The Reality Check

The Reality Check
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  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 18/12/2025

    Mistletoe + Christmas Tree Lights

    As Christmas approaches we bring you the history of two popular decorations you might see this holiday season. Darren looks at the history of the mistletoe as a decoration, symbol of fertility and God killer. Adam looks at the first use of lights on a Christmas tree and it may be older than you think!

    19 min

  2. 05/12/2025

    The Introduction to Darren McKee's Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World

    With AI safety still underrated yet imperative, in this bonus episode of the show we share the Introduction to "Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World" by Darren McKee.

    43 min

  3. 02/12/2025

    Effective Giving + The Mona Lisa

    Today, December 2nd, is Giving Tuesday. Darren gives an overview of the concept of Effective Giving, with some tips on how your charitable donations could will lead to the most good in line with your own priorities. Adam tackles a few claims about the Mona Lisa, inspired by not all that evidence based viral clips. What were the original colours of this painting, and did it only become popular after being stolen years ago?

    26 min

  4. 21/11/2025

    Our 2023 Interview with Yoshua Bengio

    Two years ago we interviewed Yoshua Bengio, the prominent AI researcher, about his long career in AI where he helped build the foundations for the tools millions use around the world every day. We discussed the future of AI systems, including the importance of AI safety. Since then, Yoshua Bengio has continued to achieve great success in his career in both work on AI and raising awareness about their risks. This bonus episode is a repeat of Darren McKee and Adam Gardner's interview with him from 2023.

    1 hr

  5. 17/11/2025

    Diabetes and DKA + Name That: Spot The Fake

    We've got two special guests on the latest show! TRC alumni Pat and Cristina join us with a couple of great segments. First Critina tackles a number of myth about diabetes, including her own recent serious experience with DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis. Then Pat delights us with another round of everyone's favourite mostly guessing game Name That: Spot the Fake edition. This game has a special twist that really challenged the contestants.

    45 min

  6. 05/11/2025

    The Disney Point and Smoking + Book Reviews: Shadow Cell and Algospeak

    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.

    31 min

  7. 21/10/2025

    Philosophical Zombies + Vampires and Tuberculosis

    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.

    28 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Air Conditioning in Europe + Book Reviews: Privacy and Surveillance and Quantum Mechanics

    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.

    28 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    The Reality Check
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2025
  • Episodes
    350
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Reality Check
  • Show Website
    The Reality Check

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