It's Catching

Psychology

Is a Texas Bitcoin Miner Making People Sick?

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on July 12, 2024

Is the Bitcoin Hum all in the mind?

Is the Bitcoin Hum all in the mind?

Social Media

Havana Syndrome: A Story That Refuses to Die

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on April 9, 2024

What is keeping the Havana Syndrome narrative alive?

What is keeping the Havana Syndrome narrative alive?

Anxiety

Havana Syndrome Study Finds No Foul Play

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

5-year study: no brain injuries in Havana Syndrome patients.

5-year study: no brain injuries in Havana Syndrome patients.

Social Media

Fur-Mongering: the Curious Case of Canine Hysteria

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 14, 2024

The latest social panic: canine respiratory illness.

The latest social panic: canine respiratory illness.

Anxiety

Mon Dieu! Bedbugs and Social Contagion in France

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Is the French bedbug scare a social panic?

Is the French bedbug scare a social panic?

Intelligence

Don’t Be Misled by the ‘New’ Havana Syndrome Claims

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

Declassified report on Havana Syndrome is a case study in flawed science.

Declassified report on Havana Syndrome is a case study in flawed science.

Intelligence

What We Can Learn From the 'Havana Syndrome' Fiasco

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 20, 2023

With 5 U.S. intelligence agencies closing the book on 'Havana Syndrome,' what's next?

With 5 U.S. intelligence agencies closing the book on 'Havana Syndrome,' what's next?

Fear

Why We Should Be Skeptical of Looting Reports in New Zealand

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on February 21, 2023

There have been claims of widespread looting by Kiwi bikers in the aftermath of New Zealand's cyclone, but history suggests this is unlikely.

There have been claims of widespread looting by Kiwi bikers in the aftermath of New Zealand's cyclone, but history suggests this is unlikely.

Anxiety

Why the Chinese Spy Scare Could Trigger a Rash of UFO Reports

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on February 5, 2023

The Chinese "spy balloon" and social psychology—when believing is seeing.

The Chinese "spy balloon" and social psychology—when believing is seeing.

Placebo

The Great Breakfast Cereal Scare

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

Can your breakfast cereal make you sick? Yes—if you believe it can.

Can your breakfast cereal make you sick? Yes—if you believe it can.

Anxiety

Moral Panic and The Raglan Cat Killer

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on July 16, 2022

What is the deeper psychological significance of the Croydon and Raglan Cat Killer scares?

What is the deeper psychological significance of the Croydon and Raglan Cat Killer scares?

Anxiety

'Havana Syndrome' Sufferers Deserve Compensation

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on June 28, 2022

Do 'Havana Syndrome' victims deserve compensation? Yes. But not for the reason you think.

Do 'Havana Syndrome' victims deserve compensation? Yes. But not for the reason you think.

Media

New TikTok Challenge Highlights the Dangers of Bad Fads

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 29, 2022

Why do adolescents fall for risky fads?

Why do adolescents fall for risky fads?

Placebo

New Zealand Protestors in Tinfoil Hats Blame Sickness on Radiation Rays

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

Is the New Zealand government really targeting citizens with an energy ray? Probably not.

Is the New Zealand government really targeting citizens with an energy ray? Probably not.

Anxiety

The British Needle-Spiking Panic

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on February 20, 2022

Is the British wave of jabbing women with needles an urban myth?

Is the British wave of jabbing women with needles an urban myth?

Politics

The Real Danger 'Havana Syndrome' Poses to Society

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on February 3, 2022

'Havana Syndrome' is most likely an imaginary condition created by politics.

'Havana Syndrome' is most likely an imaginary condition created by politics.

Stress

CIA Skeptical of ‘Havana Syndrome’

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on January 20, 2022

CIA finds no evidence of foreign involvement in 'Havana Syndrome.'

CIA finds no evidence of foreign involvement in 'Havana Syndrome.'

Health

An Open Letter to the U.S Congress on ‘Havana Syndrome’

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on November 2, 2021

Why the science of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ doesn't add up.

Why the science of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ doesn't add up.

Placebo

Evidence Mounts that Mass Suggestion Caused "Havana Syndrome"

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on October 11, 2021

The FBI reports psychogenic illness is responsible for ‘Havana Syndrome.’

The FBI reports psychogenic illness is responsible for ‘Havana Syndrome.’

Media

The Girls Who Caught Tourette's from TikTok

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on October 6, 2021

The strange case of the TikTok tics.

The strange case of the TikTok tics.