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skepchicksThe JREF has some very good friends, and among them are Prof. Richard Wiseman and Skepchick.org. They've each donated amazing items for the TAM Scholarship fund, which helps people get to TAM 7. These auctions are open to anyone, whether you're attending TAM or not.

From Richard Wiseman:

Following in the footsteps of The Luck Factor and Quirkology, I am currently working on a new popular psychology book. It will be published by Knopf in the US in January. To help raise funds for the JREF TAM Scholarship program, I am offering one person the opportunity to have a special mention in the acknowledgments section of the American edition of the book. Everyone bids in the auction, and I will work with the winner to come up with a fun sentence for the acknowledgment (e.g., 'Special thanks to xx, who has the wit of Oscar Wilde, the brain of Einstein and the beard of Darwin' or 'I would also like to thank the ever wonderful xx - without you this sentence would not have been possible'). The winner can also choose to use the acknowledgment to mention someone else rather than themselves, thus making it an unique present for a friend, colleague or loved one. All of the money raised goes to the JREF TAM Scholarship program. So, get bidding and I look forward to seeing your name in the book......

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Jason Ball writes:

Hello,

The Young Australian Skeptics had the privilege of interviewing James Randi at the CFI World Congress. The interview can be heard on the latest episode of The Pseudo Scientists, their official podcast.

Check it out at: youngausskeptics.com (Episode 10 direct link).
Become a fan on facebook.

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Those who follow me (or Scott Hurst, who introduced it to me) on Twitter or read PZ Myer's blog have seen calls for skeptics to vote in this poll regarding the effectiveness of homeopathy on Swine Flu, or as it is more properly known, H1N1. The mission is clear... overwhelm the poll with skeptic votes saying "No, Homeopathy can't help Swine Flu."

(If you don't know what Twitter is... you'll have to find someone more articulate than myself to explain it.)

I had an exchange with "CarrieP" on Twitter, which I will share with you.

CarrieP: Thanks for link. IMHO, Too much bashing, not enough details, in comments.  "homeopathy = crap" does no good on a pro-CAM site.

JeffWagg: The interesting question is, what does do good?

CarrieP: Indeed. I don't have a good answer there, I just try to be respectful and present the science more than attack the woo.

CarrieP: I work with the sweetest lady who's strongly into alt med. Changing her mind is like wearing down a rock with rainwater. S-L-O-W.

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Reader "Roger" sent us this note:

I got an education this last weekend. I did not realize there was a difference between a "health" expo and a "wellness" expo. My buddy got us a booth to display our line of supplements and power nutrition. As I walked into the event center, I saw a couple of chiropractors. I don't know what you think about them, but they were there teaching people about good posture....okay, no problem.

As soon as I walked in the door to the main exhibit room, I was floored. First thing I saw was "aroma therapy"...doh!! Then there was a guy sitting between two pillars with a crystal dangling between them. He "channels" energy to the crystal because the nearest vortex is about 1000 miles away....double doh!! Of course, the psychics, clairvoyants, and mediums all had booths and were offering readings.... "Doh" doesn't cover it here. The event started at 11. About 10:45, about ¾ of the people in there started to meditate with an eerie chant. There was reiki, feng shui, an oxygen bar, light therapy, angel readings, crystal therapy - with crystals from the Himalayas...

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pigChiropractors are already capitalizing on people’s swine flu fears. This webpage reproduces the text of a Swine Flu Handout chiropractors are giving their patients. It boils down to 6 recommendations:

  1. Build your immune system by getting adjusted.
  2. Limit the amount of sugar in your diet because sugar depresses the immune system.
  3. Avoid alcohol and white flour products.
  4. Drink more water
  5. Wash your hands frequently.
  6. Disinfect your rooms by spraying them with a solution of essential oils (4 drops to one cup of water).

Hey! One out of six isn’t bad.

  1. Randi Speaks - Compass Movement Revealed
  2. Popoff Gets Popped in Australia
  3. Small TAM 7 Update!
  4. A Simple Demonstration