Synopsis
Canada's weekly podcast that explores a wide range of controversies and curiosities using science and critical thinking.
Episodes
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TRC #396: French’s Ketchup Better For Ontario? + Misleading Headlines + China Bans April Fools’?
08/04/2016 Duration: 31minAdam squeezes the truth out of rumours that French’s Ketchup, rather than Heinz, is supporting Ontario industries. Next Cristina looks into whether readers are influenced by misleading headlines, even if they read the full article. Lastly Darren checks into reports that China has banned April Fools’ day.
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TRC #395: Tribeca vs Vaxxed + Double-Dipping + Tay: Microsoft’s AI “Racist” Chatbot + Energy-Infused Beauty Products
02/04/2016 Duration: 32minDarren kicks off the show with a quick panel discussion about Tribeca Film Festival’s decision to pull a controversial documentary linking vaccines with autism from their line-up. Next, Pat dives right into a listener email about double-dipping. Adam looks into how the internet corrupted Microsoft’s innocent new AI chatbot Tay in less than 24 hours. Finally, Cristina gets goopy with a segment about energy-infused beauty products.
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TRC #394: Money & Happiness + An Evening With Neil deGrasse Tyson + How Is Easter Sunday Determined?
25/03/2016 Duration: 30minHappy March Equinox, Checkers! This week, Darren delves into the age-old question, does more money really make us happier? Pat and Cristina give a recap of An Evening With Neil deGrasse Tyson in Toronto. Finally, Adam hops right into a segment about how Easter is determined.
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TRC #393: Talking Mirrors with Barry Panas + Clinton Onion Conspiracy + Splenda vs Cancer
18/03/2016 Duration: 34minVery special guest Barry “Physics Commando” Panas reflects on whether mirrors reverse left and right. Next, Adam peels back the layers on a conspiracy about The Onion and Hillary Clinton. Lastly, Cristina sweetens things up by looking at a recent study claiming Splenda causes cancer.
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TRC #392: Is 4K TV Worth It? + Is Trump Really A Good Businessman?
12/03/2016 Duration: 27minThis week, Adam takes an in-depth look into 4K resolution TVs and whether taking the plunge is worth it. Next, Darren examines whether Donald Trump is as successful at business as he claims to be.
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TRC #391: Apple Retro 1970 Bug + Hitler’s Micropenis? + Leap Year Revisited + Video Gaming’s First Transgender Character
05/03/2016 Duration: 30minGo Skeptic, it’s your podcast! This week, Pat squashes the recent iPhone retro 1970 Bug making the rounds. Darren points a skeptical lens at current news stories suggesting Hitler suffered from a condition that affected the size of his penis. Cristina jumps in to school us on the origins of Leap Year. Finally, Adam respawns an old theory regarding who gaming's first transgender character is, and reminds us how good he looks in red.
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TRC #390: Is The Solar System A Vortex? + Peanut Butter vs Alzheimer’s + Sitting Too Close To The TV
26/02/2016 Duration: 27minDarren examines a video, that recently resurfaced, revolving around the premise that the solar system is a vortex. Cristina sniffs out the facts on recent reports that peanut butter could be used for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, Adam takes a look at whether watching television close-up can harm your eyesight.
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TRC #389: Left-Right Confusion + Cats Meow Only At Humans? + Superforecasting Review
20/02/2016 Duration: 42minOn this week’s show, Pat hands us an interesting segment about why some people have trouble telling their left from their right. Adam “mewses” whether adult cats only meow at humans and not each other. Finally, Darren predicts you may find the recent book Superforecasting:The Art and Science of Prediction by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner well worth a read.
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TRC #388: Science vs “Resting Bitch Face” + Death By Super Bowl? + Gravity Of Melting Ice
13/02/2016 Duration: 34minJust admit it, Checkers. That first segment title caught your eye and you knew Adam was back! Adam raises a skeptical eyebrow at recent headlines claiming real science behind “Resting Bitch Face”. Cristina runs with a new study regarding the fate of fans in cities whose teams play in the Super Bowl. Finally, Darren unearths whether Greenland’s ice melt could actually change our gravity field. Really? Listen to find out!
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TRC #387: Zika Virus + Wisdom Teeth Removal A Racket? + Battery Charging Myths
06/02/2016 Duration: 34minWith Adam and his antics enjoying the warmth of St. Lucia, the show must still go on! Darren breaks down the Zika virus and fills us in on what we should know. Cristina investigates whether we really need to get our wisdom teeth removed. Finally, Pat replies to a listener’s email by looking into common battery charging myths and whether they still apply today.