Skeptics Guide #927

Segment #1. News Items News Item #1 – Dopamine Detox https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-is-dopamine-detox/ News Item #2 – Overprotection May Cause Anxiety https://neurosciencenews.com/parental-overprotection-anxiety-22988/ News Item#3 – Shock Boson Bogus https://www.sciencealert.com/shock-boson-result-upending-physics-was-a-miscalculation-scientists-say News Item #4 – No Health Benefits from Moderate Drinking https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/05/world/science-health-world/alcohol-health-studies/ Segment #2. Name That Logical Fallacy My favorite segment on the show is 'Name that Logical Fallacy' - I almost never get it right but I those discussions super interesting and fun. I wish it was a standard part of every episode. Anyways, I listened to the recent AI debate and the fellow formally from Google. He stated that the Google AI was sentient because it seemed to deviate from the parameters that had been defined to control its behavior. That sounds to me like the classic 'false dichotomy'. You cannot explain something so my explanation MUST be true. Its very similar to the argument you get from religion. Where and how did life arise, science answers that we do not know (yet) and the religious debator immediately says 'you can't explain it' Therefore Jesus! QED. The conclusion is reached with no proof and no alternative is considered even though a vast array or equally (and often more) plausible mechanism could be responsible. Thanks for the great show, keep up the good work - and yes I am signing up as a patron right now. Bob Compere Segment #3. Interview with Jon Bornstein, Chief Operating Officer of Amprius Technologies. 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: Plastic #1) Researchers have developed a new sprayable enzyme that can rapidly break down PET plastics at ambient temperatures, making them usable in natural environments, including sea water. #2) A new analysis finds that most of the plastic injested by vultures come directly from food producers, like restaurants, rather than landfills or other sources. #3) Scientists report the development of a new class of material that is rigid, stronger than hard plastics, moldable at low temperature, are endlessly recyclable, made from non-toxic plant material, are stable when coated, but break down in minutes when broken and exposed to water. Segment #5. Skeptical Quote of the Week "A large portion of overconfidence stems from a desire to feel certain. Certainty is simple. Certainty is comfortable. Certainty makes us feel smart and competent. Your strength as a scout is in your ability to resist that temptation." Julia Galef


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