Author Archives: Pat

The Reality Check #150: Dreams + Mood Rings + Feet vs Penis Length

Jon gives the top 3 scientific explanations for why we dream. Adam explains how mood rings work, or why they don’t. Elan looks at the scientific literature to find out if the common claim that shoe size is an indicator … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #149: Divorce Statistic Myths + Is Cheeze Whiz One Molecule Away From Plastic?

Elan conducts another session of “Science Fiction or Science Fact™” about divorce statistics. Adam addresses the claim that Cheeze Whiz™ is only one molecule away from plastic. http://traffic.libsyn.com/therealitycheck/The_Reality_Check_Ep_149_-_2011-07-17.mp3 Download direct: mp3 file If you like the show, please leave us a review … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 1 Comment

The Reality Check #148: McDonalds Myths + Teething Necklaces + Long Weekend Fuel Prices

Elan debunks some gross myths about the contents of the food that McDonald’s serves. Adam goes baby crazy when talking about necklaces that supposedly help with teething. Jon talks about a recent study that sheds light on the debate surrounding … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 1 Comment

The Reality Check #147: Asbestos + Fan Death + Exercise on an Empty Stomach Myth

Adam talks about the dangerous, yet natural, substance asbestos and Canada’s role interfering with international safety regulations of it. Jon discusses “fan death”, the popular Korean belief that sleeping in an enclosed room with an electric fan can kill you. … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #146: Micro-financing + Light Bulb Longevity + Cold Causes

Darren cuts through the hype to find out if micro-financing actually helps people. Adam takes a look at a light bulb that has supposedly been lit for over a hundred years, and then the rabbit hole goes deeper. Elan looks … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #145: The Halo Effect + Hypnosis + Gold Fish Memory

Elan talks about the Halo Effect, which is when a single attribute misrepresents the whole. Adam explores hypnosis, is it really a separate state of mind? Darren busts the myth that goldfish only have a short term memory of 3 … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #144: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and XMRV + Risk Compensation + Does Lightning Strike Twice?

Darren examines competing studies and tries to answer whether or not chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by a particular virus. Adam looks into whether “risk compensation” reduces the effect of new safety policies/technologies. Elan debunks the myth that lightning never … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #143: Speed Reading + Bitcoin + Can People Really Rip Phone Books?

Elan examines speed reading, is it even possible? Jon discuss Bitcoin, a new form of online currency, is it the most dangerous invention since the internet? Darren answers the question: Can people really rip a phone book in half? http://traffic.libsyn.com/therealitycheck/The_Reality_Check_Ep_143_-_2011-06-02.mp3 … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #142: Children’s Toy Preferences + Interview with Jon Kay + Video Game Myths

Adam discusses the controversial issue of whether children’s choice of toys are influenced by their gender. Jon interviews Jon Kay about his new book “Among the Truthers”. Elan goes over a few myths about specific video games from 20 years … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #141 Brazilian Labour Rights + DCA Cancer Cure Resurgence + The Five Senses

Darren talks about a recent article going around the internet about a Brazilian woman that supposedly got the right to masturbate at work. Jon debunks claims that scientists in Alberta cured cancer (and no one took notice). Elan addresses the … Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment