Shows
The Briefing RoomShould the Government ban social media for young people?Pressure is building in the UK for a ban on social media use for young people as countries across the world watch Australia, which introduced its own ban for under 16s last December. Meanwhile, the government here is launching a public consultation on children’s use of social media which will look at a range of options, including a ban. It also said this week that it wants to create new legal powers so it can take action quickly. David Aaronovitch asks what the evidence so far tells us about social media and harm to young people and what el...
2026-02-1928 min
The One You FeedReclaim Your Mind: How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Technology with Jay VidyarthiIn this episode, Jay Vidyarthi discusses how to reclaim your mind and build a healthier relationship with technology. He explores common pitfalls—like avoidance, anxiety, and judgment—and shares practical strategies for using digital tools consciously. Jay emphasizes personal agency, setting boundaries, and the value of both online and offline connections. This conversation challenges the idea that technology is inherently good or bad, instead encouraging listeners to cultivate awareness, compassion, and intentional habits to foster well-being and authentic relationships in a tech-driven world.
Exciting News!!!Coming in March 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a M...
2026-01-0658 minThe One You FeedReclaim Your Mind: How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Technology with Jay VidyarthiIn this episode, Jay Vidyarthi discusses how to reclaim your mind and build a healthier relationship with technology. He explores common pitfalls—like avoidance, anxiety, and judgment—and shares practical strategies for using digital tools consciously. Jay emphasizes personal agency, setting boundaries, and the value of both online and offline connections. This conversation challenges the idea that technology is inherently good or bad, instead encouraging listeners to cultivate awareness, compassion, and intentional habits to foster well-being and authentic relationships in a tech-driven world.
Exciting News!!!Coming in March 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a M...
2026-01-0658 min
KonfliktKriget om barnens telefoner (REPRIS)Politiker och föräldrar runt om i världen agerar just nu mot techbolagen - för att stoppa barn från det de ser som faror med skärmar. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Idén om att skärmar och sociala medier får barn att må dåligt har fått fäste på många håll i världen. Politiker lagstiftar om åldersgränser, föräldrar går samman och förbjuder smarta telefoner och stämmer sociala mediejättar. Men vad tycker kritikerna, och techbolagen själva, om det...
2025-12-2655 min
Science FictionsUnpaywalled: Jonathan Haidt vs. social mediaHello everyone! We weren’t able to record a podcast this week, because 1) Stuart was busy and 2) it’s Tom’s birthday. So by way of apology we’re re-releasing this one about some drama last year between Jon Haidt, sworn enemy of smartphones, and some guys who like meta-analyses. Hope you enjoy it!A while back, The Studies Show covered the question of whether smartphones and social media cause mental health problems. Amazingly, that podcast didn’t settle the issue, and the debate has continued—and continued rather acrimoniously.Psychologists—most notably Jonathan Haidt—are currently la...
2025-11-2600 minKonfliktKriget om barnens telefonerPolitiker och föräldrar runt om i världen agerar just nu mot techbolagen - för att stoppa barn från det de ser som faror med skärmar. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Idén om att skärmar och sociala medier får barn att må dåligt har fått fäste på många håll i världen. Politiker lagstiftar om åldersgränser, föräldrar går samman och förbjuder smarta telefoner och stämmer sociala mediejättar. Men vad tycker kritikerna, och techbolagen själva, om det...
2025-10-0355 min
The One You FeedThe Hidden Costs of Technology and Our Search for Selfhood with Vauhini Vara
In this episode, Vauhini Vara discusses the hidden costs of technology and our search for selfhood. She explains how we live in a world where technology functions as both a lifeline and a trap—offering connection, convenience, and possibility while also shaping our choices, exploiting our attention, and redefining how we see ourselves. Together, Eric and Vauhini explore the tension of relying on tools we can’t seem to live without, the subtle ways algorithms alter our communication, and what it means to hold onto authentic selfhood in the digital age.Feeling overwhelmed, even by the good thing...
2025-09-021h 03The One You FeedThe Hidden Costs of Technology and Our Search for Selfhood with Vauhini Vara
In this episode, Vauhini Vara discusses the hidden costs of technology and our search for selfhood. She explains how we live in a world where technology functions as both a lifeline and a trap—offering connection, convenience, and possibility while also shaping our choices, exploiting our attention, and redefining how we see ourselves. Together, Eric and Vauhini explore the tension of relying on tools we can’t seem to live without, the subtle ways algorithms alter our communication, and what it means to hold onto authentic selfhood in the digital age.Feeling overwhelmed, even by the good thing...
2025-09-021h 03
The Disinfo DetoxAre Screens Really Ruining Us? Pete Etchells Reveals the Science You Haven’t Heard🎙️ This week on The Disinfo Detox, host Nolan Higdon sits down with psychologist and science communicator Pete Etchells to debunk the biggest myths about screens, “screen addiction,” and digital doom. They dig into the real science behind how screens affect our minds, what’s hype, and what’s fact — and how you can make your screen time work for you.Together, they unpack:👉 Why the “screen addiction” panic is based on shaky science👉 How moral panics about technology mirror past media scares👉 Practical, science-backed ways to change your screen habits👉 Insights from Pete’s new book Unlocked: The Real Sci...
2025-08-1932 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 8: Ask Pete and AndyWe’re taking a break for the Summer, and we thought it would be fun to finish off with a round of questions from listeners. In this last episode (for now), we cover questions around VR, how parents approach conversations about online safety, why we’re seeing a backlash against ed tech, and why framing screens as evil doesn’t actually help fix anything. Thanks for listening in - we really hope you’ve been enjoying these conversations, and that you’ve found something useful and interesting in them. See you soon! This is a public e...
