YouTube skeptics/debunkers that you would recommend

[JMartJr]

I thought there was already a thread for this but can't find it, if it crops up later they can be merged or this one deleted...

In addition to the obvious, given where we are, https://www.youtube.com/mickwest

I'd put on my list:
https://www.youtube.com/davemckeegan -- primarily for discussions of claims in relation to the moon landings and flat Earth and the like, from the point of view of a photographer, debunking many of the misconceptions based on not understanding how cameras do things. His dog is nice, too.

https://www.youtube.com/captaindisillusion -- from a video effects point of view, primarily debunking then-viral videos that have been faked. Does not post often, but good for practicing seeing the "tells" for VFX in bunk videos.

https://www.youtube.com/@culturecatz -- currently posting takedowns of medical/educational/cultural grifters as much as anything, and posting less frequently, his earlier vids as "Conspiracy Katz" were fun romps through the world of Flat Earth and the like. Those can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@ConspiracyToonz, running up through about 2 years ago when he gave the channel to MCToon who has been making content there ever since. I like him, too, but Catz's bantery style is missed.

https://www.youtube.com/@miniminuteman773 -- Milo Rossi, and some number of cats, debunk bunk archeology in a brash and sometimes profane way. Has a nice habit of having corrected himself when he is shown to be in error, which everybody will be from time to time.

https://www.youtube.com/@HowToCookThat -- Australian Ann Reardon intersperses cooking videos with debunks of false, mostly cooking or DIY, claims from other YT channels, especially useful in pointing out those that are dangerous. A perhaps less urgent area of debunking than some pthers, but useful in counteracting the tendency of folks to believe everything some stranger tells them on the Internet. Watching her husband Dave taste the examples of things that don't produce the yummy treats claimed is a bonus.

https://www.youtube.com/@LegalEagle -- Currently definitely taking a side on US politics, his channel discusses all sorts of legal topics, including intermittent vids that I would classify as debunking false claims about the law. I like him if for no other reason than he looks almost like a video-game character designed to look as much like a stereotypical trial lawyer as possible. Debated if he belongs here, and if you are not interested in his opinions on Donald Trump and his legal situation, scroll back a few years.

https://www.youtube.com/ufoofinterest -- seems to have stopped producing, but as long as the existing vids are up, and given how often zombie UFO cases come around again, a useful resource.

https://www.youtube.com/@josleys -- elegant and beautiful videos illustrating things like how the measured angles to the Sun from various parts of the world are nonsensical if the Earth is assumed to be flat, and work perfectly on a globe. Can't recommend checking him out highly enough!

https://www.youtube.com/@CorridorCrew -- among other things, VFX artists post some videos looking at popular UFO, bigfoot, etc. evidence in video form and looking for the ones that are faked. Sometimes go a step further than seems warranted, but generally good.

Edited to proofread since I somehow posted it before I was ready to!

 

[tjskep]

id like to throw this guy in the mix "the sneezing monkey" he is a german fellow makes very thoughtful at times funny evidence based videos breaking down and debunking trending ufo vids like we do here
https://youtube.com/@thesneezingmonkey?si=JjGs85lRGdy8JwMQ

 

[jdog]

I'd put on my list:
...

https://www.youtube.com/@CorridorCrew -- among other things, VFX artists post some videos looking at popular UFO, bigfoot, etc. evidence in video form and looking for the ones that are faked. SOmetimes go a step furtehr than seems warranted, but generally good.

I'm fond of the Corridor Crew team for entertainment, but a lot of their "debunks" aren't terribly satisfying. Mostly them waving at the screen and saying "obvious fake" or "looks like a balloon" at easy targets without showing much analysis.

 

[RTM]

Good call on Ann Reardon, those craft type videos she debunked were very irritating.

https://www.youtube.com/@WorldofAntiquity - mainly covers ancient history, but he occasionally covers pseudo history (Atlantis etc.)
https://www.youtube.com/@potholer54 - covers many types of science mis-information (mainly climate change), I really liked his recent videos of pole shifts. Doesn't post too often though, and has a great sense of humor.
https://www.youtube.com/@Backtothescience/videos - mainly deals with anti-vaccine issues
https://www.youtube.com/@decodingthegurus - they look at many of the guru/expert types that all too common today, some of it veers into what is covered here. They interviewed Mick a while back, but you probably need to go the podcast for that.

