Do Salt Lamps Work?

[@CSGhostAnimation]

If the lamp turns on, then the salt lamp technically works. Checkmate Veritasium.

[@yuunaki]

whoa, didn't expect to see you here man.

[@Gabriel-ServantOfGod]

Veritasium lost some science logic points there xdddd

[@karlbjorn1831]

the epic flipnote man of my childhood

[@Idiomatick]

Yeah, I was confused by the title since I thought salt lamps were just decorative lamps, how could they possibly not work.

[@conejo_oligarca_reloaded]

Veritasium lost. Period. (.)

[@jsd05]

I love how humble that man was, didn’t want to say he’s an expert after a mere 55 years of study. Contrary to the guy selling the salt lamp, he had all the answers with zero knowledge.

[@MrStanaland]

Good point on the comparison. I started college after 10th grade a "know it all", but now I often say that the most important thing that I learned at MIT was to say "I don't know". I learned it by seeing other experts speak like the one in this video. Once I can admit that what I know is a drop in an ocean of knowledge, it allows me to see that this ocean exists and gives me freedom to begin to explore it.

[@versailles3891]

@@MrStanaland that’s an excellent point. I definitely won’t start at MIT after Sophomore year, but that is definitely something I need to remember. Thank you

[@joker_g7337]

The more you study, the more you learn that there's more to learn.

[@iminumst7827]

It was also refreshing how Veritasium interacted with the salt lamp seller, Derek wasn't confrontational or arrogant. He wasn't trying to prove the seller wrong or make the seller feel guilty, because he knows that the seller guy just has the wrong info, and that's why he made this video, to give the right info to the people who need it. This is the type of education I like to see, one that doesn't talk down to the uneducated.

[@eitanweiss7026]

Dunning kruger spotted

[@alfepalfe]

Never knew those lamps were supposed to produce ions I thought they were just a cool decoration item.

[@robertoribani1442]

And they are

[@purplelord8531]

yeah lmao

[@robertoribani1442]

@@vapervop did you read the comment?

[@alfepalfe]

@@vapervop yes

[@alfepalfe]

@@vapervop yes but I never knew that they were even claimed to do that.

[@LochNessHamster]

8:51 "So, your conclusion is that it's not producing any negative ions?" "We certainly aren't able to detect any ions." I love his response. It's such a humble, carefully worded, and scientific response. He doesn't say definitively that the salt lamp is not producing ions, just that they simply are not detecting any ions from the salt lamp. It is a subtle but important distinction, and a great example of how easy it is to develop hubris from literally anything if you're not paying attention to yourself. The scientific community ⁠- no, the _world_ needs more of this.

[@8.3.4.N]

i noticed that too, pretty smart of him to word it like that

[@xj-vn4eo]

Alternative perspective is rigor. Rigor and humility may be associated but in this case I tend to focus on the rigor more. I personally practice rigor a lot, on a daily basis, and in casual conversations, rigor may not always be desired. In communication, it seems we oftentimes face a tradeoff between the accuracy of the statements and the cognitive load on the humans.

[@LochNessHamster]

@@xj-vn4eo I don't think I've heard (or read) the word 'rigor' in the context that you're using it. What do you mean when you say you practice rigor a lot?

[@xj-vn4eo]

@@LochNessHamster Hmm. I mean something like the response you liked, saying stuff in a more rigorous and precise manner.

[@TSP-HIKER]

Exactly. That is the humble scientific way. Don't make claims. Just observe and report on what you see.

[@huckthatdish]

when i saw the title, i had no idea salt lamps were supposed to be anything other than aesthetic lamps, so I was like of course they work. They produce light and look nice.

[@BirdsAndWhales]

Same hahah

[@curlzOdoom]

For some reason I thought they were meant to remove moisture in the air? I don't know why I assumed that. I never knew anything about the ions until this video.

[@mmitchellhouston]

Ditto. I thought they were just supposed to be pretty.

[@neoan]

Jep. I have one of those. Never knew it was supposed to do anything other than producing warm light.

[@TooFunkToDrunction]

@@curlzOdoom at least that makes sense

[@dancoulson6579]

I have never believed that salt lamps have any benefit for the health, chemically speaking. However, I do believe that their warm, pinkish, orangish glow is good for mood. And they look very cool.

[@Leenapanther]

The package of the salt lamp I bought wrote, it has a calming effect. I like the soft, warm light. I like to think that these lamps do help to calm down. I set the lamp near my bird cage. I have canaries and they often wake up during the night or are awake for too long. Every time I turn on the lamp they sleep better.

[@lucrative6477]

Well if you believe it, it must be true.

[@imallsoupedup]

@@lucrative6477 the placebo effect is very real and entirely based on belief

[@bonnenaturel6688]

salt is the ingredient. People use salt inhalers to improve airways. People pay to travel to get therapy in salt caves. And if these are run for some time they do shed the salt around the lamp so I always put my salt lamp on a saucer or plate.

[@maxentirunos]

@@bonnenaturel6688 And salt create rocks in your organs that will be very painful if not deadly.

[@itsBlueshift]

Veritasium: the only channel that poses a question, answers it in the thumbnail, yet I still feel compelled to watch the 16 minute video

[@zedhelion]

Adam Neely (A music channel) also does this, asks a question in the title, and promptly answers it in the thumbnail and honestly, Its refreshing to see that from educational channels

[@dioraranel2000]

Yes, and sometimes there is as much (or more) knowledge in the process than the result. Your impulse is all good.

[@jerecakes1]

yeahhhhh lmao it's kinda like an impulse of "why though?" especially since i'm a person who doesn't just spontaneously agree with someone's statements

[@not2tees]

The light from my salt lamp is now the only thing I have left . . . but I feel mellow staring at it in a darkened room.

[@m_d_l_a3208]

Ditto

[@20cnVision]

The thing with the thunderstorms, oceans and beaches is that they are already quite exciting on their own - so it's normal to feel different/better when experiencing them.

[@grutarg2938]

I was wondering how the effect would compare if you put a small fountain of water in your home or office, or even a recording of waterfalls or ocean waves. Also if the ionized air is creating a breeze, has that been tested against a gentle fan for creating the impression of fresh air?

[@jadedesormeaux6820]

@@grutarg2938 just watching a small fountain would calm me

[@grutarg2938]

@@jadedesormeaux6820 Me too! But now I want to know the science of why that works.

[@WowUsernameAvailable]

Also, most of us experience them only on holiday XD

[@kuroshite]

It's actually because of that that we humans developed that association with serotonin through evolution.

[@Nenacu]

Never thought salt lamps did anything besides give off a present soft pink/yellow light that's perfect for a bedside stand. I like them for aesthetics and practicality.

[@calcv617]

Same

[@Silburific]

It's a big glowing rock that's perfect for people with light sensitivity (like me). I'd love to get one, but I'm sure my cats would knock it over immediately- mostly out of spite.

[@krikeydial3430]

What should we investigate next, garlic's ability to ward off vampires?

[@Musical_Pigeon]

I have one at my parents' house (wire needs to be fixed) and I liked the glow it had not the ions.

[@nightsky408]

They give off a blue/pink serene aura, if you tune into your feelings you will be able to feel the serene aura

[@jamesabbott6425]

I adore how when Derek asks "are you an ion expert" the answer isn't yes or no. It's "here is my level of experience in the field." which gives you a way better idea of why you should listen than just "yes i am"

[@nob2243]

True, but I think we can safely say that after working for _55 YEARS_ in the field, this man is indeed an expert.

[@weliveinasociety1154]

@@nob2243 It’s widely accepted that 10.000 hours is the average time it takes to be considered an “Expert” in something.

[@Demmrir]

@@weliveinasociety1154 That 10,000 = expert rule itself is, itself, bunk, of course.

