As inevitable as a new year rolling around is the rash of products, articles, DVDs, “pull out and keep cards”, posters and deals to help us all with one of the most common New Year’s resolutions – losing weight. All media is a-glow with the latest diet, supplement or fitness regime, and with the promise of this is the one that will work.
As a main stay of skeptical interviews the “What made you become a ‘Skeptic’?” is a very relevant question and never really seems to become boring. As has been discussed by many in the community, skepticism is not a natural state of mind. The way in which our brain works is not always rational and I often find myself having to think myself ‘down’ when my mind jumps to easier but more irrational conclusions – be a bump in the night or serendipity. For me it was a journey in which not only was religion an accepted part of life but so were alternative practises around health and general well being.
Fresh off the plane from Manchester, having spent a hectic fun-filled weekend at the QED Conference, some Irish Skeptics did us proud and overdosed on homeopathic Belladonna in Dublin Airport:
For more info on the 1023 Campaign, visit here.
Homeopathy – There’s Nothing In It
“Faith healer – cases proven – no charge – donations only – thank you”
[podcast]http://skepticireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/EP5.mp3[/podcast]
As promised, episode 5 was broadcast live on uStream to a grand total of 15 listeners who joined in our discussions throughout the podcast. We discuss TAM London, alternative medicine, and other skeptical happenings in Ireland and abroad.
[podcast]http://skepticireland.com/wp-content/uploads/Media/Podcasts/ep2.mp3[/podcast]
In our second podcast, we say goodbye to one presenter, and meet an interesting gentleman in a pub in Dublin. We discuss an attempted misuse of game theory to try to prove that increasing drink prices will reduce consumption, we discuss the mob mentality behind banning legal highs, and we report on how a Chron’s disease support forum banned one user for posting about the scientific implications in taking an alternative treatment (MMS). We also catch up on some of the month’s news in Ireland and around the world.
