Skeptics Guide to the Universe | Bob Novella, Rebecca Watson & More | Talks at Google

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a light hearted and fun weekly podcast run by the NewEngland Skeptical Society. The host (Steven Novella) and his panel of skeptical rogues (Bob Novella, Jay Novella, Rebecca Watson, and Evan Bernstein) came to Mountain View to talk to us about being a savvy healthcare consumers. Richard Saunders (host of The Skeptic Zone Podcast in Australia) joins them in a pannel discussion to discuss a variety of topics in skepticism and healthcare. Topics include Homeopathy, CCSVI, Science Journalism, Researcher Bias, Acupuncture, Healthcare Regulation, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Confirmation Bias, Placebo, Power Balance, Artificial Sweeteners, Women's Intuition, What's The Harm?

[@TheSaft]

I really wish i had a little Steven Novella on my shoulders, bringing me knowledge bombs all day every day.

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

Dr. Steve Novella is an absolute legend. A great consumer advocate and eriodite polymath.

[@GenevaRob72]

These guys are my heroes....I have spent hundreds (literally) of hours with these people while listening to their brilliant podcasts. I really feel like I know them personally..They changed my life....

[@rafaelwaa]

Novella should be on TV !

[@DeepFriedFreeThinkrs]

Love the podcast!! Thank you for sharing.

[@AlexSage]

If Steven had his own channel, my display would be set on that channel all day long... it's good to hear him talk. Sometimes when I talk I try to sound like him.. not sure why, but it works lol =)) People wanna be my friend when I make arguments that are sound like Steven's style.. =))

[@AlexNoel100891]

The content of Steven's introduction should be required listening for the Presidency of the United States going forward.

[@SamuelGM]

If this was the method that the "remedy" was designed to be taken by, you would expect 50 tablets to also partially absorb into the bloodstream via the mouth and gullet, giving a measurable effect. This of course assumes that there was any active molecules in the tablet at all due to the level of dilution used OR that water has an inherent "memory" of all the particles that have been previously dissolved in it.

[@nomaed]

3:15 "That makes it stronger" LOL!!!

[@lance134679]

I think Bob meant to say that apple seeds contain cyanide, not arsenic. (1:05).

[@BramKaandorp]

41:52 That reminds me of someone who, when I said that dowsing works (or rather doesn't) because of the ideomotor effect, asked me why the spirits couldn't be using THAT as their mechanism. Ugh!

[@asecretturning]

I recently saw an advert that claimed 'a study shows' the majority of cbd products contain smaller amounts of cbd than what's disclosed, and of course it was being used in a way that would sell a particular cbd product. I wrote to them saying that this claim seemed dubious to me and I'd like to see their sources. To their credit they directed me to the exact article! However, the article itself stated that this was PRELIMINARY and explicitly should not be used due to an extraordinarily small sample of products being tested and that the only conclusion could be that "more research is needed" 🤣

[@michaelsutton60]

I love these guys! its a pity comments on the Deepak Chopra video has been disabled, that man is a fruit bar if ever there was one.

[@martin36369]

Where electrical stimulation is also used is called electroacupuncture, although also electrical stimulation, so when you state that it's not acupuncture, your wrong, even if it doesn't work

[@sleepcity]

SGU is tailor-made for the ideal Google employee! Disappointed to hear that they've invited Deepak to give a talk...he can't even solve a Punnett square let alone the Google application questions...More Novella and SGU!

[@mottdog2002]

In the USA, by 1900 there were 22 homeopathic medical schools, more than 100 homeopathic hospitals, over 60 orphan asylums and old people's homes, and more than 1,000 homeopathic pharmacies.

[@dominictemple]

Great talk, I forgot the SGU folks said they'd been to the Googleplex.

[@joshtriska]

"Women's ocular detonation".......wow, Rebecca is awesome.

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

Yes, sorry about that! Auto correct failed me again. Not so 'erudite' myself, as you can tell. :-(

[@Longtack55]

Formally noted ;-D

[@nathanclark2780]

What up with all the bashing of Rebecca Watson? She is who she is, as we all are. I find her witty, a bit abrasive, but in a good way, and the primary comic relief of the show while passing on decent information. I appreciate the early SGU episodes with her. I also appreciate the shows with Cara Santa Maria. And overall, I appreciate the SGU who had the wisdom to select these women for the show.