[@weliveinasociety1154]

@@Demmrir The idea is that someone who studies something for 3 hours a day for 10 years, will have an expert-level of knowledge in that subject. The word “expert” is quite subjective. I feel like an expert is someone who devotes their entire life to that thing. There’s not some magic number you have to achieve and all of a sudden you’re an “Expert”. It’s just an estimate.

[@hijodelaisla275]

I liked his response, too.

[@kabangukabangu2529]

I like how the professors were not jumping to conclusions, they just spoke within the boundaries of the results they are seeing

[@Segagens]

Exactly the way it should be.

[@SnailHatan]

It’s almost like that’s what scientists do.

[@kudegrace6824]

Being strict with conclusions is what makes good profs so boring when you're young but you gotta appreciate how responsible they with their language when you grow up

[@andreipendle1778]

@@Segagens This is the way

[@andreipendle1778]

I get a mental stiffy when researchers say "that we can measure" and not "that there are".

[@legrindem-her]

I just love how the scientist are so open-ended with their responses. None of them said absolutely not to any experiment. They all said stuff like " i believe or, or it appears to be that way".

[@erich930]

hat's the point of science! If you ever hear anyone say something along the lines of "I absolutely know," they're either lying or trying to sell you something.

[@commscan314]

​@@erich930Typically I would use something more along the lines of "The evidence resulting from this experiment supports the claim/argument that...," rather than a statement of personal belief in the claim.

[@iyziejane]

Many scientists do this as a faux humility though. Then under the pressure of the pandemic most of them went crazy for masks and vaccine mandates at Caltech, which was the opposite of being humble or scientific.

[@crusaderACR]

@@commscan314 It's unfortunate that doesn't work in day-to-day conversations with, say, your parents, friends or family. People that aren't scientific minded get bored, or don't internalize it if you say it that way. See Veritasium's video about anecdotes vs data (idk the current title, but if you look for "anecdotes veritasium" you'll find it) A compromise I like to use is to reply with "yes, most likely" or "it does seem that way" then add an anecdote. Normal people take that more seriously this way.

[@sneksteppy]

That's literally how science works, genius. I know your democrat friends taught you the concept of "The Science is Settled", but no scientific theory is ever "settled". This language is not only normal, it's how it's supposed to be.

[@colehanna4040]

The fact that you made this whole video without saying the word 'placebo' is impressive

[@ToonedMinecraft]

He did imply placebo. The moment he brought up people feeling happier, I was very curious whether the test was blind. Glad that was the point he was working towards.

[@O-Kyklop]

@@ToonedMinecraft I didn't hear the participants were told to pay attention if they got happier during the experiment. So, they didn't know this could be one of the reactions. In short, academics will only accept ions have a positive effect on humans only if they get an affidavit, signed by the ions themselves, that they influence in a positive way health and mood of humans.

[@CyberSway]

@@O-Kyklop lol. Yeah, that's totally how science is done.

[@O-Kyklop]

@@CyberSway Yeah. And worse. Much investigations have been done, during the XIX and beginnings of the XX century, where one discovery was that humans cells can emit and receive EM waves. And we got this guy here asking himself if ions have an influence on the human body and mind. And because he knows, the answer must be "No", he overlooks even positive results confirming that ions have that influence.

[@CyberSway]

@@O-Kyklop you have a very conspiratorial mindset.

[@Owen_loves_Butters]

“Are you an ion expert?” “I’ve been studying ions for 55 years.” I love it. He’s not saying he’s an expert, he’s giving you information and letting you decide.

[@fuwe]

that is how information works bru

[@uniqueurl]

And that man is so refreshing too. Very elegant face.

[@LaserPiuPiu]

the next line MUST have been "do you have any ion lamp at home?"

[@justins8802]

Dunning-Kruger effect at work. Real experts are burdened with the knowledge of the vast expanse of questions that they don’t know the answers to.

[@florianpasselaigue6115]

"- So (...) it's producing no negative ions? - We're certainly not able to detect any negative ion." Also a real scientist's response =)

[@presleypresleyj]

This video was a roller coaster. I wasn't a believer, then I was a believer, and now I'm not again.

[@Anankin12]

@@KeiRad1anc3 like top commenter did, the guy with scientists and beers in his comment

[@nahblue]

I'm at 07:30 and I'm just like this is weird, and where is the real Derek?

[@Odima16]

@@KeiRad1anc3 It's almost like he's guiding us through the scientific process. :P

[@k1dicarus]

I was ready sending this to a friend who is a bit into those fancy fantasy toys. He knows their claims are bs but he also knows if he believe they work, he will have the desired affect. I don't know what to do now ,

[@avocares]

I think the way the video is presented does a fantastic job of showing how impressionable we are. If a viewer paused at various points and walked away they would leave with a totally different viewpoint because we don't tend to continue with our own research, instead trusting the presenter to be honest (or at least not motivated by funding or advertisers).

[@owls6514]

I like when people make thumbnails like this. It answers the question and makes you go like: well why doesn’t it work? And then you have to watch the video to find out why. This is a much better strategy than click bait

[@JoshuaTootell]

He tested this thumbnail against clickbait. He made a video about it

[@KanuckStreams]

I love how the answer to "are you an ion expert?" was "I've been studying ions for...55 years, and have written hundreds of papers on all aspects of ions." He is not claiming to be an expert, he is just stating his experience.

[@rsmith02]

Well, expert is relative, not a binary yes or no designation, so he lets the listener decide how expert he is.

[@gkawaik]

@Sterf Google list all the phonemes then

[@pinklady7184]

Beware of those who call themselves to be "social scientists" or "social engineers," as they suffer from dyscalculia They are ultra-extreme leftists with multiple personality disorders. They can't reason or think logically.

[@pinklady7184]

Sterf Google I am half an expert on phonetics. For decades, I had severe speech impediments, because I had too great a difficulty in distinguishing sound-alike letters in my flawed hearing. Eventually, I bought books on phonetics like those on IPA letters, intonations, voice-training for actors & singers, elocution, etc. I meticulously studied all speech parts, their lip positions and tongue positions. I regularly keep a small notebook on pronunciations of obscure words and jot them down in IPA letters indicating certain sounds. Today, I speak fluently.

[@Zuraneve]

@@pinklady7184 People who have dyscalculia have problems with numbers and math. It has nothing to do with personality disorders.

[@Babjengi]

This video is just one example of how much information and explanation it takes to disprove a statement someone makes in less than 2 seconds. This is why things like "alternative facts" persist: no one has the patience to actually learn things.

[@youtubasoarus]

Thinking is hard I guess. :/

[@joebykaeby]

This is so true and I wish more people would realize it

[@Pyrple]

I feel like most people don’t know what Alternative facts are. That was just someone saying that “my research contradicts yours” in a very poorly worded way.

[@insidetrip101]

Its worse than that though. Its not just about disproving things that aren't true, but its also that its really difficult to go through "peer reviewed literature." Honestly, unless you are at least working on a graduate degree, its probably a waste of time to mess with the incredibly tiny details of peer reviewed research. I know there are problems with news journalists, but generally the best source of looking critically at a claim is simply asking "what is the mechanism by which this assertion works." Quickly you get the explanation about some production of serotonin and then you consider how few negative ions you breathe in relative to all the atoms you breathe in and you quickly see how ridiculous the claim is. You don't need to mess about with research and studies, just use common sense. That's going to get the lay person way further than mucking through details that ought to be left to people who have nothing else better to do.

[@zankpetsu]

What about 5G cell towers? check that out

[@ms.fukawa-hanamura3754]

They do work. I’ve eaten about 15 of them by now and I feel great! A little dehydrated and I now have high blood pressure but that’s easily fixable, I’m sure.

