Gourt Home::Gourt :: Skepticality
Skepticality is a popular podcast which explores rational thought, skeptical ideas, and famous myths from around the world, throughout history. Beginning in April 2005, it has featured interviews with famous skeptics, such as James Randi, as well as scientists, such as author and astronomer Phil Plait.
Skepticality is co-hosted by Derek Colanduno and Robynn McCarthy ("Swoopy", as she is known on the show.)
Hiatus and Return
On September 7, 2005, Apple CEO Steve Jobs, during a keynote address, mentioned Skepticality as one of the top nine podcasts at the iTunes Music Store.
On the same day that Jobs highlighted the program's success, its future was thrust into uncertainty: little over an hour later, co-host Derek Colanduno suffered an AVM of the brain (something akin to an aneurysm). His condition was announced two days later via the Skepticality podcast, in an emotional three-minute message by Swoopy. For the next week, friends of Derek broadcast messages of hope via the program's podcast, as he lay in a medicated coma.
Swoopy and Derek's wife provided daily updates of Derek's condition via the show's online message boards. Weeks later, he regained consciousness and began undergoing therapy. Swoopy gradually found time to produce new shows, calling on others to act as co-host. In December 2005, Derek returned to the weekly broadcast, as he now requires only part-time rehabilitation.
Limbo
The last podcast was on Feb 12making this the longest break the program has seen since its inception. No updates of the podcast have been posted via the feed or the website since that time. However, the hosts have been active in the discussion forum [http://skepticality.com/phpBB/of the website, discussing their long break as well as many skeptical topics.
Some have speculated that the show has come to an end, while many discussion group participants anticipate an episode as soon as the hosts have had time to get over the stress and turmoil of the past nine months. In accordance with the theme of the entire project, many will remain skeptical until reasonable signs of a new episode are apparent.
In a June 11, 2006 discussion forum announcement Derek Colanduno noted work towards, and the possibility of, an imminent episode. *
Asteroids
In an interview with Derek on the June 1, 2006, episode of Slacker Astronomy (named simultaneously chat show 7 and chat show 9), the naming of Asteroids McCarthy *" target="_blank" >was announced to the world. The asteroids were named in homage to the hosts of Skepticality by their discoverer Jeff Medkeff, *
External links
"Skepticality"