Squaring the Strange
Squaring the Strange brings evidence-based analysis and commentary to a wide variety of topics, ranging from the paranormal to the peculiar. Investigating ghosts. Debunking conspiracies. Dodging chupacabras. If a claim seems strange, Ben, Celestia and Pascual will try to square it with the facts.
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Episode 232 - Brace yourselves. We talk politics.
07/26/2024
Episode 232 - Brace yourselves. We talk politics.
Need I even write a summary here? Maybe for listeners who have been in a coma for the past two weeks? Trump was shot at, and conspiracy theories surfaced faster than he could put on his shoes. What are Project 2025 and Agenda 47? What is Trump's appeal, really, and why is it so misunderstood by his opponents? And, with late-breaking news on Biden dropping out of the race, what have we seen on the memescape about Kamala Harris? There are media literacy lessons to review, and many opportunities to apply skepticism in this election cycle.
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Episode 231 - Monster Hunts, then and now, with Daniel Loxton
07/13/2024
Episode 231 - Monster Hunts, then and now, with Daniel Loxton
First we discuss how the term “Gish gallop” has entered the common vernacular thanks to the recent Presidential debate. Then Ben ponders why conspiracy buffs don’t care about the admitted, real Boeing conspiracy, or why psychics can’t offer up explanations for the Rust killing. Celestia gets excited about folklore in pop culture: namely, “The Crooked Man” in a new Hellboy movie. For our main segment, we are rejoined by skeptical author and illustrator Daniel Loxton, to talk about MONSTER HUNTS!—that is, serious expeditions to find cryptids or other mysterious creatures. From Nazis looking for Yeti to missionaries searching out dinosaurs in Africa, there are anthropological considerations when engaging with locals in a foreign land. And what makes a monster hunt successful? Lock Ness is a success in that practically every drop of water in it has been examined, to no avail. We touch on Ben’s trips to remote parts of Nicaragua to look for the chupacabra, as well as other expeditions in the 20th century, to find a death worm in Mongolia, the Mokele-mbembe in Africa, and a mermaid-like Ri in New Guinea. We also touch on overpriced Bigfoot “hunt” experiences as well as “educational hoaxes” like snipe hunting.
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Episode 230 - Pseudoarchaeology and Misinformation in Chicano Studies, with Kurly Tlapoyawa
06/28/2024
Episode 230 - Pseudoarchaeology and Misinformation in Chicano Studies, with Kurly Tlapoyawa
First, Ben and Celestia discuss the epidemiology of extreme heat, mysterious mololiths redux, the latest Real Water lawsuit, and the origins of a 50-year-old rumor about Mama Cass. Then Pascual joins us to interview Kurly Tlapoyawa -- stunt man, filmmaker, archaeologist, and cohost of "Tales from Azlantis." He tells us about cutting through jungles in Belize to do "ground-truthing" with LiDAR, the strange origin of the "Hunab Ku" image, tour guides, Olmec heads, and "The Four Disagreements." Kurly and Pascual also trade stories and see who they know in common from their Hollywood days, from Troma movies all the way to opinions on Apocalypto and Marvel's Namor.
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Episode 229 - Skepticamp, Spiders, and the West Palm Beach Killer Clown Case
06/15/2024
Episode 229 - Skepticamp, Spiders, and the West Palm Beach Killer Clown Case
We start with a recap of SkeptiCamp New Mexico, then move on to a laundry list of creepy, crawly creatures: Alex Jones, flying Joro spiders, bug zappers, opposite snakes and Sasquatch Sunset. Our main topic is an update to one of the cases in Ben's "Bad Clowns" book. The West Palm Beach Killer Clown case involves a love triangle, a clown costume, and a pile of circumstantial evidence. It sat with no arrests for nearly 30 years, until Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested in 2017. Among the developments as prosecutors and defense lawyers prepared for trial was a so-called "clown sighting file," with some 25 pages of clowns that came to the attention of law enforcement -- no doubt many such sightings took place during the infamous "clown panic" that occurred around the time of Keen-Warren's arrest. Whether the choice to don a clown suit and makeup to commit murder stemmed from practical advice from a lawyer, or malicious ostension, the sensational news coverage and public's continual interest in this "killer clown" case likely is the reason Keen-Warren was finally brought to justice.