 

[FatPhil]

Potholer54
Peter Hadfield, educated as a geologist, professionally a science journalist. Tackles earth-science-related bunk: most often climate related, but sometimes he addresses young-earth-creationists' claims.
-- https://www.youtube.com/user/potholer54

Debunk the Funk, with Dr. Wilson
A professional biochemist. Tackles mostly CoViD-related claims.
--
Source: https://youtu.be/channel/UCJ2SN2gN1dmrFBEo6TWIzOw


Aron Ra
Made his name in the atheist scene for his blunt debating style when trying to keep creationism out of school biology textbooks, and he still targets evolution deniers. Has also addressed the great flood myth, but he'll take on any part of the abrahamic religions' bibles he considers to be bunk.
--
Source: https://youtu.be/channel/UCAJfDidJyukTekgSRZrjadw

 

[MonkeeSage]

Excellent list so far!

https://www.youtube.com/@ScientistsAgainstMyths - Russian scientists (part of the Antropogenz group) who debunk ancient aliens / ancient advanced high technology civilization claims with practical demonstrations and experiments. Most videos are overdubbed in English.

https://www.youtube.com/@MagicIsntRealHere - Magician who debunks claims of supernatural abilities claimed by TikTokers and YoutTubers (like telekenesis and levitation) by showing ways they can be performed using magic tricks. He is apparently no longer posting on that channel as of a couple months ago and is now posting on his personal channel https://www.youtube.com/@Sebastianoolla but the focus does not appear to be on debuking on that channel.

Here are some more that are focused on flat earth specifically:

https://www.youtube.com/@roohif - not sure what he does by profession, but I am pretty sure he's a trained surveyor as he uses his own theodolite in several videos. He makes succinct flat earth debunks focused on specific claims.
https://www.youtube.com/@fedogma8407 - short videos addressing specific claims in flat earth videos similar to roohif.
https://www.youtube.com/@FlatEarthMath - math teacher (I think) who does flat earth takedowns mainly from a maths perspective.

Some older flat earth debunk channels that are less active now but have a great back catalog:

https://www.youtube.com/@slysparkane808 - American living in Germany who has done a lot of practical debunks and experiments.
https://www.youtube.com/@Wolfie6020 - Commercial airline pilot who focuses on debunking flat earth from that perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/@bluemarblescience - Takedowns and practical debunks with a comedic twist.
https://www.youtube.com/@Soundly - Did the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge observations (with surveyor https://www.youtube.com/@JesseKozlowski and others).
https://www.youtube.com/@MilesDavisKDAB - Older debunks of specific claims.
https://www.youtube.com/@CoolHardLogic - Several classic playlists debunking woo and flat earth (such as the "World of Batshit" series).
https://www.youtube.com/@Martymer81 - Several classic playlists like "Flat Out Wrong", also has a playlist on debunking woo from the https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritScienceOfficial channel.

Here are some more general ones that are not strictly debunking but often include debunks

https://www.youtube.com/@RaynardWilson0 - "Mind of Steele" - I am pretty sure "Raynard Wilson" is a character he is playing. Discusses, pokes fun at and debunks conspiracy theories generally related to claims made by Mark Steele and people related to him about 5G weapons and anti-vaxx. He is endorsed by ConspiracyCatz.

https://www.youtube.com/@ParaBreakdown - Phil makes humorous short form videos (generally 2-4 minutes) on various claims from ghosts, to bigfoot to aliens. Sometimes he just presents the videos/claims and other times he debunks them like "The Bigfoot Of Minnewanka Lake".

