Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Politics & Opinion Science Matters

What if I’m wrong?

It seems that, no matter what you write on the internet, what opinion you have, you always end up in a discussion. Which is not necessarily a bad thing - I like good discussions and they can help you to better understand a certain topic or the others' point of view. Many topics though are not tangible - are based on assumptions and a certain likelihood. Two recently discussed big topics and good examples are Climate Change and COVID-19 actions. No one can tell for sure how Climate Change will happen, how quickly it will happen, how it will affect…
Posted inScience Matters

Debunking the Most Common Myths About Electric Vehicles

I feel compelled to write a longer article on this subject, as I keep encountering the same misconceptions about electric vehicles (EVs) — both in my social media timeline and in conversations with friends and colleagues. Instead of responding to each comment individually, I want to consolidate and address the most widespread EV myths in this post. Myth 1: EVs Have Too Short a Range Range anxiety is the most common reason people hesitate to switch to an electric vehicle. However, this fear is often entirely unfounded. Let’s break it down with some data: In Germany, the average car travels…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? Science Matters The Homeopathy Myth

Why I Don’t Believe in Homeopathy

Inspired by a recent discussion, I once again dove into the world of homeopathy. I’ve read a fair bit about it over the years, but every time I revisit the subject, I come across new articles, studies, and examples that make me think. I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure how to start this piece. So, I’ll simply throw you into the ocean (or maybe just the puddle) of my thoughts and doubts. “But it helped me…” One of the most common things I hear when talking about homeopathy is the statement: “But it helped me!” People often present this as an irrefutable…
Posted inScience Matters The Homeopathy Myth

Beer Meets Esotericism

I came across this clever and funny observation from German physicist and cabaret artist Vince Ebert, who often explains science with humor and simple everyday examples. “If I suspect, for example, ‘There might be beer in the fridge,’ and I go check, then I’m basically already practicing an early form of science.Big difference compared to theology: there, assumptions usually aren’t tested.So if I just claim, ‘There’s beer in the fridge,’ I’m a theologian.If I actually look, I’m a scientist.And if I look, find nothing, and still insist there’s beer inside—then I’m an esoteric!” — Vince Ebert
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Science Matters

Misleading Graphics and the Fukushima Panic

Isn’t this graphic alarming? It’s been circulating dozens of times across social media, often used in YouTube videos as “proof” for bold claims and conspiracy theories. At first glance, it does look terrifying—the blue trail stretches across the Pacific toward Japan, supposedly originating from Fukushima. What makes the graphic appear credible is the NOAA logo (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), suggesting that it comes from an authoritative U.S. government source. But let’s pause for a moment. The first red flag is the scale on the right-hand side, which is labeled in centimeters (cm). What do centimeters have to do with radiation? The…
Posted inOn the Screen Science Matters

Good news for TV Nerds…

This week has been—and will be—a good one for TV nerds. First, the good news for fans of science, chaos, and reckless experimentation: you probably know the German TV show “Nicht Nachmachen” (“Do Not Imitate”) on ZDF. In it, comedians Bernhard Hoëcker and Wigald Boning try out all the things you should never, ever, ever, ever do. From balloons filled with propane to heating bottles of red wine in a microwave, the show is pure madness, mixed with the infectious fun of Wigald and Bernhard. The first six episodes aired in 2012, and in 2013 a second season was confirmed. Bernhard Hoëcker wrote on Facebook: “Finally it’s happening: Nicht…
Posted inIn the News Science Matters

Unstatistic of the Month

“Never trust a statistic you didn’t manipulate yourself.” That old saying still rings true. These days, “manipulating” often doesn’t mean outright falsifying numbers, but rather presenting and framing them in a way that supports your own narrative. To highlight this, a great initiative was launched: Unstatistik des Monats (“Unstatistic of the Month”). Each month, it takes a closer look at misleading claims, questionable data interpretations, and how statistics can be bent to fit a story. Well worth browsing through—enjoy! Unstatistik des Monats
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? Science Matters The Homeopathy Myth

Magnetic Field Therapy – Science or Snake Oil?

As some of you know, I occasionally dive into the world of homeopathy, esotericism, and alternative medicine. One concept that stuck with me from the past—both as a skeptic and as a once-curious believer—is magnetic field therapy. So, I recently took the time to read up on it again. The result? As always, a mix of lofty healing promises, dubious mechanisms, and a whole lot of commercial noise. Sprinkle in wellness marketing, internet scams, and some "miracle devices," and you've got a familiar recipe. Here's what I found when I took a closer look. What is Magnetic Field Therapy? Magnetic…
Posted inScience Matters

Why Do So Many Still Reject Evolution? A Look at the USA and Beyond

When looking at the chart comparing national wealth with belief in evolution, one country stands out in a troubling way: the United States. Among the wealthiest nations in the world, the U.S. ranks near the bottom in terms of belief in evolution. Only around 40% of the U.S. population answered “true” to the statement: “Human beings, as we know them, developed from earlier species of animals.” This puts the U.S. far behind its economic peers and even behind many countries with significantly lower GDP per capita. But what’s even more concerning is that the U.S. is not alone. Other relatively…
Posted inOn the Screen Science Matters

Is Warp Drive Actually Possible? Even NASA Is Taking a Closer Look

What if faster-than-light travel wasn’t just a sci-fi fantasy? In Star Trek, starships like the Enterprise cruise through the galaxy at "warp speed"—a term that became iconic for faster-than-light travel. This is made possible by a fictional technology called the warp drive, which bends or "warps" space-time itself, allowing a ship to move vast distances in the blink of an eye without violating the universal speed limit set by Einstein’s theory of relativity. Instead of pushing a ship through space, the warp drive moves space around the ship. In theory, the space in front of the ship is contracted while…