The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Presentation
Hosted by Dr. Steven Novella
Jay Novella
Robert Novella
Evan Bernstein
Cara Santa Maria
Genre Science and skepticism
Updates Weekly
Publication
Debut May 4, 2005
Website www.theskepticsguide.org

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly, 80 minute podcast hosted by Steven Novella, MD, and a panel of "skeptical rogues". It is the official podcast of the New England Skeptical Society. The show features discussions of recent scientific developments in layman's terms, and interviews authors, people in the area of science and other famous skeptics. The show also includes discussions of myths, conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, the paranormal, and many general forms of superstition, from the point of view of scientific skepticism. Steven Novella, the host of the show, has been particularly active in debunking pseudoscience in medicine. His activities include opposing the claims of anti-vaccine activists, homeopathy practitioners and individuals denying the link between HIV and AIDS.[1][2][3]

Hosts

Former hosts

Production

The show is prerecorded via a Skype conference call. Each caller records their own audio and then the locally recorded tracks are mixed together. Steven Novella does the editing and post-production of the show himself. British comedian and skeptic Iszi Lawrence provides voice-over introductions for the show and certain segments. Prior to April 13, 2011, each segment was introduced by the now ex-wife of podcast member Jay Novella.[10]

The SGU crew during TAM9 in Las Vegas 2011

Segments

Opening
The Skeptics' Guide opens with Steven Novella introducing each panelist in attendance, typically leading to the retrospective segment "This Day in Skepticism". The panelists then discuss that week's top news stories of concern to skeptics. This is generally followed with answering of listener email.
"Forgotten Superheroes of Science"
Bob Novella describes a notable scientific figure from the past who is not well-known, ending with an encouragement to mention the figure to your friends when discussing their obscure area of expertise.
"Who's That Noisy?"
A sound clip is played for listeners to guess what, or who it is. This segment was originally hosted by Bernstein, but is currently hosted by Jay Novella.
"A Quickie with Bob"
Any of the rogues (apart from Bob) can ask for 'a quickie with Bob' who will then address an issue of current scientific news. Tends to happen before the interview section in around one minute, to a set length piece of background music.
Interview
Most weeks the panel interview a guest skeptic or scientist.
"Science or Fiction"
Steven Novella presents the panelists with three recent stories of a scientific nature, one of which is fiction. The co-hosts then have to use their knowledge of science and skeptical senses to figure out which story is fiction. The fake story may either be a complete fabrication or based on a factual story with a critical detail changed to make it fictitious. "Science or Fiction" is occasionally themed, such that all stories discuss similar topics.
"Skeptical Quote"
The show closes with Jay Novella reading a quote from a famous person that is relevant to skepticism or science. Bob did the first skeptical quote although it wasn't really specific to any one of the rogues. ("Isaac Asimov. A scientist fiction writer of some note.") Jay announces the source in an exaggerated radio announcer voice. On May 10, 2008 host Steven Novella posted a survey on the SGU message board asking listeners if they preferred Jay read the source of the quote before or after the reading of the quote.[11] The voting is open ended.

Only since 2010, has the "Who's That Noisy?" segment been before the interview; pre-2010, it was just before the "Skeptical Quote".

Most podcasts last around 80 minutes but on September 23, 2011 SGU produced a 24-hour-long podcast with contributions by skeptics from around the world. It was referred to as SGU-24.

Occasional and defunct segments

"Guest Rogue"
Since the start of 2010, sometimes, instead of having an interview, the Skeptic's Guide will invite a "guest rogue" to be present throughout the show including the news and "Science or Fiction" segments, as if they were one of the cast.
"Skeptical Puzzle"
At the end of the show, Evan Bernstein used to present the listeners with a skeptical puzzle, usually about some person or topic within the field of pseudoscience. Occasionally the puzzle was presented in verse, and on Episode 96 it was presented as if by a fictional skeptical rapper Kom’n Cents.[12] Listeners would answer the puzzle via email or on the message board. Recognition (albeit no actual cash prize or gift) was given the following week to the first person to correctly answer the puzzle. The Skeptical puzzle has been discontinued since episode #130 to allow Evan to concentrate on other areas including SGU 5x5, though he has since occasionally offered a logic puzzle in lieu of "Who's That Noisy?".
This Day in History
Until 2015, the first segment after introductions was a description of a historical event of scientific or skeptical importance whose anniversary falls on the date of recording or the date the podcast is released.
"Randi Speaks"
As of September 20, 2006, James Randi joined the podcast providing a pre-recorded commentary segment called "Randi Speaks". Randi, a professional magician and skeptic, expounds upon a topic on his mind for that week which may or may not have to do with skeptical matters. The segment disappeared for a period but returned for the August 8, 2007 episode with a different format. Instead of Randi delivering a prepared essay, an SGU host asks Randi a question which Randi then answers and expands upon.
"Name That Logical Fallacy"
Steven Novella regularly presents the panelists with a recent argument, usually of a pseudoscientific nature, that has either appeared in recent news or has been submitted by listeners for consideration. The panelists are challenged to point out the flaws in the presented argument, with specific references to any logical fallacies employed. The segment debuted during Episode 40 but it is not featured in every show.[13] Many of the fallacies named are taken from the show's "Top 20 Logical Fallacies" list.[14]
"Swindlers List"
Starting on May 21, 2011, Jay Novella talks about a particular scam he has discovered or been told about. The first scam featured in this section was Bidsell.com.[15]
"The Dumbest Thing I Heard All Week"
Steve Novella occasionally recounts a subpar article he read during the past week and explains what is wrong with it.

