The Reality Check

Could it be that dire wolves are no longer extinct? Researchers at Colossal Biosciences claim to have accomplished de-extinction of these long extinct wolves. Adam looks at the authenticity of their claims and examines what exactly they did to create these so called dire wolves. Then Darren does another book review roundup, looking at Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks by Yuval Noah Harari, Stoicism: How to Use Stoic Philosophy to Find Inner Peace and Happiness Paperback by Jason Hemlock, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry by Seth J. Gillihan and a few entries in the Philosophers in 90 minutes series by Paul Strathern.

Sadly, we recently got the news that our friend and frequent TRC contributor Dr. Stuart Farrimond passed away.  Stuart was a medical doctor who had a brain cancer diagnosis at age 25.  His treatment and side effects meant he had to stop practicing medicine.  Stu reinvented himself as a food science expert - appearing on countless television and radio shows.  He later became a best selling author of science education books.  He will be missed.

Who would win in a fight, 100 men or 1 gorilla? If you’re thinking that question is too vague then you’ll love Darren’s analysis of the situation. Adam looks at claims that we’ve found evidence of alien life on an exoplanet called K2-18B. I’m not saying it’s aliens but… listen to the episode to find out!

The Telepathy Tapes is a popular podcast that tells the story of non verbal people showing evidence of psychic abilities and logging on to a psychic virtual chat room called The Hill. Adam looks into how realistic these claims are given what we know about Facilitated Communication. Darren looks into some AI programs that seem to have been cheating at chess! What are they doing and what could this mean for the future of Artificial Intelligence?

Is Tim Hortons Canadian? Darren takes a look at the history of the popular coffee and donut chain to see just how Canadian it is and what it even means to be a Canadian company. Adam dives into some recent news which suggests that there are massive structures underneath the Great Pyramid of Giza. Is this even possible? Could that structure be a Tim Hortons restaurant?

Could Artificial Intelligence do a better job of recording a podcast than Darren and Adam? For this bonus episode we try something a little different. Darren gave Google’s NotebookLM the introduction Uncontrollable, his book on AI safety, and asked it to generate a podcast based on the content. Listen to what it produced! A somewhat convincing exchange between two virtual podcast hosts talking about concerns about the looming threat of AI. Following this simulated episode the real human hosts of The Reality Check podcast will share what we thought of it.

After reading two books touching on the theme of birth rates Adam gives us an overview and discussion on Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be by Timothy Carney and One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger by Matthew Yglesias. Then Darren looks into whether or not Highway 401 in Toronto is the busiest highway in the world.

Joe Nickell, the world renowned paranormal investigator, died earlier this week at the age of 80. He was a great inspiration to us here at The Reality Check and it was a great pleasure for some of us to have met him back in 2009 at The Amazing Meeting. At that time we recorded this interview, originally used in episode 53 of the show, where we talk with Joe Nickell about his fascinating career.

Darren revisits a topical segment from the past looking at Jevons’ Paradox which suggests that as a resource becomes more efficient, it may paradoxically be consumed more. Then Adam looks at some recent controversies about artificial colouring in Froot Loops cereal, how those are labeled in the US and Canada and what that means.

With Valentines Day coming up we are taking this opportunity to revisit a romantic segment we did five years ago with Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk. In this interview she discusses the work she does in the Positive Activities in Intimate Relationships (PAIR) Lab at Carleton University in which they study factors that promote and hinder positive activities in intimate relationships.

It is often said that cats are responsible for the death of countless birds. Adam looks at where these numbers come from and wonders whether they are all that accurate. Darren gives a review of four books which he recently read. He’ll share an AI and human summary of “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” by Ari Shavit, Enemies and Neighbors: Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017″ by Ian Black, “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War” by Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff, and “On Freedom” by Timothy Snyder.

It’s the 700th episode of The Reality Check podcast! On this special show we look back at the last 16 years to see how much things have changed since way back in 2008. Darren looks at the history of podcasts and how far we’ve come and then Adam looks at which false beliefs have become more or less over time since the show started.

When it comes to evolution many focus on what Jean-Baptiste Lamarck got wrong with his model of inheritance.  Darren looks at what he got right and considers his discoveries in light of the scientific understanding of the world of his time.  Adam, based on first hand anecdotal evidence of many cats and dogs, wonders what pets see when they looking at various types of TVs and computer monitors.

Why don't they just convert all of the unused office space to housing?  Adam looks at the challenges involved in converting office buildings to residential space.  Then Darren gives us a review of Ray Kurzweil's recent book The Singularity Is Nearer.

We have some very special guests on this week's episode as TRC alumni Pat and Cristina join us with some great segments.  Cristina looks at the truth behind a viral meme that says that famous actress Hedy Lamarr invented Wi-Fi, and gives us some background on this fascinating woman's life.  Then Pat delights us with everyone's favourite mostly guessing game Name That: Spot The Fake.

Could an AI rewrite its own code? Has it perhaps already done so? Darren looks at the story which suggests that an AI Scientist, developed by Sakana AI, was able to change its own source code. What exactly happened and are you worried enough about it? Then Adam investigates the truth behind a viral claim that we say “hello” on the telephone because of Graham Bell’s fiancée and assistant, Margaret Hello.

After having watched all six Sharknado films Adam decides to do some research into the science of these not at all ridiculous films, uncovering the truth about the plausibility and historical precedent for a tornado filled with living sharks. Darren gives us a book review of Renée DiResta’s Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality, which explores how powerful influencers are able to affect what people believe.

Could meditation ever be harmful? Darren examines the evidence to determine if meditation, which can have many benefits, might sometimes have a negative impact on people’s lives. Adam looks at the idea of cavemen and wonders if, as their name suggests, that they really spent all that much time in caves.

What’s the difference between a bar of soap and the stuff we use to clean dishes, laundry and cars, and can you just use any of those in the shower? Adam tries to find out whether the stuff that’s fit for baby ducks if good enough for you skin. Darren gives us a review of Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert Sapolsky, which asks interesting questions about free will, whether we have it and what the implications are.

We look at some fundamental ways of cultivating critical thinking on the latest show.  Darren looks at some common cognitive biases and logical fallacies and how to use these in order to have a better more accurate understanding of the truth of the things we face every day.  Then Adam looks at the science behind the  belief that you should let your leftovers cool down at room temperature before putting them in the fridge.