Richard Saunders is an Australian skeptic and good friend. He is a polymath: a master at origami, a videocaster, a writer, and just an all-around drobbly bloke.
He makes a skeptical vidcast called The Tank (formerly The Skeptic Tank), and in the most recent episode, his cohost Michael Wolloghan walks around Sydney asking people, "What is a skeptic?"
The walkabout starts about 21 minutes in, so give it time to load.
This is a brilliant idea, and I may very well steal it… once it warms up in Boulder, that is.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
So… you don’t think much of the REST of the show?? That’s a pity. The interview at the start was probably more interesting than the vox pop.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I love the play on words:
“Septic Tank” is strine for Yank.
Skeptic rhymes with Septic.
Skeptic Tank becomes Tank.
Gotta love language.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Sorry, but I passed out from repeatedly banging my head against the wall. I tend to do that whenever someone mentions the Westboro Baptist Church. Those nutjobs are the best justification for atheism.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Shhhh…ozastro!
The ’seppo’ secret was hitherto only known by class members of mine!
January 31st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
> The walkabout starts about 21 minutes in, so give it time to load.
You can jump ahead on YouTube videos. Just click on the load bar until you arrive around the 21 minute mark – it’s about 2/3rds of the way through the video.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thanks for the feedback. It was fun to pace around the streets and ask folks what they thought a skeptic was. Naturally, it’s not hardcore cutting journalism – nor is it intended to be – but I think it’s important to have a grassroots understanding of just what people know about the subject.
Lugosi – Totally agree with you about the WBC. I could have used more “colourful” terms to express how I feel about them on the show but I didn’t think it was needed.
Har – Yes, Kylie did a great interview and I’ll certainly be looking for more information about Tim.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Hi Phil.
Thanks for linking to the show. I love making it although now I could use a beer! If anyone wants to find out more, visit http://tankvodcast.wordpress.com/ you can always ask our reporters questions and leave comments. Don’t forget to check out the Bloopers!
February 1st, 2008 at 2:07 am
John Minchin’s Woodrow Wilson quote is essentially accurate:
“May it not suffice for me to say in reply to your letter of August 25th, that, of course, like every other man of intelligence and education, I do believe in organic evolution. It surprises me that at this late date such questions should still be raised.
Sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson”
This was written in 1922
February 1st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
So, erm, ‘drobbly’. What does that mean?! I guess it’s something good but I’ve never heard/seen it before…
February 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Too bad Wilson wasn’t more skeptical of scientific racism, which he also thought intelligent (white) men should believe in.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I enjoyed my hours at the Circular Quay in Sidney. I found it to be quite entertaining and educational. Fortunately, I was there in March…much better than Chicagoland in March.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Well, at least the Aussie teen seemed just as clueless as some American teens! LOL
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 am
“Drobbly” Sort of like, really good, great, excellent, nice…
That’s drobbly of you. (That nice of you.)
It’s a drobbly day. (It’s a good, nice, fair day.)
She looks drobbly in that dress. (She looks nice, cute, attractive in the dress.)
You don’t hear it much these days, but I like it. In fact I think it’s drobbly.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
[...] Bad astronomy on tank vodcast – tim minchin skepticsPhil Plait talks about the TANK Vodcast on YouTube and Tim Minchin’s interview and vox pop. Submitted: 3 days ago Category: Science Submitter: RssFeed Website: http://www.badastronomy.com Report this link: Click here to report Comments: 0 [...]