Piece Description

There are a lot of scientific claims out there – how do you separate the good from the bad and the outright fraudulent? Experts failed to do so for years in the case of a physicist whose published papers claimed the invention of a new bio-based transistor. Plus, other stories of deceit – such as the scientist who stooped to coloring mouse fur with markers.

Also, why climate science is solid, but its scientists need to be more open with the public.

And, from the undersea “bloop” to the Denver airport conspiracy theory. Why urban myths are so popular.

Plus, Phil Plait describes someone’s plans to meditate away the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

It’s Skeptic Check… but don’t take our word for it!

Guests:

• Phil Plait – Astronomer, keeper of badastronomy.com, and author of Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End . . .
• Eugenie Samuel Reich – News reporter and author of Plastic Fantastic
• Michael Shermer – Publisher of Skeptic Magazine and columnist for Scientific American
• Susan Jasanoff – Professor of science and public policy at Harvard University
• Brian Dunning – Science journalist and producer of the podcast Skeptoid