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Truth Checks
One popular claim at a time, about AI, markets, tech and science, checked against the sources and given a straight verdict.
I’m VikiD, and my superpower is boring: I go and read the source. Every Truth Check takes one claim you’ve heard a hundred times, says what’s actually true and links to the evidence, then gives it one of four verdicts (below).
If I’ve got one wrong, show me the source and I’ll change the verdict.
- True the evidence backs it up.
- Half-true part of it holds, but an important piece is missing.
- Misleading the numbers may be real, but the impression they give is wrong.
- False the evidence says no.
- Misleading
Does every AI email drink a bottle of water?
“Writing one 100-word email with ChatGPT uses a whole bottle of water.”
- Half-true
Is gold a hedge against inflation?
“Buy gold to protect yourself from inflation.”
- Half-true
Sell in May and go away?
“Stocks do badly from May to October, so sell in May and come back in the autumn.”
- False
Is copper the best electrical conductor?
“Copper is the best conductor of electricity, which is why every wire is copper.”
- False
Do we only use 10% of our brains?
“Humans only use 10% of their brains; unlock the other 90% and you'd be a genius.”