2025-08-0142 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 7: Screen time myths and misconceptionsWhen it comes to screens, everyone seems to have an opinion - but how much of what we hear is actually true? In this episode, Pete and Andy take on some of the most common myths and misconceptions around screen time and its impacts.Do screens really ruin our attention? Do goldfish really have an 8-second attention span? Does more screen time mean less time outdoors? And when it comes to ed tech, are we expecting too much from it? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
2025-07-2549 min
How It All Played OutVictims of Genius: The Sports Stars Overshadowed by BrillianceFor every sporting legend, there's someone on the receiving end of their brilliance.Maradona, Shane Warne, Pete Sampras, Johan Cruyff - all icons whose talent truly lit up the world. But what about those who stood in their shadow? The ones left stunned, outclassed, or simply embarrassed by being on the wrong side of a moment of magic.In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look and at some of sport’s most unforgettable highlights, shining a light on the athletes who, despite remarkable careers of their own, ar...
2025-07-2243 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 6: How Do We Build Healthier, More Informed Tech Routines?This week, Andy and Pete explore how families can build more intentional, flexible routines involving technology. This isn’t about blindly thinking that ‘tech is great’; it’s about acknowledging that things like video games and screen time are a large part of our everyday lives, so we need to pay attention to what works and what doesn’t.We talk about experimenting with video games, reflecting on our own habits, and how, as parents, we’re always making adjustments around tech. Plus: what to do when your kids love a game you don’t, and why the broader pu...
2025-07-1845 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 5: How do we ask better research questions about tech and mental health?It’s one of the biggest questions in digital parenting: Do digital technologies cause mental health problems in children and teenagers? The answer is complicated, and the desire to find a simple, cause-and-effect answer (“screens cause anxiety” or “social media makes kids depressed”) doesn’t line up with what the evidence actually shows.In this episode, Pete and Andy dig into some of the reasons why studies in this area are often messy, why we need a set of minimum expected standards for tech companies in terms of sharing data with researchers, and how good research can get derailed...
2025-07-1158 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 4: Why do we find it so difficult to talk about tech effects?We often have a very real sense that digital technology can do damage to our wellbeing, and sometimes in ways that feel seriously worrying. But when we try to actually talk about it, we often fall back on vague phrases: tech is “bad for mental health” or tech is “addictive”. Does this sort of messaging actually help parents and families make better decisions? Or do they just make us feel stuck between panic and helplessness?In this week’s episode, Andy and Pete explore why our public conversations about tech often get stuck in fear, and how we...
2025-07-0445 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 3: The myth of the digital nativeThis week, we’re talking about a seemingly common sense idea: that kids are “digital natives.” The assumption goes something like this: they grew up with technology, so they must just get it. They're fluent, comfortable, and because it feels like they’re a step ahead of us, we worry about constantly playing catchup.But when you look more closely, that apparent fluency can be misleading. Knowing how to swipe, tap, or game doesn’t mean understanding what’s actually going on under the hood. What does that mean for how we approach digital parenting? Plus: a detour into...
2025-06-2753 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 2: How do we have better tech conversations with our kids?In this episode, Pete and Andy explore how to talk about technology in a way that builds trust, not tension. From constant screen time requests to parental missteps, tech can be a constant flashpoint in family life — but it’s also a powerful opportunity for connection. We share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in our own homes, and talk about practical strategies for making these conversations calmer, clearer, and more collaborative. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit screensensepodcast.substack
2025-06-2045 min
Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing SailorsLuke Lawrence: Racing Hard, Resetting Life — A Racer's Story of RecoveryIn this powerful in-person conversation, professional sailor Luke Lawrence returns to Sailfaster to share his extraordinary journey — from burnout to balance, and from racing hard to racing smart. Speaking from Pete’s dining room in Washington, D.C., Luke opens up about the mindset, mechanics, and mental resilience required at the top levels of the sport.We talk about:How Luke learned to become a “fact-based robot” and shut out distractionsHis recent pro sailing season across Stars, Etchells, J/70s, and superyachtsTactical and technical tips for starts, laylines, mark rounding...
2025-06-1346 min
Screen Sense: Parenting in a Digital WorldEpisode 1: Why does (digital) parenting feel so hard?In this first episode, Andy and Pete introduce themselves and the podcast, and talk honestly about why parenting in a digital world can often feel so confusing and difficult to navigate. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit screensensepodcast.substack.com
2025-06-1349 min
'Mind the Kids': an ACAMH podcastScreen Time – is it bad for you?Why is there a growing concern around screen time? Is social media bad for young people’s wellbeing? What is the impact of the digital divide? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Pete Etchells about his work, the impact of screen time and social media, and his recent book ‘Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time’.
2025-04-2340 min
'Mind the Kids': an ACAMH podcastInside the Teen Brain: Screen-agersWatch the episode for FREE on ACAMH LearnIn this episode of Inside the Teen Brain: Screenagers, Professor Pete Etchells joins Dr. Jane Gilmour to explore the complex relationship between digital technology and adolescent mental health. Professor Etchells challenges common narratives around screentime, offering a nuanced perspective on the evidence surrounding social media, smartphone use, and attention span in young people. The conversation delves into key research findings, and the need for more precise definitions in studies on technology use. Professor Etchells also highlights the importance of fostering digital literacy and resilience, rather than relying on restrictive policies...
2025-04-0853 min
InBitsMoral Panics and TechnologyIn this episode we focus on moral panics about technology use and how this is driven by media reporting and societal discourse. We break down the actual research behind some of these panics, and look at what we do know about how tech is impacting us.
Support resources
If you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you.
Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
2025-03-2549 min
The Gadget Show PodcastDo Video Games Really Change Your Brain? 🤯In this guest slot episode, we’re joined by Pete Etchells, the professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa, for a fascinating conversation on the effects Video Games have on your brains.Download the SAILY app - use our code thegadgetshow at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase.Listen or Watch The Gadget Show Podcast AD Free and get loads of extras via our Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/thegadgetshowTo get in touch with the Gadget Show Podcast, email: contact@northone.tv
2025-02-2735 min
IQ - Wissenschaft und ForschungSmartphones und Social Media: Wie gefährdet sind junge User?Jugendliche und ihr Smartphone. Das ist ein hoch emotionales, vielschichtiges und immer präsentes Thema. Eltern und Lehrer können kaum nachvollziehen, warum die Wissenschaft nicht belegen kann, wie schädlich die sozialen Medien sind.
Doch: Wie gefährdet sind junge Nutzer tatsächlich? Ein Podcast von Ariane Stolterfoht.
Habt Ihr Feedback? Anregungen? Schreibt uns gerne oder schickt eine Sprachnachricht: WhatsApp (https://wa.me/491746744240) oder iq@br.deCreditsAutorin/Sprecherin: Ariane StolterfohtTechnik: Maik Siegle, mars13Redaktion: Sarah Bioly
GesprächspartnerInnen:Professor Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, Academic Division Chief at Div...
2025-02-1123 min
Science FictionsEpisode 62: Violent videogamesBefore the panic over social media—but after the panic over “video nasties”—was the panic over violent videogames. Was Pac-Man causing little Johnny so much frustration that he’d take it out on his siblings with his fists? Was Doom secretly training little Timmy to be a school shooter?You don’t hear so much about videogames and violence any more, but if you look at the studies (and the critiques of those studies) there’s a lot to learn about where science can go wrong. In this episode of The Studies Show—in addition to, if we’re honest...
2025-01-281h 04
Sideways5. The Future of AttentionMatthew Syed asks what it means to be distracted in a media world vying for our attention.In this final episode, he considers where our media consumption might be headed. Many are concerned about smartphone addiction and a disintegration of public discourse, but others see a brighter future and our current times as a turning point to a world where the capacities of technology are used to benefit of society.Matthew speaks to a former tech engineer who has become a philosopher and activist on attention, a historian who believes that our current era has...
2024-12-0315 min
The One You FeedDistracted or Empowered? Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology with Pete Etchells
In this episode, Pete Etchells brings a fresh perspective to the discussion on rethinking our relationship with technology. He challenges prevalent assumptions and encourages a deeper exploration of the nuanced effects of technology on our mental health and overall well-being. Pete shares some of the complex research and distills it into comprehensible insights for a more informed understanding of the intricate relationship between digital devices and mental health. Key Takeaways: Understand the nuanced effects of screen time on mental health Discover effective digital detox methods to improve well-being Explore the impact of social media o...
2024-11-191h 07The One You FeedDistracted or Empowered? Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology with Pete Etchells
In this episode, Pete Etchells brings a fresh perspective to the discussion on rethinking our relationship with technology. He challenges prevalent assumptions and encourages a deeper exploration of the nuanced effects of technology on our mental health and overall well-being. Pete shares some of the complex research and distills it into comprehensible insights for a more informed understanding of the intricate relationship between digital devices and mental health. Key Takeaways: Understand the nuanced effects of screen time on mental health Discover effective digital detox methods to improve well-being Explore the impact of social media o...
2024-11-191h 07
Science FictionsEpisode 53: The Stanford Prison ExperimentPhilip Zimbardo, the psychologist who’s best known for running the Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971, died last week. That’s a good excuse to discuss his legacy: what did his famous experiment tell us about the power of the situation to make normal people commit evil and sadistic acts?In this episode of The Studies Show, Tom and Stuart go back to the original report of one of the most famous psychology studies of all time, and then see how the experiment is looking after more than 50 years of discussion and debate (spoiler: not good).The...
2024-10-221h 12
Teachers Talk RadioMobile phone bans in schools - long overdue or overreach?: The Late Show with Tom RogersTom is joined by Professor Pete Etchells and teacher Benjamin White to discuss mobile phone bans in schools - are they the answer? Is the trend correct? What could or should we do instead? Pete shares plenty of the research evidence around phone use for young people and Ben adds his own school experiences into the mix.
2024-10-071h 24
The Cluster F Theory Podcast35. Screen Addiction? - Pete EtchellsPete Etchells is a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University. He researches the behavioural and wellbeing effects of playing video games, as well as metascientific issues regarding best practice in digital technology effects research. He’s written articles for various publications including New Scientist, the Guardian, the Observer, the New York Times, WIRED and the Telegraph. His most recent book, UNLOCKED, investigates the science behind our relationship with digital technology.Pete Etchells' personal website: https://www.peteetchells.com/Faculty page: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/our-people/peter-etchells/Twitter/X pa...
2024-10-0349 min
Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing SailorsWorld champion dinghy sailor Luke Lawrence on his unique preparation for the big ones....Multi-time world champion Luke Lawrence talks to Sailfaster podcast about the visualization techniques that are a key part of his preparation for top regattas. It’s clearly working for him as his record attests: Star junior world champion (with Alexei Selevenov) and 2021 star Western Hemisphere championships with the great Paul Cayard plus the Etchells North Americans, the J24 US Nationals, the J24 Worlds and in his younger days the 2010 Finn junior world title. Tune in to hear Luke talking about visualization, tuning preferences and how he comes back from bad starts by subscribing to Sailfaster wherever you get your fav...
2024-09-2734 min
InterfaceThe Real Science of Screen Time with Pete EtchellsMight social media actually be better for us than we think? Are we actually addicted to our phones, or are there behaviours we can spot and change? Joining Interface this time is Pete Etchells, psychologist, digital tech researcher, science writer and author of 'Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time'. Discover more about various aspects of digital wellbeing, through the Digital Wellbeing Hub from SWGfL. Access guidance and resources to support the young people in your care: https://swgfl.org.uk/topics/digital-wellbeingInterface is delivered by SWGfL, a leading online safety charity. If you...
