Tag: effect

• Is Dunning-Kruger Wrong?

  The Dunning-Kruger effect is the idea that the least skilled people overestimate their abilities more than anyone else. But a new study suggests that the mathematical approach used to show this effect may be incorrect. Jeff and Anthony discuss one of the most often cited psychological papers of all time and why it might not say what we all think it says. [more]

  July 21, 2023Episodes

• Corpse Medicine and Tetris Effects

  The idea of ingesting human skulls from the freshly killed seems repulsive today, but it was shockingly common among British and other European aristocrats from the 16th century all the way up into the so-called Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. Jeff and Anthony discuss what it would take to try the recipe, and why it was so pervasive. Then, a new study reports that playing just 20 minutes of Tetris following an automobile accident can help prevent the formation of the painful, intrusive memories that can follow trauma. Anthony and Jeff investigate why this might be, and tip their hat to the greatest video game of all time. [more]

  October 29, 2021Episodes

• The Butterfly Effect and Teen Dogs

  Sure, the butterfly effect is a popular notion in sci-fi, not to mention a staple of the Kutcher oeuvre, but could a small change in time travel result in huge problems? Physicists now have reason to believe in a quantum landscape, and think tweaking history in this way shouldn't be a major issue. Anthony and Jeff discuss going back to the future with 12 monkeys to take on baby Hitler, and decide whether this study should make things easier. Then, is your dog a teenager? It turns out dogs go through an angsty teen period just like humans. Jeff and Anthony take a look at the study that bears this out, and decipher what it means for pet owners. [more]

  August 7, 2020Episodes

• Mistake Your Vitamins

  A new study aimed to examine the benefits of vitamin and mineral supplements for prevention of heart disease, stroke and premature death. This found the most commonly studied ones had no effect, while some less common ones did have an effect. The review also found some supplements can be harmful. Jeff and Anthony will comment after they finish fighting over the good Flinstones vitamin flavors. [more]

  June 6, 2018Episodes