A Christmas 2025 compendium

A Christmas 2025 compendium

Author: Tom Chivers and Stuart Ritchie December 30, 2025 Duration: 32:24

We’ve covered a lot of bad science stories over the year. Here are a few more. But in the optimistic spirit of the “holiday season”, the last one has a happy ending.

Thanks for listening—especially if you’re a subscriber! See you in 2026.

Stuart & Tom

Show notes

* A surge of low-quality AI papers on public datasets

* A surge of low-quality AI letters to the editor

* Retraction Watch story on the Dana Farber scandal

* NY Times story on the papers being retracted or corrected

* The settlement in the case

Credits

The Science Fictions podcast is produced by Julian Mayers at Yada Yada Productions.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencefictionspod.substack.com

Every week, Tom Chivers and Stuart Ritchie pull apart the biggest arguments and most confusing claims making headlines. Science Fictions isn't just about celebrating breakthroughs; it's a necessary dive into the messy, contested, and often surprising realities of how science actually works. You'll hear them unpack heated debates, examine questionable studies, and explore why even solid research can sometimes lead to public confusion. This podcast serves as a guide through the noise, separating compelling evidence from overblown narratives. Each episode feels like a conversation with two deeply informed friends who aren't afraid to ask tough questions, offering clarity on topics that matter. For anyone curious about the stories behind the science headlines, this is an essential listen. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that goes beyond the press release, grounded in a genuine fascination with how we know what we know.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Science Fictions
Podcast Episodes
Paid-only Episode 20: The Studies Show LIVE with Jesse Singal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 71: The autism epidemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 70: Bird flu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 68: Cannabis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Paid-only Episode 18: Abortion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 67: Seed oils [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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