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Episode 228 - The Science of Weird Sh!t, with Chris French
05/31/2024
Episode 228 - The Science of Weird Sh!t, with Chris French
Celestia and Ben have a lengthy A-segment, between discussing the almost-here SkeptiCamp, Ben's recent folklore convention, and what mischief TV psychic Allison DuBois has been up to. We have thoughts on the recently deceased Morgan Spurlock's legacy, and then talk about two interesting developments from the Catholic Church this week. Professor Chris French joins us to discuss his new book, "The Science of Weird Sh!t: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal." Chris has a vast background in, well, weird sh!t, and shares his thoughts on how it has gained legitimacy in the academic world -- as well as the nature of skepticism today.
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Episode 227 - Book bans, then and now
05/17/2024
Episode 227 - Book bans, then and now
Ben and Celestia roll out an abbreviated history of book bans and the psychology behind them. What sorts of fears manifest into the desire to keep information away from people? And which people? Is the current rash of book challenges a panic, or is the fear of such bans a panic? We start this episode with a solid opinion, then find ways to knock that opinion around a bit. Calls for book bans have come from the right and left, for different reasons. The freedom of speech gets complicated in matters of obscenity, "dangerous knowledge" or children's books containing racial slurs. From "The Anarchist Cookbook" to critical race theory, we look at some individual cases as well as how effective book banning attempts are today.
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Episode 226 - Dim Mak "the death touch" with Peter Huston
05/04/2024
Episode 226 - Dim Mak "the death touch" with Peter Huston
Can a human being be killed with one well-timed blow? Without question, yes. But is the secret to this fighting style held by ancient Chinese monks, or a flamboyant guy named Count Dante who advertises in the back of comic books? We look at real situations where one punch (or slap, or chiropractic adjustment) can kill a person, either immediately or after a delay. Then we bring in author, EMT and martial artist Peter Huston to discuss the legend of Dim Mak and how propaganda, marketing, Chinese culture, the allure of the ancient, Kung Fu movies and suburban American kids fit into the creation of this idea.
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Episode 225 - The folklore of Scooby Doo, with Mark Norman
04/19/2024
Episode 225 - The folklore of Scooby Doo, with Mark Norman
We have a surprise visit from Scooby fan Kenny Biddle, then speak with Mark Norman, folklorist and author of the upcoming "Zoinks!: The Spooky Folklore of Scooby Doo." The show is beloved by skeptics, and for good reason. But did you know the show owes its existence to a panic in the 1960s about violence in kids' shows? Between guest stars like the Harlem Globetrotters and Vincent Price, Scooby Doo also introduced kids to a wide array of cryptids, ghosts, witches and folkloric concepts like curses, mysterious mirrors, and of course haunted houses. The show itself has also become the subject of a few urban legends and modern myths, from Shaggy's alleged drug use to the characters representing Massachusetts colleges.
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Episode 224.5 - Bonus episode! Our 6th anniversary!
04/15/2024
Episode 224.5 - Bonus episode! Our 6th anniversary!
This freebie bonus is us shooting the breeze, thanking folks who deserve kudos, asking some questions about skepticism today, and generally having a good time.
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Episode 224 - A Grab Bag of Springtime Skepticism
04/05/2024
Episode 224 - A Grab Bag of Springtime Skepticism
We chat about several topics in the news recently, from a bright streak of burning space junk over Los Angeles to a very realistic crucifixion reenactment in the Philippines. Ben unravels a weeping Madonna story in the tabloids that also casts some shade on a prominent Italian skeptic, then he gives us his review of "Late Night with the Devil," set in the 1970s and complete with a nod to the late Amazing Randi. Pascual and Celestia talk about DEI's increasing role as a boogeyman, and try to figure out how some legislators seem to believe it brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge. And we can't ignore the skeptical holiday of April Fools' Day, a day everyone practices more skepticism and when some creative people unveil some clever hoaxes.
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Episode 223 - Deception Studies with Curt Anderson
03/22/2024
Episode 223 - Deception Studies with Curt Anderson
After some current events involving Brazilian ex-president Bolsonaro, a new study on Havana Syndrome, and migrants with measles in Chicago, we are joined by Curt Anderson. A career magician turned academic researcher, Curt tells us about his pivot to deception studies. Piggybacking on our recent episode about Truth Default Theory, we explore more about how well humans (think we can) detect lies. What can a scientific approach to deception tell us about human communication, and what practical applications does the field have? We hit on many topics, from creating better magic shows to dissecting poker strategies, as well as -- of course -- what it all means for skepticism.
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Episode 222 - Modifying the Weather
03/09/2024
Episode 222 - Modifying the Weather
First, Pascual and Celestia hit recent science news -- a sideways lunar landing, some male-on-male humpback whale action, and recent cell outages. Then Ben and Celestia look at weather modification, from prayer and superstition to very real cloud-seeding efforts. Though in practice almost everywhere for generations, this technology still surprises and confuses people, who lump it in with conspiracies about precise weather control by some all-powerful cabal . . . using a decommissioned array of antennas in Alaska?
