On this, our 308th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss glyphosate, Roundup, Monsanto, and how science and the law are done. A benchmark scientific review paper from 2000, which established the safety of glyphosate for humans, has been retracted by the publisher, on the basis that a) the paper did not actually review the available evidence, b) the stated authors did not actually write (much of) the paper, and c) employees of Monsanto, which makes Roundup, cryptically contributed substantively to the paper. This paper never should have been published, and its retraction should prompt the EPA to revamp guidelines for the use of glyphosate. Also: peer review and scientific culture are widely gamed. And: punitive damages to injured plaintiffs, awarded by juries against corporations, are being reduced by appellate courts due to a misapplication of the 14th Amendment.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NYT on glyphosate article retraction: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/climate/glyphosate-roundup-retracted-study.html

Williams, Kroes, and Munro 2000. Safety evaluation and risk assessment of the herbicide Roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate, for humans. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 31(2), pp.117-165:https://www.cbs17.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2019/06/Safety-Evaluation-and-Risk-Assessment-of-the-Herbicide-Roundup-and-its-Active-Ingredient-Glyphosate-for-Humans.pdf

Retraction: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230025002387

Journal Aims and Scope: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/regulatory-toxicology-and-pharmacology/about/aims-and-scope

Johnson v Monsanto (2018): https://www.wisnerbaum.com/toxic-tort-law/monsanto-roundup-lawsuit/johnson-trial-2018/

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On this, our 307th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss short form video (SFV), advertisers coming for our dreams, and a review of where we are, and where we are headed. Short form video has negative impacts on both cognitive capacity and mental health in youth and adults; in the context of recent research, we discuss laugh track, philosophy of science, and how tiny actions that appear to have no harm can be very harmful in the aggregate. Then: humans have a long history of accessing our hypnogogic states—between waking and sleep—for creative or spiritual purposes. Now, most companies surveyed are looking into “targeted dream incubation” as a way to change consumer behavior, including Burger King with their 2018 green-bunned “Nightmare King” burger. How do we resist? Finally: an intercalary period is when the absence of an even number of days in the year catches up with our calendars, and we add things like leap days. The mismatch between the solstice, Christmas, and new year’s may point to this reality, and we seem to be living in a metaphorical one. We can’t predict what comes next; the political landscape is in chaotic motion; Silver’s rise in price may set off market collapse—so what can you do? Spend time in person with real people; develop real relationship; and become comfortable in solitude. Treasure your privacy, and both time alone, and time together.

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SaunaSpace: deep radiant heat from red and infrared incandescence—detox and decrease pain, reverse screen fatigue and improve your mood. http://Sauna.Space/DarkHorse for 10% off sitewide.

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Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

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Mentioned in this episode:

Nguyen et al 2025. Feeds, feelings, and focus: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the cognitive and mental health correlates of short-form video use. Psych Bull 151(9):1125: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-89350-001.pdf

Marlan 2023. The Nightmare of Dream Advertising. Wm & Mary Law Rev 65: 259: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol65/iss2/2/

Crawford 2016. The World Beyond Your Head: https://amzn.to/3MSKI1n (commission earned)

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Bret Weinstein speaks with Aaron Siri on the subject of the childhood vaccine schedule.

Find Aaron Siri on X at http://x.com/AaronSiriSG and at https://aaronsiriofficial.com.

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This episode is sponsored by:

Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code DARKHORSE at https://branchbasics.com/darkhorse #branchbasicspod

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Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.org

Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.

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Mentioned in this episode (Amazon links earn commission):

Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines https://amzn.to/3YBINR8

The Moth in the Iron Lung: A Biography of Polio https://amzn.to/3LbT03I

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