2024-07-1751 min
Science FictionsEpisode 40: AddictionTo be addicted to something, you’ve got to… er, actually, what does it mean to be “addicted” to something? We all agree you can be addicted to heroin, but can you also be addicted to videogames, or sex, or listening to podcasts? And actually, it turns out we don’t all agree you can be addicted to heroin - or, at least, people have very different models of what that means. In what is effectively an hour-long clarification of a throwaway comment in a previous episode, Tom and Stuart talk through the various aspects of addiction, and try to...
2024-06-111h 05
Cyber Synapse PodcastSmartphones, 'Screen' time and Sensibility: Science communication and debunking the fearmonger mythsIn todays timely episode we are talking "Unlocked" the REAL science of screens, smartphones and more with Professor Pete Etchells, a Science Communicator (a role he discusses in his book) who has been steeped in this domain for a very long time. His research is broad and deep and takes a sensible, I repeat sensible look at the world of what smartphones and devices and use really does show us over time. And yes, that newest 'ban' is discussed in depth as to where the practicalities and panic are being drawn from. To the haters his work is not...
2024-05-271h 39
The Insight Podcast#108 | Lessons I Wish I'd Have Been Taught As A Child | Various GuestsWelcome to a special episode of the Insight Podcast.
There are three questions I ask every guest.
One of those questions is, "What's one lesson you wish you'd have been taught as a child?"
More often than not, the answers I get are pretty profound and inspiring.
So, I thought it'd be cool to put together a selection of those answers for you to enjoy.
Order of guests:
Anne-Sophie Fluri
Pete Etchells
Alan Lee
Joe Oliver
Niamh Fitzpatrick
Vincent Deary
James Hewitt
Melissa Morrison
Megan Lee
Connect with me:
https://www.twitter.com/samuelcwhart
https://www.instagram.com/samuelcwhart https...
2024-05-1708 min
The Report Card with Nat MalkusPete Etchells on Screens and Mental HealthAre smartphones and social media bad for kids’ mental health? According to a number of recent books, articles, and op-eds, the answer is an emphatic yes: The rise of smartphones and social media corresponded not only to a rise in the incidence of mental health problems but to a decline in academic performance. Indeed, in popular media, there almost seems to be a consensus emerging: It’s the phones, stupid.But is the popular media consensus correct? What does the research say? And what is the state of the research? On this episode of The Report Card, Nat...
2024-05-151h 02
ADHD science podcastEpisode 15- Screen time with Professor Pete EtchellsWe welcome Pete Etchells, one of the UK's foremost experts on the effects of screen time and screen-based activities, to talk about his new book, 'Unlocked'. We talk about attention, screens, and take a few detours along the way. Pete's book can be found here:
2024-05-131h 38
The Insight Podcast#106 | Stop blaming screens, blue light and sleep, kids' devices & more | Pete EtchellsJoining me on the show today is Pete Etchells.
Pete is a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University. He’s also the author of “Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and how to spend it better)”.
I talk to Pete about:
- What we get wrong about screen time and its effects on our health
- The myths around blue light and sleep
- Why banning phones in schools isn't the solution
- Why TikTok and YouTube Shorts aren’t sabotaging our focus
- How Pete talks to his children about screen time
- & much more
Enj...
2024-05-061h 21
Babbage from The EconomistBabbage: Teens and their screensEver since there have been smartphones and social media, there have been concerns about how they might be affecting children. Over the past decade, doctors have seen a decline in mental health in the young in much of the rich world. But whether that rise can be attributed to technology is still a matter of fierce debate. Nevertheless, demands are growing to proactively restrict teenagers’ access to phones and social media, just in case. How concerned should parents and teachers be? Or is this just another moral panic? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and techn...
2024-05-0142 min
Mohamed Guhaad's podcastBabbage: Teens and their screensEver since there have been smartphones and social media, there have been concerns about how they might be affecting children. Over the past decade, doctors have seen a decline in mental health in the young in much of the rich world. But whether that rise can be attributed to technology is still a matter of fierce debate. Nevertheless, demands are growing to proactively restrict teenagers’ access to phones and social media, just in case. How concerned should parents and teachers be? Or is this just another moral panic? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Contributors: Tom W...
2024-05-0143 minEconomist PodcastsBabbage: Teens and their screensEver since there have been smartphones and social media, there have been concerns about how they might be affecting children. Over the past decade, doctors have seen a decline in mental health in the young in much of the rich world. But whether that rise can be attributed to technology is still a matter of fierce debate. Nevertheless, demands are growing to proactively restrict teenagers’ access to phones and social media, just in case. How concerned should parents and teachers be? Or is this just another moral panic? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and techn...
2024-05-0142 min
Leighton Night with Brian WechtEpisode 213: You Are Not Addicted To Your Phone (feat. Pete Etchells)On this thought-provoking ep, we’re joined once again by professor and psychologist Pete Etchells (@PeteEtchells) for a chat about his new book Unlocked, which is a well-researched and very reasonable take on the science of screentime. We also talk about Bluey, cryptic crosswords, libel laws, and more! Seriously, Pete’s book is a breath of fresh air-- check it out wherever you get your books (and on a delay if you’re in the US). Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht, and Leighton at @gr...
2024-03-291h 40
Instant GeniusWhy you’re not actually addicted to your phoneJust about everywhere we look today, screens, and in particular social media, are being called addictive, and being blamed for causing mental health problems and damaging childhood development.But does the evidence support this?In today’s episode we catch up with Pete Etchells, professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University and author of Unlocked: The real science of screen time.Pete tells us why we need to redefine our relationship with technology and why social media, for all its ills, ma...
2024-03-1834 min
All in the MindThe science behind screentime, the effect of live music, and can you imagine sounds in your head?These days we see a lot of negative stories related to screen time – how we’re addicted to our phones and social media is damaging our mental health. But is our panic about screens justified? Pete Etchells, professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University, talks Claudia Hammond through the latest evidence in this field – and it turns out it’s all a lot more complicated than we think.Many of us will often get catchy tunes stuck in our head, or have an inner monologue narrating our experiences. But this isn’t the case for everyo...
