Howtown · Science

Howtown

The "How Do They Know" show from journalists Adam Cole and Joss Fong. You may have seen our work with Vox, NPR's Skunk Bear, and Netflix "Explained". Now we've left those jobs and work directly for you. These are our principles: Curiosity-driven: We are not searching for evidence to support a position that we've already chosen. We are here to understand what it takes to answer interesting questions and to help you navigate what we know so far. Primary sources: We read all of the research that we cover, and we interview those involved in that work (Researchers: please answer our emails!) Accountability: In the case of any factual errors, we will post corrections directly under the relevant video that explain what we got wrong. Independence: Outside of shorts, we will not accept offers for spon-con/native advertising, in which the video itself exists to serve the sponsor. The ad read is the only part of the video that sponsors review. To support this project, find us on Patreon.

Episodes

The giant impact hypothesis suggests a Mars-sized planet, Theia, collided with early Earth to form the moon, yet this model faces significant challenges regarding isotopic composition and angular momentum. While the hypothesis explains the moon's lack of an iron core and its specific orbital characteristics, lunar rock...

How tall is Superman, really?

12 Feb 2026

The honest truth about lie detectors

05 Feb 2026

29m

What the actual science says about "brain rot"

30 Dec 2025

25m

Do we need more kids? A research showdown.

20 Nov 2025

49m

When Siberia thaws, what emerges?

16 Oct 2025

21m

The only good nuclear accident

23 Sep 2025

12m

Can we really blame social media? A research showdown.

28 Aug 2025AI processed

Social media’s role in the rising mental health crisis among Gen Z remains a subject of intense debate, pitting concerns over digital influence against the limitations of current psychological research. Proponents of the harm hypothesis point to sharp increases in teen depression, self-harm, and suicide rates coincidin...