2 days ago
Podcast reviews: Does baby brain exist? Do women who have children later live longer and do men really have higher sex drives?
As AI-generated images and Chinese whispers catch fire on social media, many of us accept that inherent biases challenge the objectivity of science and history. And also how evolving technology changes results. Take light. In 1801 physicist Thomas Young performed 'the double-slit experiment' which confirmed light's wave characteristic. But current research suggests dark photons may instead be at play, therefore busting centuries' worth of quantum physics.
This is one of the head-scratching subjects discussed in The World, The Universe and Us (Apple, Spotify), a new series co-hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet for New Scientist. Other heavy matter topics delivered with a light touch include an unsettling experiment of inserting bioelectronic devices into tadpoles, in a quest to further understand how early development of the human brain might work (hmmm?), and the dubious pros and common-sense cons of mining for platinum on the moon.
Is baby brain real? Do women who have children later live longer? Do queer couples share the housework more equally? Do men have higher libidos? These are among the questions asked by Melbourne-based sociologist Leah Ruppanner on MissPerceived (Acast, Apple, Spotify), which queries gender myths and received wisdom.
And regarding those aforementioned questions, the answers in a nutshell are: yes, hormonal changes absolutely disrupt cognitive functioning; genes are more likely to play a factor; yes, heterosexual men undeniably do the least domestic chores; it's complicated, but the latest study used masturbation as the end goal, which troubles Ruppanner in the first place – but I'd encourage you to listen to find out how she comes to those conclusions as she even-handedly compares empirical and anecdotal data.
Artificial intelligence is typically discussed in its most dystopian conclusions – robots replacing the human race. Journalist George Butler co-hosts with Internet Advertising Bureau's CSO James Chandler on AI Haven't a Clue (Apple, Spotify), to explore how AI affects our day-to-day life. 'The world is changing at a pretty crazy rate,' says Butler, 'and I don't really understand how and why. Luckily I've now got James and expert guests.'
These include Muhammad Lila, CNN war-zone correspondent turned AI entrepreneur, and Tobias Allen, CEO of influencer platform Fanvue, as they unpick current AI headlines.
