Diana Barbosa and João Monteiro

0:27:58 Igor Stroev and David Glass

0:31:51 Hayley Stevens

0:36:05 Dr Flint Dibble

1:09:04 Farewell

1:12:27 Outro

1:13:42 Outtakes

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We celebrate our 450th episode (wow!) live at QED 2024 (wow!!!) with the help of Brian and Claire! We also get special greetings from Annika and Jay Novella, who unfortunately could not attend. A slightly different format due to the occasion, but of course we have the news, which this time has the (not so) cheerful theme of Russian disinformation:

• SWEDEN: An apparent news site focusing on the 2026 election is in fact an AI-generated propaganda tool that mixes real stories with fake news (Pontus)
• RUSSIA / EUROPE: Heritage Foundation and the Congress of Families (Claire)
• UK: MI5 chief warns of Russian disinformation campaigns targeting UK as report warns Western support for Ukraine at risk (Brian)
• INTERNATIONAL: Doppelganger, the Russian disinformation agency and its recently revealed documents (András)
• 
  

We end the show with a one-question quiz to find this weeks’ “Who’s Quacking?” candidate.

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:00 Intro

0:01:49 Greetings

0:09:23 News

0:40:25 Who's Quacking?

0:43:07 Farewell

0:43:37 Outro

0:44:52 Outtakes

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-450.html

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Lot’s of listener feedback in this episode which is delightful! Pontus explains whether there was a scandal concerning the Sami peoples at the Gothenburg Book Fair and we prepare for this weekend’s QED! Speaking of which, this is what we also talk about in TWISH this week. Then, as always, the news:

• THE NETHERLANDS: Meester Kackadorisprijs awarded to the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO)
• FRANCE: Minister of Education and Research seems to be at odds with science
• SPAIN: Health Minister denounces homeopathy
• GERMANY / AUSTRIA: Das Goldene Brett Nominations now open (until 11 November)

The Award for being Really Right goes to John Wiley & Sons for their decision to terminate the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, infamous for its terrible track record on retracted articles.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-449.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:10:55 TWISH

0:16:18 News

0:36:03 Really Right

0:40:01 Who's Quacking?

0:46:55 Quote

0:49:08 Outro

0:50:23 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In both Annika's and Pontus' absence, this week András interviews the "Fairy Godmother" of the show, psychic investigator & debunket, "master puppeteer" and tireless leader of the Secret Cabal (and the About Time Project) that is the international Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia Susan Gerbic. We talk about Mark Edward's legacy, how to start a SkeptiCamp in your local area, and what ways there are to help out the skeptical movement.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings & Interview; Outro; Outtakes

0:00:33 INTRO

0:01:02 GREETINGS & INTERVIEW

• Susan Gerbic
• the About Time Project: https://www.abouttimeproject.org/
• find Susan Gerbic on Facebook

0:41:03 OUTRO

0:42:18 OUT-TAKES

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András is back in good form and we start with a report from the Swedish Skeptics at the Gothenburg Book Fair – real life astronauts where involved! A little listener feed back and then we go to TWISH to hear about German R&B Singer and conspiracy theorist Xavier Naidoo. Then it’s time for the news:

• SWEDEN: Secret Service confirms State of Iran behind disinformation text messages re Quran burnings
• INTERNATIONAL: Social media moguls are a concern to most experts regarding misinformation
• BELGIUM: And the Pope is still a misogynist
• PORTUGAL: Public trust drives vaccine uptake regardless of age
• 
  

To round up we hand a Really Wrong Award to well-known homeopath Michael Frass, who keeps implying that homeopathy can treat cancer – but his arguments are based on falsified research…

Enjoy!

All show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-447.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:09:45 TWISH

0:16:00 News

0:45:10 Really Wrong

0:50:34 Quote

0:51:52 Outro

0:53:07 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we interview good friend and podcast colleague Richard Saunders. We talk about skeptical activism in general and Richard’s podcast the Skeptic Zone. We also hear all about the upcoming Skepticon XL in Sydney 23 -24 November.

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:00:53 Interview

0:27:25 Farewell

0:31:11 Outro

0:32:25 Outtakes

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-446.html

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We start with some follow up from last week – Edward Bach is pronounced [batch], and we have some more thoughts on if plants can really appreciate music. In TWISH we celebrate(?) the birthday of Sally Morgan (‘Psychic Sally’) and find her neither convincing nor a nice person. Then we dig into the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Ig Nobel prize winners 2024
• FRANCE: Brigitte Macron wins lawsuit against fortune-teller and journalist claimins she’s trans-gender
• FRANCE: Map Shows All French Churches ‘Set on Fire, Vandalized or Attacked in Recent Years’?
• GERMANY: Dubious homeopathy research funded by manufacturer

The Really Wrong Award this week goes to an old ‘friend’, pope Frankie himself.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-445.html

Segments:

0:00:26 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:07:28 TWISH

0:16:43 News

0:36:00 Really Wrong

0:42:53 Quote

0:45:11 Outro

0:46:26 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With an episode number like this, we have to start out with some numerology. Annika will be more off than on for a while and the promised record heat in Sweden actually delivered. In TWISH we hear about the sci-fi / philosophical writer Stanisław Lem who was born this week in 1921. Then we head for the news:

• SWEDEN: Music makes cucumbers happy
• UK: Hereditary seats to be removed from Lords
• INTERNATIONAL: No link between mobile phones and brain tumours
• UK / INTERNATIONAL: Bach Flower Remedies for perceived stress of nurses

We hand out a Really Wrong Award to the Carl and Veronica Carstens Foundation for funding dubious research, and that should be the end – but wait! Brian Eggo crashes the party! He tells all about the upcoming Skepticamp at QED. Don’t miss out!