[@syzygy4365]

This comment deserves more comments. 😂❤

[@syzygy4365]

Drink some water and go for a run... you'll be fine. 😂🏃‍♂️

[@JonLake]

pls remove the bulb before eating it 😰

[@ms.fukawa-hanamura3754]

@@JonLake the bulb gives it a nice, moist, tangy taste

[@jcharmaine1]

@@ms.fukawa-hanamura3754 mmmmm light bulb💡

[@Thepersianpopinjay]

My salt lamp totally works! I had a severe lack of glowing rocks and now I have a pretty one to fill the void

[@scottgates4979]

My salt lamp works perfectly...It lights a hall at night so I don't trip over something and break my leg. Works perfectly at keeping my legs healthy. :-)

[@shelfdefence1112]

I thought it was just a neat lamp. I had no idea it was supposed to actually do something beyond lighting up my room. Not that it actually does.

[@Yawyna124]

@@shelfdefence1112 It probably does help destress due to the soft, warm, light that they emit.

[@youkyuu2402]

@@shelfdefence1112 well it's a great source of salt and minerals. Very tasty and lasts a couple years.

[@superstar_]

@@youkyuu2402 tasty...?- what-

[@seniorsabali8759]

@@thesoupiestsoupster9019 lmao

[@chadd990]

This was possibly the most polite way that I've ever seen someone debunk junk science

[@SuprSi]

tbh it takes a lot of effort to debunk without hurting feelings, but it's a good way of doing it as the gullible person is less likely to dig their heels in and double down on their pseudoscience nonsense. Wish I had the patience to explain stuff as well as Derek.

[@thingonometry-1460]

I know I personally get rather upset when debating against snake lils, but I'm workin on it

[@BattousaiHBr]

honestly it wasn't debunked hard enough. i'd bet someone who already thought this effect to be real would come out of this video thinking "oh so the tests that weren't done didn't _yet_ show the real effects, they'll need to test it harder to prove i'm right"

[@BattousaiHBr]

@@SuprSi honestly i think dealing with failure and being wrong should be taught in schools, not at a psychologist when you're 35.

[@wesleyrm76]

The Canadian way.

[@locus_of_magic217]

Salt lamps absolutely work! I received one for Christmas and it definitely emits light. Not only that, but the lampshade that surrounds it prevents any chance that the naked bulb will be visible to me.

[@GTAandApplechannel]

Now that's some good lamp

[@whitekaren7742]

YOUR SPECIAL !!

[@TheMainphrame]

Marry Me!

[@whitekaren7742]

@@TheMainphrame NO !! IM NOT GAY !!

[@adriandabarber3996]

@@whitekaren7742 Yeah hes not gay he only sleeps with men for fun not love! get it right!

[@robertsteffler5155]

I think another important thing to point out about the ion "tests" is that doing these tests in things like office settings is a great way, experimentally-speaking, to get a positive result without knowing if you've identified the correct cause. Sure, people probably do notice an improvement in mood and general behavior when an ionizing air purifier is put into the room, but that doesn't just change the ion content of the room. I could very easily imagine introducing an air purifier to an office that previously didn't have one would improve air quality *in general* and improve air flow in a room that's probably rather stuffy otherwise. Sure, it could be the ions... but it could also be a lot of other things.

[@nikkyk4839]

It’s most likely not ions.

[@simoringenfreitag5603]

But if they are periodically turned on and off and then see a difference in performance, it would prove it, like they did

[@austinestep8461]

@@simoringenfreitag5603not necessarily because turning off the purifier would also change the airflow back to how it was.

[@abhibeckert]

@@simoringenfreitag5603 Yeah but what if the air purifier produced a sweet smell like the one tested in this video? That would also obviously impact productivity. The point was a lot of the studies, including that one, were poor quality. That doesn't make them useless, but it does mean the only real conclusion you can draw from them is "it would be good to repeat this study but do some things differently".

[@JR-ue2cx]

I cant stop thinking about how the only reason he made this video was to tell his friend he is wrong.

[@konrad6157]

That should tell you this video isn’t worth watching

[@Este730]

Haha, maybe, but cool that some want to give an answer, im kind of the same type of person lol

[@2Skinny]

"Suck it Trent"

[@Ryan13489]

He's that friend you need to tell "dude drop it already!" *makes a 3 million views video*

[@grayaj23]

@Benjamin gammer The interesting part was that he got all the scientists to pretend like it was an actual thing to investigate, and not the patent nonsense it really is.

[@_baert]

Notice how when Prof. Beauchamp was asked if he was an "expert," he only provided his credits and never said yes. That's the type of guy that I would trust over someone that upfront refers to themselves as an expert in anything.

[@Magmafrost13]

The idea of being an "expert in ions" is ridiculous to begin with, its such a broad category, so yeah it'd definitely be concerning if someone claimed to be an "expert in ions"

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

I bet that guy in the store considers himself an expert on ions.

[@shihyuinchew8494]

Scientists answer questions really carefully. Notice when Derek asked the professor, “does that mean the salt lamp doesn’t produce negative ions?”, and he answered, “we didn’t get to detect any.” 😂 many statements that normal people think equivalent could appear not directly but only conditionally so.

[@miriam7872]

Oh, me? I'm a nutrition *expert*. I've read all the blog posts about it. /s

[@chrish7927]

@@shihyuinchew8494 Exactly. You can tell he considered that question carefully before answering.

[@TheReallyRealSunTzu]

As someone actively doing research in neuroscience, it felt uneasy to hear the salesman confidently saying 'Serotonin is, like, the primary transmitter in your whole body'.

[@marzi_kat]

Serotonin is the powerhouse of the cell

[@willspratt8030]

I'm not even in college and that statement made me cringe

[@fakiirification]

Serotonin is the transmitter house of the cell power.

[@andreobarros]

My research has absolutely nothing to do with it, and that alarmed my sham detectors. I would've instantaneously noped out of there. Also the dude just claimed that all living things work like that. That's a *very* bold claim.

[@jonathanmatthews8928]

Yeah? Well you folks in Big Serotonin WOULD say that, wouldn’t you? Always trying to crowd out artisanal, small-batch serotonin artistes from the marketplace :-(

[@ErnstvanBiljon8]

My entire life I got bad grades in school. Geography was the exception because of the passion I had for Nature... So it was easy to learn something I intuitively understood. But... YOU have made learning any subject a want to do, not a have to do... I am so grateful for the scientific learning you provide on Veritasium! I wish people like you ran schools across the planet. We wouldn't be in this divided world if education was performed correctly... Thank You!

[@JohnSmith-nz2yq]

Who forced us to go to crappy schools in the first place? People like you, who make it law to go to school, thinking you know what's beat for people.

[@ErnstvanBiljon8]

@@JohnSmith-nz2yq Are you having a stroke? Or are you just dumb?

[@immortalxsoul]

Education Institute nowadays is a business

[@null_s3t]

I like to think that when he's walking with the camera he's actually grabbing us by the throat a dragging us along while rambling about ions and salt lamps

[@SuDaixi]

I needed that laugh. Thanks.

[@hannahbanana9842]

LMAO holy I laughed way too hard at this

[@MunkeyChips]

Now I know how you like to spend your evenings at home.

[@6900xx]

lol

[@Evan345gdf]

Hot

[@ChristianConservativ]

Marie Curie was a very happy, alert, and highly charged individual.

[@blameese]

oof

[@bread7551]

Oof

[@PirateDion]

Too soon!... I guess? :P

[@ano1z943]

Wait, I get it

[@GM-xk1nw]

Sadge

[@jacktaylor148]

He's been studying ions for 55 years? Wow he's really been keeping his ion them

[@cameronpatterson6295]

Studying ions for aeons you might say.

