Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David discuss how academic researchers say a non-rat is responsible for Chicago's rat hole landmark. David and Tony's conversation turns into how they can engage with increasingly ridiculous research paper authors. Communication studies professor Dr. Leah Dajches explains how TikTok activity is linked to young women's views on body image and cosmetic surgery. Psychology professor Dr. Jessica D. Ayers reveals why we help our friends when they need it. Communication professor ⁠Dr. David Markowitz⁠ shares his findings on how most people rarely use AI, and that dark personality traits predict who uses it more. Former rocket scientist and current stand-up comedian Sean Reilly talks about going from working on projectiles to punchlines. Philosophy professor Neil Levy reflects on why people fall for scams. Joseph Dahmen⁠ – director of the ⁠Biogenic Architecture Lab⁠ – tells David about ⁠the world's first mushroom-powered toilet⁠. Professor of communication ⁠⁠Dr. Amanda Denes⁠⁠ explains how ⁠affection deprivation may tell us why 'phubbing' (phone snubbing) harms relationship satisfaction⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:32) Tony Five (10:00) Dr. Leah Dajches (20:00) Dr. Jessica D. Ayers (30:00) Dr. David Markowitz (39:50) Sean Reilly (49:50) Neil Levy (59:50) Joseph Dahmen (1:09:50) Dr. Amanda Denes (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.