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:28 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:06:43 TWISH

0:13:07 News

0:34:09 Really Wrong

0:39:47 Quote

0:40:53 Interview

0:46:23 Outro

0:47:38 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In TWISH this week we hear about August Kekulé, the French organic chemist who redefined his disciplin in the mid 1800s. The we go into the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Scammers in the Moonlight – Real vs. fake Tarot readers on social media
• FRANCE: Imane Khelif files lawsuit over cyber-harassment, names JK Rowling and Elon Musk
• AUSTRIA / THE NETHERLANDS: Climate communication works!
• ITALY: Shroud of Turin reloaded

The Award for being Really Wrong this week goes to Fleur Agema, Dutch Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister, who refuses to donate vaccines against mpox. We also follow up last week’s interview a Word of the Week in both Lithuanian and Russian.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-443.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:05:23 TWISH

0:16:33 News

0:39:05 Really Wrong

0:43:28 Word of the Week

0:48:33 Quote

0:50:01 Outro

0:51:16 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we go into today’s interview, we elaborate a little on last week’s TWISH about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, adding a bit more details.

Then we have a great chat with Algimantas Kvecys who is the chair of Lietuvos skeptikų draugija, the Society of Lithuanian Skeptics.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-442.html

Segments:

0:00:31 Intro

0:00:55 Greetings

0:10:16 Interview

0:44:33 Farewell

0:47:04 Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

QED is getting a little bit closer and a really good idea is to sign up as a volunteer! Not only will you help creating the skeptical event of the year, it is also a great way to make new friends and become a little “VIP” at the same time.

This week saw a “full true blue supermoon” – check out which part of this is nonsense and which parts that are real astronomy. In TWISH we go all the way back to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and why it may not have happened when everyone says it happened. Then, it’s time for the news:

• GERMANY / US: Link between right-wing politics and vaccine hesitancy
• UK: Druidic Stonehenge altar stone came from Scotland
• INTERNATIONAL: Pointless vitamin infusions are on the rise while there is a worldwide shortage av IV fluids
• UK: Humour is allowed to be factual or wrong, but shouldn’t hurt people

If you’re thinking about donating to the QED fund, or have already done so, you get to share this week’s Really Right Award. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped getting some people to join, who otherwise would not have had the possibility to do so.

Enjoy!

Link: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-441.html

Segments:

0:00:26 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:08:22 TWISH

0:19:04 News

0:35:39 Really Right

0:37:16 Quote

0:39:35 Outro

0:40:50 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with a follow-up on the UK riots and the disinformation that triggered them. Regardless of this we look forward to going to QED where the Ockham Awards will be announced. The nominations are now open! See link in the show notes.

In TWISH we hear about how it wasn’t that long ago that Joseph Lister performed the first antiseptic surgery – we sure are lucky that we we were not born back then. Then it is time for the news:

• RUSSIA: Russian textbook claims that Trump lost in 2020 due to election fraud
• INTERNATIONAL: Pseudoscientific answers to a medical and environmental mishap at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games
• EUROPE: Heat Caused Over 47,000 Deaths in Europe in 2023 – but it could have been much worse
• INTERNATIONAL: Alleged transgender issue stirs up controversy at the Olympics
• INTERNATIONAL: Chemtrails or not, aviation contrails contribute to the climate crises

Enjoy!

Show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-440.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:12:36 TWISH

0:21:14 News

0:57:03 Quote

0:58:25 Outro

0:59:40 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start out with the sad news that Mark Edward has passed away. Mark was a mentalist, an author, and an active skeptic. Mark, sometimes with with his partner (and good friend of the show) Susan Gerbic, investigated many paranormal claims and exposed psychic frauds. He will be long remembered and missed by the skeptics movement.

After some listener feedback and catching up, we go to TWISH, where we hear about Louis Leakey and his important, but often controversial, contributions to our understanding of ancient hominids. Then we turn to the news:

• GERMANY: New book about long COVID and ME/CFS by Dr. Natalie Grams
• SWEDEN: More fertility nonsense
• UK: The role of misinformation in the riots following the Southport stabbings
• UK: Practitioner of ‘slapping therapy’ guilty of manslaughter
• INTERNATIONAL: Reducing the number of AI ‘hallucinations’

The Baden-Württemberg Medical Association in Germany has taken the long-overdue, but very welcome decision to exclude homeopathy from any medical training going forward, and for that they receive this weeks award for being Really Right.

Enjoy!

