How Cynical Are Your Friends?

AI Ads: Look Good, Perform Poorly

Media and communications professor ⁠Adam Peruta⁠ [https://newhouse.syracuse.edu/people/adam-peruta] shares ⁠his findings that AI ads are almost indistinguishable from human-made ones, but don't perform as well⁠ [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ai-ads-indistinguishable-human-dont.html]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

FULL EPISODE: Surely You're Eating That, Mr. Feynman! - June 8, 2026

Communication researcher Sofia Rhea [https://communication.ucdavis.edu/people/sofia-rhea] explains that most people listen to true crime podcasts to learn, but that people with dark personality traits have different motives [https://www.psypost.org/most-people-listen-to-true-crime-podcasts-to-learn-but-dark-personality-traits-drive-different-motives/]. Computer science researcher Brian Christian [https://brianchristian.org/bio-contact/] outlines how a Richard Feynman formula could explain your dining habits in a new city [https://phys.org/news/2026-06-richard-feynman-formula-dining-habits.html]. Professor of psychology Brett Laursen [https://www.fau.edu/science/psychology/laursen-lab/] reveals how forbidden friends can become former friends after moms voice disapproval [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-forbidden-friends-moms-voice.html]. Media and communications professor Adam Peruta [https://newhouse.syracuse.edu/people/adam-peruta] shares his findings that AI ads are almost indistinguishable from human-made ones, but don't perform as well [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ai-ads-indistinguishable-human-dont.html]. Psychology professor Curtis Puryear [https://www.curtispuryear.com/] goes over how diversifying your social feeds can cut exposure to toxic content and preserve enjoyment [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-diversifying-social-exposure-toxic-content.html]. Marketing professor Varad Deolankar [https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/varad-deolankar] covers what happens when people get downvoted on Reddit [https://www.psypost.org/what-happens-when-people-get-downvoted-on-reddit-scientists-uncovered-a-surprising-answer/]. Expletive enthusiast and psychology professor Timothy Jay [https://mcla.edu/about-mcla/faculty/timothy-jay.php] discusses why swearing is so important [https://freakonomics.com/podcast/swearing-is-more-important-than-you-think/?__cf_chl_tk=CNfk.oNg9C6PPz6oxnKI__jy.3cZcvHYhZA2NBxGySE-1778888074-1.0.1.1-uvuxT1NNfbovEOXgpDydIvtlg459KqNKO5Mh6L8o9p8] and how it has a place in the office [https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210514-why-swearing-could-have-a-place-in-the-office?ocid=global_worklife_rss]. Segments: * (00:00) Introduction * (00:59) Sofia Rhea * (10:00) Brian Christian * (20:00) Brett Laursen * (30:00) Adam Peruta * (39:50) Curtis Puryear * (49:50) Varad Deolankar * (59:50) Timothy Jay pt. 1 * (1:09:50) Timothy Jay pt. 2 * (1:19:12) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Organ Donation Nightmare: Donor Transmits Rabies!

Infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine ⁠Dr. Isaac Bogoch⁠ [https://discover.research.utoronto.ca/19189-isaac-bogoch] breaks down ⁠a bizarre case of an organ donor unexpectedly giving rabies to kidney and cornea graft recipients⁠ [https://people.com/organ-donor-unknowingly-gave-rabies-to-two-recipients-11987300]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why is Economic Inequality the Status Quo?

Behavioral scientist ⁠Daniel Connolly⁠ [https://www.danieljconnolly.com/] explores ⁠why economic inequality is the status quo⁠ [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-economic-inequality-status-quo.html]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Cat Ownership and Schizophrenia; When Your Kitty Eats String

Veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ [https://drcliff.ca/cliff-redford/] joins The Last Show for Vet Talk or Pet Talk and covers the following feline topics: * Cat ownership linked to increased risk of schizophrenia⁠ [https://www.sciencealert.com/cat-ownership-linked-to-increased-risk-of-schizophrenia-study-suggests]; * Cats snoring is uncommon and generally normal, but sometimes a sign of medical trouble⁠ [https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-snoring-it-normal]; and * What to do if your cat has eaten string⁠ [https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-heath/what-to-do-if-your-cat-has-eaten-string]. David asks Cliff a "listener submitted" question about their pet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]