[@gilles466]

damn thats a good one

[@its_deer]

man

[@DrCorndog1]

You are my favorite person now.

[@SophiaGreens]

UNDERRATED COMMENT

[@SarahSmith-hq2lv]

Love this! I have a whole Himilayan Mountain range of these lamps in my house, but have only ever purchased them for their aesthetic qualities, a.k.a their moody pink and orange glow. Everytime anyone comes over and comments on them, I feel I have to give them the disclaimer that I don't actually believe the new-age-woo associated with them, and that they're just for decorative purposes.

[@facelessdrone]

Same, I received one from my mother who genuinely does believe in the pseudoscience, but I have to continually remind her of its falsehood. She is not willing to accept it. In the meantime, I have acquired a wonderful mood-lighting lamp.

[@xxx-ie9ic]

@@facelessdrone Send her this video? lol!

[@dimitrispapado3125]

Great video Derek! Pertinent in an age where people aren't willing to listen to each other and only attempt to persuade , ending up in even more biased and extreme positions. It was also a good example of how cognitive dissonance works both ways. I could feel myself getting frustrated at the first 3 minutes of the video when I believed you to be proposing an "unscientific" concept. Thanks for being a great example of how we can make science more well received by the general public by making it less patronizing. Science shouldn't be polarising.

[@veritasium]

The whole thing is an exploration and I learned a lot along the way.

[@tacwolf4962]

This comment is spot on!!

[@ksm7025]

Especially when both science and 'science' are being used as weapons in political spaces.

[@BothHands1]

Absolutely agree, 100%

[@GRosa]

Polarizing 😂

[@deyesed]

Kudos to the professor for not laughing the lamp out the door before testing it.

[@kolelokaram8541]

You have to give things the benefit of the doubt. Be sceptical all you want, but you need to allow things the opportunity. We cannot have science, if we do not test things.

[@Anankin12]

Rather sure they scripted that and he was aware of what would happen.

[@NochSoEinKaddiFan]

That is science. You have to test it.

[@JustForComments666]

@@kolelokaram8541 Without the "but". Being skeptical includes being skeptical of the things you know, and basing your assertions on that which has more evidence. Be skeptical that negative ions AREN'T good for you, gather some evidence and conclude. You might discover something along the way

[@theboxingbiker]

I also love how the professor spoke like a true scientist: Veritasium: "It's producing no negative ions" Dr. Dalleska: "We're certainly not able to detect any negative ions" There is always that very very small chance that it is indeed producing, but we're not able to detect it. So as a scientist you can't say with absolute certainty that it is not producing.

[@InterficioPupillus]

i really like how you portray the narrative around this subject. You start off by explaining all the reasons why negative ions are good for us, show us a giant stack of papers written about the subject, and give an example of a study showing positive results. Only to come in at the end and show how despite all that, the claim is not proven at all. This is a good representation of how we should never believe something just because it seems to be true.

[@falconerd343]

Also, just because a paper (or many papers) is written supporting something, doesn't mean it's true. The quality of the evidence makes a big difference.

[@starmoon1987]

So placebo could be making the body better. How awesome and weard the body works.

[@JohnSmith-lf5xm]

I like it too because it shows how to make a video out of nothing to sell a silly password website.

[@blifx]

yeah, the video was really well organized. the a-ha! moments were well placed

[@jordanmicahcook]

Yeah, like how Amway is actually NOT a pyramid scheme... 😁

[@sithisrants4154]

I bought the salt lamp because it looks cool. Didn't know people actually thought they made you happier or something lol

[@m4rcellinos]

As someone who has been electrocuted before, negative ions definitely did NOT improve my mood that day

[@konigstigerhart455]

For me it does.

[@kk-iy4bw]

You have never been electrocuted

[@duncanweir8773]

@@kk-iy4bw how would you know? I've been shocked a few times from outlets its only 120 volts not a big deal...

[@kk-iy4bw]

@@duncanweir8773 google the definition of electrocution

[@axrah8406]

@@kk-iy4bw "injure or kill by electric shock"

[@adamdesouza4295]

The man had a golden opportunity to say “Ive been studying Ions for eons” next time i guess

[@simonskala403]

thought exactly about the same line :-D

[@paulanthonyg6851]

no one said un-ionically. :s

[@strawmanlogic4089]

I hope his name was Ian, studying Ions for Eons.

[@CarolinaSRuiz-bn7lf]

I'll definitely keep an eye on him finally saying he's been studying ions for eons

[@ercost60]

So iconic

[@TheKoijotito]

I never had heard of the negative ion thing. I just love the way a soft glowing stone would look as a lamp.

[@Supvia]

Haha, me too 😂 If my mom knew that her salt lamps are said to have a positive effect on her, she’d probably throw them out. 😂

[@writershard5065]

And that's fine! As a lamp, it's cute. People just shouldn't be going around claiming health benefits when there isn't any.

[@nickwallette6201]

^^ A good reason to own a lamp.

[@michael-9856]

It's a wonderful night light.

[@staceystrukel1917]

@@Supvia omg youre hilarious!

[@theesynopsis7412]

i suffer from depression and was naturally gravitating toward the beach and outdoor living. after watching your production, i now understand my love of beaches and constant desire to go to the beach. i also have an aversion to artificial air. thank-you for your work.

[@firstlast-pt5pp]

Finer sand beach has more negative ions. You will get 20x more negative ions in your bathroom on average with warm shower running. Cold air conditioning will generate net/more positive ions.

[@pauljoneseyboy9615]

Also I love science for its honesty. Notice he didn’t confirm there were no ions, he merely confirmed he could not detect any ions. Excellent

[@Sashazur]

But unless his equipment was broken or improperly used, he could have just said there weren’t any.

[@teddobomb9037]

@@Sashazur that would not be scientifically honest.

[@yonneye2427]

@@Sashazur That implies every piece of technology is perfect and can detect everything.

[@BillAnt]

The guy in the salt lamp store "You didn't do it right, gotta wait 10 years for the effects to take place!" lol

[@DeathnoteBB]

@@Sashazur You know no machines nor humans are perfect right?

[@Heeby-Jeebies]

This was a pleasant journey in healthy skepticism. You made me challenge my perception, and then brought the proof. Good job!

[@BattousaiHBr]

since this is veritasium i at least tried to think to myself "why would that even make a difference? this makes absolutely no sense" and was patiently waiting for an actual explanation to change my mind and learn something new. not really surprised to see that it didn't come to pass, but it did have me on edge for a while.

[@RandomInternetProfile]

My exact experience. I expected the salt lamp to show results and ready to think, "Well I'll be damned." The O3 production was a surprise though.

[@Heeby-Jeebies]

@@RandomInternetProfile Yes! Me too!

[@XSFx5]

I really like the facts presented in this video, and how they were presented. It also may explain why I like being around waterfalls and beaches, and why I love going outside after a thunderstorm. I also like that professor who doesn't just answer "yes" to being an expert, but rather gives his credentials like any true scientist would and leave it at the listener's discretion to determine expertise (because a real expert would know there's always more to learn). Even more fascinating is that there really IS a crystal that will produce ions when heated, a shame it's too expensive for normal sales purposes.

[@midnight_commander]

Random Internet Profile turn the o2 into da o3. Amirite?

[@ericulric223]

That's a proper scientist's answer: "we're certainly not able to detect any...."

[@nihabkhan9184]

"So this is kind of like an electronic nose or something for ions?" internally: "ugh..... if that HELPS you....🙄"

[@imdawolfman2698]

"That would be illogical, Captain."

[@imdawolfman2698]

"That would be illogical, Captain."

[@ericulric223]

@@imdawolfman2698 I don't know that one, is that a Spock attribution?

