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 strikes twice.

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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?

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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 ago.

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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 myth that humans only have 5 senses.

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The Reality Check #140 Criminal Profiling + Happiness Book Reviews + Plane Crash Survival Rates

Criminal profiling definitely works in TV shows like Criminal Minds and The Mentalist, but does it work in real life? Adam profiles criminal profiling to get at the truth. Darren reads a lot… about happiness. Darren reviews a few recent books about happiness. Jon’s never been in a plane crash, but if he had been, would he still be alive? Jon discusses the true stats around plane crashes.

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The Reality Check #139 The Decline Effect + Birthers + MLK Jr Misquote


Elan talks about the decline effect, does it explain declining effects in replicated scientific studies? Adam talks about the “birther” movement. Darren tracks the origins of a Martin Luther King Jr “quote” that spread around twitter after Osama Bin Laden death.

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The Reality Check #138: Cancer Dogs + Robot Sex + Tootsie Pop Wrapper Contest

Jon talks about whether dogs can detect cancer. Darren review the book Love and Sex with Robots by David Levy. Adam answers whether or not you can send in special Tootsie Pop wrappers for a prize.

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The Reality Check #137: e-cigarettes + Is Paul Dead? + Does Chocolate Have Caffeine?

Adam explores whether e-cigarettes are effective or even safe. Elan goes into the conspiracy that Paul McCartney has been dead for years. Darren address the myth that chocolate contains caffeine.

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The Reality Check #136: Medical Science Reliability + Cookie Monster a Vegetarian? + Does 1=0.9…?

Adam responds to people complaining on the internet about Sesame Street changing the Cookie Monster character. Elan covers the question: “Does 1 = 0.999 repeating?”

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The Reality Check #135: Brushing Teeth With Soap + Toyota Acceleration Hysteria + Drowning Myth

Adam talks about the recent “craze” of brushing teeth with soap instead of toothpaste. Jon turns back the clock and figures out what caused all those Toyota cars to accelerate unintentionally. Darren answers the question: Do people flail about when drowning?

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