More Critical Thinking Videos

In early 2012 a series of short videos on the topic of critical thinking was released.

The group that produced them have created more. I think these are videos are superb; short, to the point, quirky and ideal for anyone wanting to quickly understand the scientific method and critical thinking including fallacies. I’ve linked to all of them below.

The scriptwriter is science communicator and author Mike McRae, well known for his book Tribal Science.

Surprisingly, the videos were funded by the Australian Government. The narrator is James Hutson and they’re produced by Bridge8.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/W9IoN8Tb1wg]

More videos after the fold.

View More More Critical Thinking Videos

July 2013 Logic & Maths Problems – Solutions

1. A3, B4, C1, D5, E2, F7, G10, H6, I8,  J9

2. Cube D

3. A mirror

4. MARGE LETS NORAH SEE SHARON’S TELEGRAM. NO MISSES ORDERED ROSES, SIMON.

5. 10 triangles

6. a. Reagan   b. Lincoln  c. Roosevelt  d. Johnson  e. Eisenhower   f. Nixon

7. six teams

8. 45 pencils   7 jars

9. Very likely

Almost everybody in a normal human population has two arms.

There are probably no people with more than two arms

There are likely to be a very small number of people with one or no arms for whatever reason.

Therefore, the average number of arms in a normal human population is very slightly less than two. 

It’s very likely that the next person you meet will have two arms.

10. Untitled Capture-08a

June 2013 Logic & Maths Problems – Solutions

1. One chance in six or 5:1

2. Ms Blue is wearing pink; Ms Green is wearing blue; Ms Pink is wearing green

3. 54 cents

4. Six people

5. 9 games

6. 4,2,5,3

7. 40 cards

8. 40 cards

Note that the answer 40 would be correct for any number of decks.

9. The daughter’s ages are 8, 3 and 3 and the house number is 14.

The key lies in the fact that the census taker would already  know the house number, so if he still doesn’t know the girl’s ages after working out the three possible factors of 72 that add up to the house number, it must be because there’s more than one possibility.

The only factors of 72 that have the same sum are 2 X 6 X 6  and 3 X 3 X 8 . The sum in each case is 14. Once the census taker knows that there is one eldest daughter (not twins), the correct ages must be 3, 3 and 8.

10. Six hours

Latest info on local groups

PENINSULA SKEPTICS

We’ll lead off with the excellent news that after a twelve-month recess, Peninsula Skeptics are re-starting: on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The venue is The Peninsula Club, Gibson Street Dromana.

The Peninsula Club

Your convenor Graeme Hanigan says: The night will be primarily social, perhaps a round table suggestion of topics for the future. Please go to the MEETUP GROUP to read more and to RSVP.

Graeme is also keen for Peninsula Skeptics to be involved in Science Week (mid August) and is looking for suggestions and ideas on some of the best ways to achieve this.

VIC SKEPTICS

are travelling nicely with our regular Skeptics Café at La Notte Restaurant, 140 Lygon Street Carlton.

The next event is on Monday 20th May, where Ken Greatorex will host our Ninth Annual Trivia Extravaganza.

thinker

Please join us (with a team of up to six people, or just by yourself) for a meal at 6pm, with the Trivia starting at 7:30 pm. See our EVENTS page for details of Skeptics Cafés well into the future.

View More Latest info on local groups

Money Well Spent? Dubious Medicine on Medicare

By Mal Vickers

Before you read any further, try to guess the answer to this question:medicare chiro acu

In Australia, in 2012, how many chiropractic treatments occurred as a result of a doctor’s referral?

To clarify, I’m not asking for the total number of chiropractic consultations that occur per year, just patients consultations for chiropractic treatment where the patient was referred by a medical doctor – how many? Find the answer in the text below highlighted in red. How close were you?

Medicare Dollars are Taxpayer Dollars

Everyone in Australia pays for Medicare rebates through the tax system. Medicare enables community access to a variety of quality health services but that’s not in question. What I’d really like to look at is how much we pay through the Medicare system for treatments that show little or no efficacy. View More Money Well Spent? Dubious Medicine on Medicare

May Puzzles

This month we let Roy off the leash to provide his magnificent CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

The Picture Puzzles and “Mixed Bag” Questions are at the top of our PUZZLE PAGE. There are a larger than usual number of “Mixed Bag” questions; consider them a practice set for Trivia Night at Skeptics Café on May 20.

Your Logic and Maths Problems for May are HERE

Enjoy!