2024-03-0527 min
Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing SailorsKristy Robinson on improving mark roundings, looking after your crew, and adapting to a new boat!Today’s Sailfaster guest is Kristen Robinson. Kristy’s well-known on the east coast – part of a husband and wife duo who are not only devastatingly successful racers but also terrific fun. Kristy is a highly experienced and successful sailor, but also she’s a leader of multiple sailing organizations including board and president roles for J70 / 80 / 29 classes, and yacht clubs. On the water she’s always on or around the podium places whether Block Island Race Week on J/29s, 105s and 109s, or at North American Championships on her J/80 or J/109, or locally on the Chesapeake. She’s a real...
2024-03-0143 min
Tech Shock - from Parent Zone4. The debate surrounding screen time, with Pete EtchellsThis week Vicki is joined by Pete Etchells, professor of Psychology and Science Communication at Bath Spa University to discuss the topic of screen time and some of the debate that surrounds it.Talking points:What is ‘screen time’, and how hard is it to accurately measure? Why do we tend to look at tech through a harmful lens, and does this stand in the way of digitally flourishing?Do some policies just help us avoid thinking about children’s tech use?Tech Shock is a Parent Zone production. Follow Parent Zone on social media for all...
2024-02-2650 min
Culture ColanderViolent Video Games: “Walks like, talks like a moral panic”Audra and Elisa unpack the question on everybody's lips: are violent video games actually making people more violent? This episode pairs best with your favorite nostalgic computer game.
Book Recommendation
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Keep the conversation going
Email us at culturecolander@gmail.com
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Sources
“Apex Legends Live Player Count,” Player Counter
“The Benefits of Simple, Open-Ended Toys in Child Development,” RAD Children’s Furniture
“Candy Crush Saga: The Science Behind Our Addiction,” Eliana Dockterman, Time Magazine
Conspiracy of Violence: Nations Where Video Games like Call of Duty, Halo...
2024-01-301h 12
Science FictionsEpisode 17: Your shrinking attention spanThe thesis of Johann Hari’s bestselling 2022 book Stolen Focus is that tech companies—via the internet, smartphones, and social media—are wrecking our attention spans. Hari argues that Facebook, Apple, and all the rest, in their deliberate attack on our ability to concentrate, are doing huge damage to the human species.In this episode of The Studies Show, Tom and Stuart (whose microphone sounds a bit odd this week - sorry about that!) discuss the data on whether people’s attention spans are getting shorter, ask whether there’s evidence people are too distracted to finish tasks—such...
2023-11-141h 01
Spiritual AF SundaysSpiritual AF Sundays #25 - Gaming and Consequences: Where Fantasy and Reality CollideIn open world video games, do you like to play the bad guy? Does your character do things that you'd never, ever do in real life? Or are you the type who, no matter how much you want to, you can't bring yourself to choose the dialogue prompt where your character says something mean? Whether you want to be naughty or nice in game - have you ever stopped to think what that says about you?In this episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, creator of the Game and Word substack and podcast, to d...
2023-06-0433 min
Game AcademyEpisode 14: Just PING Things (with Dr Matt Higgins and Dr Peter Howell)Because it's just Adam this time, he gets to write all the show notes! Adam is joined by Dr Matt Higgins and Dr Peter Howell to talk all about making some games. Yes, he's taken over the podcast, and he's talking about the usefulness of making things! Of course, we all agree that there are multiple perspectives to study games from, but with a Practice research IN Games conference coming up, we thought it might be nice to spread the good news, including some book recommendations, how our lives affect the things we make and what practice research even...
2023-05-1540 min
The Game & Word PodcastThe Game & Word Podcast: Lost in a Good Game Study, ft. Dr. Pete EtchellsHello! If you enjoy Game & Word, please hit the “heart” button at the very top or very bottom of this post, or on the bottom-left corner of the Substack app. It helps more people find Game & Word, which helps us survive and grow!The Game & Word Podcast, Volume 3, Episode 3: Lost in a Good Game Study (ft. Dr. Pete Etchells)Table of Contents* Introduction* Podcast References* Transcript* FootnotesNOTE: Gmail users, you might see a truncated version of this message. If this happens to you, just clic...
2022-07-2453 min
Death Of 1000 CutsS5E2 - Chatting With Prof Pete EtchellsI chat with Prof Pete Etchells about video games, the stories they tell, and his book LOST IN A GOOD GAME: Why We Play Video Games and What They Can Do For Us.
Please do support Pete by checking out his book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Good-Game-video-games/dp/1785784811
You can support the show via my Ko-fi page here: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
You can pre-order my forthcoming book COWARD from Storysmith Books here: https://storysmithbooks.com/product/coward-tim-clare/
Thank you.
2022-01-171h 29
CrowdScienceCan video games help me or harm me?Today, up to 3 billion people around the world play video games, from candy based mobile puzzles to virtual battlegrounds filled with weapons. Many people have turned to gaming during the pandemic as a way of staying connected – but what does science really say about the impact of gaming? Does playing violent video games lead to violence in the real world? Do brain training apps really work? How much gaming is too much – can videogames really be addictive? And how can videogames help us to explore difficult issues like death, grief and loss?Alex Lathbridge and Anan...
