Logic and Maths Problems 2013 – Solutions
1. A = 8, B = 12, C = 5 and D = 20
2. 6
3. 19 and 91
4. Not possible or 101%
5. 1 + 2 + 34 + 56 + 7 = 100
6. 3 litres
7. 463/512
8. 631 x 542 = 342,002
9. 12o C
10. 5 cents
March 2013 “Mixed Bag” Answers
1. T for “ten”
2. Eminem, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Robbie Williams
3. Superman
4. Fiji
5. 2017
6. Jane Saville
7. A. Western Australia, B. Queensland, C. Northern Territory, D. New South Wales
8. Volvo
9. C Nearly certain
10. Both A and B are correct!
Happenings Feb 2013
by
Mal Vickers
Pharma
I love data and so does ‘Sense About Science’, the UK based pro-science trust. Sense About Science has launched the All Trials Campaign. The campaign aims to have pharmaceutical companies release the data from all the clinical trials they conduct.
Without the release of all data, pharmaceutical companies are free to indulge in selective publishing. That is, they may only publish the clinical trials that show the most favourable results for the products they would like us to consume.
The campaign coincides with the release of Dr Ben Goldacre’s new book ‘Bad Pharma’.
Countering Antivax Anecdotes with Provax Anecdotes
“Mrs Williams said they made what they thought was an informed decision not to vaccinate any of their children because of concerns over adverse reactions, but had since changed their minds.”
Mrs Williams is quoted as saying:
“It was hideous. He was spasming every three minutes. He was biting his tongue and bleeding. His arms were spasming and he was arching his back and his whole face and jaw was completely locked.”
A family in the UK came to exactly the same conclusion – that vaccination isn’t so bad, the benefits of avoiding the disease far outweigh the small risks. They were struck View More Happenings Feb 2013
February Puzzles
February Puzzles are now in pride of place at the top of our PUZZLES PAGE
They include the usual monthly Picture Puzzles, Mixed Bag Puzzles, Skeptical Crossword Puzzle and Logic & Maths Puzzles.
Logic & Maths Puzzles February 2013 – Solutions
1. none
2. a. 6 snakes; b. 14 lizards; c. 7 people
3. 15 attempts
4. Yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, green, brown, blue, grey
5. a, c & d
6. View e is not possible
7. Seat 2
8. Alan is 21, Brian is 8, Chuck is 16.
9. 11 times
10. Cabbage(21), pea(22), Leek(33), carrot(75)
February 2013 “Mixed Bag” Questions – Answers
1. a) 26 Miles in a marathon; b) 6 sides to a cube; c) 5 lines in a limerick
2. They are written using only straight lines
3. Munchkins
4. Robert Downey Junior
5. Warsaw
6. Aerial Bombing
7. Huey, Dewey and Louie / Donald Duck’s nephews
8. Stripe, Sprite, Ripest
9. Rocket Science
10. A. Shorthand for “South-West Township”
Darwin Day 2013
Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12 is the subject of an annual celebration by freethinkers around the world.
As usual, we invite you to celebrate with us in two ways.
(1) If you’re a teacher, or know a teacher, we have our suite of Darwin Day Classroom Exercises. You can download them from http://www.skeptics.com.au/resources/educational/ These exercises cater to a wide range of student ages.
(2) There’s the usual Darwin Day Barbecue for Melbourne people. HOWEVER, this year the venue has changed.
Go to our EVENTS page for details.
An On-Air mixture of Whiplash, Acupuncture and Anecdote
By Mal Vickers
An interesting discussion took place on radio whilst James Randi was in Australia. It happened on Friday the 30th of November during The Conversation Hour, a kind of group interview session with popular radio host Jon Faine, (ABC Local Melbourne Radio 774). The particular exchange I’d like to highlight took place at the very end of the program.
Being a skeptic, of course I’m an admirer of the work of James Randi however, being a Melburnian I also regularly listen to ABC 774 and think highly of Jon Faine.
Many times I’ve heard Jon Faine ask some excellent, insightful questions of politicians. He’s sharp, knowledgeable and in my humble opinion, Melbourne’s best talkback radio host.
Jon Faine was, I think, the only media commentator willing to strongly criticise self proclaimed US psychic John Edwards when he came to Australia. The stoush between the two made the national media at the time.
Getting back to the 30th November Conversation Hour broadcast, with James Randi, comedian Stella Young and psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist; whilst discussing the topic of psychics, Faine said the following:
They [psychics] take away the fundamental and unavoidable importance of us being responsible for our own destiny. And that’s a fraud on every individual, that’s a fraud on all of us.
I think most skeptics would View More An On-Air mixture of Whiplash, Acupuncture and Anecdote