Theme music

The show's theme music is "Theorem" by the San Francisco rock band, Kineto.[16] The theme was acquired from the Podsafe Music Network. Prior to the November 2, 2005 show, Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me with Science" was the show's theme.

Guests

Most Skeptics' Guide episodes contain interviews. Often the interviews feature well-known scientists or skeptics, for instance Massimo Pigliucci or Joe Nickell. Rarely the guests are proponents of fringe or pseudoscientific views. Notable guests include:[17]

Show Date Episode Guest Description
Regular guest --- James Randi A Canadian-American stage magician and scientific skeptic, founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation
Regular guest --- Phil Plait An American astronomer and skeptic, former president of the James Randi Educational Foundation, known as "The Bad Astronomer"
Regular guest --- George Hrab Musician
Regular guest --- Richard Saunders An Australian skeptic, podcaster and professional origamist[18]
June 29, 2005 5 Michael Shermer Founder of The Skeptics Society, author of Why People Believe Weird Things [18]
October 6, 2005 15 Chris Mooney Author of The Republican War on Science[18]
July 5, 2006 50 Gerald Posner Author of Case Closed [18]
July 12, 2006 51 Neal Adams A proponent of the hollow and expanding earth hypotheses [18]
October 4, 2006 63 Michael Shermer Founder of The Skeptics Society, author of Why People Believe Weird Things [18]
December 13, 2006 73 B. Alan Wallace The president and founder of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies[18]
January 31, 2007 80 Teller One-half of the illusionist team Penn and Teller [18]
February 7, 2007 81 Adam Savage and Tory Belleci From the Discovery Channel show MythBusters [18]
February 15, 2007 82 Christopher Hitchens Journalist and literary critic, author of God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything[18]
February 15, 2007 82 Matt Stone Co-creator of South Park[18]
February 21, 2007 83 Julia Sweeney Former Saturday Night Live cast member[18]
July 25, 2007 105 Jimmy Carter 39th President of the United States, Nobel laureate [18][19][20]
September 5, 2007 111 Bill Nye "The Science Guy"[18]
November 14, 2007 121 Paul Kurtz Committee for Skeptical Inquiry founder and chairman of the Council for Secular Humanism
July 16, 2008 156 Neil deGrasse Tyson An American astrophysicist and science communicator
August 26, 2008 162 Richard Saunders An Australian skeptic, podcaster and professional origamist
October 8, 2008 168 PZ Myers An American biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) and the author of the Pharyngula science blog
January 15, 2009 182 Michio Kaku Theoretical physicist
April 22, 2009 196 Seth Shostak An American astronomer and senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute
May 13, 2009 199 Rusty Schweickart An American Apollo astronaut
October 28, 2009 219 Mark Edward Mentalist
March 25, 2010 245 George Hrab Musician
August 11, 2010 265 Rhys Morgan Teenage consumer advocate
May 9, 2011 304 Jon Ronson Author of The Psychopath Test
November 19, 2011 331 Neil deGrasse Tyson An American astrophysicist and science communicator
December 3, 2011 333 Rhys Morgan Teenage consumer advocate
September 8, 2012 373 Billy West Voice actor on Futurama and other shows
September 29, 2012 376 Pamela Gay Astronomer and podcaster
October 20, 2012 379 Jamy Ian Swiss Close-up magician
November 17, 2012 383 Bruce Hood Psychologist and author
December 1, 2012 385 Banachek Mentalist and director of the JREF Million Dollar Challenge
January 5, 2013 390 Massimo Pigliucci Philosopher and author
January 26, 2013 393 Zack Kopplin Educational activist
March 2, 2013 398 Jon Ronson Journalist and documentary film maker
May 11, 2013 408 Don McLeroy Creationist and former member of the TExas State Board of Education
June 22, 2013 414 Daniel Loxton Illustrator and editor of Junior Skeptic magazine
June 13, 2013 417 Paul Offit Pediatrician and vaccine advocate
August 10, 2013 421 Michael E. Mann Climatologist
August 24, 2013 423 Sanal Edamaruku Author and founding president of Rationalist International
August 31, 2013 424 Cara Santa Maria Science communicator
October 12, 2013 430 Marty Klein Sex therapist and author
November 9, 2013 434 Chris Mooney and Indre Viskontas Science writers and Podcasters
January 16, 2013 435 Gerald Posner Journalist and author
January 11, 2014 443 Mark Crislip Medical doctor and podcaster
January 25, 2014 445 Karen Stollznow Linguist and podcaster
March 1, 2014 451 Michio Kaku Physicist and science communicator
March 15, 2014 453 Jennifer Ouellette Science writer
April 5, 2014 456 James Marsters Actor and musician
May 3, 2014 460 Elise Andrew Founder and maintainer of the "I Fucking Love Science" Facebook page
September 27, 2014 481 Daniel Dennett Philosopher and cognitive scientist

