ABC Radio Statewide – UFOs

Tank Vodcast reporter Kylie Sturgess was invited to appear on ABC radio in Western Australia to talk about that classic of skeptical investigations, UFOs. Kylie gives her reflections on a theory about an ‘alien hair sample’ and support for scientific research into alien life. This interview is from the 5th February, 2008.

TANK Vodcast – Feb. 29. 2008 – Anonymous Scientology, Who is James Randi and Theatre Superstitions

The Bloopers and Extra Bits

More “Anonymous” and Who is James Randi?

Editing of the new TANK Vodcast, due out on the 29th of Feb, continues at TANK central!

Our USA reporter Dr. Karen Stollznow was in the crowd to interview members of “Anonymous” as they picketed the San Francisco office of The Church of Scientology.This is the second report on the TANK from the day protesters marched in cities world-wide. (You can the first report from Michael Wolloghan from Sydney as part of the 15th Feb episode of the TANK.)

Also…….. Who is James Randi?

Western Australian reporter Kylie Sturgess takes to the streets and the beach in Fremantle to find out how many people know who he is or what he does (even Dr Phil Plait and Richard Saunders are put ‘in the picture’)!

All this and more coming up on 29th of Feb on
The TANK Vodcast… Skepticism Never Looked So Good!

Reporters Reporting on Reporters

Dr. Karen Stollznow and Kylie Sturgess are the female side of The TANK Vodcast. But what are they really like and how did they get into skepticism?

Find out by reading Karen’s inverview with Kylie and Kylie’s interview with Karen!

Both women have video reports in the next TANK Vodcast, to go live on the 29th of Feb.

Karen was on the spot in San Francisco to report on the ‘Anonymous’ protests and Kylie goes to The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) to find out about Theatre Superstitions.

When Dr. Karen Stollznow put Alternative Medicine to the test.

TANK Vodcast reporter Dr. Karen Stollznow once took part in an investigation into Alternative Medicine here in Australia. The story was featured at the time on TV’s “A Current Affair“.

The story is from 1998 and you’ll see how it was hoped then that controls on quackery would tighten. Sadly, this is not the case. Indeed, Naturopaths and their ilk are common place and can even be found in many Pharmacies.

To read the full report, see ‘the Skeptic‘, Vol. 18 No. 2 page 10. (Download the entire magazine for free!)

‘Alternative’ consultations
Harry Edwards & Karen Stollznow

http://www.skeptics.com.au/journal/1998/2.pdf

TANK Vodcast – Feb. 15. 2008 – Ted Gwin, Anonymous Scientology and John Edward

Michael is NOT from The Church of Scientology

Protesters turned out in force on the February the 10th to demonstrate at the Church of Scientology’s headquarters in Sydney. TANK Vodcast reporter Michael Wolloghan was amongst the 150 masked peaceful protesters, there to document the events and interview the passionate demonstrators.

Protesters said the event was part of a global demonstration against the Church of Scientology by “Anonymous”, an informal net-based collective.

The demonstrators, sporting various masks, wanted to hide their identities to avoid being later targeted by the church. They alleged Scientology suppresses free speech by suing and threatening anyone who opposes them and is a destructive, deceitful cult.

Michael’s report will be on the next TANK Vodcast, 15th of Feb.

Look out for Michael, in the black hat, at time code 1:19 in this video from TV’s ‘A Current Affair‘ show. Needless to say Michael is NOT a Scientologist!

Meet us in the Pub – Thursday the 7th of Feb

Sydney Skeptics in the Pub

Meet Richard and Michael from The TANK Vodcast.

On the first Thursday each month, Sydney Skeptics get together in the Crown Hotel on the corner of Elizabeth and Goulbourn Streets. Please note that we meet UPSTAIRS. Please come UPSTAIRS just after 6pm. There is usually no formal agenda. People start gathering about 6pm and the night finishes when the last person leaves (which is not usually late enough to be a problem). To get there, it is a few minutes walk from both Central and Museum stations and a few more minutes from Town Hall. There is a large car park diagonally opposite the hotel (entrance in Goulbourn Street).

Anyone is welcome, no need to book. Free Spoon-Bending Lessons!

More info at: http://www.skeptics.com.au/events/inthepub.htm

The Joys of Editing

The First TANK Vodcast for this year is almost ready. I’m slaving over a hot computer to edit all the reports I have for the show. The job is going well with a few setbacks as my PC thinks it can sometimes close programs without saving the work first.

Stefan Sojka has sent his video report via ftp from the UK which took me sometime to download and convert, but so what? It’s amazing that he can film something on the other side of the planet and get to me for the show!

We were filming yesterday in Sydney suburb of Enmore outside a popular pub called ‘The Sly Fox’ as reporter Michael Wolloghan asked the question, “What is a Skeptic?” I think you’ll find some of the answers an interesting insight into what the general population in Sydney think about us. You’ll see that not everyone even knows what the word ‘Skeptic’ means! It’s at times like these when my little Flip Video Cam comes in very handy. My other camera is HUGE and can scare people off talking.

A day before that, Michael and I filmed the intro to the show at Circular Quay with the Sydney Opera House in the background. It was a hot! I mean sun-burning hot! And it took us 3 takes to get it right. Oh well, it was good fun and we thank Montag and Catherine for helping us on the day.

Show 1 still on track for Feb 1!

Filming Starts Today – 27th Jan 2008

Filming of the intro and wrap-up of the new TANK Vodcast starts later today in Martin Place or Pitt Street Mall here in Sydney.

Joining Richard Saunders as co-host for this episode will be new reporter, Michael Wolloghan. Michael is filling in for regular co-host Stefan Sojka who will be sending in a video report from the UK as he looks for ghosts!

If you are in down town Sydney around launch time, come over and say hello! You might even end up in Michael’s report on “What is a Skeptic?“

The first episode is due for release on the 1st of Feb.