Link: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-439.html

Segments:

0:00:26 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:09:41 TWISH

0:19:37 News

0:45:29 Really Right

0:51:32 Quote

0:52:46 Outro

0:54:01 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The three of us are (sort of) together again, so after the customary greetings, András joins us with Adrienne Hill all the way from Canada (Sparky studios?!) for a prerecorded chat. In TWISH we hear about how Adolf Hitler secured his position as Führer, which is scary since the tactics of modern would-be-dictators have not changed that much. Then we take a look at the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Science and fairytales
• FRANCE: BS and pseudoscience at the Olympics
• INTERNATIONAL: Long term use of multivitamins has no effect on mortality

A Swedish clinic calls itself Infertility Aid and promises 90% success rate for people who struggle with getting pregnant. Their “methods” are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all of which is obvious bogus and superstition. For that they are deservedly receive this week’s award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Link: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-438.html

Segments:

0:00:26 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:05:19 Interview

0:16:52 TWISH

0:25:55 News

0:44:48 Really Wrong

0:53:50 Quote

0:56:43 Outro

0:57:58 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty-two years ago this week the Vatican tried to explain why discrimination against gay people is not reallydiscrimination. That's basically still their position today, which we hear about in this week's TWISH. Then we have quite a few news items to go through:

• SWEDEN: Swedish telecom companies have blocked more than 50 million scam calls in 2024
• INTERNATIONAL: Global SCAM markets on the rise
• INTERNATIONAL: UV index apps used to get MORE sunburns
• DENMARK: Widespread practice among athletes might be truly harmful
• INTERNATIONAL: ‘Paleodiets’ can be harmful
• INTERNATIONAL: Snopes launches AI-based fact-checking tool

The UK ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) shows a bit of teeth and bans ads for supplement that claim to treat autism and other conditions. For that, they receive this week's award for being Really Right. From the Netherlands we get a Who's Quacking? segment about George van Houts, actor and comedian turned conspiracy nut.

Enjoy!

Segments:

00:00:25 Intro

00:00:50 Greetings

00:05:22 TWISH

00:12:03 News

00:33:51 Really Wrong/Right

00:36:59 Who’s Quacking?

00:41:34 Quote & Farewell

00:44:49 Outro

00:46:04 Out-takes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just the boys this week and we have a lot to talk about – climate change (András needs a new job), Türkiye vs. Turkey, Dutch vacations, homeopathy, Skeptical Science, and even some politics. In TWISH we hear about the skeptical priest Giuseppe Piazzi who discovered Ceres, the first asteroid ever detected. Also, if you catch this in time here is the link to the 19 July Global Skeptics in the Pub Zoom meeting. Then we have the news:

• UK: Are UK adolescents eating too much ultra processed foods?
• EU: Two major GMO corn crops approved for import as food and animal feed

Not that we know how it will all end, but the new UK Labour government is off to a good start from a skeptical point of view and therefore receives this week’s award for being Really Right.

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:49 Greetings

0:18:33 TWISH

0:31:15 News

0:49:06 Really Right

0:57:05 Quote and Farewell

0:59:36 Outro

1:00:51 Outtakes

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Some listeners have started to join our Discord – why don’t you do that do!

In the news today:

• TURKEY: Turkey revokes radio station’s license for discussing Armenian genocide
• UK: Ultra-processed food fear – simply the next big nutritional moral panic?
• SPAIN: HIV patients often take other SCAM that interfere with their treatments

The Church of England has plans to evangelising in UK schools – even the secular ones! For that the receive this week’s award for being Really Wrong. To round off we have a Word of the Week and find out the meaning of ‘Lèse-majesté‘.

Enjoy!

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:08:52 News

0:28:26 Really Wrong

0:32:47 Word of the Week

0:41:11 Quote and Farewell

0:42:56 Outro

0:44:11 Outtakes

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To start out we nerd out a bit about how to say ‘hello’ in Hungarian, launch the new ESP Discord thread and give a shout-out to Malmö Pride where people can team up with Pontus to fight against prejudices at Malmö Pride. In TWISH we for once hop across the pond to explain the origin of so-called Barnum statements. Then it’s time for the news:

• EU: University of Lund withdraws research application after AI generated references
• INTERNATIONAL: Lie-detection AI could provoke people into making careless accusations, researchers warn
• SWEDEN: New law criminalizes Holocaust denial

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:07:19 TWISH

0:15:23 News

0:37:19 Quote And Farewell

0:39:46 Outro

0:41:01 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The band is back together for the first time in months! First we mention an important (but likely depressing) new book documenting Catholic child sex abuse. In TWISH we look back at the Brexit referendum and analyze why it went so terribly wrong, and then it’s time for the news:

• SWEDEN: Swedish EU election trends were a bit different
• GERMANY: New publication out on esotericism in in political education
• UK: There will not be 14 million immigrants over the next 12 years
• UK: King Charles III honours medical team with ties to alternative medicine
• INTERNATIONAL: Will this disclaimer help against AI learning from your data?
• INTERNATIONAL: Questionable research: Do Tattoos increase the risk of cancer?

