Science You Believe That Isn't True & The Story of The Lie Detector - SYSK Choice
Mar 15, 2025
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Brian Clegg, a science writer with over 40 books to his name, joins Amit Katwala, an award-winning journalist from Wired, to debunk popular scientific myths. They tackle misconceptions like goldfish memory and water conductivity. Clegg emphasizes the importance of understanding science to navigate these false beliefs. Katwala shares the intriguing history of the polygraph, discussing its controversial reliability despite its frequent portrayal in media. Together, they unravel the truth behind both science and the myths that permeate our society.
The presence of trees in urban environments can significantly reduce crime rates by fostering community care and trust among residents.
Common science misconceptions, such as the belief that goldfish only have a three-second memory, emphasize the need for critical evaluation of widely accepted information.
The reliability of the polygraph as a lie detector is highly questionable, leading to its controversial use in investigative settings despite significant scientific debate.
Deep dives
Trees as Crime Deterrents
Research indicates that neighborhoods with abundant trees experience less crime than those without. Trees may signal that an area is well cared for, inviting a sense of community and informal surveillance among residents. The presence of greenery also has a calming effect that could promote trust and reduce crime rates. These findings suggest that urban planning should include more green spaces to enhance public safety.
Dispelling Common Science Myths
Many widely held beliefs about science, such as that sugar makes kids hyper or that water is a good conductor of electricity, are actually misconceptions. For instance, water is a poor conductor unless it contains impurities, which is often why people associate it with electrical danger. Additionally, anecdotes, like the idea that a goldfish has only a three-second memory, have been debunked through scientific research showing that goldfish can learn and remember tasks. Such myths highlight the importance of critically examining information before accepting it as truth.
The Polygraph's Limitations
The polygraph, commonly known as a lie detector, measures physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure to determine truthfulness, but its accuracy is highly contested. Studies suggest that its reliability ranges from 60 to 90 percent, which is not significantly better than chance. The polygraph's prevalence in investigative processes mainly stems from the power of belief in its effectiveness rather than scientific validation. Ultimately, the theater surrounding the polygraph can lead to coerced confessions even if the machine's readings are not definitive.
Driving Skills Comparison
Statistical analyses show that women generally exhibit better driving abilities than men, including fewer accidents and traffic violations. In parking tests, women outperformed men in both parallel parking and choosing the most accessible spaces. These findings counter the stereotype that women are worse drivers, suggesting that societal perceptions may be biased against female drivers. Acknowledging such data could influence public attitudes and discussions about gender and driving.
Myths About Lightning
Contrary to popular belief, lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times, exemplified by structures like the Empire State Building, which is hit approximately 25 times a year. This confusion likely stems from folklore rather than scientific understanding, as true lightning strikes depend on factors like height and electrical charge. A notable case is that of Roy Sullivan, a park ranger struck by lightning seven times, illustrating how lightning strikes can frequently target the same individuals under specific circumstances. This highlights the need to dispel myths surrounding weather phenomena with factual information.
People believe things like goldfish have a 3-second memory. Or that lightning never strikes twice in the same place. And I bet you believe that water is a good conductor of electricity. None of these things are true. They are examples of the many science myths that a lot of people believe. In this episode, we are going to debunk these and others with my guest, science writer Brian Clegg. Brian is the author of over 40 books, one of which is titled Lightning Often Strikes Twice: The 50 Biggest Misconceptions in Science (https://amzn.to/41sY3jK)
I’m sure you’ve seen a polygraph machine in movies or on TV. This device can supposedly tell if someone is lying. But does it actually work? If it is so reliable, why do most courts refuse to allow the results of polygraph tests as evidence? Yet, if it is unreliable, why is it still being used? The story of the polygraph or lie detector is fascinating. Here to tell it is Amit Katwala an award winning journalist, a senior writer at Wired and author of the book Tremors in the Blood: Murder, Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector (https://amzn.to/3Zngu7C)
Are men better drivers than women? It really depends on your definition of “better.” However, in terms of accidents, moving violations and parking ability, there is a difference between men and women. Listen and I’ll reveal which gender scores better. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/well/live/car-accidents-deaths-men-women.html
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