[@imdawolfman2698]

@@ericulric223 yes, I grew up on Spock's logic and curiosity, his 'superpowers'. I often spill a drop of ale to Brother Roddenberry for the Utopian vision he created for us to aspire to.

[@draekon8995]

Great video. I’d love to see one on the concept of “Earthing” (connecting yourself to the ground) and maybe one about EMF radiation.

[@devin4629]

How to solve depression: stand next to a waterfall during a lightning storm, while holding a salt lamp next to the ocean.

[@GarryDumblowski]

To be fair, this might actually work on account of access to nature. A lot of people get depressed simply because they don't go outside enough.

[@LimAu144]

that would seem like a magical place. a waterfall next to the ocean. i imagine it would look beautiful

[@Zeppe2]

@JR Well, probably because this video is 2 years old and the comment was a couple of days old on the time when you commented.

[@celebratinglife6239]

🤣🤣

[@nicjones4245]

um no they just said the salt lamp doesn't work so no point holding it for anything. Instead hold yourself a nice margarita 😁

[@dr.spectre9697]

For many years now Ive been subscribed to your channel & I can honestly say, I always get excited EVERY time I see a notification that you have uploaded a new video. I have learned so much from your channel! I want to thank you for your hard work & for encouraging all us young people to not only pursue physics, but also not to be dismissive of other people's points of view. Youre open minded yet unlike many academics, I have never heard you be dismissive of the fact someone might be religious or spiritual & that they want to be a man of science, (something that two of my professors do all the time). You are the reason I decided to choose to get my undergrad in physics with the hope that when I finish my undergrad here at Carnegie Mellon, I can get my PhD in astrophysics. I still have two more years..... if school isn't tough enough, the fact that I have to work makes it really tough but its so worth it! You were a big part of my decision to pursue physics & by doing so, I found out that the pursuit of knowledge through the world of physics is not simply want I want to do for the rest of my life, its what I would LOVE to do! From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!

[@veritasium]

Whoa! This inspires me. I wish you all the best!

[@rancidbeef582]

Indeed. I see so many people on social media who try to paint all people with any belief in God as (figuratively and occasionally literally) flat Earthers. But that ignores the huge number of religious men through the ages who have advanced science. Not the least of which is Georges Lemaître who proposed what eventually became known as the Big Bang theory.

[@KeiranR]

We miss you dude .... no homo...

[@davidalm2148]

The argument that "huge numbers of religious men advanced science" is pointless since the vast majority of the population through the ages were "religious" at least publicly, given every major religion would likely execute them en masse otherwise. As for whether religious men in the past advancing science somehow implies that religious members today somehow add to the scientific process is preposterous. The reason religion is generally mocked is because it's the definition of unscientific dogma. "Faith" - which is what every single religion is built on can be succinctly defined as "belief without sufficient evidence".

[@tristanwhite3859]

@@davidalm2148 totally agree. Anything should be subject to criticism, including religions. Teachers have a duty towards the promotion of critical thinking, trying to fight an intrinsic idea in religion which threatens it should be applauded. Dogmatism is clearly not what is advancing science, quite the contrary.

[@ohfiddleheads]

Well, I have three salt lamps, and I've always been skeptical to the whole negative ion thing. I still enjoy them because they are nice to look at, and provide a nice level of low light conducive to my circadian rhythm in the evening. What I especially like about this debunking is that anyone who has these lamps can go forth and spend less money in the long run on both bulbs and electricity by using LED night light bulbs instead, because who cares if it produces less heat. Thanks for the info!

[@Knezy-fb5vu]

You don't lick your salt lamps? I thought they were just edible lamps.

[@Mutation80]

@@Knezy-fb5vu I licked mine, salty! Never cared about ions, but it has a really nice colour and ambience

[@LoneWolf-wp9dn]

cats love them... that plenty a reason to buy one :)

[@easygoingdude9990]

Quick heads up though if you want to use a bulb that puts out less heat you gotta make sure the salt lamp isn't exposed to any kind of humidity. If it's not kept hot enough it tends absorbs moisture and can melt. Messy as all hell to clean up lol

[@Yeahboii1]

@@Knezy-fb5vu haha I've got tons of ppl to lick mine after they do then I tell em that its been liked by tons of ppl xD

[@alex_zetsu]

I like how he quickly cuts to the chase and answers the title question before explaining instead of dragging it out.

[@jj481012]

I thought salt lamps were supposed to help satisfy your hunger with a simple lick late at night.

[@jade8568_VR]

Think about how many other people have walked by that lamp, thinking the very same thing... then pulled an Ariana-Grande-not-so-secret-lick in that VERY same spot that YOU just licked👅🤢🤭😉

[@parkerbear849]

@@jade8568_VR If its in my room and I live alone whos going to be licking my lamp other than me?

[@dreamdesk7258]

@@parkerbear849 ... i don’t think you want to know

[@bikinggal1]

that's the bonus! ;)

[@wolfegeist7808]

Nonono you use it with a cheese shredder if you want to season a late night snack in bed

[@blokmotion]

I like to imagine that he doesn't talk to anyone behind the scenes and just walks up to experts with a camera without introducing himself.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

I thought the opposite, those are his old professors from his Master's program. The comfort level is quite high. The way the one man said, "Hi Derek" I could hear 'what now?' resigned to his constant curiosity.

[@colinsheehan2063]

You. Lamp. Now

[@agrainofsun]

@@BariumCobaltNitrog3n oh no, the question guy again

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

@@agrainofsun yeah, with his super obscure quests

[@olmostgudinaf8100]

I would imagine some fees are exchanged "behind the scene". Using that ion detector for an hour would not come free.

[@12natsmith12]

I love how you don't demonize pseudoscience, while addressing it as politely and scientifically as possible.

[@Dennzer1]

Hmmm....

[@jefsti]

At the very beginning he said he *did* dismiss his friend outright until the friend convinced him to seek out published peer-reviewed articles.

[@breadman32398]

Demonizing it just serves to push people that believe it further into denial. Just like telling a cult member they're in a cult. Approaching it from a neutral stance helps everyone form a new opinion based on the presented facts rather than previously held opinions.

[@roboreply5387]

I think you misunderstand what is "pseudoscience". The scientific studies said that more studies are necessary to come to a conclusion. That is exactly the definition of science: hypothesis, trial, measuring results, analyzing data, modify/repeat until conclusions become clear. Pseudoscience is demonizing the scientific method in favor of a preconceived assumption of truth without actual science backing it up. So you would be following pseudoscience. Check out Veritsium's video titled "Is Most Published Research Wrong" to see where you have been tripped up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amO0pouCqsh7abM

[@geirtwo]

Yeah, almost. He could have done without that giggle when he presented that salt lamp to the professor.

[@kaylaclay9292]

it s so true that learning is not about facts but about stories that seems to bring things to an understanding within my brian . i love I can read and hear and watch all at the same time.

[@SavageGreywolf]

don't mind me, I'm just rewarding the anti-clickbait thumbnail.

[@NicholosRichter]

It is pretty funny how the thumbnail answers the question. A good example of Betteridge's law of headlines.

[@Not_the_name_game]

yeah i thought that was awesome also!

[@FrameRater]

It's kind of reverse psychology. If it didn't say "no" in the title, it would probably get less views because the subject isn't that interesting to many of us, even though we've all heard of these lamps. However, when you bring to mind that no, they don't work... well that's more interesting because I'm asking myself "why doesn't it work"? Which the video is destined to answer. So in conclusion, it's almost more clickbait than it otherwise would be. But there's nothing wrong with clickbait.

[@lifescansdarkly]

r/savedyouaclick

[@luisedgardomontijo3155]

I'll help with that.

[@notjustforme]

I love scientist. "so this means that there are no ions" "we certainly weren't able to detect any"

[@antiawarenessawarenessclub]

That's authentic scientific method thinking right there XD

[@OmnistrikeRZ]

It's because they didn't cover it in essential oils

[@notjustforme]

@@OmnistrikeRZ probably forgot the chant as well. Should've also protected the nozzle with a thin sheet of silk to keep interfering dark forces out, those eat ions. Amateurs.

[@hechicero89]

So, there are no ions.... Woohoo woohooo I didn't say that...

[@malicumalicious]

@@notjustforme I think it was the 5G covering the air, oh and maybe those scientists were vaccinated meaning positive ions from demons..

[@MightyMattTM]

“Are you an ion expert” Doesn’t say yes but gives his list of qualifications that essentially says yes

[@AJ_Deadshow]

I think he just didn't want to be known as an "Ion Expert." Maybe his research goes beyond that, anyway

[@MusangLaut2]

you wouldnt call an electrician a bulb expert lol

[@hullion]

there's no such thing as ion expert except for laymen and hippies maybe. so if i was asked about that i would be very, very embarrassed to say yes even if i was, in fact, an ion expert.

[@drops2cents260]

@Gernot Schrader "Are you an anion expert?" "No, but I'm a cook, so you could probably call me an _onion_ expert..." **ba-dum tsss**

[@JeffSpurlock]

@@MusangLaut2 my father in law and brother in law are both electricians. You can bet your ass i'm going to refer to them as bulb experts from now on

[@SharDances]

Well I don't know about you guys but I love my salt lamp. I have anxiety and depression and the cozy glow of the lamp brings warmth, comfort, and relaxation to me. 😌 And with that, I say it works for me.

[@crinklecake53]

the slow nod of a man with a secret stash of tourmaline lamps in his house

[@forasago]

And resulting high amplitude alpha waves.

[@anonanon3066]

thats why hes so happy

[@gerald4027]

We could be related if your family lives in or came from Minnesota.

[@digidragon1]

I wonder if it will work with my black tourmaline from a nearby mine.

[@gerald4027]

@@digidragon1.be better to make a laser.

[@bobithekid]

Best scientific wording: - So, your conclusion after testing this device is that's producing no negative ion? - We're certainly not able to detect any negative ions.

[@Linshark]

So true, his statement is clearly correct. He can't know for sure if there are coming ions from the device.

[@m3fpv253]

This was my favorite part of the video!

[@jen9150]

I love how it's such a scientific way of thinking. We don't see one test and say it's 100%. We test our hypothesis over and over again before we even call it a "theory"

[@iwantitpaintedblack]

Thats not scientific, its PleaseDontSueMeology

[@royschreiber1]

@@iwantitpaintedblack Not true, there are multiple reasons why a mass spectrometer may not detect ions. I myself have injected ions into a mass spectrometer and not seen any meaningful signal.

[@Ivytheherbert]

That salesman basically claimed the lightbulb inside the lamp was hot enough to sublime salt, but still safe to have turned on in close proximity to people.

[@Rig0r_M0rtis]

Technically sumblimation is a matter of pressure not temperature. With high temperature the salt would melt not sublimate.

[@wouterbaake7386]

@@Rig0r_M0rtis sublimation is the phase transformation directly from solid to gas. It is a line on the pressure/temperature phase diagram of a material, so sublimation temperature will depend on the pressure. At some pressures there will be no sublimation because the liquid phase can exist. But as an example, CO2 has a sublimation point at ambient pressure, which is the reason why dry ice exists. But for NaCl at atmospheric pressure it will melt and then boil, so no sublimation.

[@Rig0r_M0rtis]

@@wouterbaake7386 yeah, so? That's just what I said.

[@wouterbaake7386]

@@Rig0r_M0rtis Just clarifying that sublimation is not a matter of just pressure but a combination between temperature and pressure

[@ssnoc]

As you said ... he’s a “salesman”.

[@costeris35]

I often wondered why the mystic shops always sell this type of lamp, I had no idea they were meant to generate negative ions. Very interesting video.

[@georgeblank2648]

They don't

[@wolfetteplays8894]

@@georgeblank2648 according to your materialist worldview

[@costeris35]

@@georgeblank2648 no obviously not. I just did’t know that was what people said they did.

[@costeris35]

@@wolfetteplays8894lol, if you are happy with imaginary ions you also don’t need the ugly lamp.

[@phaedrus3000]

wouldnt it be better if they were designed to produce positive ions? i think we could all do with being a bit less negative. who wants to go into business with me?

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Derek: Do salt lamps work? Me: I thought it’s just a decorative nightlight. So yea, they do work by fulfilling their purpose of decoration.

[@jcsterling9049]

Same, I don’t even know they were supposed to ‘do’ anything other than look cooler than a desk lamp.

[@jockejarbinks3747]

it's a light you can season your food with

[@TheM750]

@@jockejarbinks3747 Wait...you're not supposed to periodically lick them?

[@davebennett5069]

it's a great diffuse light source.

[@BlazingCows]

Exactly the view I came in with and went out with 😂

[@AntsCanada]

Wow! Derek, this is currently my FAVOURITE video you've ever made! Just super enlightening! I had given away our salt lamp years ago. Loved the segment on natural generators of ions!

[@TaguroSuper]

Ant love forever

[@juzoli]

AntsCanada They still looks nice and cozy, that’s why I have them. But I never believed it has any health benefits, which is now supported by science as well

[@Jaffjv]

I think they’re aesthetically pleasing at the very least

[@deuce9livesfan3]

AntsCanada Well hello there, Mikey

[@TheOriginalDeckBoy]

Hahahaaa Mickey... Your all over my favourite channels mate! I'm coming back to the Philli's soon, so hope to meet you.. Derek... There are OZONE water machines where you drink water with high amounts of ozone and it's supposedly good for GUT HEALTH and was wondering if you could debunk that too, or not>?;)

[@wickandde]

I love how humble these scientists are. Respect. 🙏

[@spadaacca]

Im sientist.Negetive ion is real thing.I can sell you something that make it, if you are interes.

[@vyl4650]

@@spadaacca how generous. But solving a bit of salt in water is enough to make ions. And I guess drinking or breathing this should have exactly the same effect

[@Faery69]

@@spadaacca im interested

[@Rich-je9fy]

spadaacca oh yes.plese sell me som vary intrested

[@johnjordan3552]

@@spadaacca It sounds like you are trying to sell weed LoL

[@E4mj]

I love that I never know which direction this channel is going, but that it'll be interesting anyway

[@gompett]

Salesman: "Serotonin is, like, the primary transmitter in your whole body" Acetylcholine: 👀👀

[@skillen8or]

Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine: 👀👀👀

[@dragoncurveenthusiast]

Glutamate, GABA,...

[@physiosayantika]

yeahhh.. where my biochemists and fellow meds at!.... bring it onnnn

[@Petaurista13]

they are good salesmen. They aren't good when the talk to expert of field they are talking about. Or student.

[@picklepirate]

Hahaha underrated comment.

[@SpartanOfLuxon]

I've come to learn when someone is asked if they are an expert on something and they respond with anything other than "yes" or "no". That man is an expert.

[@mg42sd]

8:50 Veritasium: So your conclusion is (..) that it produces no negative ions? Scientist: We are certainly not able to detect any negative ions. That's a true scientist's answer!

[@anilhaksever]

I yelled same thing to the screen. On point answer. No strict conclusions can be drawn through single test with single method on a single sample. But detected evidence as the result of that test can be spoken for.

[@mohammadal-hasan8344]

@@anilhaksever Well said my guy

[@daquan99999]

Yes, I like this answer very much.

[@subinsebastien]

I was about to type this comment, and then I saw your comment at the same timestamp. Thank you.

