The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
LightNews LightNews
banner
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
@theskepticsguide.bsky.social
7.2K followers 64 following 240 posts
The official Twitter for The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe.
theskepticsguide.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Happy Halloween from the SGU! 💀🎃👻
November 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2010 by liking your answer choice in this thread:
1: A new analysis confirms that the so-called mitochondrial eve lived about 200,000 years ago. 2: New research indicates that for adults internet access at home is significantly associated with a decreased probability of being involved in a romantic relationship. 3: New images of the Moon’s surface indicate that the Moon is shrinking – by about 100 meters in the recent past.
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2009 by liking your answer choice in this thread
1: New studies find that most people grossly overestimate their ability to resist temptation. 2: A new study finds that daily use of kefir, a fermented milk drink rich in probiotics, is associated with a decreased risk of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. 3: A new study finds that 70% of US children are deficient in Vitamin D.
October 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Today’s Science or Fiction throwback is from 2013. Guess which is the fiction by liking your answer choice in this thread

#scienceorfiction
1: New research finds that hearing a salesperson flatter another customer causes a negative reaction to the salesperson but increases the desire to buy an expensive item. 2: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive item. 3: Researchers find that women are more likely to purchase expensive accessories when they feel threatened in their relationship, and that this strategy works because women are also less likely to pursue a man whose girlfriend has expensive accessories.
October 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2010 by liking your answer choice in this thread
1: After studying material, self-testing is more effective at enhancing learning than repeated studying. 2: It is best to study in a consistent and uncluttered environment. 3: A recent review concludes that there is no evidence to support the notion that different people benefit from different learning styles, such as visual vs auditory.
September 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2015 by liking your answer choice in this thread:
1: Scientists have developed a smart keyboard that is self-powered and can identify users by their typing pattern. 2: Analysis of the oldest fossil primate species indicates that the earliest primates lived underground. 3: New research finds that wolves have as much social skill with their own species and with humans as do domestic dogs.
September 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2009 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice.
1: Scientists reveal the first car that can run on biofuel made from chocolate. 2: Physicists have developed a new incandescent light bulb suitable for residential use that is almost 100 times as energy efficient as existing bulbs. 3: A new fossil analysis shows that the so-called “hobbit”, or Homo florensiensis, had long flat feet more like apes than humans, and therefore could not walk efficiently.
September 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2013 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice:
1: A new study finds that medical testimonials that contain irrelevant information may lead to inappropriate medical decision making. 2: A recent study finds that listening to an emotional sermon can induce an out-of-body experience in susceptible people. 3: A new paper warns against “chemophobia,” the irrational fear of the ubiquitous and non-toxic chemicals found in our food and environment.
September 2, 2025 at 10:54 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
No, oregano oil is no the solution to all of your problems...

sciencebasedmedicine.org/oregano-snak...
Oregano Snake Oil
Oregano oil is being marketed with a variety of health claims, including as a treatment for various infections, inflammatory disorders, and skin conditions. This TikTok video by an "Ayervedic special
sciencebasedmedicine.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
We're going to Kansas! If you'll be near Lawrence Kansas on September 20th, come see us! We have a private show at noon and a Skeptical Extravaganza in the evening. Join us for a night of games, music, and critical thinking!
theskepticsguide.org/events
June 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2016 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice:
1: Physicists studying solar cells may have discovered why most plants on Earth are green. 2: Researchers have published the first estimate of the mass of the technosphere, 30 trillion tons, or 50 kilograms per square meter of Earth surface. 3: Astronomers have identified the tiniest known asteroid, measuring about 200 millimeters in average diameter.
June 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or fiction time! Guess the fiction by liking them post in this thread with your answer choice:
1: A new study finds that the Earth’s magnetic field is much closer to flipping polarity than previously thought and may happen this century. 2: After sequencing the genome of the tardigrade, researchers found that about 6,000 genes, or over 17%, of the tardigrade’s genome is composed of foreign DNA. 3: Engineers have made bionic roses, with transistors and electrodes incorporated into the leaves and stem, including a rose that can change color when an electrical current is applied.
June 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
We're not streaming today, but you can still watch our stream of Boomer vs. Zoomer from Not-A-Con last weekend! Find out who stormed off the stage, why Ian handed out a giant watermelon coin, and which quizmasters have mastered childhood games!

www.youtube.com/live/QbHl8LO...
Boomer Vs Zoomer LIVE at NOTACON2025
YouTube video by TheSkepticsGuide
www.youtube.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
It's time for our generational quiz show, Boomer vs. Zoomer! We're streaming the show live! Play along:

YouTube.com/theskepticsguide/live
Game show podiums for each generation
May 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Skepticism is hard work, with all those pesky "facts" and "data." Maybe some of our attendees can talk us out of it in our new Not A Con segment: Pitching Woo!
May 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Not A Con 2025 has begun!
A skeleton behind the registration desk Not A Con badge
May 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
It's Not A Con week! Last chance to get tickets before the festivities kick off. Full passes and single day tickets are available at NotAConCon.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
NOTACON IS COMING! We're starting the celebrations today with a pre-con livestream with some special guests! Join us at 5pm EDT/9pm UTC

www.youtube.com/@TheSkeptics...
May 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
In honor of our 20th anniversary, we’re going back to 2005 for this week’s Science or Fiction. Guess the fiction by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice:
1: South Korean doctors have successfully revived a dog who was preserved in cryogenic stasis for eleven days. 2: Israeli scientists have grown a palm tree from a 2000 year old seed. 3: In perhaps the first application of nanotechnology in medicine, scientists have attached cancer-fighting drugs to nanoparticles that target tumor cells.
May 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Cheers to 20 years! Today marks the 20th anniversary of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe! Special thanks to all of the amazing fans and collaborators who have helped keep us going for two decades!
Steve, Jay, and Bob smiling with a bottle of champagne "20 years of podcasting" with fireworks
May 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Science or Fiction time, with a theme - big numbers! Guess the fiction from 2010 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice.
1: Total length of blood vessels in the human body: 10,000 miles 2: Hottest known temperature in the universe (recently created in the laboratory by physicists): 7.2 trillion degrees F 3: Number of cells in the human body: 10-50 trillion 4: Total number of species ever to have lived on Earth (upper limit of estimates): 10 billion
April 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Scientists have found dimethyl sulfide on an exoplanet - a chemical that is only produced by living organisms on Earth. The discovery has the potential to be the first evidence of life beyond Earth, but it's too soon to draw conclusions.

theness.com/neurologicab...
Possible Biosignature on K2-18b - NeuroLogica Blog
Exoplanets are pretty exciting - in the last few decades we have gone from knowing absolutely nothing about planets beyond our solar system to having a catalogue of over 5,000 confirmed exoplanets. Th...
theness.com
April 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
We're in an exciting era of research on brain structure and function. Steve details the latest step on the path to mapping the brain.

sciencebasedmedicine.org/mapping-the-...
Mapping the Brain
I think it's important to recognize not only how fake science can degrade medicine and exploit health care consumers, but also how real science can benefit medicine and consumers. It's also important
sciencebasedmedicine.org
April 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
We’re just one month away from Not A Con 2025! Come join us in New York for a weekend of skepticism, music, and shenanigans! Get your tickets now at NotAConCon.com
April 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
theskepticsguide.bsky.social
Burying power lines isn't just for aesthetics - it can save money and reduce power outages.

theness.com/neurologicab...
Bury Broadband and Electricity - NeuroLogica Blog
We may have a unique opportunity to make an infrastructure investment that can demonstrably save money over the long term - by burying power and broadband lines. This is always an option, of course, b...
theness.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:35 PM