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The Skeptics Guide #730 - Jul 06 2019 (Ad Free) (Patreon)

Published:
2019-07-06 14:52:21
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2026-06
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Content

Forgotten Superheroes of Science

News Items: The Bystander Effect, Drones on Titan, Simulating the Universe

Your Questions and E-mails: Lactic Acid, Climate Change

Science or Fiction 

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Comments

Gail Knapp

As a retired psychology professor, I was really amazed that the Kitty Genovese story was actually fake news! I taught about her for many years in my social psychology classes. The presentation on the bystander effect was really very good. Most people immediately think about personal danger or inconvenience, but the research shows that the problem is much more likely to be diffusion of responsibility or ambiguity of the situation. Other people not responding suggests to individuals that they should not respond either. That is why when one person does respond, it usually increases the chance that others will join in. One solution that was suggested by the famous psychology Stanley Milgram many years ago was based on his personal experience. He said he was in a traffic accident in a busy NYC intersection, and all the people were gaping but not helping. He said that he was feeling very bad, and he was unable to help either. So, he pointed to people at random and gave them jobs. Eg. "You in the red shirt, call the police." And it worked. Everyone did what he told them. I told that story for many years, and a couple of students reported later that they had an opportunity to remember and act as Milgram had. And they had the same response. Just as Steve said, sometimes what you learn in class can be very valuable. Thank you for your outstanding podcast. My week isn't complete without listening to it.