Skeptics Guide #1018

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #1017 January 2nd 2025 Segment #1. Quickie with Steve Primate Twins https://www.livescience.com/animals/our-ancient-primate-ancestors-mostly-had-twins-humans-dont-for-a-good-evolutionary-reason Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Mars Sample Return https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-overhauls-mars-sample-return-plan-rcna186400 News Item #2 – Unique Microbiome https://phys.org/news/2025-01-scientists-unique-microbiome-planet-roof.html News Item #3 – Transatlantic Tunnel https://www.drivingeco.com/en/nyc-londres-48-minutos-podria-ser-posible-gracias-tunel-transatlantico-e20-trillones-segun-elon-musk/#google_vignette News Item #4 – Alcohol Advisory https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/surgeon-general-alcohol-warning/ Segment 3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Bird Flu Vaccine I have a basic question. If we already know bird flu is so dangerous, and that it only takes one mutation to begin to spread person-to-person, then what are we waiting for? Why not sequence the dominant strains in livestock and spin up mRNA vaccines (or old fashioned egg-based vaccines) and start a mass-vaccination program? Sure, the vaccine may not be an exact match for the strain(s) that does leap to humans, but it should be close. Heck, the COVID vaccines we receive are never an *exact* match for the strains that are circulating (i.e., they're always mutating and therefore are always different, ever so slightly, from the vaccine targets at a point in time). So why not head off this bird flu threat and nip it in the bud with vaccines? Thanks for all your great work. Best wishes for 2025! Joshua Banta Tyler, TX Question #2: Cryptid Mascots On a recent segment about Bigfoot, Evan divided people who perpetuate the existence of cryptids into two groups: True believers, and people who profit off of the myth. But I'm hesitant to think in such stark, binary terms. Here in Portland bigfoot is very much a mascot or symbol of the Pacific Northwest regional identity. I don't believe he's literally real, and I don't know anyone who does. But the forest ape shows up again and again in local art, on t-shirts, and as a Portland Trailblazers mascot. My more outdoorsy friends will describe less-travelled trails and camping areas as "bigfoot country," even though they don't actually believe in bigfoot at all. He's a symbol of the wilderness, but not a literal inhabitant of it. What are your thoughts on cryptids as local mascots and regional symbols by people who don't believe they're real? Do you think that practice is wholly negative, or is it okay for a guy in a bigfoot costume to perform during halftime during Blazer games? Big fan of the show. You're far and away my favorite podcast! Best, Joe Streckert Segment #5. Science or Fiction Each week our host will come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine, one fictitious. He will challenge our panel of skeptics to sniff out the fake – and you can play along. Theme: CES2025 Item 1: The EcoFlow is a solar-powered hat capable of charging two devices at once. Item 2: The Spicerr is an automatic spice dispenser that holds up to six spices in proprietary sealed (unrefillable) capsules. Item 3: A Japanese manufacturer introduced an electric spoon that it claims will make food taste more salty and savory. Item 4: Swippitt is about the size and shape of a toaster, into which you place a smartphone to swap out its internal battery for a fresh one. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week “Those among us who are unwilling to expose their ideas to the hazard of refutation do not take part in the scientific game.” ― Karl R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery