Being wrong is actually good for you / Touch grass, literally / Sometimes the voices are right episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 21, 2026 · 12 MIN

Being wrong is actually good for you / Touch grass, literally / Sometimes the voices are right

from News Sidequest

New research confirms what trial-and-error learners have always suspected: getting something wrong first — and then learning the right answer — produces significantly better retention than memorizing correctly from the start. Also: a study from Norway finds that solo time in nature has a measurable protective effect against loneliness, and the mechanism is more interesting than just "fresh air." And a case study from the BMJ that went viral this week: a woman in 1980s England heard voices telling her she had a brain tumor, her doctors initially dismissed it, and the scan proved the voices right. Plus the Lego pasta swap, a Florida driver who thought a Supra was a license, and a paraglider with very poor aim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New research confirms what trial-and-error learners have always suspected: getting something wrong first — and then learning the right answer — produces significantly better retention than memorizing correctly from the start. Also: a study from Norway finds that solo time in nature has a measurable protective effect against loneliness, and the mechanism is more interesting than just "fresh air." And a case study from the BMJ that went viral this week: a woman in 1980s England heard voices telling her she had a brain tumor, her doctors initially dismissed it, and the scan proved the voices right. Plus the Lego pasta swap, a Florida driver who thought a Supra was a license, and a paraglider with very poor aim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOW PLAYING

Being wrong is actually good for you / Touch grass, literally / Sometimes the voices are right

0:00 12:15

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of News Sidequest?

This episode is 12 minutes long.

When was this News Sidequest episode published?

This episode was published on April 21, 2026.

What is this episode about?

New research confirms what trial-and-error learners have always suspected: getting something wrong first — and then learning the right answer — produces significantly better retention than memorizing correctly from the start. Also: a study from...

Can I download this News Sidequest episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!