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A Little Bit Of ScienceBizarre science history from academics with beers Author: A Little Bit Of Science Language: en-us Genres: Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Bizarre Metrics, Gamer Kids' IQs, and The Trust Barometer
Tuesday, 28 October, 2025
Correlation doesn't equal causation, but patterns emerge in the strangest places - like Pentagon pizza orders spiking before major military operations, making pepperoni consumption an unofficial national security indicator. A study of children aged nine to ten found that those playing video games were measurably smarter than TV-watching counterparts, vindicating every parent who gave up the Xbox battle. The Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that China and Saudi Arabia lead in governmental trust, immediately raising skeptical eyebrows about whether these responses reflect genuine public sentiment or societal pressures where criticising the government has consequences. Surveys have rhetorical power and tell compelling tales, but their accuracy depends entirely on who you're asking, how you're asking, and whether respondents feel safe answering honestly. From pizza-predicting military operations to intelligence-boosting video games and questionable trust statistics, this week proves that metrics might only be as good as our interpretation of them. Stay skeptical of convenient metrics, maybe let your kids play that video game since science says they're getting smarter, and remember that surveys aren't always telling the whole truth - especially when they come from countries where honesty might have consequences. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 The Quirks of Metrics and Correlation 01:31 Target's Predictive Analytics Story 02:48 Pizza Orders and Military Movements 07:37 Video Games and IQ 09:32 Edelman Trust Barometer Insights 12:00 Grievance Rankings by Country 13:11 Trust in Companies by Country 14:00 Trust in Industry Sectors 15:19 Trust in Professions and Neighbours 16:17 Lack of Optimism for the Future 17:00 Hostile Activism Among Youth 17:48 Reflections on Survey Validity 19:54 Conclusion and Listener Engagement SOURCES: The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence Edelman Trust Barometer - Trust and the Crisis of Grievance Australia Report Pentagon pizza monitor predicted ‘busy night’ ahead of Israel’s attack on IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
