Skeptics Guide #947

The Skeptics Guide To The Universe

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #947 Recorded December 17th 2022 Live in Tucson Segment #1. Special Report Death of P22 Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Toughest Metal https://www.sciencealert.com/this-alloy-is-the-toughest-known-material-on-earth-and-it-gets-tougher-in-the-cold News Item #2 – Eyewear from Coffee Grounds https://invisionmag.com/ukrainian-eyewear-maker-continues-to-spin-coffee-grounds-into-frames/ News Item #3 – Water Worlds https://earthsky.org/space/ocean-worlds-exoplanet-liquid-water-red-dwarf-stars News Item #4 - Psychic Fraud https://www.vice.com/en/article/93kk3y/psychic-diamond-heist-john-lee-hamad-bin-jassim-bin-jaber-al-thani Segment #3. Discussion Topic Canceling Celebrities Segment #4. Expert Advice The rogues give some advice about their area of expertise Segment #5. Science or Fiction Each week our host will come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine, one fictitious. He will challenge our panel of skeptics to sniff out the fake – and you can play along. Theme: Arizona Facts #1) Other than a few stray plants, Arizona is the only state in the US with the famous saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea). #2) With 3,928 peaks and summits, Arizona is considered the most mountainous state of the 48 contiguous states. #3) Arizona is the most venomous state in the US, with the only venomous lizard, the gila monster, 13 species of rattlesnake, scorpions, africanized bees, a venomous centipede, and the insect with the most painful bite, the tarantula hawk. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week “Among all the geographic areas of the United States, the Southwest in general and Arizona, in particular, is blessed with a panoramic beauty that almost defies description. Only a limited number of poets, painters, and photographers have been able to do justice to her splendor.” – Marshall Trimble