Skeptics Guide #948

The Skeptics Guide To The Universe

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #948 August 29th 2023 Segment #1. News Items News Item #1 – ChatGPT Performs at University Level https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/chatgpt-performs-at-university-level/ News Item #2 – Geothermal Energy https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/28/climate/geothermal-energy-projects.html News Item #3 – Failed Star https://www.space.com/failed-star-big-deal-astronomy-radiation-belts-exoplanet-hidden News Item #4 – Doctor and NDEs https://www.yahoo.com/news/ive-studied-more-5-000-133633458.html Segment #2. Who’s That Noisy Segment #3. Interview with Anna Blakney https://www.tiktok.com/@anna.blakney?lang=en Segment #4. Science or Fiction Each week our host will come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine, one fictitious. He will challenge our panel of skeptics to sniff out the fake – and you can play along. Theme: Negative Results #1) A study of the use of augmented reality glasses in social interactions found no significant impact. #2) A recent Finnish study found that the type and amount of fungus (molds and yeast) found in the home of young children do not correlate with the risk of developing asthma. #3) A study following children from age 10 to 16 did not find any correlation between social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Segment #5. Skeptical Quote of the Week ‘Not bound by facts, the hoax is free to fabricate feelings & the genres associated with them- it is this artfulness & ambiguity that help explain [it’s] popularity.’ - From ‘Bunk’ by Kevin Young published 2017.