[@ohevshalomel]

It’s also a politician’s answer. :-D

[@RyanChand-c5b]

just learned what salt lamps are and came here to see if the hype is true. I must say I had my doubts but I remained hopeful. ty for clarifying everything.

[@dhimasaryacahyanugraha7258]

Title: Do salt lamps work? Thumbnail: NO. Me: Understandable, have a nice day.

[@shawnphillips2556]

You: still clicked, watched, and commented

[@realchoodle]

@@shawnphillips2556 he could have just left the comment and went away lol. watch-time is the most important thing on yt now.

[@redwarf8118]

@@realchoodle finally, somebody ;)

[@BerserkBrownie]

When you need a click baity title but you are a man on standard and wont allow pseudoscience to influence people who didnt click or watch through the video..

[@m-yday]

anti-clickbait. I love it. First time I saw it was by Adam Neely. It's great

[@sachiel197]

when I read that title I thought "of course they do, they produce light" wasn't even aware of the negative ion myths

[@RyanTosh]

All of the scientific papers I've read claiming that they produce light weren't verifiable later on. Often the sample sizes were small, and there's very little research indicating these lamps are even _capable_ of lighting a room. The perceived effects could very well be due to the placebo effect, or some other source of light. :)

[@alakani]

I thought they were for attracting animals, they're fun to lick

[@angwydud]

@@alakani wtf

[@angwydud]

@@RyanTosh if this is humor its very bad humor

[@RyanTosh]

@@angwydud Humor's subjective, 18 people would disagree :p

[@ChipEstrada]

Salt lamps do work! If they are plugged in. It was dark in my son's room, so as an experiment I only turned on the salt lamp. Conclusion, it works, I could now safely move around the room as all obstacles were now visible due to the light being cast in the room. To validate the experiment I turned off the salt light then attempted to cross the room. Outcome, I tripped on a pair of discarded sneakers, and I got a bruise from ramming my leg into the corner of the bed frame. YES, the light does work.

[@xxyy1318]

Dad story.

[@Equalsundew]

Just get a lamp no need for this.

[@TRENTINATERx2000]

There is one problem did you perform the experiment with a control group. Are you able to cross the room during the day time? I’d be interested to hear the results.

[@TRENTINATERx2000]

@ This could be something big

[@starbase218]

It's magic!

[@firstlt2]

As a pilot, the part about ozone was the most interesting. Smelling ozone in an airplane usually means there is lightning nearby, along with static on the radios. We can also get St. Elmo's fire on the aircraft structure, so lots of ionization going on...but not very calming.

[@mrwassef]

Professor Beauchamp missed a perfect opportunity to say that he’s been studying ions for eons.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

He missed the perfect opportunity to say he's been keeping an ion them for the last 55 years!

[@mrwassef]

@@Rachel-fi4sc I like yours better

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

@@mrwassef I wish it was original XD I can't take credit; I lifted it from another comment.

He would probably think that 55 years isn't long enough to be called an eon. ;-)

[@enigma591]

Dang it! A two-year old video and I missed the opportunity of posting that comment by two weeks!

[@TheMaestroChannel]

The first time in KZbin history a thumbnail answered a question instead of adding another question that potentially would never be answered.

[@annikarasmussen6616]

He's changed the game lol

[@HermeticWorlds]

Yep that's the only reason I'm watching this, the basic answer has been given now I'll find out the details.

[@adventureike]

Adam Neely has used this approach for several years

[@justthebeginning1448]

How dare you.🤭🤣

[@argh01hass]

And it worked! Like a clickbait question in reverse, I wanted to see how a video with a one-word answer in the thumbnail could possible be 16min long

[@TizonaAmanthia]

I love when you visit a Scientist, and they don't just say "no it does nothing" they say "Interesting, well, let's go test this thing with a very specific machine I've been working on for the last 50 years."

[@theman13532]

maybe because it might not actually be true that something does something, or if it did in the past maybe it didnt in the future due to better technology edit: in other words, its cool

[@oneverymadlad1124]

The kind of people who buy this stuff take more than just a no from a credible person to concede

[@TizonaAmanthia]

@@oneverymadlad1124 a sad truth, indeed. the ones who would visit an authority on a subject, and then ask for a second opinion, and then get frustrated when that second opinion coincides exactly, because they didn't get the answer the WANTED.

[@AMK544]

Mass spectrometers aren’t a very specific lab. I’ve been working in science and every lab I work on has had one (my current lab actually has dozens of them). They’re pretty much the most useful tool in chemistry!

[@TizonaAmanthia]

@@AMK544 yes, fairly true. but, I more meant it's specific in what it does, it is not a heating mantle, or a beaker. like a microscope it has a fairly specific use. but...this is a comment from 2 months ago you're replying to. iunno what I was thinking at the time, nor care.

[@Jake-rp7wp]

This is the best possible video to show to the astrology and zodiac people that love these things. Not only do you disprove that it does anything at all with a literal giant stack of evidence and experiments that YOU did on your own, you tell them to go outside for once and take a walk if they want their magic happy air. Absolutely brilliant.

[@xxx-ie9ic]

Eh. Those people aren't hurting you, me, or themselves. Sounds like you're harping on 'em just because they have something that makes them happy and you don't.

[@buteverybodycallsmegiorgio]

I absolutely love how scientists maintain plausible deniability at all time. - "are you an expert in ions?" - "I've been studying ions for 55 years" - "so it's not emitting ions?" - "we certainly cannot detect any ions"

[@dawson3776]

@@lukenajeeb8255 Basically the scientist is saying there might or might not be ions, the method proven to detect ions has not detected ions. With the expert comment he didn't say he's an expert, he's only studied them for 55 years, written papers about the aspects of ions. He doesn't throw bold claims, merely expel the data he has.

[@denmanfite3156]

That's not plausible deniability. That is the fact he has shown.

[@coalyboi7939]

i was thinking the same thing

[@Palpetinus]

That's what science is, baby. You never say "we know", you say "by our methods, we think that.."

[@KucheKlizma]

How can you possibly mistake stating the facts for plausible deniability? Did you discover the concept one month ago and decided to throw it at anything even remotely similar?

[@rays7805]

These things totally work. I had serious problems with a lack of chalky white mineral deposits on my desk. I got one of these lamps, and I got chalky white mineral deposits in spades.

[@TinCanTap]

no way

[@shanefowler3504]

Too much humidity in the room

[@gilles466]

whoaa

[@upsetmiltosplays3446]

have you considered plasibo

[@rays7805]

@@upsetmiltosplays3446 Wait, like the lamp expected that it was going to leave chalky white mineral deposits, and so it did?

[@Mittens_McG]

"Are you an Ion experct" "I've been studing them for 55 years" That's a real expert. Doesn't want to say yes because there's always more to learn. Just tells you his credentials and lets you decide if you think he's an expert.

[@Fanchen]

me and my brother who says anything about relearning? There’s always more questions upon more discoveries when it comes to science. Smh Autistic or not, you’re the one lacking wisdom.

[@yinyang1217]

@me and my brother eh autism does have some positives

[@raphaelslittletalks]

Dunning Kruger at its finest

[@Northstar628]

@me and my brother It's really simple minded to assume someone has a mental issue based on their field of interest. It's dedicated people the like man in the video whose work has made our lives as comfortable as they are.

[@ricardoalves9605]

Todo McGillicutty He should have said he had been studying them for eons

[@samuela-aegisdottir]

"Are you an expert?" "I have been studying ions for 55 years." We need this level of humbleness and accuracy from our politicians.

[@lohphat]

The salt lamp DID work. It lowered the gravitational inertia of your wallet.

[@theawantikamishra]

Hahaa :D

[@BloodnutXcom]

He paid with a card, SO HA! (I'm fun at parties)

[@brocknchrist]

But he used his card... so no change noted.

