The Reality Check #189: Little Genius + Truth Serum + 420

 
Darren talks about a recent news story about a genius 4 year old, what does her IQ actually mean? Jon examines the truth and fiction surrounding truth serum, can it actually get people to spill the truth? Adam runs a game of science fact or science fiction about the origins of “420”.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 1 Comment

The Reality Check #188: HIV Denial + Exodus Evidence + Titanic Myths

 
Adam goes into the history and absurdity of HIV Denial, the belief that HIV does not cause AIDS. Elan looks into the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt, did it happen? Could it have happened? Darren goes over a few common Titanic myths in remembrance of the sinking of the ship 100 years ago this past week.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #187: The Turing Test + Does P = NP? + Double Jeopardy


Darren explains the controversy surrounding the Turing Test, a supposed way to determine if computers have reached “human level” intelligence. Elan brings to light a heavily debated topic from computer science, does “P = NP”? Adam looks into the plausibility of the 1999 movie “Double Jeopardy”.

 

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #186: Gas Boycotts + Chris Hassall + Mattress Tags


Jon looks into if gas boycott emails actually have a chance of working. Chris Hassall is interviewed about his (and CASS’ ) role in exposing climate change denial at Carleton University. Adam explains why it’s illegal to remove mattress tags, or does he?

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 12 Comments

The Reality Check #185: Life Expectancy + Box Office Math + Sad Onions

Darren looks into how life expectancies in various countries are calculated, and how to compare them. Adam explains how “Hollywood Math” works. Elan puts the rest of hosts through an arduous game of “Science Fact or Science Fiction: Onion Crying Cures Edition”.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 1 Comment

The Reality Check 184: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs + Myers-Briggs Personality Test + Oprah Book Club

Elan and Adam take turns bashing popular topics from psychology 101. Elan explains why you may not need Maslow’s Hierachy and Adam show that Myers-Briggs’ tests lack personality. Darren is jealous that when Oprah recommends a book, people listen.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #183: Valium + Dog Years + Gravity

 
Elan sizes up the drug Valium, is it as bad as people think, or as good as people say? Adam looks into whether the concept of “dog years” makes any sense. Darren talks about gravity.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #182: Organic vs Conventional Farming + Leap Year + Kokomo

Darren sizes up the supposed benefits of organic farming – is it really better than conventional farming? Jon gets geeky about the leap year, and other interesting calendar trivia. Adam debunks The Beach Boys.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment

The Reality Check #181: Spontaneous Human Combustion + Fukushima Fallout + Franklin Kite Experiment


Jon covers the range of explanations for “spontaneous human combustion” from the silly to the downright plausible. Adam looks into claims of mass deaths in the North America due to Fukushima reactor fallout. Darren debunks the myth that Ben Franklin was struck by lightning while flying a kite.

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | 1 Comment

The Reality Check #180: Thinking Fast and Slow Review + Mammoth Sighting + Einstein Math Failure?


Darren reviews the book Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Adam explores the origins of a supposed video of a wooly mammoth in Siberia. Elan answers the question “Did Einstein fail grade 6 math?”

Download direct: mp3 file

If you like the show, please leave us a review on itunes.

Continue reading

Posted in The Reality Check Episodes | Leave a comment