The European Skeptics Podcast

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 priceUK: People with Long Covid scammed by fake therapyINTERNATIONAL: Misleading claims on well-known rare risk of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccineGERMANY: Michael Schumacher’s family wins law case against publisher running deepfake interviewThe 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 Farew

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; Outro00:00:25Intro00:00:51Greetings00:09:05TWISH00:17:20News00:30:11Quote & Farewell00:33:50Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ContestGERMANY: German Medical Association wants to ban homeopathySWEDEN: SD and the troll factoryUK: Whooping cough surgingTadusz 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-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:12:55 TWISH0:20:15 News0:37:46

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 travelSWEDEN: Swedish Skeptics’ awards for 2023INTERNATIONAL: Scottish Medical Journal retracts 13 papers due to concerns over potential paper mill activityFRANCE / 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-Ta

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’ gameSWEDEN / UK: Computer game in school made students better at detecting fake newsUK: The role of religion in COVID-19 vaccine uptakeUK: SCAM diet almost killed a former modelEU: Investigations of misinformation on Meta platforms ahead of June EP electionsVaccination 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; Out

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 clinicsHUNGARY: The Flat Earth Award goes to the Hungarian Association of Homeopathic DoctorsEUROPE: ‘Extreme heat stress’ pushing temperatures to record highs and numbers of deathAUSTRIA / GERMANY: The Heinz Oberhummer Award for Best Science Communicator goes to Methodically Incorrect!EUROPE: EU elections in times of propaganda, misinformation and spiesUK: Creating sexually explicit images to be made illegal in UKThe Really Wrong Award this week goes to NutriLight with their silly “Red Light Therapy”Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Fare

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 monsterUK: Sense About Science asks people to show parliament they care about evidenceBack to Hungary for the Really Wrong Award, where a public Hungarian Hospital in Orosház is offering Reiki treatment to patients.Enjoy!0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:15:28 TWISH0:21:12 News0:32:59 Really Wrong0:38:30 Quote And Farewell0:40:36 Outro0:41:51 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 covidBELGIUM: Alternative medicine and god hindering willingness to vaccinate?FRANCE: Didier Raoult and his unethical researchLong 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-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:12:20 TWISH0:18:19 News0:29:16 Really Wrong0:41:31 Quote And Farewell0:43:24 Outro0:44:39 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 riseRUSSIA: Russia linked to ’Havana Syndrome’. We’re not convinced…NETHERLANDS: New study may help us understand wishful thinkingThis 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 Intro0:00:49 Greetings0:06:36 TWISH0:16:35 News0:40:22 Really Wrong0:45:54 Quote And Farewell0:46:58 Outro0:48:12 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See a

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 worldRUSSIA / UKRAINE: Russian TV channel using deepfake to blame Moscow attacks on UkraineICELAND: 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-Takes0:00:27 INTRO0:00:49 GREETINGS0:10:45 TWISH – THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY0:17:58 NEWS0:41:10 REALLY RIGHT0:46:43 QUOTE AND FAREWELL0:47:58 OUTRO0:49:12 OUT-TAKES Hosted on Acast. See

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 misinformationINTERNATIONAL: Is rapamycin a cure for old age?GERMANY: Arson attacks against Tesla Giga factory driven by misconceptions regarding electromobilityUK: Helpline for people leaving faithINTERNATIONAL: 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.E

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 INTRO0:00:49 GREETINGS0:02:19 INTERVIEWBrian 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 w

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 NavalnyINTERNATIONAL: How harmful are ultra-processed foods?UK: Cochrane UK closing shopThe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 aloneFRANCE: Experts identify Moscow-based disinformation networkGREECE: Legalization of same sex marriageGood 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 patientsEU: EU won’t use dental amalgam anymoreEU: EU parliament votes to ease regulation of gene edited cropsGERMANY: Tiktok proves harmful againINTERNATIONAL: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 upIRELAND: The Constitution, the Catholic Church and the role of womenUK: House of Lords committee pushes back on EV related misinformation and urges

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 updateSWITZERLAND: Homeopathy in SwitzerlandAUSTRIA: The Austrian Medical Academy exposed for peddling pseudomedicineINTERNATIONAL: Funding, not talent, is the problem in the skeptical sphereUK: Dragons’ Den: BBC defends show after ME criticism of Acu SeedsScotland 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 deathINTERNATIONAL: RETRACTIONS 1: Studies claiming Islamic practices protect against disease and sexual harassment retractedINTERNATIONAL / FRANCE: RETRACTIONS 2: Several studies by Didier Raoult has been retracted for ethics violationsKarl 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; O