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A scientific séance

Conjuring, not spirits, but critical thinking to expose fradulent psychics

Join the Unexpected team as they journey beyond the borders of reality to ask why we believe in the illogical.

After a fraudulent psychic dupes 1.3 million Americans, panellist Camilla Mota turns to history for insight into how scientists debunk such con artists. The Unexpected library harbours secrets of paranormal experimentation and dead air live on the BBC, and panellist Phillys Mwatee reveals why our beliefs win out over hard evidence written in ink. Nevertheless, in a world rife with conspiracy and vaccine hesitancy, Melissa Kapulu from the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya, shares the fascinating scientific obstacles faced in the quest to eradicate malaria from Africa once and for all.

Also hear how a Nigerian pastor and super-star has been making Melissa's job much harder, and life on fake mars.

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge, Phillys Mwatee and Camilla Mota
Producer: Harrison Lewis, Alex Mansfield and Noa Dowling

Available now

51 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Apr 202419:32GMT
BBC Afghan Radio

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    BBC World Service
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    BBC World Service
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    BBC World Service
  • Sat 27 Apr 202414:06GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 28 Apr 202419:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sun 28 Apr 202419:32GMT
    BBC Afghan Radio

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