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PODCAST

The Reality Check

The Reality Check

Canada"s weekly podcast that explores a wide range of controversies and curiosities using science and critical thinking.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

34:26

TRC #644: Ottawa Convoy Confusion

The Reality Check ·

2022/02/19

The trucks, the honking, the bouncy castles, the hot tubs. It’s all Darren today. As a resident in downtown Ottawa, he gives us his thoughts on the “freedom convoy” which has been occupying the city centre for over three weeks. Are the international stories correct? What do the protestors want, and have they really been peaceful?

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31:32

TRC #643: Catalytic Converters + Masked People More...

The Reality Check ·

2022/02/13

Cristina looks into why thefts of catalytic converters in cars has soared lately. Adam takes a skeptical lens to recent headlines suggesting that wearing face masks make people seem more attractive. Finally, Darren brings us a fascinating exploration of New Year’s resolutions and considers why humans make them.

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47:58

TRC #642: Annual Prediction Show: 2022 Edition

The Reality Check ·

2022/01/20

In what has become a yearly ritual to highlight the futility of ‘predictions’, Adam, Producer Pat, and Cristina guess at what might happen in the new year and look back on our guesses from last year.

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34:23

TRC #641: Dangers Of High Density Crowds + Memes:...

The Reality Check ·

2021/12/23

Cristina delves into the fascinating yet terrifying science of high density crowds in light of the recent Astroworld music festival tragedy. Adam takes a closer look behind popular memes. Are they data mining, pushing elaborate conspiracy theories, or just plain old clickbait? Darren gives us a great overview of Steven Pinker’s latest book “Rationality”, which explores the concept of collective rationality in society.

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26:22

TRC #640: Effective Donating 2021 + Longest Lunar...

The Reality Check ·

2021/12/01

Darren brings us an important overview of the recent updates from the charity evaluation website GiveWell to help inform your charity donation decisions this holiday season. Adam rounds out the show by scrutinizing claims that the recent lunar eclipse was the longest eclipse of this century and next.

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38:58

TRC #639: Mae Jemison + House Prices + Superman vs...

The Reality Check ·

2021/11/22

Cristina shines a spotlight on the incredible career of the first African-American female in space, Dr. Mae Jemison, and shares some fun Star Trek trivia. Adam takes a look behind the factors contributing to higher house prices to determine if they’re going up as much as we think. Darren goes meta with a deep dive into how often Superman really changes in a phone booth.

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33:51

TRC #638: Human Augmentation

The Reality Check ·

2021/11/01

Darren delivers a compelling synopsis of a report released by the UK Department of Defence earlier this year regarding the field of Human Augmentation. Could integrating the abilities of both people and machines be critical to winning future wars?

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26:05

TRC #637: COVID App Privacy Vulnerability? + ‘Spot...

The Reality Check ·

2021/10/18

Adam discovers a vulnerability in the new COVID Verify Ontario app that allows an easy way for anyone to see personal information contained in someone’s Quebec QR code. Pat challenges the crew with an always-entertaining game of ‘Spot The Fake’. Lastly, Darren gives us a quick take on the book, “The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds.”

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34:35

TRC #636: Generational Labels + China Video Game Ban...

The Reality Check ·

2021/10/08

Adam seems to experience deja vu when covering China’s latest attempts to restrict online gaming for minors. In a total cheugy move, Darren looks at the problems with generational labels like Gen Z and why a recent letter sent to Pew Research Center is urging to stop using them. Lastly, Cristina has been sitting on this gassy topic until the crew reunited. Is it physically possible to burp and fart at the same time?

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25:34

TRC #635: Ear Seeding + The Oldest Profession?

The Reality Check ·

2021/09/20

Cristina gives us an earful about a wellness trend that suggests placing a small seed or bead on the cartilage of your outer ear provides multiple health benefits. Adam looks back in history to corroborate whether sex work really is the so-called ‘oldest profession’.

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24:54

TRC #634: QR Codes Dangerous? + Ads In Your Dreams?