2021-08-0634 min
Science ShamblesPete Etchells and Ginny Smith - Live Sunday Q and AHosted by Robin Ince and Dr Helen Czerski this episode of the Science Shambles podcast is an audio recording of our weekly Sunday Science Q and A show that goes out at 10am BST on our YouTube channel. This week Robin and Helen are joined by Prof Pete Etchells and Ginny Smith to talk of brain beliefs, FMRIs, cobalt recycling and video game research... Watch them on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/cosmicshambles and get bonus content and extended conversations with guests by subscribing at patreon.com/cosmicshambles
2021-06-201h 05Instant GeniusWhy do humans make music?Our lives are full of music, from the songs we sing along to on the radio to the orchestral scores that bring a film to life. But why is it that humans love to make music, and how did it evolve in the first place?Musicologist Prof Michael Spitzer, author of the new book The Musical Human (£30, Bloomsbury), joins BBC Science Focus online assistant Sara Rigby on this week’s episode to explain.Let us know what you think of the Science Focus Podcast by filling out our survey. By submitting it, you enter the pri...
2021-05-0327 minInstant GeniusThe future of human flight, with real-life Iron Man Richard BrowningIn this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to the "real-life Iron Man" – not Marvel's Tony Stark, but inventor Richard Browning.He’s the creator of the ‘Jet Suit’, which can fly one person through the air at speeds of 135km/h. He’s also founder and chief test pilot of Gravity Industries and author of new book Taking on Gravity (£20, Bantam Press).He explains his quite literal rise to success – and the future of human flight.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment whe...
2021-04-2627 minInstant GeniusWhy realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-syncIn this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, commissioning editor Jason Goodyer speaks to Dr Carl Strathearn, a research fellow at the School of Computing at Edinburgh Napier University.He's currently conducting research on realistic humanoid robots, specifically on more realistically synchronising their speech and mouth movements.He tells us about how to get robots out of the Uncanny Valley, why the way a robot looks is so important, and why Data from Star Trek is an inspiration for his work.Read an edited excerpt from this interviewLet us know what yo...
2021-04-1929 minLeighton Night with Brian WechtEpisode 56: There Go The Gamers! (feat. Pete Etchells)It's another science-y episode of Leighton Night this week, featuring psychology professor/science communicator/video game researcher, Dr. Pete Etchells (@PeteEtchells)! Pete is a lovely guy and we have a fascinating discussion about academics, video games, John Hughes movies, Swiss freak outs, screen time, and more. It's a fun & informative episode, and if you have any interest in video games (which we know you do), you'll love it.Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht, and Leighton at @graylish (Twitter)/@buttchamps (Instagram).
2021-03-191h 33Instant GeniusMeet the computer scientist teaching an AI to play Dungeons and DragonsMany of us have had a one-to-one interaction with artificial intelligence. Whether that’s through an automated chat service for customer service, or trying our hand at beating an AI built to play chess. But these experiences aren’t flawless, they’re not as smooth as our interactions with other human beings.One researcher trying to improve the language abilities of AI is Lara Martin, a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania. More specifically, Lara is trying teach AI to tell stories.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comm...
2021-03-1538 minInstant GeniusHow to maximise your motivation, according to a neuroscientistAs the UK enters its 13th month of lockdown restrictions and home-working, many surveys cite a slump in mental wellbeing and general productivity.But are there any scientific ways we can maximise our motivation and prevent procrastination?In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, neuroscientist Dr Gabija Toleikyte, author of Why the F*ck Can't I Change, tells us all about it.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these ser...
2021-03-0128 minInstant GeniusThe psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earworms2021 has got off to a strange start, with a surprising trend sweeping the internet: sea shanties. This ancient genre of music has exploded in popularity in recent weeks, thanks to people on social media singing them, sharing them and adding their own twists.In fact, they’ve become so popular that Bristol-based shanty band The Longest Johns have entered the top 40 in the UK singles chart.Naturally, we here at BBC Science Focus wanted to know what it was about sea shanties that makes them so catchy. So this week, we spoke to Professor Catherine Lo...
2021-02-0122 minInstant GeniusWhy you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)Humans' ability to turn thoughts into actions has enabled us to change the world. But we've never been great at getting two things done at once.Understanding how our brain helps us achieve our goals through something called executive function, or cognitive control, can explain why we're so bad at multitasking.According to neuroscientist Prof David Badre, when we're armed with this knowledge we can begin to work together to become a better society. Badre's new book, On Task (£25, Princeton University Press) explains the mechanisms behind cognitive control.In this ep...
2021-01-1848 minInstant GeniusHow virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and moreIn the New Year issue, we cover the biggest ideas that you need to understand in 2021, and in the past few episodes of the podcast we’ve been talking to the experts who will explain these ideas in their own words.For the next in the series, we speak to Daniel Freeman, a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford. Daniel has been working with VR technology since 2001 and is a founder of Oxford VR, a University of Oxford spinout company.He tells us about using virtual reality to treat mental he...
2021-01-1137 min
Instant GeniusProf John Drury: The psychology of lockdownsIn this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to Prof John Drury, a behavioural psychologist based at the University of Sussex who specialises in studying crowds and collective behaviour.The UK recently came out of the second COVID-19 lockdown, and went into a new three-tier system, with much of the country still in in the strictest tier.John tells us about why people respond to the restrictions differently, how to ensure people follow the rules, and what the long-term effects the lockdowns will have on our psychology.Let us know...
2020-12-2128 min
Instant GeniusDr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gambling behaviour?This week on the Science Focus Podcast, we're joined by Dr Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology with a particular interest how video games affect our mood and behaviour.Pete is also the author of the book Lost in a Good Game which explores why we love video games, and what they do for us.Today we’re talking about the relationship between gambling and video games: what we know and what don’t. We want you to help us with the research, so if you want to get involved in a real-life scientific study that...
2020-12-1443 min
The ListenerChristmas gift recommendations! Podcast: Play is the thingEpisode: Christmas gift recommendations!Pub date: 2019-12-07Notes from The Listener:Podcast about play hosted by a developmental paediatrician. The interviews in the series are informative, covering topics from neurodiversity to screen time and are always anchored in how playing games of all kinds informs wellbeing. This episode is a break from the usual format, however, and features many previous guests offering recommendations of games that are actually good to give as gifts (and won't end up played once and then forgotten. Many of them suit people of...
