Posts in Myth-Busting

What Listening to This Episode Says About You Personality

Like astrology and psychics, online personality tests generally use the Barnum effect to trick you into thinking they have something meaningful to say. They're tricksy like that. But they have also been used for extremely nefarious reasons, and in one instance, an implementation that lead to the beginning of the end of democracy in America. Also, we take some personality tests in real time.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Social Science, Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceWWDWWDDecember 7, 2023Abraham, Shanebraham, Online Personality Tests, Personality, Assessment, Psychology, the Self, Sonic, Psychics, AstrologyComment

Astrology: It's All Fun Until Someone Gets Hurt

Horoscopes are mostly harmless bits of fun. But how do they work? Why do we believe them? And why does the episode title imply harm? Learn more and another vocab term.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Exercise for What Ails Ya

Is exercise good for your mental health? A lot of people certain think so. We dig into the research and philosophy about if exercise is mentally healthy and if so, how?

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Liesure, Myth-Busting, Philosophy, The BrainWWDWWDMay 1, 2023Abraham, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Exercise, Mental Health, Physical Fitness, Aerobics, Yoga, HormonesComment

Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories

The majority of people who buy into conspiracy theories are victims of fraud. Unfortunately, they can become zealous, proselytizing mouthpieces for those conspiracies, which makes them unsympathetic to many. Conspiracies primarily work by exploiting human biases and insecurities. Listen in to find out more about why your weird friend is dedicated to their crystals and mythological beliefs.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Human Bias, Myth-Busting, Philosophy, PseudoscienceWWDWWDMay 1, 2023Abraham, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Conspiracy Theories, COVID Vaccine, Truth, Critical Thinking, Skepticism, CredulityComment

238 | Goop

You’re probably going to hear about some products that blow your mind. Also, some products that are most definitely not safe for work. In fact, they might not be safe in general. But that seems to be besides the point, because when you have gained an established brand name, then the possibilities are endless. Grab those consumers by catering toward their wants and needs, and you’ll have them wrapped around your finger forever. That is the Goop way, whether or not it was intended to be. Gwyneth Paltrow has forged her way into the world of wellness in a dynamic way, but not without a question of where good intentions meets ethical responsibility.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

230 | History of Halloween

Halloween season 2021! Shane and Abraham crack open the history books to learn about where the traditions and history of halloween come from. Amazingly, if you traveled back in time to witness this tradition, you might recognize many contemporary practices that are still around. Despite being hailed as demonic, Christians are largely responsible for bringing Halloween to modern culture, establishing many of the current traditions, and even coming up with the name. Also, we bust some myths and provide recommendations, like we do.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

224 | Speed Reading: Read Anything in Normal Minutes

A myth-busting discussion about the broken promise of speed reading. There is an upper limit to what humans are physically capable of doing and speed reading and quantum reading propose to break that physical barrier. So far, the evidence is not looking so good.

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Education, Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAugust 25, 2021Abraham, Shane, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Speed Reading, Reading, Education, Instruction, myth-busting, Mormons, Quantum ReadingComment

210 | Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex Work (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)

A lot of myth-busting and a little proselytization. We describe how people get started in sex work and the kinds of policies and practices that make it safe or extremely dangerous. Sex workers are people who need protection and support. The “righteous” policies that have tried to end or block sex work have only lead to the worst things that have ever happened to sex workers. There is a better way!