1. Dodgy Homeopaths Uncovered
2. Theatre of Science in New York
3. Mentos Videos
4. Flying Spaghetti Monster
5. Free Japanese Big Bangs
6. Competition Winner
7. Puzzle Competition
1. Dodgy Homeopaths Uncovered
It has been several months since my last newsletter, but I have been busy tracking down dodgy homeopaths. Working with the organisation Sense About Science, I contacted ten homeopaths and every single one of them was willing to offer homeopathic protection against malaria instead of conventional medicines. Scientific evidence suggests that homeopathic remedies do not work (except at a placebo level), and here is clear evidence that homeopathy is dangerous as well as being useless. You can find more details of what happened here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-2269389,00.html
And BBC Newsnight did some great undercover filming and you can see their report and an interview with me and a homeopath representative at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1UJ_qGZ24k
2. Theatre of Science in New York
Theatre of Science is about to cross the Atlantic and will be appearing in an off-Broadway theatre in November. Richard Wiseman and I will be demonstrating some of the more bizarre aspects of science, which will include zapping each other with one million volts. Also, we will be joined by the wonderful contortionist Delia. There will only be five performances and the tickets have just gone on sale. More information at https://simonsingh.net/Theatre_of_Science.html
I am only giving a few talks in the UK (Reading and Oxford), and you can find details at the usual location: https://simonsingh.net/Simon_Lectures.php
3. Mentos Videos
The Mentos/Coke experiment has now become a global phenomenon. Even if you have seen it already, here are a couple of video clips that are worth watching:
http://www.eepybird.com/dcm1.html (slightly amazing)
http://www.davideodesign.co.uk/pepsigirl.htm (slightly shocking)
4. Flying Spaghetti Monster
The junk science that is known as Intelligent Design has best been parodied by Bobby Henderson, who wrote to the Kansas Board of Education. If the board encouraged the teaching of Intelligent Design on the grounds that all possible theories ought to be allowed into the classroom, then Henderson requested that Kansas schools should also teach that life was created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I have just reviewed the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and I would highly recommend it. In addition to discussing the creation of life, Henderson points out that the increase in global temperature correlates with a reduction in the number of pirates over the last three centuries. Therefore he suggests the reintroduction of pirates in order to combat global warming.
5. Free Japanese Big Bang
Big Bang, my history of cosmology, is being translated into various languages and I have just received the Japanese editions. If you live in the UK and if you read Japanese or are learning Japanese, then just send an email to jbigbang@simonsingh.net with your address and I will put a free book in the post. (Unfortunately I cannot extend this offer outside the UK because of the high cost of postage.)
6 Competition Winner
In the last newsletter, I asked: What is 1.79 x 10^12 furlongs per fortnight? The answer is the speed of light. Phua Kok Hee from Singapore wins a copy of ‘Dr.Riemann’s Zeros’ by Karl Sabbagh
7. Puzzle Competition
What is the longest word that you can make from the letters that appear in the top row of a typewriter keyboard?
Send your answer to competition@simonsingh.net – put your answer in the subject header and your address in the body of the email. The closing date for entries is September 15. One of the correct entries will win a copy of ‘Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose(8)’ by Sandy Balfour, sub-titled a memoir of love, exile and crosswords
Cheerio,
Simon.
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