2020-11-2608 min
Instant GeniusProfessor Trevor Cox: Was Stonehenge an ancient acoustic chamber?For decades, Stonehenge, the mysterious prehistoric circle of stones built on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, has left scientists scratching their heads. Who exactly built it and what was it used for?In the latest attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery, a team of engineers based at the University of Salford have 3D-printed a scale model of the ancient monument in order to investigate the effect its unique structure would’ve had on conversations, rituals, and even music.We spoke to Professor Trevor Cox, the acoustic engineer heading up the study, to fi...
2020-09-1431 min
Instant GeniusDr Julia Shaw: Why do we do bad things?Everyone does bad things. We know deep down are wrong, but we do them anyway. Sometimes, people do things so bad that we call them evil.Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw says there’s no such thing as evil. In her book Making Evil, she argues that we should ditch the idea altogether, and try to understand so-called “evil” people.In this week’s episode of the Science Focus Podcast, she talks about psychopaths, mental illness and why we do bad things.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or...
2020-09-0745 min
Instant GeniusJames Hamblin: Should we all stop showering?We know how important good hygiene is. It protects us from viral infections and diseases, but what if, by washing, soaping and scrubbing, we’re actually damaging our health?Dr James Hamblin, journalist and professor of public health, stopped showering five years ago. In his new book, Clean (£16.99, Bodley Head), he reveals how our skin is affected by the products we apply. The overuse of soap and cosmetic products – sold to us with the promise of caring for our skin – might even be causing some of the ailments we’re using them to try to treat....
2020-08-3138 minScience ShamblesTeenage Student Neuro HurdlesYoung people are often labeled as challenging and difficult with the blame laid at the feet of everything from drugs and video games to oversleeping and bad parenting. Is there any truth in these generalisations, or are teenagers just misunderstood? The Cosmic Shambles Network brings together three top scientists and science writers to discuss the perception, and the science, of teenage mental health, brains and beyond. Join neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett (Why Your Parents are Driving You Up the Wall and The Idiot Brain) and psychologists Dr Suzi Gage (Say Why to Drugs) and Dr Pete Etchells (Lost in a...
2020-07-2453 min
Curiosity WeeklyThe Psychology of ‘Animal Crossing,’ How a Failed Death Ray Led to Radar, and Intrusive Thoughts ExplainedLearn about how radar technology came from a failed attempt to build a death ray; how self-regulation helps you handle intrusive thoughts; and why self-determination theory might explain why the video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons is so incredibly popular.
How failing to build a “death ray” led to the invention of radar by Cameron Duke
2.009 Product Engineering Processes: Archimedes. (2019). Mit.edu. https://web.mit.edu/2.009/www/experiments/deathray/10_ArchimedesResult.html
Archaeology and Ground Penetrating Radar. (2019). US Radar. https://usradar.com/gpr-ground-penetrating-radar-applications/archaeology/
Dvorsky, G. (2012, August 20). How Britain’s Failed Attempt to Develop a “Death Ray” Changed the Course of World War II...
2020-06-2612 min
Original Pilot Material...from The SocialGAMING: The Positive Power of Gaming On Our MindsWhen gaming journalist and computer science student Elle Osili-Wood decided on a career change, she had to shout down a surprising amount of dated ideas that gaming makes you less intelligent, it’s dangerously addictive or even that they threatened to make you more violent. In this episode she seeks to dispel those myths, with science and hearing from some start-up projects from around the world proving the positive power of gaming. With thanks to guests Adam Gazzaley, Matt Omernick (Akili Interactive), Pete Etchells (Bath Spa University), Peter Gray (Boston College) and Shahneila Saeed (UKIE). Or...
2020-04-0925 min
Love and ScienceComputer Games and Screen Time - Are they really bad for you?Rachel Collins and Andrew Glester talk to Dr Pete Etchells, a researcher in the long term effects of video games and author of the Lost in a Good Game book.
2020-03-2436 min
Elemental Podcast19: La Psicología de los VideojuegosEn este episodio hago una revisión en la que repaso estudios neurocientíficos acerca de los videojuegos. En una primera parte voy a resolver las dudas y miedos que continúan circulando acerca de los posibles riesgos de los videojuegos. En una segunda hablaré de los efectos y beneficios que tiene sobre nuestro cerebro dedicar tiempo a jugar a videojuegos.
Top 25 de compañias de videojuegos que más ingresaron en 2018. Y aquí tenéis el primer informe económico en el que se analiza el impacto de la industria de los videojuegos sobre la economía de española. Código...
2020-01-2128 min
Elemental PodcastLa Psicología de los VideojuegosEn este episodio hago una revisión en la que repaso estudios neurocientíficos acerca de los videojuegos. En una primera parte voy a resolver las dudas y miedos que continúan circulando acerca de los posibles riesgos de los videojuegos. En una segunda hablaré de los efectos y beneficios que tiene sobre nuestro cerebro dedicar tiempo a jugar a videojuegos.Top 25 de compañias de videojuegos que más ingresaron en 2018. Y aquí tenéis el primer informe económico en el que se analiza el impacto de la industria de los videojuegos sobre la economía de españ...
2020-01-2028 min
Book ShamblesOur Books of the YearIt's our annual books of the year edition of Book Shambles recorded with various guests back stage at the Compendium and Nine Lessons shows. In this year's edition Robin chats to Josie Long, Michael Legge, Pete Etchells, Claudia Hammond, Gecko, Chris Lintott, Chris Hadfield, Jo Neary, Suzi Gage, Lucie Green, Ben Moor, Tim Peake, Lucy Rogers, Peter Buckley Hill, Melinda Burton and Trent Burton. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles
2019-12-311h 06All in the MindThe importance of play in childhoodPsychologists’ advice is that play is beneficial for children developmentally and socially. In this Christmas episode of All in the Mind Claudia visits the Play Well exhibition at Wellcome Collection which looks at the significance of play in childhood and across society as a way of learning, expressing emotions and building empathy. Claudia’s joined at the exhibition by play experts Maia and Rachel.Children in the UK have written letters to Father Christmas since Victorian times and Dr Sian Pooley at the University of Oxford shows how they reveal the history of play.LEGO Prof...