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Episode 221 - What Giant Penguins Can Teach Us, with Daniel Loxton
02/23/2024
Episode 221 - What Giant Penguins Can Teach Us, with Daniel Loxton
First, Ben and Celestia have several tidbits to discuss, from Micheal Mann's court win to chemtrails popping up in social media. Ben is watching another cult docuseries, and we get into the unfortunate trend of obituary pirating. For our main segment, we are joined by the delightful Daniel Loxton, illustrator, author, editor and longtime skeptic luminary. He takes us on a tour of the long-debunked story about a 15-foot penguin in Florida. But a simple debunking is only the surface of this tale, which has much to teach us about modern popular paranormal culture, the mixing of sci-comm with mystery-mongering, and the different levels of investigation. This leads us into a conversation on the nature of skepticism itself, and where our future lies.
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Episode 220 - You are gonna believe this: Truth Default Theory
02/10/2024
Episode 220 - You are gonna believe this: Truth Default Theory
After some chit-chat about vaccine misinfo on X and "phrogging" on Netflix, the gang tackles truth default theory. Coined by researcher Timothy Levine, truth default theory explains that human beings generally believe what we're told. Why? This seemingly simple concept plays a part in anchoring bias, first impressions, stereotypes, confirmation bias, and why it's so difficult to change one's beliefs. The "truth bias" is a blind spot that we need to be aware of, especially as skeptics, because although people aren't great at figuring out when they're being lied to, people THINK they can spot a lie a mile away.
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Episode 219 - Ai yie yie! AI Roundtable with Kyle Polich
01/26/2024
Episode 219 - Ai yie yie! AI Roundtable with Kyle Polich
We've had this scheduled for a while, but this week AI popped up in the news twice, impersonating George Carlin and Joe Biden, so what better time for a skeptical look at artificial intelligence! Kyle Polich of the long-running Data Skeptic Podcast joins Ben, Celestia and Pascual to talk about different sorts of AI. From generative AI threatening writers and artists to the kind of AI that can help scammers manipulate people -- or even put human lives in peril if it goes wrong. How much of an AI panic are we witnessing right now, and what sort of impact will it really have on our society, our economy . . . and our skepticism?
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Episode 218 - Requiem for Bigfoot
01/12/2024
Episode 218 - Requiem for Bigfoot
Quite a few news topics hit our skeptical radar this week, from Disney's copyright expiration on Mickey to an industrious Welsh mouse (no relation), to a 10-foot-tall alien in Miami and Ben's bittersweet discovery in a Barnes and Noble. Then our main topic is an overview of Bigfoot -- the biggest, footiest member of the cryptid family. Ben gives a summary of first appearances, evidence from the Patterson-Gimlin film to supposed DNA, ret-conning of native legends, and Bigfoot's role in democratizing science over the decades. What's our furry friend been up to in the 21st century though? We go over arguments that Bigfoot proponents have put forth as to why the creature has remained hidden so long. And, finally, can a legend ever truly die?
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Episode 217 - Dark Play with Libby Tucker
12/29/2023
Episode 217 - Dark Play with Libby Tucker
For our last episode of the year, after Ben lists his upcoming appearances and a nice book accolade, and after Celestia discusses "Skibidi Toilet Syndrome," we speak with Prof. Libby Tucker about dark play. Existing in the liminal spaces of childhood, forbidden yet alluring, dark play takes many forms. Rituals, tests of bravery or belief, chants and rhymes, breathing control games -- all exist as a means for children to test boundaries and take control of otherwise overwhelming concepts. Mortality is a common theme, as only recently have children come to be relatively shielded from death. It was quite common for Victorian children to see siblings, playmates and others their age succumb to illness or injuries, with bodies kept in the family home for funeral rites. From "Light as a Feather" signifying resurrection to Bloody Mary foreshadowing menstruation, old tales and games have both stayed ever-present and evolved to new online pranks and TikTok challenges. Whether it's divination by means of an origami "cootie-catcher" or a vandalism dare, chances are you, too, have dabbled in dark play.
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Episode 216 - Absinthe, Murder and Panic
12/15/2023
Episode 216 - Absinthe, Murder and Panic
After some discussion on a recent shooting in Las Vegas, Alex Jones being let back onto Twitter/X, and Napoleon's height, we dive into a look back at Absinthe. This exotic liquor has a surprisingly rich history filled with danger, exaggeration, fraud and propaganda. From it's supposed creativity-enhancing powers to its effect of bringing about madness and hallucinations, we go for a strange little journey into the evolution of the green fairy.
