Month: July 2010

July 25, 2010

Conspiracy Theories

This article first appeared as a Vic Skeptics discussion pamphlet.
The full range of our discussion pamphlets can be downloaded here: http://www.skeptics.com.au/resources/educational/
or by clicking on the “Useful Info” link at the top of this page.

A Skeptic’s Guide to

by Peter Barrett, Canberra Skeptics

Test 1: Is the argument factually correct?
It’s remarkable how many conspiracy theories are based on arguments which are simply factually incorrect. If you’re presented with a conspiracy theory argument, check the facts. Many incorrect arguments are repeated in ignorance. But there are also some people who knowingly repeat conspiracy arguments they know are wrong. View More Conspiracy Theories

No Comments
July 24, 2010

Anti Vaccination Group Investigated on the ABC

We’ve been quite hard on old aunty ABC lately i.e. the recent post about the pseudoscientific practice of Transcendental Meditation on the ABC TV’s number one science program Catalyst.
It’s time to make up and give the ABC a big kiss for this story about the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN).  We’ve been banging on for years saying the AVN are hiding the fact that they are an anti vaccination organisation with no interest in giving parents balanced information about vaccines.
The NSW, Health Care Complaints Commission’s report on the AVN is due for release soon.  The report was sparked by a courageous complaint by Ken Macleod.
In case you missed it, the Lateline story about the AVN is now up on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29tciApImhI
A great piece of investigative journalism from Steve Cannane.  Promote him to head of ABC science….. please?
Mal

No Comments
July 23, 2010

Creation – Movie Review

Terry Kelly writes:
I saw a preview screening of this film, “Creation”  at the Nova. It was free for the privileged few who were offered tickets, for which I am most appreciative. Unfortunately I spent more than I intended because I almost immediately walked straight into Borders and bought a copy of the book, which was, apparently, the last one in the store.
The film is based on a book called “Annie’s Box; Darwin, his daughter and Human Evolution” by Randal Keynes, a great great grandson of Charles Darwin and a great nephew of John Maynard Keynes (the very famous Economist) – what a pedigree!
The copy of the book I bought is just called “Creation” because it’s a “tie in” with the film.
The film focuses on the human side of Darwin and the excruciating trauma of the death of his beloved eldest daughter, Annie, View More Creation – Movie Review

No Comments
July 16, 2010

A Review of "Catalyst" on TM

By Dr Stephen Basser
I try not to watch too much ‘tabloid television’ as I find that the way scientific issues are covered is likely to provoke either the tossing of objects in the direction of the television, or the feeling that my blood pressure is rising to dangerous levels. When medical or health issues are being discussed the reaction is usually a combination of the two.
When I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the latest miracle weight loss treatment, or arthritis cure, I escape to a bit of sound scientific reporting by switching over to the ABC, and watch the normally excellent general science program Catalyst. Tonight, though, I momentarily thought I’d turned on the wrong channel, as Catalyst’s first story – on Transcendental Meditation – was right out of the tabloid guide book. View More A Review of "Catalyst" on TM

No Comments
July 14, 2010

The Health Care Complaints Commission's Enquiry into the Australian Vaccination Network


by Dr Stephen Basser
The concept of informed consent is an important one in medicine. Modern science based health care is a complex entity and it is the responsibility of those who dispense health care, or communicate about it, to present evidence regarding medical treatments and procedures in a balanced way. This means objectively discussing benefits and risks to assist consumers of health care to make informed decisions about their care. View More The Health Care Complaints Commission's Enquiry into the Australian Vaccination Network

No Comments
July 10, 2010

A Critical Look at Homeopathy

Graeme Hanigan of “The Celestial Teapot” reviews Homeopathy.  Graeme writes:
The following explanation for homoeopathy is taken from the Australian Homeopathic Association.

Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine developed by German physician and chemist, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), based on the principle of “let likes cure likes”. This law or principle is based on a long held belief as far back as Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, and other ancient healers such as Paracelsus, that substances that produce symptoms in a healthy individual can be used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

Let’s take a critical look at this statement.

Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine

This is an extraordinary claim requiring extraordinary evidence to support it.

… developed by German physician and chemist, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843).

This statement is supported by historical data and can be considered View More A Critical Look at Homeopathy

No Comments
July 8, 2010

New Simon Taylor show

Many active skeptics will have seen Simon Taylor before, so you’ll already know how good and entertaining he is.

click for full size

For those of you who haven’t seen him before let me tell you that he is very good and very entertaining.
He was a big hit at the Global Atheists’ Convention Dinner and more than held his own with other high profile entertainers.
We, (the Victorian Skeptics via Australian Skeptics) supported his two week show at Melbourne Uni’s Guild Theatre last year and it was a great show and with some nights being sold out.
Simon just seems to be getting better and better and so the show, at Darebin Arts Centre on 27th of August, promises to be a great night. Recommended for skeptics and non skeptics alike. Take your family and friends. If they don’t get the skeptical message (and there is one) they’ll at least have a good time and the show won’t end at the final curtain because there will be lingering conversations along the lines of “How did he do that?” …or even “I think I can work out how he did that one…” usually you can’t.
Cheers,
Terry

Simon Taylor’s web site

No Comments