The Reality Check

Is the "Disney Point" the bizarre result of certain images of Walt Disney around Disney Parks with cigarettes edited out to give the illusion of a unique pointing style? Adam weighs the evidence. Then Darren gives us a couple of book reviews. First up is Shadow Cell by Andrew and Jihi Bustamante, a real life exploration of the world of espionage by former CIA operatives. Next is Algospeak by Adam Aleksic, which examines how social media algorithms inflence language online and in the real world.

With Halloween coming up we bring you some spooky segments on zombies and vampires! Darren looks at the thought experiment about philosophical zombies also known as p-zombies. Does this idea make that much sense? Then Adam looks at cases of tuberculosis taking place in New England which, to people without a proper understanding of the germ theory of disease, were thought to be vampirism.

Why does air conditioning seem to be more common in North America than in Europe or other places around the world? Adam looks at the many factors that can encourage or hinder adoption of AC in various places. Darren gives us book reviews on a variety of topics with "What Is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics" by Adam Becker and "Good and Real: Demystifying Paradoxes from Physics to Ethics" by Gary Drescher.

How is intelligence portrayed in works of fiction? In books, films and TV, we often see depictions of very smart of sometimes less intelligent people, but it's never totally realistic. Darren leads a conversation about various fictional portrayals of intelligence from Ender Wiggin and Sherlock Holmes to Joey Tribbiani and Homer Simpson. When do they get it right and why, and what do they often get wrong?

Wood you believe that it's all about trees on the latest episode of The Reality Check podcast? Here are two classic segments about trees. First up is an interview with tree expert Owen Clarkin who gets to the root of many tree facts. That segment may have planted the seeds for a future segment so we leave you with Pat who looks into claims that the Amazon rainforest is the Earth's lungs.

It's a different kind of show this week as Darren and Adam discuss the recently released Superman film. The movie, directed by James Gunn, stars David Corenswet as Superman. The discussion includes a look at box office results and factors contributing to them, criticism of art and the various things we like and dislike about the film. Though it isn't a particularly sciencey topic, we can't help but apply our own brand of critical thinking to some aspects of the film.

The film is currently in theatres worldwide and available to purchase digitally. It's recommended that you watch it before listening to this episode as there are plenty of spoilers, if you care about that kind of thing.

This podcast is not sponsored by anyone selling testosterone and its hosts aren't on T, but there are a many who are! Adam looks into testosterone replacement therapy, TRT, and its connection to some podcasts which are popular with men. Darren then gives us some reviews of five books: Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company by Patrick McGee, An Immense World by Ed Yong, Canada Alone: Navigating the Post-American World by Kim Richard Nossal, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter and Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself and Realise Your Full Potential by Scott Barry Kaufman.

Is AI making us dumber? Darren looks into a recent study, which spawned some less than great press coverage, trying to assess where or not using LLMs is making us less intelligent. We didn't really come to very good conclusions because we've been using too much AI. Adam gives an overview of mentalism, inspired by some recent podcast appearances by Oz Pearlman which have gone viral and brought some mainstream attention to this practice.

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.