MSP277. Weird Science. Demonic Conspiracy Comets

This week Matt and Rich take another look at the weirder side of science and technology. Elon Musk’s Neuralink evokes The Force, enabling a quadriplegic man to play computer chess through thought alone, illustrating the technology’s potential for enhancing human interaction in digital environments.

Illusory patten recognition could hold the key to why some people are more receptable to conspiracy theories. An overdeveloped evolutionary response that causes some people to connect dots where none exist, making it easier for them to welcome false narratives. In keeping with the psychological tone of much of the episode, new findings are starting to challenge our understanding of female psychopathy and correcting historical male biases in the research.

No weird science episode is complete without a worm and this week’s is an ancient, nightmare-inducing and thankfully extinct worm species. A cryovolcanic comet brings devilish allure, while new research expands our understanding of PMO, a neurological condition that distorts visual perception and makes faces appear demonic.