Just like his uncle, even the Prince of Wales (William, that is!) cannot entirely stay out of the Epstein-files, as his charity gets tangled up in it. In TWISH we take a look at famed Giordano Bruno to see if he was truly a skeptic or more of a trouble make (admittedly, you can be both). Then we have the news:

• UK: More than 60 children infected in north London measles outbreak
• AUSTRIA: Group of scientists on how difficult it is to try to uphold scientific standards
• INTERNATIONAL: Climate change confusion?
• INTERNATIONAL: Study finds deepfake to be alarmingly prevalent

On the same topic as two weeks ago, the Really Wrong Award goes to the UK education system for their very questionable religious education syllabus, while the Humanists UK get the Really Right Award for fighting back.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-519.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:52 Greetings

0:09:46 TWISH

0:19:07 News

0:41:30 Really Wrong / Really Right

0:45:54 Quote

0:47:43 Outro

0:49:06 Outtakes

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

We start by wishing for fast trains and maglev transportation in Europe – much better for the environment than air travel. Because even if we have had a rather cold January here in Europe, Copernicus tells us that we are still warming the globe in a reckless pace. In TWISH we remember István Vágó on what would have been his 77th birthday. Vágó was the first president of the Hungarian Skeptics and also a TV personality specializing in quiz shows and a famous promoter of the virtue of facts. Then, we turn to the news:

• UK: Only 4 of 66 ‘statin side effects’ are actually from the drug itself
• HUNGARY: Meta fails to filter political ads, Tisza fails to use statistics correctly
• SWEDEN: Exorcism in Sweden
• UK: Young people fearful of false claims and AI misleading voters
• SWEDEN: Murder of Olof Palme: Attorney General has some explaining to do

Russia is now so short of labor and soldiers due to their invasion of Ukraine that they use any means to lure foreigners to sign up as cannon fodder. For that, and for ruining not just Ukraine but also Russia itself, Vladimir Putin (again) gets the Award for being Really Wrong.

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-518.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:07:46 TWISH

0:18:34 News

0:52:11 Really Wrong

0:54:53 Quote

0:57:05 Outro

0:58:27 Outtakes

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

This is an oddly positive episode with a lot of good news, who could foresee that? But do us a favor and help Skeptical Science with your translation skills (link in the show notes)! In TWISH we dig into the cannibalism that is Christianity with a look into the legend of St Agatha.

Then, it’s time for the news:

• SWEDEN: Gaming addiction risk greatly exaggerated
• EUROPE: Council of Europe calls for ban on conversion therapies
• UK: Gen Z churchgoing is actually still declining
• POLAND: MMS use strongly discouraged by scientist based on latest research
• SWEDEN: COVID-19 vaccination carries no association with childbirth rates in Sweden
• INTERNATIONAL: AI safety report indicates we’re not doing enough

Javed Love is a teacher in Northern Ireland who is exercising his right not to spread religious beliefs in the classroom. For that he is Really Right!

Enjoy!

https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-517.html

Segments:

0:00:27 Intro

0:00:51 Greetings

0:06:22 TWISH

0:17:40 News

0:54:17 Really Right

0:57:32 Quote

0:59:21 Outro

1:00:44 Outtakes

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