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Episode 215 - Dallas Zoo Animal Disappearances, with Kristina Downs
12/01/2023
Episode 215 - Dallas Zoo Animal Disappearances, with Kristina Downs
First Ben and Celestia discuss genetically modified potatoes, cougar kitties, and cocaine hippos. Then we are joined by Dr. Kristina Downs of the Texas Folklore Society to talk about a curious case that occurred in January 2023. A series of incidents at the Dallas Zoo escalated from a wandering clouded leopard to a critically endangered vulture turning up dead and a pair of kidnapped monkeys. Along the way we have parody Twitter accounts, cat humor, digs on local nuisances, and rumors of what's REALLY going on at the zoo -- in other words, folklore and conspiracy theories. Then, when the monkeys are found, we see, on a small scale, what happens when crime-solving communities online are faced with a disappointingly mundane answer to their puzzle.
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Episode 214 - Gargoyles!
11/19/2023
Episode 214 - Gargoyles!
Ben and Celestia discuss conspiracies, real and unreal, the conspiracy-backed arguments from a high-profile defense lawyer, a superconductor article retraction, and Barbra's opinion on the Streisand Effect. Then, gargoyles! How do these imposing gothic carvings differ from grotesques, and what do they do -- both functionally and symbolically? Who can see them so high up, and are hidden messages really carved into some of them? We learn about the guttural (literally) sense of humor on display in medieval times, and the possible connection gargoyles have to an ancient tradition of "gurning," or face-pulling. And yes, we do talk about the 90s cartoon too!
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Episode 214 - Gargoyles!
11/16/2023
Episode 214 - Gargoyles!
Ben and Celestia discuss conspiracies, real and unreal, the conspiracy-backed arguments from a high-profile defense lawyer, a superconductor article retraction, and Barbra's opinion on the Streisand Effect. Then, gargoyles! How do these imposing gothic carvings differ from grotesques, and what do they do -- both functionally and symbolically? Who can see them so high up, and are hidden messages really carved into some of them? We learn about the guttural (literally) sense of humor on display in medieval times, and the possible connection gargoyles have to an ancient tradition of "gurning," or face-pulling. And yes, we do talk about the 90s cartoon too!
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Episode 213 - Gef the Talking Mongoose, with Sharon Hill
11/04/2023
Episode 213 - Gef the Talking Mongoose, with Sharon Hill
First, Celestia goes over her high points and low points of CSI Con 2023, then we move on to a few tidbits Ben came across. Sharon Hill joins us again, this time for a main segment on Gef the talking mongoose, a celebrity on the Isle of Man back in the 1930s. A new movie delves into (and somewhat mangles) the mystery, featuring Simon Pegg as Nandor Fodor and Christopher Lloyd as Harry Price. The "mystery" of Gef tapdances around so many facets of Forteana... a talking animal, "earth spirit," clairvoyance, poltergeists, psychic manifestations, and a clever young girl with time on her hands. With Sharon's help, we go over what the records say, what British libel law curtailed the records from saying, and what the movie tries to say today.
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Episode 212 - The Rise and Fall of Slenderman, with Andrea Kitta
10/20/2023
Episode 212 - The Rise and Fall of Slenderman, with Andrea Kitta
First we discuss a few skepticism-adjacent current events: the recent Colorado train spotting of Bigfoot, RFK Jr.'s bid for the presidency, and a new lawsuit naming "Sound of Freedom" hero Tim Ballard as a sexual predator who paid a psychic to help groom his victims. Then we dive into Slenderman, or "Slendy" as his friends know him. Professor Andrea Kitta, contributor to "Slender Man Is Coming" (Utah State University Press, 2018), brings her public health and folklore knowledge to bear on this created cryptid, born of photoshop in the pre-AI days and raised on the pent-up rage of cyberbullied adolescent girls. Part revenge fantasy and part rescuer, what is Slendy's game? Does he drive you insane or take you away to his secret mansion? While he was the focus of a tragic 2014 stabbing case in Wisconsin, since then he has faded slowly and may end up where many initially terrifying monsters go -- into the realm of child lore, as a spooky story for very young kids.
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Episode 211 - SWAYSO Grab Bag and DragonCon Live!
10/06/2023
Episode 211 - SWAYSO Grab Bag and DragonCon Live!
