In the moment between claims of infallibility, Becky, Dan and Sam talk about the “honest” atheists, catch up with Mandisa Thomas of Black Nonbelievers, and discuss the passing of and lack of skepticism regarding Hugo Chavez.
Also, fungi are terrifying. There are many show notes.
The article Sam references in the first segment, Damon Linker’s “Where are the Honest Atheists?”, is available here.
Here is a list of links of source material for this week’s Moment of Science: “Mind Control Parasites”
- Fungal infection causes tarantula to grow antlers
- NIH document
- CDC brain transmission information
- Toxoplasma, Cat and People
- Toxoplasma Effects
And finally, a list of sources for Sam’s complains about Hugo Chavez:
Steps towards the autocracy
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Told Jorge Ramos of Univision in 1998 regarding an open press: “Enough already with State Media. The State already has chanel 8…I have a great relationship with the other channels…They should remain private. In fact, we’re interested in their expanding and deepening.” link
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But, limited freedom of press despite 1999 constitution emphasizing free press (Freedom House Human Rights WatchReporters Without Borders
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Refused to renew the license of Radio Caracas Televisión, the main opposition voice to his presidency link
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Told Jorge Ramos of Univision in 1998 that he’d “Absolutely not” nationalize any of the freely operating businesses in Venezuela. “We are even prepared to have even more than there already are, to have private international ventures come and invest. I am not the devil.” link
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But removed autonomy from Venezuelan Central Bank (Time Magazine profile 2007)
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Nationalized the largest telecommunications corporation (CanTV)link
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Kicked out 6 foreign petroleum companies in favor of nationalizing petroleum production link
Crazy Anti-Skeptic Quotes by Chavez, From Reuters
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ON CAPITALISM’S ROLE IN LACK OF LIFE ON MARS, 2011: “I have always said, heard, that it would not be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but maybe capitalism arrived there, imperialism arrived and finished off the planet.
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ACCUSING THE CIA OF SPREADING CANCER IN LATIN AMERICA, 2011: “It would not be strange if they had developed the technology to induce cancer and nobody knew about it until now.”
