Radio Freethinker

This week:

- What is political Asylum

- Egg-travagant myth about cake mix

- The on-again off-again sexual affair between Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals

- Interview with Bad Science Watch executive director Jamie Williams

Download the episode here!

What is political asylum

This week, there has been a lot of discussion and political turmoil over the granting of political asylum to Julian Assange by Ecuador and the possibility of the UK storming the Ecuadorian embassy to seize. Don decided that it might be a good opportunity to ask what is political asylum, is it real or convention? What is the status of embassies and are they real ‘foreign soil in a host nation’?

Find out more:

• Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
• Right of asylum
• Embassy Extraterritoriality
• Assange asylum decision leaves Britain in uncharted waters
• London’s threat to storm Ecuador’s embassy for Assange ‘stupid’

Egg-stravagant cake mix myth

Ethan hates the story about adding an egg to cake mix was done to alleviate the guilt of homemakers. Is it a myth or just evil marketing?

Find out more:

• Something Egg-stra

The on-again off-again sexual affair between Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals

We have in the past reported about the possible genetic evidence that our ancestor and neanderthals were more than just neighbors…friends…you know…they were having sex! Well, in a new paper questions that assumption and put forward the case that the shared DNA comes from a common ancestor. Don is not amused!

Find out more:

• Neanderthals, humans didn’t make whoopee
• Neanderthal mating debated in duelling studies

Interview with Bad Science Watch executive director Jamie Williams

We have a virtual interview with Jamie Williams and ask what is the mission of Bad Science Watch and it current programs.

Skeptical Highlights:

Stop the war on whistle-blowers : Julian Assange

CFI Freethinker’s Book Club

Science, Sense and Nonsense: 61 nourishing, healthy, bulk-free commentaries on the chemistry that affects us all,’ by Joe Schwarcz, PhD.  Saturday, September 8th 2012 at 1:00 pm at The Grind & Gallery Coffee Bar, on Main Street, Vancouver BC

Skeptics in the Pub – Downtown

Every month, skeptics gather around the watering hole for camaraderie, stimulating discussion and to enjoy a pint or two. The next event is next Tuesday at 7:30 ish, in the back room at the Rail Way Club second floor at the corner of Dunsmuir and Seymour.

Skeptics in the Pub – Richmond

Every month, skeptics gather around the watering hole for camaraderie, stimulating discussion and to enjoy a pint or two. The next event is next Thursday at 7:30 ish, in the back room at the Legends Pub, 6511 Buswell Street, Richmond BC.