First we have a whole lot of current events that are dinging out skeptical radar: Nobels are being announced; a kidnapped girl was found (not by psychics); a yoga class was mistaken for a mass shooting; we survived a rapture AND a 5G-activated virus; Nevada's supreme court allows joint-custody father to vaccinate kids against wishes of antivax mother; Naomi Wolf says being near vaccinated people causes cramps; and Hasan Minhaj walks the line between storytelling and fabrication. Then, thanks fo Mark Ditsler and Calico Cove LLC for the production of content and permission to distribute audio from our appearance at DragonCon's Skeptic Track earlier in September! We have a roundabout discussion on folkloric roots of modern conspiracies and how stories recur and recur and recur, then take some audience questions.
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Episode 210 - The UFO movie THEY don't want you to see, with Brian Dunning
09/22/2023
Episode 210 - The UFO movie THEY don't want you to see, with Brian Dunning
After discussing the more recent alien-related topics like signs of life on an exoplanet and signs of fraud displayed in the Mexican Congress, we meet up with Brian Dunning of Skeptoid fame. His newest feature film, The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You to See, is out now on streaming services. We discuss the educational approaches Brian took and why, the "Christmas Tree Problem," and our excitement at the very real possibility of life elsewhere -- tempered, alas, with the very real constricts of physics, time, and space.
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Episode 209 - Agritainment and rural haunts with Betty Aquino
09/08/2023
Episode 209 - Agritainment and rural haunts with Betty Aquino
It's agritainment season, y'all! So get ready to pick apples, walk a corn maze, pet some goats and maybe get spooked at a rural haunted house! Folklorist and haunted house aficionado Betty Aquino joins Ben and Celestia to discuss themes in rural haunts and why the rural spaces have become romanticized by urban dwellers. We explore some themes of gender, power and politics in the haunted houses she sampled in the midwest, and discuss how this type of commodified spookiness differs from other types of theater. For starters, it's all run by amateurs and there's no fourth wall -- so you're part of the show!
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Episode 208 - Feral kids, for real, kids?
08/25/2023
Episode 208 - Feral kids, for real, kids?
From Romulus and Remus to Tarzan and Mowgli, children raised in the wild by animals is a popular tale in folklore. But what about feral kids in real life? There have been sideshow exhibits, hoaxes and recurring instances in literature and television. Do any of the tales reported as true have merit? And could a child raised by wolves walk on all fours or subsist -- even thrive? -- on raw meat? Why are we drawn to these tales? Some tell a romanticized story of the noble savage, raised safely away from the corruption of society, while others are a little closer to the tragedy that really occurs when a neglected child is starved of human contact.
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Episode 207 - Legend Tripping with Jeff Debies-Carl
08/11/2023
Episode 207 - Legend Tripping with Jeff Debies-Carl
After some discussion of suspected sun bear cosplay and UAP fallout, Ben and Celestia are joined by Jeff Debies-Carl, who has just published "If You Should Go at Midnight: Legends and Legend Tripping in America" (Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2023). What is legend tripping, and do we all do it -- even us skeptics? From a psychological and sociological perspective, what are the roots, motivations, and dangers involved? From ghost hunts to escape rooms, how we participate in legends helps shape and perpetuate the legend. Let's look at how.
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Episode 206 - We are Barbie, and Barbie is us
07/28/2023
Episode 206 - We are Barbie, and Barbie is us
Adrienne Hill joins us this week, and we discuss some current events: RFJ Jr. has presidential hopes, "The Sound of Freedom" is in theaters, and magical nanotechnology makes an appearance in pro tennis. Then onto the main event: All Things Barbie! We have thoughts on the movie, some Barbie folklore and "oopsies," the Barbenheimer phenomenon, and her enduring reputation as both a heroine and a villain. Ben has a unique perspective, after a ton of research down rabbit holes looking for any solid evidence that girls develop eating disorders because they idolize Barbie's unrealistic figure.
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Episode 205 - Banachek on Randi, Project Alpha and the New York Times
07/14/2023
Episode 205 - Banachek on Randi, Project Alpha and the New York Times
First, Ben discusses his recent excursion to a folklore conference, where he touched a plague box and went spelunking in the Devil's Ass, then Celestia pays tribute to Las Vegas eccentric Lonnie Hammargren. For our main segment we are joined by mentalist Banachek, who (like many skeptics this week) has some thoughts on a recent New York Times piece that gives a bit too much credit to a perpetually discredited spoon-bender in the magic world. This recent writeup brings many topics to the table, such as the role Randi's showmanship and ability to garner publicity played in forming the modern skeptical movement. Banachek also shares some details about his early life and what led him to magic, and to a strange wizard's home -- that is, James Randi's door -- at the age of 17.
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