A Really Right Award goes to the Welsh Senedd (parliament) for their ambition to stop politicians from lying.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Outtakes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:53 Greetings

0:06:40 TWISH

0:20:27 News

0:46:23 Really Right

0:51:07 Quote And Farewell

0:52:14 Outro

0:53:29 Outtakes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annika and András talk a bit about the EP elections again, mostly reacting to listener feedback. We also mention the Belgian skeptical organisation SKEPP's Skeptical Awards and in TWISH we commemorate evolutionary biologist, humanist, eugenicist and internationalist extraordinaire Sir Julian Huxley. Then in the news:

• SCOTLAND: Parliament votes to implement abortion safe access zones
• INTERNATIONAL: How to help health care professionals on the forefront of vaccinations?

The Welsh educational institution Llanidoes High School gets this week's Really Wrong award for teaching creationismas science.

We also bring you a Word of the Week, which is the Hungarian expression "Lóvá tesz".

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:25 INTRO

0:00:51 GREETINGS

0:09:12 TWISH - THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY

0:16:43 NEWS

0:23:16 REALLY WRONG

0:27:04 WORD OF THE WEEK

0:33:14 QUOTE AND FAREWELL

0:35:18 OUTRO

0:36:33 OUT-TAKES

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In Pontus' absence we talk a bit about EP elections and in TWISH we commemorate the Italian heroine of science and skepticism Margherita Hack. Then it is time to check out the news:

• UK: Zero hour for climate action
• NORTHERN IRELAND: NI Assembly passes motion to ban conversion therapies
• INTERNATIONAL: Edzard Ernst finds SCAM research to be in decline
• INTERNATIONAL: Intervention against misinformation might increase skepticism... against reliable sources, too

The German Jury of Rimowa Design Price, who awarded a product that is based on nonsense, gets this week's award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:25 INTRO

0:00:51 GREETINGS

0:04:21 TWISH - THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY

0:14:38 NEWS

0:30:02 REALLY WRONG

0:32:05 QUOTE AND FAREWELL

0:33:37 OUTRO

0:34:52 OUT-TAKES

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Pontus comes back from the European Skeptics Congress with a new title, applications to talk at Skepticamp QED is now open and Evidence Week is postponed by UK elections. In TWISH we hear about James Hutton, the father of modern geology, and then it is time to check out the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: The Catholic church’s first ‘millennial saint’
• INTERNATIONAL: Edzard Ernst did it again
• INTERNATIONAL: ‘Foolproof’ gives us vaccination without needles
• INTERNATIONAL: Fact Brief by Skeptical Science – Have climate models estimated warming correctly?

The country of Georgia is going full Putin with the new law targeting the LGBTQ community and for that they receive this week’s award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-430.html

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:13:17 TWISH

0:26:32 News

0:42:01 Really Wrong

0:45:54 Quote And Farewell

0:48:32 Outro

0:49:47 Out-Takes

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We start with some listener feedback and also worry if Neil DeGrasse Tyson and his Star Talk show are falling for some alternative medicine. On the good side Skeptical Science, led by John Cook, is continuing their quest for science literacy and has a new online quiz you can take to check your “bullshit detector”. In TWISH we hear about the trial against Joan of Arc in 1431. Then we turn to the news:

• SWEDEN: How the Karolinska protected Paolo Macchiarini — and whistleblowers paid the price
• UK: People with Long Covid scammed by fake therapy
• INTERNATIONAL: Misleading claims on well-known rare risk of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
• GERMANY: Michael Schumacher’s family wins law case against publisher running deepfake interview

The Telegraph and the Independent spout antivaxx disinformation and for that get this week’s award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:50 Greetings

0:14:03 TWISH

0:23:47 News

0:43:03 Really Wrong

0:46:18 Quote And Farewell

0:50:33 Outro

0:51:48 Out-Takes

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In Pontus' absence Annika is back for a quick visit before her planned return next month. We mention the terrible assassination attempt against Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico and how it's a new source of fake news. On TWISH you can hear about Franz Anton Mesmer, who was the foremost proponent of "animal magnetism". Then, we look at the news:

• GERMANY: GWUP has a new leadership - Congratulations!
• VATICAN CITY: The Inquisition introducing new rules for the assessment of potentially "Supernatural Phenomena"
• SCOTLAND: According to 2022 census released recently, majority of people not affiliated with any religions.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Quote and Farewell; Outro

00:00:25Intro

00:00:51Greetings

00:09:05TWISH

00:17:20News

00:30:11Quote & Farewell

00:33:50Outro

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Meeting up with fellow skeptics is always a blast. We recommend reading the recent article in Skeptic UK about the history of European skepticism and ECSO – the ESC (European Skeptics Congress) is only two weeks away! Pontus reports from last week’s annual meeting with VoF (the Swedish Skeptics) and in TWISH we hear about Pierre Curie who, apart from being a brilliant scientist also was intrigued by spiritualism. Then, it’s time for the news:

• SWEDEN: Fake news during Eurovision Song Contest
• GERMANY: German Medical Association wants to ban homeopathy
• SWEDEN: SD and the troll factory
• UK: Whooping cough surging

