The Reality Check

Latest Episodes:

TRC #669: Coronal Mass Ejection + The Technology Trap May 29, 2023

Show notes

In March of this year, auroras were seen in many places on earth. Though the auroras are usually seen far up north on the globe they can occur further south. But what are the risks associated with this kind of event? "The Technology Trap" by Carl Benedikt Frey looks at how the history of technology can help us better understand economic and political polarization in the age of automation. Darren gives us a review.

TRC #668: Dark Chocolate Has Heavy Metals? + What Happened To The Dinosaurs? May 15, 2023

Show notes

A recent study done by Consumer Reports shows that dark chocolate bars contain lead and cadmium. Should you be concerned? Cristina digs into it. Next, after watching the movie "65", Adam looks at the debate about how dinosaurs went extinct and when.

TRC #667: Special Intro + A Chat With Karl Mamer Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Pat puppeteers a delicious intro. Finally, what took us so long? We had a chat with Canadian podcast pioneer and author Karl Mamer. Karl has a new book out called "The Skeptics Book of Lists". He's a fascinating character with many stories to tell. We hope you enjoy!

TRC #666: The Number Of The Beast Origins + Name That: Spot The Fake Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to episode 6-6-6! Darren does a deep dive on the digits steeped in the Book of Revelation and why some historically associate it with the 'number of the beast'. Pat challenges the crew to a fresh and always fun installment of Name That: Spot The Fake. Can you do better than the TRC crew?

TRC #665: Is It Safe To Stand In Front of Microwave Ovens? Interview with Dr. Roman Yampolskiy About The Simulation Hypothesis Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

Cristina investigates a pervasive belief that standing in front of a microwave oven poses health risks. Darren and Adam have another fascinating discussion with Dr. Roman Yampolskiy. This time it's about his recent work regarding the Simulation Hypothesis, which proposes that all of our existence is a simulated reality. Dr. Yampolskiy is a computer scientist at the University of Louisville where he is the Director of the Cyber Security Laboratory in the Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science. He is an author of over 100 publications including numerous books.

TRC #664: Thundersnow + Customer Always Right? + A Look At "The Metaverse" Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

Cristina digs into the rare weather occurrence called thundersnow after witnessing lightning and thunder during a recent snowstorm. Adam checks the origins of 'the customer is always right in matters of taste', and asks, are they? Darren rounds out the show with a look at Matthew Ball's best-selling book "The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything".

TRC #663: Interview with Dr. Roman Yampolskiy About The Threat Of Advanced AI Feb 18, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Roman Yampolskiy is a computer scientist at the University of Louisville where he is the director of the Cyber Security Laboratory in the department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science. He is an author of over 100 publications including numerous books.

TRC #662: Annual Prediction Show - 2023 Edition Feb 04, 2023

Show notes

In what has become a yearly ritual to highlight the futility of 'predictions', Adam, Producer Pat, and Cristina guess at what might happen in 2023 and revisit the panel's 2022 predictions to see how they did.

TRC #661: Isaac Asimov's Laws Of Robotics + The Apple Logo = The Fall Of Man? Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

Happy New Year, Checkers! Darren lays out the Three Laws of Robotics, as devised by science fiction author Isaac Asimov, and why they are seemingly reasonable yet flawed. Adam bites into a segment about the Apple logo and ponders whether it's based on the biblical apple that signifies the Fall of Man.

TRC #660: Did Coca-Cola Conceive Modern Santa? + Eight Billion People? Dec 24, 2022

Show notes

'Twas the night before Christmas so Cristina asks the proverbial question…did Coca-Cola really invent the now ubiquitous image of Santa Claus? Adam rounds out the show checking claims that the world's population hit 8 billion people on November 15, 2022. Have a safe and happy holiday, Checkers and thank you for listening!

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