The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe The Skeptics Guide #1064 - Nov 29 2025
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Nov 29, 2025 Andrea Jones, a guest contributor passionate about social science, dives into fascinating discussions on collective intelligence. She emphasizes how large language models (LLMs) can enhance group deliberation by gathering diverse inputs before meetings. The hosts also explore the challenges of biases in LLM workflows and the energy costs associated with them. Additionally, they reveal insights on the origins of Theia and discuss current holiday scams exploiting social media. The conversation blends intriguing science topics with practical contemporary issues.
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Helion's 'Minimum Fusion' Strategy
- Helion's magneto-inertial approach aims to bypass ignition by converting fusion-driven magnetic energy directly to electricity.
- The company claims repeated high-temperature pulses but provides limited data, raising justified scientific skepticism.
CRISPR Enables Microbial Nitrogen Help
- UC Davis researchers used CRISPR to boost wheat root apigenin to recruit nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- Engineered wheat performed better under low fertilizer, potentially cutting fertilizer use and pollution.
Validate LLM Summaries Quickly
- Proofread or validate LLM-generated summaries before relying on them to avoid distortion or bias.
- Use organization-tailored models for sensitive or technical meetings to reduce misrepresentation risks.