Skeptics Guide #891

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #891 August 2nd 2022 Segment #1. Quickie with Bob Understanding Friction https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220725105541.htm Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – The Neuroscience of Politics https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/political-ideology-and-the-brain/ News Item #2 – Cozy Lava Tubes https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/lunar-pits-warm-and-comfy/ News Item #3 – Video Games and Well-being https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/27/23280462/video-game-mental-health-animal-crossing-well-being News Item #4 – Invisible Dark Matter https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1271452.shtml Segment #3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Lord Kelvin Hallo I've just recently heard about your podcasts and have downloaded many of the back-numbers which explains why my feedback has to do with an old podcast. In podcast #891 chirality was a topic of discussion. This term was coined by Lord Kelvin aka William Thompson. One of the broadcasters used a posh English accent in connection with this probably assuming this would be the accent Lord Kelvin spoke in. Actually, having been born in Belfast and brought up from an early age in Glasgow he had a pronounced Scottish accent. Furthermore he was not a hereditary peer. I have seen something similar in one of the 'Around the World in 80 Days' where he was also given an upper-class English accent and manners. Imagine if Benjamin Franklin was similarly misrepresented in a film or documentary. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts. Keep up the good work! David Allan Stuttgart, Germany Question #2: Green Methane I recent found this article which claims that Musk's new rocket engines based on methane can be carbon neutral? Fact or fiction? Chris Florida Question #3: Universe Isotropy If we analyze the universe in all directions from our point (no matter if earth, solar system or Galaxy) do we see any direction where universe is older than others? Because maybe this way, we could position yourselves in a kind of universe map in case it is limited or until the visible universe; and actually check if universe is bounded or not. Pedro Pt Segment #5. 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: Material Science #1) Chemists have developed a method for essentially printing complex designer molecules by using specific frequencies of light. #2) Scientists have produced a method for combining single-walled carbon nanotubes into highly ordered structures, such as a regular helix, with minimal errors by using DNA as a lattice. #3) Researchers have produced a biocompatible fiber optic sensor out of spider silk. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week If anyone can refute me - show me I'm making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective - I'll gladly change. It's the truth I'm after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance. Marcus Aurelius Meditations Book 6 Number 21


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