A dark star could save
Sitchen’s Anunnaki claim
But problems it has.
When I upload the RSS feed for the podcast, I have to provide both a “subtitle” (short description) and “description.” I use the “description” from my 3-4 sentence summary I post for every episode. I never know what to put for the other. I’ve decided to start posting haikus related to the episode.
Anywho, this episode is yet another in the Planet X saga. It covers Andy Lloyd’s idea, which is an offshoot of Zecharia Sitchin’s Anunnaki-hosting planet Nibiru from his interpretation of Sumerian tablets. Andy’s major change is to stick the planet around a brown dwarf star. In the episode, I do actual math and show why what he proposes is impossible.
There’s also a puzzler (yay!), new news item, and two announcements. The episode is also a bit longer than normal, coming in at a bit over 37 minutes.
Regarding the second of two announcements — Brian Dunning, the guy who does the Skeptoid podcast, has pled guilty to wire fraud. Based on this material, he is likely facing jail time. I greatly admire his skeptical work and think that clearly still stands on its own, and this does not diminish what he has done for our community.
Exposing PseudoAstronomy 
Tragic about Brian, a guy I have long admired. I want to hear the whole story, and hear Brian’s explanation before I comment more.
Regardless, his work on skeptoid.com stands on its own.
(There is some profound, yet trite comment shouting to get out somewhere deep inside me right now. Excuse me while I go and stomp on it.)
Comment by johanges — April 17, 2013 @ 12:40 pm |
Dreadful news. No doubt the woo woo community will use this as a stick with which to beat skeptics over the head along the lines of “Brian Dunning committed wire fraud, therefore homeopathy works, vaccines are toxic, 9/11 was an inside job”. At least “Skeptoid” was a great podcast while it lasted.
Comment by spion kop — April 17, 2013 @ 2:43 pm |
It’s too bad about Mr. Dunning. I have enjoyed his podcast (except his listener comments shows).
Comment by Julian Janssen — April 17, 2013 @ 3:21 pm |
I’ll be missing the episodes as well. Unfortunately the predicable response from the Woo peddlers (None of whom are willing to take responsibility for the negative consequences of their actions.) will be to use this to claim that nothing Brian said on Skeptoid was true,
PS if you want to hear something touching download the Skeptoid episode on Zeitgeist.
Comment by Graham — April 17, 2013 @ 5:44 pm |