[@morkusmorkus6040]

Nathan Clark It's probably her toxic man hating feminism.

[@Wotlkpwnscata]

lots of typos in power point tho

[@Qbbur]

I am not a skeptic... It's just that everything I say is 100% correct.

[@dizzydee9939]

+CottonGirrrrraffe I'm not a skeptic, I just don't believe anything you say :)

[@Qbbur]

Ben Linus But I am correct, stop believing your own lies.

[@111bill000]

I think something happened in the audience that made Steve stop speaking and do a second take, some sort of commotion.

[@cloudkap]

Good point AnonOrange

[@hydewarscore]

Dude, You obviously don't listen to the podcast much because they have talked about those topics before. Topics like 9/11 and "gmos" are easily addressed as well, it just takes time to learn the claims. This is a timed speech and also a science-oriented presentation, not conspiracy theories.

[@111bill000]

What happened at 1:06:10?

[@111bill000]

This might have been the time that I realized that the audience wasn't given a mic.

[@GenevaRob72]

What do you mean? I didn't notice anything at that time.

[@diamonddbw]

I appreciate the views of all on panel. My MAJOR concern is that very little is done in the field of giving 'Other' methods of treatment, a fair shake. In other words, provide equal resources for the study of things, such as "Cannabis", instead of just continuing to call it a "Schedule 1" drug. Shall we remain biased by 80yr old opinions, bought and paid for, by those with financial agendas?

[@111bill000]

Okay, I meant at about 1:05:50ish. Seemed like somebody either got kicked out or had to poop/puke really quick. and I meant Bob, woops.

[@zich52]

Science!!!!

[@martin36369]

"There are no acupuncture points" what about acuvision-05 or Electronography where they are imaged?

[@ManfredDudesonVonGuy]

Point me to a well controlled, double blinded study that shows they do exist. I am interested in new information. I would love for acupuncture points and the effects to be real for the sake of my knees, but no study so far stands up to rigorous scrutiny.

[@OM-jo8dv]

Michael Shermer @ 1:40:50?

[@Raydensheraj]

Lol...his laugh is everywhere.

[@mrbillsykes]

There so different from what I thought they would look like! D:

[@grsadr]

26:30 Nice to see Steve pissed off :)

[@111bill000]

I do that thumby thing when I hitchhike.

[@martin36369]

Shouldn't that be "reasonable accounts" rather than "reasonably accounts"

[@mottdog2002]

Were you getting this from? FACT 17: Any remedy up to a 12c or a 24x potency, known as Avogadro’s number, contains the original measurable molecules of the substance.

[@teddywinroth]

STOP BLOWING INTO THE MICROPHONE GOD DAMNIT!

[@TormodSteinsholt]

All he said was that the end result was less-than-optimal for people trying to make informed choices on issues concerning their health. Him knowing or not knowing how the algorithm works is not really relevant to the point he was making.

[@teddayer6523]

Novella deserves a Nobel prize (but Obama got it)

[@herrdocjdm]

Everyone seems very bright, especially Dr. Novella. I listen to the SGU podcast and I have never ever heard him say "umm" or "ah". The young man with the glasses and the green hair seems to have some type of a speech impediment. Other than the glasses guy, it was a great panel.

[@napillnik]

What is Rebecca Watson doing in a group that encourages critical thinking?

[@angelaadams9399]

You are an idiot

[@napillnik]

Enmanuel Coronado hello there, troll

[@herrdocjdm]

+Enmanuel Coronado Yes, I'm interested in her medical/ biological background. Ha! She's a failed communications school from a diploma factory!

[@ManfredDudesonVonGuy]

She isn't anymore. She was replaced with Cara Santa Maria, who is a dedicated science communicator.