Tadusz Wojda is the head of the Catholic Church in Poland, and he proves again that the Church has no morals. For that, he receives this week’s award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:12:55 TWISH

0:20:15 News

0:37:46 Really Wrong

0:42:17 Quote And Farewell

0:44:04 Outro

0:45:19 Out-Takes

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Tickets for QED in Manchester (19-20 October) are now on sale and don’t forget Skepticamp on the day before! If all goes to plan, both András and Pontus may be among the speakers. But first we are looking forward to the European Skeptics Congress 2024, less than a month from now, 31 May – 2 June in Lyon, France! In TWISH we hear about how smallpox was announced eradicated this week in 1980 and then we take a look at the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Big data reveals true climate impact of worldwide air travel
• SWEDEN: Swedish Skeptics’ awards for 2023
• INTERNATIONAL: Scottish Medical Journal retracts 13 papers due to concerns over potential paper mill activity
• FRANCE / INTERNATIONAL: Didier Raoult vs. Elisabeth Bik – case dismissed!

The Really Wrong Award goes to the UK for two cases of educational malpractice regarding allowing religious indoctrination.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

Show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-426.html

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:07:02 TWISH

0:15:16 News

0:37:39 Really Wrong

0:41:56 Quote And Farewell

0:44:57 Outro

0:46:12 Out-Takes

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Every Swede has celebrated Valborg (Walpurgis / Walpurga) this week although no one really knows why, and András reports from Sicily on volcanic activities. In TWISH we hear about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a theologian so controversial that popes nowadays still cannot agree on what to think of him. Then it’s time for this week’s news:

• INTERNATIONAL: How local communities shaped ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game
• SWEDEN / UK: Computer game in school made students better at detecting fake news
• UK: The role of religion in COVID-19 vaccine uptake
• UK: SCAM diet almost killed a former model
• EU: Investigations of misinformation on Meta platforms ahead of June EP elections

Vaccination efforts have saved over 150 million lives over the last 50 years, and therefore Maurice Hilleman gets a Really Right Award as a representative of those who dedicate their lives to the cause.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:53 Greetings

0:08:45 TWISH

0:14:10 News

0:34:02 Really Right

0:37:38 Quote And Farewell

0:39:49 Outro

0:41:04 Out-Takes

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It is European Immunization Week! Get your boosters and jabs folks, and make you and the people around you are safe! In TWISH this week we hear about John Oliver, British comedian who (whether you like him or not) understands science and the need for healthy skepticism. Then we of course take a look at the news:

• ITALY: Italy passes measures to allow anti-abortion activists to enter abortion clinics
• HUNGARY: The Flat Earth Award goes to the Hungarian Association of Homeopathic Doctors
• EUROPE: ‘Extreme heat stress’ pushing temperatures to record highs and numbers of death
• AUSTRIA / GERMANY: The Heinz Oberhummer Award for Best Science Communicator goes to Methodically Incorrect!
• EUROPE: EU elections in times of propaganda, misinformation and spies
• UK: Creating sexually explicit images to be made illegal in UK

The Really Wrong Award this week goes to NutriLight with their silly “Red Light Therapy”

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:08:01 TWISH

0:12:56 News

0:35:09 Really Wrong

0:43:28 Quote And Farewell

0:45:42 Outro

0:46:57 Out-Takes

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The report on DISC analysis and Thomas Erikson from last week generated some good feedback, it’s time for the John Maddox prize again and Susan Gerbic has a new YouTube channel that you should definitely check out. Don’t forget to book your ticket for the European Skeptics Congress in Lyon! In TWISH we hear about Norbert Schobert, the Hungarian fitness guru that seems to keep asking for a Flat Earth award. Then, we look at the news:

• SCOTLAND: NASA asked to help find Loch Ness monster
• UK: Sense About Science asks people to show parliament they care about evidence

Back to Hungary for the Really Wrong Award, where a public Hungarian Hospital in Orosház is offering Reiki treatment to patients.

Enjoy!

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:15:28 TWISH

0:21:12 News

0:32:59 Really Wrong

0:38:30 Quote And Farewell

0:40:36 Outro

0:41:51 Out-Takes

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A bit of a correction first, regarding earthquakes. Then we get some Vatican news with speculation about a Swedish ‘papabile’, plus idiotic statements about genders. In TWISH we hear about Paolo Frisi, an Italian university dropout who in the 18th century went on to become a polymath. Then we have a look at the news:

• EUROPE: Whooping cough on the rise – due to covid
• BELGIUM: Alternative medicine and god hindering willingness to vaccinate?
• FRANCE: Didier Raoult and his unethical research

Long time charlatan Thomas Erikson finally gets his dues when he receives a Really Wrong Award as his latest book on nonsense personality types is published.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:12:20 TWISH

0:18:19 News

0:29:16 Really Wrong

0:41:31 Quote And Farewell

0:43:24 Outro

0:44:39 Out-Takes

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There are two great European skeptical events to sign up for this year – European Skeptics Congress in Lyon (30 May- 2 June) and QED in Manchester (18 – 20 October) – there is still time to catch the Early Bird discounts for both! In TWISH we hear about the earthquake in L’Aquila in Italy in 2009, that not only shook the ground but also the trust in science. Of course, we also give our take on the news:

• UK: Rumours about King Charles III’s illness on the rise
• RUSSIA: Russia linked to ’Havana Syndrome’. We’re not convinced…
• NETHERLANDS: New study may help us understand wishful thinking

This week we hopefully hand out our last PiS related Really Wrong Award. More specifically it goes to Polish president Andrzej Duda who did a doo-doo and vetoed access to women’s health care.