And not strictly debunking, but debunk adjacent:

https://www.youtube.com/@LuReviews - Luis Jimenez is an actor from LA who used to be part of the "inner circle" on UFO twitter with access to people like Lue Elizondo and Danny Sheehan. He "switched sides" and now does a podcast covering current UFO news and topics and often includes discussion of debunks.

https://www.youtube.com/@Truthseekershow - Steven Cambian does a podcast that covers current UFO news and does some deep dives/debunks of the cult aspect of the scene (e.g., covering Anjali, David Wilcock, Corey Good). He can be a bit crude sometimes and is often a bit too prone to going on rants for my taste, but often includes obscure information that is hard to find if one is not deeply following the topics.

 

[Alytha]

Hello!

Great thread, found some new things to subscribe to

From my subscription list:
Pseudoarchaeology:
http://www.youtube.com/@StefanMilo
http://www.youtube.com/@FlintDibble
http://www.youtube.com/@ArchyFantasies (it seems to be dead now, but the back catalogue is great)

Social stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/@RebeccaWatson

http://www.youtube.com/@MonsterTalk (technically a podcast but they have all their recent episodes on YT as well as discussions on the "real" stories behind famous horror movies, and debunkings by a paranormal investigator.)

 

[Ann K]

On a topic that doesn't often arise here, there's an older series by Tony Reed: "How creationism taught me real science". He starts out with a claim as given by creationists, then explains that specific subject. Many short videos.
https://www.youtube.com/@ReedBetweenTheLines

Excellent in-depth explanations of questions on biology and genetics can be had from Forrest Valkai.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6BLQ4Po0euDOZq9gUgkWAQ

 

[Mechanik]

I would like to nominate Dr, Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtube.com/@sabinehossenfelder. She often focuses on bad media reporting and/or bad academic studies reported in the media. Her scientific explanations are understandable and she is not afraid to call "BS" on information which is clearly misleading or just flat out wrong.

 

[Mauro]

I have bookmarked this thread for future reference, thanks to @JMartJr for starting it!

I would like to nominate Dr, Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtube.com/@sabinehossenfelder. She often focuses on bad media reporting and/or bad academic studies reported in the media. Her scientific explanations are understandable and she is not afraid to call "BS" on information which is clearly misleading or just flat out wrong.

Dr. Hossenfelder does not get my vote though, because she's not always accurate and can veer to the bunk side at times, as discussed in this thread.

 

[Ann K]

"Paulogia" and "Viced Rhino" are good channels for debunking the anti-science bent of many religious claims.
Paulogia: (Paul Ens)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIS4cWaXgWpznjwovFYQBJQ

Viced Rhino (yes, it's an anagram of Eric Hovind):
https://www.youtube.com/@VicedRhino

 

[Edward Current]

How could everyone miss Dave Farina, a.k.a. ProfessorDaveExplains?
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorDaveExplains

Flat Earth, Creationism, Electric Universe, Terrence Howard-style made-up nonsense...don't get Dave started about any of it. Pulls no punches whatsoever, and often ties in the big picture of how bunk is destroying society.

 

[AlphaChrom]

I really like how you've included different perspectives on debunking myths.

 

[RTM]

I have bookmarked this thread for future reference, thanks to @JMartJr for starting it!




Dr. Hossenfelder does not get my vote though, because she's not always accurate and can veer to the bunk side at times, as discussed in this thread.

Isn't she good friends with Eric Weinstein, an entire channel could be dedicated to him.

 

[JMartJr]

How could everyone miss Dave Farina, a.k.a. ProfessorDaveExplains?

I subscribe to Professor Dave, and he has a lot for good content. I did not include him as, for my tastes, he spends to much time calling the people stupid instead of focusing more exclusively with the ideas and the bunk. Of course, sometimes maybe that seems justified, and if it doesn't bother you he's worth keeping an eye on.

 

[FatPhil]

Isn't she good friends with Eric Weinstein, an entire channel could be dedicated to him.

I watch all Sabine vids and no Eric vids by default, they are not the same. They both "fell out of love with academia"[*], and are victims of academia falling out of love with them in return, so there's some camaraderie between them. They've also shared panel discussions before, alongside people like Michio Kaku, but it would be wrong to start slathering out some kind of guilt by association - I'm sure I could have many a long and interesting discussion on a wide range of topics with Eric Weinstein.