[@stevereaver]

What I posted is correct.... check your PM's

[@martin36369]

"WE"

[@martin36369]

Universe = Healthcare, wow that's critical thinking

[@ManfredDudesonVonGuy]

The "universe" in the name is a reference to Douglas Adam's "Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe" because the founders are huge Sci-fi fans. The heathcare focus is because Dr.Novella is a clinical neurologist. Healthcare is his area of expertise. Skpetics tend to stick to areas they're experts on and rely on the consensus of experts in fields they are unfamiliar with.

[@jeffsteberg8033]

im skeptical of skeptics.

[@stevereaver]

Punch in "100 Fact About Homeopathy" and Louise Mclean paper comes up first.... easy....There's plenty more non-sense and logical fallacies in that paper aswell.

[@teddayer6523]

All the athletes that stretch before exercising loosen their ligaments too much. No evidence shows any benefits of stretching.

[@werecow2003]

Can't ever have too much SGU! }|:o)

[@mottdog2002]

No it isn't. Check your inbox.

[@stambo1983]

Produce themselves? Straw man anyone?

[@mumadadd]

you mean erudite, right?

[@hydewarscore]

You stopped? Why not be "critical" of your own beliefs. I've never heard this specific podcast group tell me what to think. They are critical of science, they criticize people who conduct poor research, those that let their biases get the best of them, etc. That is exactly why science is always updated, scientists are supposed to be change their beliefs in light of new evidence. By definition, if they are critical of science then they will have to update informational books.

[@martin36369]

It seems to me you are doing exactly what you are warning against, so that one particular study becomes "any study"

[@stevereaver]

Everything you think you know, is just a constructed fiction... wow...!

[@mottdog2002]

So find out more. 100 Facts About Homeopathy by Louise Mclean, LCCH MHMA.

[@stevereaver]

You can't be serious.... "FACT 17: There are no molecules in any homoeopathic dilution, because the substances have been reduced to nano-phase, which is smaller than a molecule", What the heck is 'nano-phase' ??? The fact is something smaller than a molecule is called an Atom, objects smaller than that are particles described in the 'Standard Model', look it up and get some science in ya!

[@martin36369]

"TRUE" or not ????

[@mottdog2002]

There;s nothing about nano-phase in the entire paper!

[@mottdog2002]

So don't use em.

[@wesofx8148]

Suddenly a feminist named Rebecca Watson.

[@asdfghyter]

Willy Goat Yeah, human rights activists sucks. They are such spoilsports. They ruin all of the fun in abusing people.

[@stevereaver]

LOL, Turns out the same paper is published in multiple places containing different information... more great work from the homeopaths....

[@mottdog2002]

100 Facts About Homeopathy by Louise Mclean, LCCH MHMA.

[@mottdog2002]

I did and fact 17 is what I've posted not yours. Either way it works. :) Course you'd need to be a Physician seeing patients to notice. But if you don't like them don't use them. They aren't for everyone.

[@Kevo216666]

You can purchase Rebecca Watsons whole outfit in a cellophane bag from a joke shop.

[@mottdog2002]

LOL. Like it or lump it.

[@seymorefrye]

but how about the red-faced guy with the mic problems! He was so ugly! Still, keep up the good work!

[@Kevo216666]

I can't listen to this podcast since the Rebecca Watson and Shermer thing. She's frikkin evil.

[@ghuegel]

She is no longer on the podcast.

[@Kevo216666]

IThinkWithMy Dick I'm not able to separate person from their personality. To me she is now utterly unbearable on any subject no matter how knowledgeable she might be - that story ruined it I'm afraid.

[@sleepcity]

eriodite = erudite...just sayin.

[@111bill000]

troll

[@jehoch2]

lol I am sure these performers fix their thirst with science based prescriptions instead of water.

[@SunsetRC]

Rebecca talking about health? Ok this is really funny. Rebecca while you are adding on more jelly rolls to your stomach and eating processed food (even if it's vegan).... but wait! It's not "proven" to be scientifically unhealthy right?..... Maybe you should look in the mirror once in a while.

[@robotpanda77]

Soooo boring.

[@jeffsteberg8033]

im skeptical of skeptics.

[@UTubeSL]

I'm sceptical of your scepticism ;)