Enjoy!

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:49 Greetings

0:06:36 TWISH

0:16:35 News

0:40:22 Really Wrong

0:45:54 Quote And Farewell

0:46:58 Outro

0:48:12 Out-Takes

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Who knew that Hungarian intellectuals where numerologists – András reveals all! We have correction from last week and also reflect over the illness of Princess Kate, naturally we wish her well. In this weeks TWISH we hear about Percy Shelley and how his atheism ruined his academic career – to the benefit of mankind. Then, it’s time for the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Nordic people are the happiest in the world
• RUSSIA / UKRAINE: Russian TV channel using deepfake to blame Moscow attacks on Ukraine
• ICELAND: Did Iceland ban covid 19 vaccinations?
• UK: It’s Acupuncture Awareness Week!

This week’s Really Right goes to the EU parliament though we until the last minute we thought they had messed up.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 INTRO

0:00:49 GREETINGS

0:10:45 TWISH – THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY

0:17:58 NEWS

0:41:10 REALLY RIGHT

0:46:43 QUOTE AND FAREWELL

0:47:58 OUTRO

0:49:12 OUT-TAKES

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Flying unicorns exist in Portugal and you can vote for your favorites on the Portuguese Skeptics’ web site (COMCEPT) before 1 April. By coincidence this is also the deadline for getting the Early Bird discount for the European Skeptics Congress in Lyon, so sign up in time! On a sadder note, Annika will have to take a few months off from the podcast, but she promises to return in June. But before that, we have a whole lot of news to go through:

• INTERNATIONAL: AI will increase energy use and climate misinformation
• INTERNATIONAL: Is rapamycin a cure for old age?
• GERMANY: Arson attacks against Tesla Giga factory driven by misconceptions regarding electromobility
• UK: Helpline for people leaving faith
• INTERNATIONAL: Are there any benefits to the Wim Hof method?
• UK: London Eye moving to Scotland?

For a change we have a Really Weird Award to hand out – the man who got hundreds of covid shots just to be on the safe side (we suppose). Luckily he seems to be OK.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Weird; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:12:42 TWISH

0:22:23 News

0:49:49 Really Weird

0:56:34 Quote and Farewell

1:00:51 Outro

1:02:06 Out-takes

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Brian Eggo is certainly bo no stranger to this podcast. Relentless in his quest to spread the skeptical world, he is known as the main force behind the Glasgow Skeptics, one of the great people behind Skeptics in the Pub - Onlin and a frequent speaker and guest on several podcasts. This week we interview him about the time when the big C came to his family and he decided to find out what the internet would have to recommend someone in his position. While a lot of the advice he got was likely given in good faith, it was nevertheless pretty bad. Hear him tell all about everything from totally ineffective "cures" like homeopathy to downright dangerous modalities like black salve and MMS.

Enjoy! (if that's the word)

Segments: 

0:00:26 INTRO

0:00:49 GREETINGS

0:02:19 INTERVIEW

• Brian Eggo: The Eggman himself tells all about his adventures in woowoo land when it comes to alternative cancer cures. He is also head honcho over the Glasgow Skeptics and a wellknown speaker, as well as occational co-host of the ESP.

0:46:02 FAREWELL

0:47:03 OUTRO

0:48:03 OUT-TAKES

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We start with some listener feedback and corrections regarding Tridentinosaurus Antiquus – the origin of its name was wrong and despite what we said, it wasn’t a a dinosaur. In TWISH we hear about Gerardus Mercator, the man behind most world maps. Then we get to the news:

• SWEDEN: Companies exploit fear of war to sell pretty useless and expensive “emergency equipment”
• RUSSIA: Rumors surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny
• INTERNATIONAL: How harmful are ultra-processed foods?
• UK: Cochrane UK closing shop

The UK government gets this week’s Really Wrong Award for covering up the statistics about the deaths of homeless people.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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This week we have the great pleasure to interview our friend Prof. Chris French! We hear a lot about his research into the paranormal – or Anomalistic Psychology as he prefers to call it.