[* EDIT: For background and post-mortem, watch her vid "How I fell out of love with academia" and then read Peter Woit's follow-up article of the same name: https://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/?p=13907 (it links to her vid)]

 

[yoshy]

Evolution/creationism: https://www.youtube.com/@GutsickGibbon

Religious studies: https://www.youtube.com/@maklelan, https://www.youtube.com/@DrKippDavis

Fitness: https://www.youtube.com/@biolayne1 (specifically his "What the Fitness" series)

Missing Enigma is kind of an unintentional debunker of Missing 411. He doesn't specifically look into cases to debunk or confirm claims either way, but by presenting the facts accurately, he often clearly debunks Missing 411's claims.

TREY the Explainer videos have a wide range of history, cryptids, evolution, and so on: https://www.youtube.com/@TREYtheExplainer

 

[FatPhil]

Missing Enigma is kind of an unintentional debunker of Missing 411. He doesn't specifically look into cases to debunk or confirm claims either way, but by presenting the facts accurately, he often clearly debunks Missing 411's claims.

Missing what?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Missing411/
r/Missing411 - Reddit

A review of original sources quickly and unequivocally confirms that the Missing 411 account largely consists of fabrications invented by David Paulides. As ...

Uh, OK, so is he some guy on the internet spouting nonsense. Such a rarity. It's better to not even view any of his vids, because "the algorithm" will give them more weight if one so does.

 

[Mendel]

Missing411 is on topic at https://www.metabunk.org/threads/missing-411-the-ufo-connection.12874/ .

 

[Nemon]

Fitness: https://www.youtube.com/@biolayne1 (specifically his "What the Fitness" series)

IMO Layne Norton is a Moron.

 

[yoshy]

Missing what?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Missing411/
r/Missing411 - Reddit

A review of original sources quickly and unequivocally confirms that the Missing 411 account largely consists of fabrications invented by David Paulides. As ...

Uh, OK, so is he some guy on the internet spouting nonsense. Such a rarity. It's better to not even view any of his vids, because "the algorithm" will give them more weight if one so does.

Missing 411 by Paulides has a surprisingly large reach. Books, movies, YouTube series. Many of the cases are easily explained simply by "nature is big and it's hard to find bodies sometimes" or Paulides simply getting things wrong. It reminds me of flat earth, where claims are easily disproven but still believed.

Missing Enigma is an interesting channel even without the 411 stuff if you're interested in the topic of missing persons lost in nature. Well produced and relaxing narration and music. The channel creator also has a much more empathetic touch to these cases compared to many true crime producers. [This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CE_uKaG99s) demonstrates my point above that its easy to not find a body for a long time simply due to size of the searching area and a few key assumptions being off.

He usually focuses on missing persons cases, but this video is about UFO sightings at ECETI Ranch. He has a fascinating interview with a believer that lights in the sky are UFOs and directly communicating to him. (As you might guess, it's satellites, planes, and other prosaic things.)

 

[yoshy]

IMO Layne Norton is a Moron.

Tell us why!

 

[Nemon]

Tell us why!

Well, I might first ask why you like and recommend him
He may have some expertise in building strength and muscle. But that's nothing special, and it doesn't make him a competent counsellor or science communicator with a scientific background. The latter is what he refers to. But I don't see that he has an understanding of science that qualifies him for this. I am primarily referring here to the field of nutritional science. I also don't like his demeanour.

 

[jarlrmai]

https://www.youtube.com/@Wolfie6020 - Commercial airline pilot who focuses on debunking flat earth from that perspective.

Might be interesting to have them do a Starlink video...

 

[taurusclover21]

Brian Dunning -- https://www.youtube.com/@thebriandunning

 

[yoshy]

Well, I might first ask why you like and recommend him
He may have some expertise in building strength and muscle. But that's nothing special,

He's coached like 75 people to pro level in power lifting, and has won competitions for both bodybuilding and power lifting, which is definitely qualified as "special" when it comes to experience.

and it doesn't make him a competent counsellor or science communicator with a scientific background. The latter is what he refers to. But I don't see that he has an understanding of science that qualifies him for this. I am primarily referring here to the field of nutritional science. I also don't like his demeanour.

