Season Two Premiere | Skeptic Generation | Episode 1 Season 2

Well that was a quick break! Happy 2022 and welcome to Season 2 of Skeptic Generation. You know what to do: call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG

NOTE: There was an issue with YouTube’s audio encoding that resulted in a lot of annoying clicks for most of our livestream. No one likes having to deal with that, so this is a re-upload without any of the clicking. Please enjoy the reconstructed audio!

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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - New Goals and Content for Season 2
07:48 - Are Archaeologists Lying About the Pyramids? - Ian (he/him) - UK
34:20 - Deist Definitely Dislikes Determinism - Joseph (he/him) - KS
49:43 - My Coworker Believes In Aliens! - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
57:09 - A Silver Bullet for Defeating Theists? - Derek (he/him) - GA
01:09:36 - Is Selling Placebos Unethical? - Allistair (he/him) - CA
01:14:40 - My Brother May Kill My Mom, What Do I Do! - Mark (he/him) - VA

07:48
Could the Egyptians *really* have built the pyramids in the way that archeologists claim? This caller doesn’t think so. He says skeptics should be more open to fringe theories and not just follow scientific consensus. Vi and Eric have some issues with this.

For a direct debunking of Erich von Daniken and pseudoarchaeology, check out this @TED talk by Sarah Kurnik: https://youtu.be/W59CV66z9lQ

If you want more info on what famous skeptics think about this topic, we suggest @StarTalk host Neil Degrasse Tyson’s interview here: https://youtu.be/ZetaeaEvNkI

34:20
Can you choose your preferences? Does liking one jacket more than another negate free will? This deist isn’t so sure he wants to know the answer. After all, don’t we get our value as humans from our ability to choose? The hosts push back on the idea of inherent value and encourage him to keep questioning, even when it feels scary.

For more opinions on this topic, we recommend watching this @CosmicSkeptic video on compatibilism: https://youtu.be/Dqj32jxOC0Y

49:43
If your coworker was a religious person who also believed in aliens, what would you do? This caller asks the hosts for help in deprogramming his work friend. Vi and Eric share tips and tricks to jumpstart the critical thinking process in someone you care about.

Want to know more about how the brain processes attacks on core beliefs? Check out this 2016 Nature study on the neural correlates of maintaining beliefs: ​​https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39589

57:09
What is the one argument that will disprove all theists? Does such a thing even exist? This caller has been frustrated during conversations with believers, and wants the hosts’ opinion on how he should construct a “defeater” to others’ claims about a relationship with God. Vi says he’s barking up the wrong tree.

The hosts also gave hypotheses for why believers might be rejecting traditional denominations for “relationships with God.” If you want to hear a Christian perspective, here’s an article from a resource website for pastors: https://churchanswers.com/blog/eight-reasons-people-are-leaving-denominational-churches-for-non-denominational-churches/

01:09:36
Would it be ethical to take advantage of non-skeptical people in order to sell them a placebo? This caller is curious. After all, advertisers do it all the time, for all kinds of things! Eric tells him to go look into a mirror and reconsider.

If you’re interested in learning more about how seemingly harmless woo can negatively impact others in ALL areas of life, we think you might enjoy this @TheAntibot video: https://youtu.be/IIT88zN7Ih0

01:14:40
If your siblings were living with your mom and putting her at risk, what would you do? This caller wants help figuring out next steps. How should he confront his brother and sister-in-law about their risky behavior and how it may impact their mom? What would a skeptical solution be? The hosts give some hard truths.

Read more about why it’s important to get vaccinated, especially if you’re living or frequently interacting with people with pre-existing conditions like this caller’s mom: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-who-is-at-risk/art-20483301
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