Chris has a new book coming out on 19 March. It’s called “the Science of Weird Shit” and we cannot recommend it enough! (we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek)

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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This week we’ve had some feedback regarding AI – always glad to hear from our listeners! In TWISH we hear about Charles Clermont-Ganneau, famous French archeologist with a flare for spotting fake artifacts. Then we turn to the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Fossil forgery – famous specimen shown to be fake, and it is not alone
• FRANCE: Experts identify Moscow-based disinformation network
• GREECE: Legalization of same sex marriage

Good news for once! The French National Assembly has adopted a new law aimed at charlatans, and sects or sect leaders who tries to influence their followers to reject science based medicine. We think that is worth a Really Right Award!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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Luna sits in for András(!) and we talk about conspiracy theories regarding the earthquake in Turkey last year, a new study about peoples worldview and in TWISH we get into the curse of Tutankhamun – what really was going on? Then we have a look at the news:

• UK: Sexual harassment anyone? Chiropractic council is there for chiropractors, not for patients
• EU: EU won’t use dental amalgam anymore
• EU: EU parliament votes to ease regulation of gene edited crops
• GERMANY: Tiktok proves harmful again
• INTERNATIONAL: Paper rejected for using ChatGPT – author says it’s not true, and what if it was?

The German Federal Ministry is funding the SCAM institute ARCIM and for that they are Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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King Charles III is ill and although we seldom agrees with him we still whish him a speedy recovery. Marcus Wandt, the Swedish astronaut, took time off his busy schedule and gave a called via link with students at a Swedish school – the teacher setting it up is active in VoF, the Swedish skeptics. Well done, Philippe! Marcus has been stuck on the ISS for several days but as this episode comes out he is finally on his way back to Earth. We remind everyone to sign up for the European Skeptics Congress in Lyon, France, 30 May – 3 June! Speakers include Massimo Polidoro, Karolina Lisslö Gylfe and Edzard Ernst! In TWISH we hear about Peter the Great who despite obvious flaws also happened to be quite a fan on the enlightenment. Then, it’s time for the news:

• SWEDEN: No data? No problem! Just ask Excel to make something up
• IRELAND: The Constitution, the Catholic Church and the role of women
• UK: House of Lords committee pushes back on EV related misinformation and urges government to do that, too
• EUROPE: European Commission wants to target vaccine-preventable cancers

The NHS in Kent is supporting unscientific alternative treatments and gets this week’s award for being Really Wrong, and to round up the episode we go to Iceland for the Word of the Week. Who can guess what ‘Bóluefni’ means? Tune in to find out!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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We start with some listener feedback and ponder the wonders of European languages before we turn to TWISH, where we hear about Bertrand Russell and his teapot. Then we go into the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: Measles update
• SWITZERLAND: Homeopathy in Switzerland
• AUSTRIA: The Austrian Medical Academy exposed for peddling pseudomedicine
• INTERNATIONAL: Funding, not talent, is the problem in the skeptical sphere
• UK: Dragons’ Den: BBC defends show after ME criticism of Acu Seeds

Scotland keeps burning as much peat as ever despite the climate crises, and for that they receive this week’s Award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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This week we interview the fabulous Anja Harrison (no relation to any of the hosts) about a great initiative – The Collaborative Library. Having met Anja at QED last year, we decided we just had to get her on the show. The ambitious plan of the Collaborative Library is to make scientific research much more accessible for the public, by making sure that there is a lay summary of as many papers as possible.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; Farewell; Outro

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By the time this episode comes out, Sweden hopefully has its third and latest astronaut in space! Marcus Wandt is schedule for launch on Wednesday, (nope) Thursday evening, European time. For a little more down-to-Earth skeptical fun, sign up for the European Skeptics Congress, 30 May – 2 June, in Lyon, France. Registrations are now open! No TWISH today in this slightly shorter than usual episode, but we still take a look at the news:

• SWEDEN: Family awarded damages for covid vaccine death
• INTERNATIONAL: RETRACTIONS 1: Studies claiming Islamic practices protect against disease and sexual harassment retracted
• INTERNATIONAL / FRANCE: RETRACTIONS 2: Several studies by Didier Raoult has been retracted for ethics violations

Karl Lauterbach, the German Health Minister, seems finally to ramp up for withdrawing homeopathy from state funded health care, and for that he is Really Right!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-410.html

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Sorry for the delay guys, but we’re back! We have a host of tips for our listeners to get engaged in in the new year. In this week’s TWISH we hear about the Basel Massacre in 1349, gruesome stuff. Then we look at the news:

• ROMANIA: Measles declared an epidemic after infant death
• INTERNATIONAL: Large language models validate misinformation
• UK: King Charles’ “Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence” turns out to be an embarrassing failure
• GERMANY: Nikil Mukerji appointed CSI Fellow
• GERMANY: Zeit Online reveals there’s nothing behind newspaper horoscopes

The Really Wrong aware goes to so-called “Energy Healer” Jean-Maurice Latsague, not just an alt-med scammer but also a sex abuser.