He literally has a PhD in nutritional science lol. His videos rigorously cite relevant research without him appealing to his own authority

 

[NorCal Dave]

How could everyone miss Dave Farina, a.k.a. ProfessorDaveExplains?
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorDaveExplains

Flat Earth, Creationism, Electric Universe, Terrence Howard-style made-up nonsense...don't get Dave started about any of it. Pulls no punches whatsoever, and often ties in the big picture of how bunk is destroying society.

I, and my wife, seem to have a love/hate relationship with Professor Dave.

At first, I had a bit of hard time with his chosen title of "Professor" given that my older son and his wife spent 6-7 years, plus 2 more years of COVID delays completing grad school to eventually land some currently "adjunct professor" positions. Dave has a Masters in Science Communications and as far as I know never taught as an actual Professor.

However, I probably overreacted as it seems he uses the title as a YouTube presenter with videos on math and science geared towards the high school and undergrad collage level. Sort of a video Cliff Notes. At my younger son's recommendation, I currently have Dave's Intro to Organic Chemistry queued up so maybe I can understand a little of what the hell my kid is talking about.

Or at least I think that's how he started. I first saw him a few years ago with one of the early Flat Earth episodes. He had made a video pointing out some problems with Flat Earth theories, which resulted in a follow up video from some Flat Earthers that questioned Dave's intelligence and sorta made fun of him. What I first saw was Dave's response to the Flat Earthers response where he seems to have decided to fight fire with fire.

When he critiques people like Terrance Howard or outright charlatans selling magic water, I tend to like his "in your face" attitude and schtick. I think there's a part of some of us that wants to point out, in no uncertain terms, that a lot of what people claim is total BS. There are times where we may want to get in Jeremy Corbel or Ross Coulthart's face and tell them to put up or shut up. There is a time for that and when it is, I enjoy Dave.

However, when he debates some of the Flat Earth guys, that obviously are confused and just grasping at useless talking points, I end up feeling sorry for the Flat Earther and wishing Dave would just back off a bit. I suppose his in your face style works well for him, but ultimately, I think a softer more polite approach is better in the long term.

 

[Ann K]

However, when he debates some of the Flat Earth guys, that obviously are confused and just grasping at useless talking points, I end up feeling sorry for the Flat Earther and wishing Dave would just back off a bit. I suppose his in your face style works well for him, but ultimately, I think a softer more polite approach is better in the long term.

I understand what you're saying, and I have sometimes wished he would stick to the science, but to be honest I think flat-earthers are either trolls, or (searching for a polite phrase...) completely non-scientific, and unlikely to comprehend any technical discussion.

 

[JMartJr]

I currently have Dave's Intro to Organic Chemistry queued up so maybe I can understand a little of what the hell my kid is talking about.

Nice. I saw that he has a video on the Diels–Alder reaction, which was the subject of my father's PhD dissertation, concerning the stereochemistry thereof. (This back in the pre computer days when they built model molecules out of wooden balls as atoms and springs or sticks to stand in for the bonds.)

I watched some of it to see if maybe I could understand what Dad was talking about... but I think there may be some huge giant pile of stuff I would need to understand prior to diving into that vid! I have more luck following his Flat Earth debunks, they are more on my level! ^_^

 

[Hevach]

I understand what you're saying, and I have sometimes wished he would stick to the science, but to be honest I think flat-earthers are either trolls, or (searching for a polite phrase...) completely non-scientific, and unlikely to comprehend any technical discussion.

Debunking isn't about getting the true believers. I doubt even the handful that have signed on to that plan to fly down to Antarctica in December will be convinced by their own literal eyeballs. It's about clawing back the edges of the crowd and keeping the vulnerable from falling prey, and I do think quite a bit of wind will be sucked out of the community's sails even if it doesn't lose any sailors.