Recognition

The Skeptics' Guide won the 2009 Podcast Awards in the "Education" category, and the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 Podcast Awards in the "Science" category.[21]

It also was a 2014 “Dose of Rationality” Top 10 Podcast,[22] and a 2010 Physics.org Best Podcast nominee.[23]

Sponsors and membership

On July 30, 2013, Dr. Steven Novella announced that the SGU would begin offering membership and airing sponsors. Dr. Novella went on to say that the money raised would go into funding skeptical activities, including but not limited to, development of skeptical educational content and web-series such as "Occ The Skeptical Caveman." The addition of sponsors is not permanent, according to Dr. Novella, they shall be removed "if 4% of listeners support the SGU through membership at an average of the $8 per month level."[24] Though membership has begun, the SGU continues to publish a free weekly sponsored podcast. Membership entitles one to an ad-free version of The SGU, extra content, and discounts to NECSS (The Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism). Membership range from $4/month to $200/month.[25]

SGU 5x5

A companion podcast, The Skeptics' Guide 5x5 (SGU 5x5 for short), billed as "five minutes with five skeptics",[26] offers single-topic episodes which often delve into specific types of logical fallacy.[27] SGU 5x5 does not appear regularly. There were no episodes between January 26, 2011 and February 8, 2012, and there have been no new episodes since May 9, 2012.[28]

References

  1. ↑ Novella S, Roy R, Marcus D, Bell IR, Davidovitch N, Saine A (2008). "A debate: homeopathy—quackery or a key to the future of medicine?". J Altern Complement Med 14 (1): 9–15. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.0770. PMID 18199017.
  2. ↑ Gold PW, Novella S, Roy R, Marcus D, Bell I, Davidovitch N, Saine A (2008). "Homeopathy—quackery or a key to the future of medicine?". Homeopathy 97 (1): 28–33. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2007.12.002. PMID 18194763.
  3. ↑ Smith TC, Novella SP (2007). "HIV Denial in the Internet Era". PLoS Med 4 (8): e256. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040256. PMC 1949841. PMID 17713982.
  4. ↑ "Yale Medical Group". Yale School of Medicine. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  5. ↑ "The Ness About Us". The New England Skeptical Society. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Neurologica Blog http://theness.com/neurologicablog/
  7. ↑ "Editors". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  8. ↑ Novella, Steven (20 August 2007). "Perry DeAngelis: 8/22/1963 8/19/2007". NeuroLogica Blog. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  9. ↑ Watson, Rebecca (27 December 2014). "Why I’ve Left SGU". Skepchick.org. Skepchick. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Episode #69". The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast. 2006-11-15. 01:41 minutes in.
  11. ↑ Novella, Steven (May 10, 2008). "Topic: Skeptical Quote Survey". The Skeptics Guide to the Universe Forum. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Episode 96". Official Skeptics' Guide Site.
  13. ↑ "Episode 40". Official Skeptics' Guide web site].
  14. ↑ Novella, Steven. "Top 20 Logical Fallacies". Official Skeptics' Guide web site].
  15. ↑ The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 305 - 5/18/2011 Episode Show Notes
  16. ↑ Kineto's Myspace page
  17. ↑ "Episode list". theskepticsguide.org.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast archive, http://www.theskepticsguide.org/archive/podcast.aspx?mid=1, retrieved 10/04/2012
  19. ↑ "Jimmy Carter: No Truth to UFO Rumors". Marketwire] (Press release). November 5, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Larry King needs a new format". The Herald Tribune. January 21, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Podcast Award Winners 2005-2014". The People's Choice Podcast Awards. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  22. ↑ Sacerich, Robert (July 9, 2014). "The 2014 “Dose of Rationality” Top 10 Podcasts!". Rationality Unleashed. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  23. ↑ "The physics.org web awards 2010". Institute of Physics. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "The SGU and Skeptical Activism". Neurologica Blog. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Member Subscription". The Skeptics Guide To The Universe. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  26. ↑ "The NESS". The New England Skeptical Society. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  27. ↑ Strohmeyer, Robert (December 15, 2009). "The Web's Most Illogical Arguments". Computerworld (IDG News Service). Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  28. ↑ "List of SGU 5x5 podcast episodes".

External links

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