2019-12-2428 min
Sciencentric#12 Video Games & Psychology's Replication Crisis with Dr. Pete EtchellsThere is a growing body of scientific literature about video games. Not how their made, but how they impact our brains and our lives. Researchers are looking at questions like: do violent video games make us more violent in real life? Can games be addictive? Or, how much time sitting in front of the screen is really good for us?
Our guest in this episode, psychology professor Pete Etchells, has taken an in-depth look at the research around video games in his new book, “Lost In a Good Game: Why We Play Video Games and What They Ca...
2019-10-181h 03
Psychology of Video Games PodcastPodcast 51: Lost in a Good GamePsychology of Games Summer Book Club begins with an interview with Dr. Pete Etchells, author of the newly released Lost in a Good Game.
2019-09-071h 08
Naked Gaming, from the Naked ScientistsGaming Addiction 2We hear from a gamer who has been struggling with gaming addiction for years, and a treatment centre that helps people. The author Dr. Pete Etchells found that gaming helped him cope with the loss of his father. In other news, as Borderlands 3 announce an incense-holder version of their main baddy The Rampager (yes really) we look at the worst gaming merchandise of all time. As for new releases - we review Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and Love Island the Game! And we're going old school with "Retro Revival"... this time it's possibly the best game of all time with...
2019-07-2027 min
Books and Ideas with Dr. Ginger CampbellDr. Peter Etchells author of "Lost in a Good Game: Why we play video games and what they can do for us"Books and Ideas 68 is an interview with psychologist Dr Pete Etchells about his new book Lost in a Good Game: Why we play video games and what they can do for us. We explore both the myths and the science behind video games and consider why the effects of video games are actually quite difficult to study. It seems strange that many people in this field don't play games themselves. Most of the bad things you have heard about video games do not stand up to the basic standards of good science. Whether or not you enjoy video games y...
2019-07-151h 13
Embrace The Critically-Acclaimed Full Audiobook Now, Busy Professionals!Lost in a Good Game by Pete EtchellsPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/17704to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Lost in a Good Game
Author: Pete Etchells
Narrator: Ryan Burke
Format: mp3
Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 06-11-19
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars, 384 ratings
Genres: History & Culture
Publisher's Summary:
When Pete Etchells was 13, his father died from motor neurone disease. In order to cope, he immersed himself in a virtual world - first as an escape, but later to try to understand what had happened. Etchells is now a researcher into the psychological effects of video games, and was co-author on a recent paper explaining why WHO...
2019-06-119h 50
Instant GeniusIs body positivity the answer to body image issues? – Phillippa DiedrichsWe live in a society that values looks, but only if they fit into a restrictive set of ideals regarding size and shape, age, skin colour, as well as many other features of our bodies.The result is an immense pressure to look a certain way. According to a recent survey by the Mental Health Foundation, one in five adults in the UK had experienced shame over their body at some point in the last year.The rise of social media has provided a platform for a rebellion against these ideals in the form of...
2019-05-2929 min
Chips with EverythingLost in a Good Game: Chips with Everything podcastJordan Erica Webber talks to psychologist Pete Etchells about his new book, which explores both his personal relationship with video games and how society views – and could learn to view – this form of entertainment.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/chipspod
2019-04-2924 minBook ShamblesPete EtchellsThis week one of our Shambles bloggers, Pete Etchells, joins Robin and guest co-host Bec Hill, to talk about his brand new book Lost in a Good Game. They chat about the book, video games, Douglas Adams, the Stanford Prison Experiment and much more. Pete's book is out now and you can read his blog at cosmicshambles.com/words/blogs/peteetchells Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended editions of each and every episode.
2019-04-1844 min
Instant GeniusAre video games good for us? - Pete EtchellsIn this week's Science Focus Podcast, we dive into the world of video games. Over the past couple of decades, video games have often got a bad rap, blamed for everything from aggression and violence to addiction and mental health problems.But what does the research actually say? Dr Pete Etchells is a psychologist at Bath Spa University who researches the behavioural effects of video games. In his first book, Lost in a Good Game (£14.99, Icon Books), he gets to the bottom of our relationship with games, and reveals a more positive side to our game-playing h...
2019-04-1033 min
The Story ColliderPete Etchells: The next levelPsychologist Pete Etchells' father inspired him -- to hate neurons. Pete Etchells is a lecturer in biological psychology at Bath Spa University, UK, and a science blogger for the Guardian's psychology blog, Head Quarters. When he was growing up though, he really wanted to be a dinosaur. His research interests cover everything from how the human visual system works, to understanding how modern technology (particularly video games) affects behaviour and development. Every week the Story Collider brings you a true, personal story about science. Find more and subscribe to our podcast at our website: http://storycollider.org/ Help keep...
2013-12-0115 min
BBC Inside ScienceFukushima ice wall; Martian menus; Science practicals; Eye trackerDr Adam Rutherford asks whether the proposed ice wall around the Fukushima nuclear plant will finally halt the radioactive leaks they've suffered since the tsunami in 2011.BBC Tokyo correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes gives an insider's view on the current crisis and public reaction to the £300m rescue plan announced this week. Plus, Prof Neil Hyatt from Sheffield University describes the challenges ahead in building the ice wall, and decontaminating the water used to cool the crippled nuclear reactors.Amongst the many challenges of sending a manned mission to Mars is the problem of 'menu fatigue'. Eating t...
2013-09-0528 min