The number of YouTubers who make their viewership insulting Flat Earthers do little in that regard, and honestly I feel like quite a few of them have no more critical thinking skills than their targets because the actual explanations or debunks are usually in their comment sections, not their videos.

 

[Ann K]

Nice. I saw that he has a video on the Diels–Alder reaction, which was the subject of my father's PhD dissertation, concerning the stereochemistry thereof. (This back in the pre computer days when they built model molecules out of wooden balls as atoms and springs or sticks to stand in for the bonds.)

Ah, the Olden Tymes, back when I studied chemistry with the use of a slide rule, when a "computer" was nothing but a roomful of op-amps in New Jersey. (To be sure, 3-D balls and sticks make stereochemistry easier to comprehend,) I remember when I had to pause teaching chemistry for two days when I found that almost no one in the class was able to compute the necessary solution strengths needed in the lab, and were more in need of a basic education in the use of fractions, the stuff they should have learned in high school. (Maybe that's why ChatGPT and its prosy, complicated solution to a simple math question set my teeth on edge!)

 

[NorCal Dave]

Nice. I saw that he has a video on the Diels–Alder reaction, which was the subject of my father's PhD dissertation, concerning the stereochemistry thereof. (This back in the pre computer days when they built model molecules out of wooden balls as atoms and springs or sticks to stand in for the bonds.)

I watched some of it to see if maybe I could understand what Dad was talking about... but I think there may be some huge giant pile of stuff I would need to understand prior to diving into that vid! I have more luck following his Flat Earth debunks, they are more on my level! ^_^

I'll have to ask my son about that reaction. Or maybe not

 

[yoshy]

At first, I had a bit of hard time with his chosen title of "Professor" given that my older son and his wife spent 6-7 years, plus 2 more years of COVID delays completing grad school to eventually land some currently "adjunct professor" positions. Dave has a Masters in Science Communications and as far as I know never taught as an actual Professor.

He came up with the name while teaching as an adjunct professor.

 

[Nemon]

He

He literally has a PhD in nutritional science lol. His videos rigorously cite relevant research without him appealing to his own authority

There's nothing to "lol" about here. I'll leave open for now how much so-called nutritional science is worth and to what extent his PhD adds value to his assessments. We're unlikely to agree on this. I also lack the motivation to go into this topic in depth at the moment. But believe me, I've studied it intensively and will continue to do so.

 

[yoshy]

We're unlikely to agree on this.

Definitely not when your argument is "he's wrong, and his field of research is wrong. No I won't explain why, but I'm right". Calling your argument an ad hominem would be an insult to ad hominems.

There's nothing to "lol" about here.

Lol, lmao even

 

[NorCal Dave]

He came up with the name while teaching as an adjunct professor.

I stand corrected!

 

[JMartJr]

For critical takes on "bullsh** mega projects," techno-futurism solutions to urban problems, etc,
Adam Something: https://www.youtube.com/@AdamSomething

 

[MonkeeSage]

https://www.youtube.com/@Thunderf00t - Phil Mason, British chemist - debunks all kinds of things from flat earth to supposed new energy breakthroughs to climate change denial to religious claims like young earth creationism. I was reminded of him by the Adam Something channel because Phil really dislikes Elon Musk and has a bunch of videos about Musk's claims and projects.

 

[Ann K]

https://www.youtube.com/@Thunderf00t - Phil Mason, British chemist - debunks all kinds of things from flat earth to supposed new energy breakthroughs to climate change denial to religious claims like young earth creationism. I was reminded of him by the Adam Something channel because Phil really dislikes Elon Musk and has a bunch of videos about Musk's claims and projects.

Just watched this one today. It describes what a genius Elon Musk is for "inventing" things that were already invented.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVfYWZdKQM

 

[taurusclover21]

https://www.youtube.com/@Thunderf00t - Phil Mason, British chemist - debunks all kinds of things from flat earth to supposed new energy breakthroughs to climate change denial to religious claims like young earth creationism. I was reminded of him by the Adam Something channel because Phil really dislikes Elon Musk and has a bunch of videos about Musk's claims and projects.

Darn, I forgot about him.