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Deception

Blue background with Facebook and Twitter logo and two blue boxes with "election" and "vote" written on it in white letters

Disinformation Wars: Part II

Critical State

We live in a golden age for professional fact-checkers who expose every made-up statistic or erroneous accusation that passes US political leaders’ lips. This week, Critical State delves into new research that shows how despite all that fact-checking, we also live in a golden age of political lying.

A supporter of President Donald Trump holds a Trump 2020 flag with sun shining through it outside the US Capitol building as they attend pro-Trump marches

Disinformation wars: Part I

Critical State
Mark Zuckerberg stands in front of a blue backdrop and speaks on climate misinformation using his hands

Major environmental groups join Facebook ad boycott to protest climate misinformation

Climate Change
fake news

On eve of Mexican election, fake news still thrives on social media

Facebook logo with the Russian flag

Britain asks Facebook for information about suspected Russian influence in Brexit

Global Politics
Biggest liar

Why are we so bad at spotting cons?

Lifestyle

Should you respond to that suspiciously attractive suitor on OkCupid? Should you invest your money in a “too-good-to-be-true” land deal? Before you trust anyone, listen to Maria Konnikova talk about the history and psychology of cons.

How to avoid online job scams targeting the unemployed

Business, Economics and Jobs

Fake companies are targeting the unemployed, and often ask for financial or personal information that hackers can use to break into a person’s bank accounts or steal an identity.

New England Patriots quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during the Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX victory parade in Boston on February 4, 2015.

Tom Brady’s deflated balls are nothing compared to the magic sword of Russia

Sports

Tom Brady may have manipulated his footballs for a competitive advantage, but manipulating equipment is an age-old practice. Here are some big-name examples, including a “magic sword” and a hidden engine in a bicycle.

A bookshelf at the Conjuring Arts Research Center in NYC

This library for wizards in New York City is by appointment only

Books

Where can you, and some of the world’s most famous magicians, find some of the rarest magical tomes in the world? On the fifth floor of a non-descript high-rise in New York City.

The World

How Magic Works, and What it Says About Our Brains

Environment

We’re going to take a bit of a risk today, and try to explain the science of something extremely visual in a primarily auditory medium. We’re going to talk about magic, why sleight-of-hand works, and what it says about how our brains function. Warning: magic spoilers ahead! Helping us through this conversation are two experts […]