Date: December 4th, 2018

Guest Skeptic: Dr. Steven Novella is a Yale Neurologist, host and producer of the popular science podcast called the Skeptics Guide to the Universe and executive editor of Science Based Medicine blog.

This is an SGEM Xtra book review. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Novella about the new book by the Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe (SGU).  I would like to recognize the influence the SGU had on inspiring the SGEM. The SGU has been a big part of my skeptical journey and contributed greatly to my critical thinking skills.

Listen to the SGEM podcast on iTunes or your favourite podcast app hear Dr. Novella and me discuss how SGU got started, their new book, how to encourage critical thinking with students and colleagues, how he discusses pseudoscience with colleagues and patients and a few other topics.

Five Frivolous Questions for Dr. Novella:

  1. Star Trek or Star Wars?
  2. Best Captain, Picard or Kirk?
  3. If you could have one today, flying car or transporter?
  4. Dinner with Newton or Galileo?
  5. Would you rather visit Mars or a moon of Jupiter?

The SGEMers can order a copy the SGU book for themselves and as a gift by clicking on this BOOK LINK or on the picture below.

The SGEM will be back next episode with a structured critical review of a recent publication trying to cut the knowledge translation window from over ten years to less than one year using the power of social media.


Remember to be skeptical of anything you learn, even if you heard it on the Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine.