This year's Trottier Symposium narrows in on the topics of the origin of life on Earth as well as the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. The third speaker is Dr. Sara Seager (MIT) who was named in Time Magazine's 25 Most Influential in Space in 2012. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P140728_Trottier_Symp_pt3.mp4" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2014/12/Trottier_symp.jpg" /]

This year's Trottier Symposium narrows in on the topics of the origin of life on Earth as well as the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. The first speaker is Dr. Jim Bell (Arizona State University, Cornell University). [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P140726_Trottier_Symp_pt1.mp4" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2014/12/Trottier_symp.jpg" /]

This year's Trottier Symposium narrows in on the topics of the origin of life on Earth as well as the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. The second speaker is Dr. Jill Tarter (SETI Institute), who was named onf ot eh Time 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2004 and Time 25 in Space in 2012. As well, she received a TED prize in 2009 and public service awards from NASA. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P140727_Trottier_Symp_pt2.mp4" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2014/12/Trottier_symp.jpg" /]

The seventh annual Trottier Symposium spotlights “Alternative Medicine.” Four world-renowned experts examine some of its tenets “under the microscope.” Alternative medicine can be described as practices that are available to the public but which are not taught in conventional medical schools. The focus there lies on evidence-based methods and controlled experiments. Lack of evidence does [...]

The seventh annual Trottier Symposium spotlights “Alternative Medicine.” Four world-renowned experts examine some of its tenets “under the microscope.” Alternative medicine can be described as practices that are available to the public but which are not taught in conventional medical schools. The focus there lies on evidence-based methods and controlled experiments. Lack of evidence does [...]

The 6th annual Trottier Symposium focuses on the difference between science and “pseudo” science. While real science accumulates facts and formulates testable theories to gain a unified understanding of the physical world, pseudoscience relies on anecdotes, ideology and cherry-picked data to support preconceived notions. Pseudoscience masquerading as real science can lead to troublesome consequences, particularly when it comes to matters of health. Unfortunately, aided and abetted by the Internet, pseudoscience has been growing by leaps and bounds. Outstanding, world-famous science communicators discuss various aspects of pseudoscience and provide guidance for separating sense from nonsense. David Gorski, MD PhD FACS (Surgical oncologist; Managing Editor, "Science-based Medicine" Blog) and Michael Shermer, PhD (Scientific American columnist; Editor in chief, Skeptic magazine) share their wealth of experience and views on confronting pseudoscience. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P110400TRThreat.m4v" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2011/04/P110400TRThreat.jpg" /]

The 6th annual Trottier Symposium focuses on the difference between science and “pseudo” science. While real science accumulates facts and formulates testable theories to gain a unified understanding of the physical world, pseudoscience relies on anecdotes, ideology and cherry-picked data to support preconceived notions. Pseudoscience masquerading as real science can lead to troublesome consequences, particularly when it comes to matters of health. Unfortunately, aided and abetted by the Internet, pseudoscience has been growing by leaps and bounds. Outstanding, world-famous science communicators discuss various aspects of pseudoscience and provide guidance for separating sense from nonsense. James Randi first rose to fame as The Amazing Randi, performing magic and escapes in the tradition of Houdini. His background as a conjurer led to a second career as the world’s premier investigator of paranormal and pseudoscientific phenomena. Randi’s investigations of medical frauds and purported psychics are legendary. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P110401TRInvestigating.m4v" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2011/04/P110401TRInvestigating.jpg" /]

The 6th annual Trottier Symposium focuses on the difference between science and “pseudo” science. While real science accumulates facts and formulates testable theories to gain a unified understanding of the physical world, pseudoscience relies on anecdotes, ideology and cherry-picked data to support preconceived notions. Pseudoscience masquerading as real science can lead to troublesome consequences, particularly when it comes to matters of health. Unfortunately, aided and abetted by the Internet, pseudoscience has been growing by leaps and bounds. Outstanding, world-famous science communicators discuss various aspects of pseudoscience and provide guidance for separating sense from nonsense. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P110399TRRoundtable.m4v" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2011/04/P110399TRRoundtable.jpg" /]

There is growing public alarm about the possible harmful health effects caused by cell phones, microwaves, WiFi, etc. This concern has been fed by a wide array of misleading information on the Internet as well as various reports in the media. What does the real scientific evidence show? [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P100310MSTrottier.m4v" image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2010/09/Trottier.jpg" /]

Some scientists argue mitigation alone can no longer prevent dangerous levels of atmospheric CO2 and propose directly intervening in the climate system to counter the effects of greenhouse gas induced warming. Can we successfully manipulate the climate system to avoid dangerous climate change? Do we understand the global climate system well enough to determine the feasibility and risks involved? In this year's Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium, climate scientists and a historian of science will discuss the scientific and social ramifications of geo-engineering the climate. [flashvideo file="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/pods/scienceandtechnology/P100254_trottiersymposiumGeoeng2.m4v" height=344 image="http://podcasts.mcgill.ca/files/2010/03/trottgeoeng2thumb.JPG" /]