The Reality Check ·

2021/09/07

After a vaccine passport system is launched in his home province of Quebec, Adam investigates whether people’s fear that QR code technology is dangerous and could compromise our privacy is justified. Darren looks into the validity behind claims that consumer brands can target ads at your dreams using Targeted Dream Incubation.

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27:58

TRC #633: Country Most Prepared For COVID-19? + What...

The Reality Check ·

2021/08/17

Darren does a deep dive into the Global Health Security Index which aims to assess a country’s capability to prevent and mitigate epidemics and pandemics. Adam unleashes his inner Trekkie by venturing into the Neutral Zone to discover its meaning and historical origins. After hearing ads for the Embr Wave on other podcasts, Cristina looks behind the wearable device’s claims to cool you down or warm you up.

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28:00

TRC #632: Anti-Sex Beds + Hollow Earth? + Youngest...

The Reality Check ·

2021/07/27

Cristina fact checks rumours circulating on social media that anti-sex beds were installed in Tokyo’s Olympic Village to deter athletes from hooking up. Adam digs into the plausibility of the Hollow Earth theory after seeing Godzilla vs. Kong. Darren looks into the shocking story behind the youngest person to ever give birth.

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27:15

TRC #631: The Top 40 + Subway Tuna Real Tuna? + ‘Drug...

The Reality Check ·

2021/07/17

Cristina explores the interesting origin and meaning of the oft-used music industry term Top 40. Adam digs into recent headlines suggesting that Subway restaurant tuna is not what it seems. Darren looks at Dr. Carl L. Hart’s book, ‘Drug Use For Grown-Ups’ which challenges our conventional understanding of drugs and their effects.

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31:32

TRC #630: Does In-Office Work Increase Innovation? +...

The Reality Check ·

2021/07/04

Darren takes a skeptical look at the argument that in-office work increases collaboration and innovation. Adam’s ‘not saying it’s aliens’, as he takes a closer look at the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force Report. Cristina makes a bone-chilling discovery about china.

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30:09

TRC #629: COVID-19 Sniffing Canines +...

The Reality Check ·

2021/06/13

Cristina digs into headlines claiming dogs can sniff out coronavirus with impressive accuracy. Darren looks into whether we currently have the technology to generate images just by using our thoughts. After recently watching the classic James Bond flick ‘Goldfinger’, Adam investigates whether a person can actually die from skin suffocation.

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31:55

TRC #628: Canine DNA Tests? + Good News 2020: Peace,...

The Reality Check ·

2021/05/24

Cristina digs into doggie DNA tests to find out if they live up to the claims and the hype made by direct-to-consumer canine DNA-test companies. Darren highlights some of the positive stuff to come out of 2020 with another instalment of his ‘good news’ series. This week his focus is peace, safety and human rights. Adam rounds out the show by looking into the recent controversy over Disney’s Snow White and Prince Charming’s unsolicited kiss.

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27:52

TRC #627: Produce Bags + Science Of Soulmates + Are...

The Reality Check ·

2021/05/08

Adam is perplexed by his recent woes trying to open produce bags and goes looking for answers. Cristina examines the notion of soulmates and whether we can use science to determine how likely we are to meet that ‘one’ human on Earth we’re meant to be with. Finally, Darren challenges the narrative we’re taught since childhood that turtles are slow after seeing a video of one ninja-moving turtle.

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27:24

TRC #626: A Deep Dive Into ‘Just Deserts’ By Daniel...

The Reality Check ·

2021/05/02

On this week’s show, Darren takes a deep dive into a well of ideas discussed in “Just Deserts” by Daniel Dennett and Gregg Caruso. The book features a debate between the two famed philosophers regarding their views on a range of topics like free will, moral responsibility and legal punishment. Darren recorded the segment with Adam and their ensuing conversation was quite interesting, so we decided to release it as a full show.

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32:08

TRC #625: Good News 2020: Global Health + Dogs...

The Reality Check ·

2021/04/24

The year 2020 was a dumpster fire, right? Darren gives us another instalment of his good news stories from the year, this time discussing global health. Adam does a deep dive into viral videos claiming to show dogs communicating using soundboards.

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442 results

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