Truth Wanted 05.38 09-23-2022 with Objectively Dan and The Skeptick

Welcome back to Truth Wanted folks! This week, back by popular demand, is Jon the Skeptick! He’ll also be joined by some Dan guy who wandered in off the street. Dan and Jon chat about horoscopes and other kinds of charlatanry before we move on to your calls.

This week’s Patron of the Week is I Heart Dogs! Clearly a Saggitarius, who are known for their generosity. Or something.

We’ll open the show with Nevyn, whose friends describe him as a conspiracy theorist. He’s just asking questions! In this case, those questions are about the moon landing, and some missing answers. Jon points out that missing answers doesn’t mean the Apollo missions were faked, and Dan doesn’t think a Youtube video is very convincing. This is an interesting example of a credulous caller with an argument from incredulity.

Jamie’s calling in from Texas with an observation about how the United States’ veneration of concepts like freedom and liberty may be a roadblock to having universal healthcare. We’ll listen to two Brits dunk on the myth of American exceptionalism for a few minutes before a REAL American chimes in… and agrees. The ghost of Senator McCarthy is coming for you, Dan!

Our third caller is Greg, he downloaded a phone app that talks to ghosts. Testing whether the app actually communicates with the spirits of the dead, he got some responses that were eerily relevant, and saw a ghost “tour guide” use dowsing rods. Jon gives us a demonstration of his magical ability, but Dan rains on this parade by suggesting that ideomotor movement is a more likely explanation. We all agree that stories are cool, but they’re just that.

Finally we have Daniel in Canada, and he’s convinced that some alien abductions are real and that the government is hiding the evidence. Our hosts quiz Daniel on what he believes and offer some good reasons to be skeptical of claims, as well as a few examples of what might convince them. We finally get to the good part when Daniel claims NASA has footage of insectoids on Mars using tools. Sadly, we lose Daniel when his connection is sabotaged by a Martian insect with an adorable tiny pickaxe.

What a way to end the show! We’ll see you all next week, truth seekers!

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