Happy new year!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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Suddenly Poland emerges as a possible example against populism in Europe – strange times indeed. In TWISH we hear about Marconi‘s groundbreaking radio transmission over the Atlantic – not very long ago when you think about it, and pretty cool since he didn’t really know how radio waves work! In the news this week we look at these items:

• SWEDEN: Supreme Court awards damages to persons exposed to PFOS
• EU: EU regulating AI
• HUNGARY: Nutrivigilancia – a new site to collect side-effects of food supplements
• DENMARK: No more burning the Quran
• UK: Daily Mirror reporting a Christmas miracle?
• INTERNATIONAL: Developing inoculation strategies to fight climate misinformation in 12 countries – with limited success

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong / Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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First we mention that the prestigious Heinz Oberhummer Award has just been given to Die Sendung mit der Maus which we recently called out for being Really Wrong. Annika puts that into perspective for us. It is time to plan the trip to next year’s European Skeptics Congress, this time in Lyon France, 30 May to 2 June. We then ask if Pope Frankie is planning his ‘Endgame’; some things point in that direction. After that we take a look at the news:

• GERMANY: Exorcism in Germany
• SWEDEN: Does Sweden have the second worst problem with gun violence in Europe?
• INTERNATIONAL / UK: What Doctor Who gets wrong about climate change
• INTERNATIONAL: PISA 2022 results just out

Russia’s Supreme Court is rewarded with this week’s Really Wrong Award for classifying the ‘International LGBT movement’ and an extremist ‘organisation’. The Word of the Week is ‘Vrăjitoare’. Tune in to find out what it means!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; Pontus Pokes the Pope; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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In TWISH this week we hear about Claude Lévi-Strauss who put together a structuralist theory to analyze myths. We also hear that Pope Frankie is sick but still plans to attend the COP-28 meeting in Dubai – we cannot help wondering why. Then it’s time for the news:

• ISRAEL: Most common rumors related to the Israel-Hamas war
• GERMANY: Court dismisses lawsuits over alleged coronavirus vaccination damage
• INTERNATIONAL: Things you can do to make the world a better place
• SWEDEN: Macchiarini update – the charlatan super-surgeon

The Word of the Week is Dobhar-Chú. No spoilers! You’ll have to listen to find out what on Earth that means!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes the Pope; News; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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In this week’s TWISH we hear about Trofim Lysenko before we look into the news:

• EU: Glyphosate update
• INTERNATIONAL: Nostalgia in politics
• UK: The Good Law Project supports the General Medical Council taking action against harmful misinformation
• NORTHERN IRELAND: ‘The Hum’ is back!

Naturopaths selling Miracle Mineral Supplements (MMS) are promoting a life threatening substance with no possible benefit. This came to a class call recently when a toddler coudl have died as a result. We hand out a Really Wrong Award for this completely irresponsible action. In Word of the Week we looking into how to talk about scams and frauds in Finnish.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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Despite the numerology, this episode CAN be found wherever you get your podcasts. We will give you tips about The Conspiracy Test, the Humanist UK 2024 Convention, the latest Skeptical Inquirer interview and Skepticon 2023 in Australia – all good things to check out! In TWISH we hear about one of Darwin’s buddies, the groundbreaking (pun intended) geologist Charles Lyell, born this week in 1797. Pope Frankie has been given a free pass for too long and therefore gets poked before we get to the news:

• GERMANY: Nutrition companies are preying on people and ignore health advice
• UK: Humanists UK welcomes Private Member’s Bill to ban conversion therapy
• HUNGARY: Team of debunkers and educators develops online educational material to help young people detect false information
• UK: The British public largely supports strong climate policies

The Antivaxx movement gets a Really Wrong award for trying to exploit the tragic death of Matthew Perry and in Who’s Quacking? we hear about Norbert Schobert, Hungarian spreader of disinformation.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Wrong; Who’s Quacking?; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

Show notes here: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-404.html

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After the normal meet and greet, we have an interview with Norbert Aust – German skeptic and one of the initiators of INH, Information Network Homeopathy. He brings us up to date on what’s going on and reports on the fight to get fraudulent and incorrect ‘scientific’ papers retracted. We later get a ‘TWISH’ about the ‘Festival of Reason’, a failed and misguided attempt to get rid of religion during the French revolution. Then, it’s time for the news:

• TURKEY: Did archeologists find Noah’s Ark?
• UK: ‘Conversion therapy’: UK government kicks ban down the road?
• GERMANY: Esoterics prey on people with fertility issues
• INTERNATIONAL: Global survey finds 85% of people worried about online disinformation

This week’s Really Wrong Award goes to the BBC and to Michael Mosely for spreading nonsense on the ‘Just One Thing’ podcast.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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– with Paula Dahlberg Full length episode, plus an interesting interview this week. We first note that science has discovered the “Pontus plate” (much to our liking) and also that if you are quick you can still apply to give a talk at SkepKon in Augsburg in May. Then we hear about the sad passing of Peter Olausson, prominent skeptic and former president of VoF.

After that we have our interview with Paula Dahlberg who takes us through the most common myths about the legal system. Then, we take a look at the news:

SWITZERLAND: SCAM doesn’t work against diabetes

WALES: Cancer patient dead after taking herbal mixture containing mistletoe

FRANCE: Negative correlations between conspiracy beliefs and the use of conventional medicine

To round off we present Apple TV (of all services) with this week’s Really Right Award for putting out a factual documentary about the Enfield Poltergeist. We also have a tongue twisting Word of the week from the Netherlands.

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Right; Word Of The Week; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

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