DarkHorse Podcast Preventing Truth Decay: Michael Shermer on DarkHorse
28 snips
Jan 11, 2026 
Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and host of The Michael Shermer Show, dives deep into the nature of truth and skepticism. He discusses how we discern truth through expertise and fallibilism, emphasizing that scientific truth is provisional and evolves over time. Shermer critiques the influence of ideologies in academia, suggesting reforms for peer review. The conversation touches on controversial topics like vaccine safety, the simulation hypothesis, and the role of religion in modernity, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Science Self-Corrects, Often Slowly
- Shermer points to nutrition science as slow but self-correcting despite industry influence.
- He views corruption and industry pressure as important causes of long delays in correction.
When Institutions Tell The Opposite
- Bret argues some institutions gave inverted advice (e.g., food pyramid, CDC COVID guidance).
- He suggests systemic corruption or incompetence caused policy inversions.
Make Reviewers Accountable
- Remove anonymity so reviewers risk reputational harm when they unfairly trash papers.
- Require reviewers to sign critiques and broaden reviewer selection to adjacent fields.
