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A Matter of Fact and Fiction

Myth - Legends - Science

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Viking sunstone
Nov 30, 2015
Viking sunstone
Nov 30, 2015

Viking mythology contains tales of a mystical stone that could help identify the location of the sun on days when foul weather made it impossible to spot with the naked eye. Matt and Charlie question whether such a stone actually existed. 

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Nov 30, 2015
1.21 Gigawatts
Nov 30, 2015
1.21 Gigawatts
Nov 30, 2015

Just how many gigawatts are generated by a bolt of lightning and what the hell is a gigawatt anyway?

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Nov 30, 2015
Second Video Special: Wolves and Ravens of Odin
Nov 2, 2015
Second Video Special: Wolves and Ravens of Odin
Nov 2, 2015

Unlike other mythologies, vikings myths paint a positive picture of wolves and ravens. Could it be that vikings benefited from wolves and ravens? We travel to Yellowstone national park to find out.

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Nov 2, 2015
Fossils found in X-MEN
Nov 2, 2015
Fossils found in X-MEN
Nov 2, 2015

The Odyssey, the Iliad and the Bible all have a long history of being examined for bits of fact nestled amongst the fiction. Modern mythology should be treated in much the same way. 

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Nov 2, 2015
Outtakes
Oct 29, 2015
Outtakes
Oct 29, 2015

CH: The Holy Grail video special was our first time filming, and it was a learning experience, but we had a lot of fun doing it. Here are some behind the scenes of the shooting.

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Oct 29, 2015
Video Special: The Holy Grail
Oct 29, 2015
Video Special: The Holy Grail
Oct 29, 2015

Our first video special! Matt and I head to MIT to look into the myths of the Holy Grail. Is it possible to use limestone, shark teeth to protect yourself from poisin?

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Oct 29, 2015
New book! Science of the Magical
Oct 28, 2015
New book! Science of the Magical
Oct 28, 2015
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Oct 28, 2015
Think yourself well
Oct 28, 2015
Think yourself well
Oct 28, 2015

Mythology is rich with tales of saints curing the ill and of wounded heroes travelling to sacred sites to be made well. Is this all just the stuff of fiction? Matt and Charlie take a sceptical look at the healing power of prayer.  

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Oct 28, 2015
Sep 11, 2015
Invisible minotuar
Sep 11, 2015

Poor pottery and artistic skills are probably a key reason why we don’t see the minotaur painted on anything until several hundred years after it appears as a myth.

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Sep 11, 2015
Self reporting
Sep 11, 2015
Self reporting
Sep 11, 2015

Asking participants in a study how they feel is a flawed technique but sometimes it is the only option that psychologists have available.

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Sep 11, 2015
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A Matter of Fact and Fiction


Science of the Magical: From the Holy Grail to Love Potions to Superpowers
By Matt Kaplan
The Science of Monsters: The Origins of the Creatures We Love to Fear
By Matt Kaplan

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