[@GrandElemental]

@@BloodnutXcom And if he kept the receipt, it just made things worse! :D

[@randomnpc445]

@@BloodnutXcom Would the act of inserting the card have potentially removed some plastic particles from the card, therefore making it lighter, technically?

[@okwaho5316]

Why do I love scientists as opposed to politicians or religious figures? When asked "So the lamp produces no negative ions" Reply "We are not detecting any negative ions" This answer shows how humble science is in how it constantly strives to find newer better answer and always knows that they could find out something we thought we knew was wrong. Science is humble because it's singular purpose is finding truths. Real science anyways.

[@sharkuc]

Best described by Dara Ó Briain, an Irish stand up comedian who happens to have a degree in theoretical physics, in one of his skits: Apocryphal woowoo peddler: "Well science doesn't know everything." Dara: "Well yes, but science knows it doesn't know everything, otherwise it'd stop. But just because science doesn't know everything doesn't mean you can just fill in the gaps with whatever fairytale most appeals to you."

[@sharehbutt]

Science is humble, Atheists are Not

[@WhiskersMctabby]

@@sharehbutt Nothing says humble like believing everything was created just for you. :P

@@WhiskersMctabby what science has proven it wasnt?

[@WhiskersMctabby]

@ The observed hostility of just about every single part of the entirety of our cosmos, subtract the tiny portion of habitable parts of specific planets where life can actually evolve. All science, especially biology and genealogy tells us that life adapts to the world it lives in. That's why things seem so perfect in many ways, when really they're not. We have science to thank for the food we eat, the technology to live in different harsh climates, etc... It's humble to question our existence, not to assert whatever hypothesis you wish to be true despite who it harms.

[@catmilk24451]

Obviously he didn't believe in what the salt lamp sales was saying, but he didn't laugh at him, question him or did anything that might make him feel uncomfortable. Really appreciate that.

[@WhatACoolArrow]

I agree Derrick's approach is the preferred way of dealing with those kind of people. But l wouldn't judge anyone harshly for intentionally embarrassing that guy. At the end of the day he is a con-man profiting off of lieing to people, if someone goes in his store and makes a fool of him I wouldn't feel bad

[@tidescent]

I also appreciate that Derek didn't make fun of the salesman. But I would not fault him at all if he asked questions. Questions get us thinking. They cause us to reconsider what we believe. Yes, it can be uncomfortable to be wrong about something. But that's often how we learn new things. Think about famous experiments. How many of them turned out exactly as the scientists expected? I highly recommend you go watch Veritasium's other video on "The Science of Thinking", where Derek questions people on the street.

[@Tiro_Chopper]

@@WhatACoolArrow I wouldn't call him a con-man. I'm a guy whose teenage years were spent watching Veritasium, Vsauce and Scishow, and am very attached to science and traditional medicine. My gf however, grew up in an environment of astrology, energies and cleansing stones. She believes in it 100%. When she goes to esotheric shops, she's fascinated by what surrounds her. Before I met her, I believed it was all bs and tricking people into buying trinkets. Now, I just see all of that as a refuge for people whose educators have failed to give scientific education. Some people will, out of ignorance, trust the first "american study" they find on the internet that verifies their belief. At least the people who buy cleansing stones say what they believe in is true, but with no pretention of science backing.

[@amancalleddave.3547]

I hope that bloke watched this video

[@pandoorloki1232]

@@Tiro_Chopper Selling stuff by spouting BS is a con.

[@MastermindWisdom]

Watching this video inspired me to buy indoor waterfalls. Would you mind making a follow up video with indoor waterfalls? Using those fancy machines to see indoor waterfalls create negative ions?

[@anderivative]

Fukkin genius. My dad did that in the backyard. I'll get some indoor ones thanks!!

[@RosesTeaAndASD]

I want one that you can fragrance

[@HarjRadio]

The rest of the video aside, I really appreciate this form of advertising from Last Pass. It doesn't intrude the content I'm watching, and respects my time as a viewer. Wish more brands/companies would advertise THIS way.

[@aboriani]

HarjRadio true, I watched the whole thing just to stimulate this kind of ad

[@theespatier4456]

HarjRadio Don’t most of them? Audible, Squarespace etc.

[@synapse0]

Plus it's a really good product. I don't use last pass specifically, but password managers change your online life forever

[@malof7514]

@@theespatier4456 not always alot of youtubers do the sponsor in the middle of the video or start making them into simply skippable ads that you have to seartch for the end instead of pressing a button

[@Jaroneko]

I love the answer of a true scientist to a subjectively graded question. "Are you an expert?" "I've... been studying my field for decades and written several papers on the subject."

[@Yamyatos]

Dunning Kruger Effect. People with little to no competence in a topic are very (overly) confident in their knowledge, while "true experts" (for which this guy most definitely qualifies) are more "humble" about their knowledge, always accepting the possibility that they dont know about something. For all intents and purposes, with decades of research and hundreds of papers published, he could have simply answered "yes", but decided to give the viewer his qualifications and let them decide for themselves. I really liked him in that moment^^

[@lordgarion514]

@@Yamyatos That's not what the dunning-kruger effect is. The dunning-kruger effect is when someone who's basically just stupid in general thinks they're much more intelligent than they are. It has nothing to do with being ignorant in a particular subject.

[@Yamyatos]

@@lordgarion514 Actually not. The dunning kruger effect is not about intelligence at all, but about knowledge / competence. Summarizing it in one sentence would be "an incompetent person cant know how incompetent he is". Not that it really matter tho, since the dunning kruger effect is more of a fun relation to mention online, since it's not actually brought up in any scientific debates a lot.

[@lordgarion514]

@@Yamyatos "In the field of psychology, the Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is." "A cognitive bias is a mistake in reasoning, evaluating, remembering, or other cognitive process, often occurring as a result of holding onto one's preferences and beliefs regardless of contrary information. Psychologists study cognitive biases as they relate to memory, reasoning, and decision-making." TBH, you're simply wrong. And as you can easily see from the definition, just because someone has low ability doesn't mean they have the dunning-kruger effect working on them. But that does not mean the dunning-kruger effect is not caused by low ability. Just like only the flu viruses cause the flu, but just because you get the flu virus doesn't mean you're going to get the flu, but if you do then it was caused by the flu viruses.

[@Yamyatos]

@@lordgarion514 ​ Robert Pruitt As you can see by the definition, the dunning kruger effect is not concerned about intelligence, as you claim it is. In the original paper Dunning Kruger (1999) tested people in social and intellectual tasks (humor, grammar, logic, ..) and found out that people who scored very low still believed they placed over average. He concluded, that people with low abilities regarding a specific field lack the ability to score high, but also the ability to recognize their lack of ability. That's why i earlier said the dunning kruger effect can easily be summarized in the statement "an incompetent person cant know how incompetent he is". This is easily applicable to most mental tasks, but does not reflect or make any statement about the intelligence of a person. It's not about intelligence, but competence (regarding a specific field / topic). Hope that clears things up a bit. If it does not then i dont know what will. Also, Wikipedia is a nice tool to get a rough idea about a topic, but it's wrong way more often than you might think. Normally i'd suggest reading the actual paper, but i'm not sure if it's available for free unless you currently work or study at an university.

[@aravindvissamsetty]

Derek: "Are you an expert on ions?" Prof: "I've been studying hem for over 55 years" Translation: No, I'm not the expert, I'm the guy the experts turn to when they have questions..

[@iplaygames8090]

He was there when it was written.

[@Szydencer]

Opposite end of the Dunning-Kruger effect spectrum at its finest.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

I'm so glad you put a logical and scientific explanation to this craze that gets so misused by certain people.. no offense. The things are still awesome, I collect rocks so I appreciate minerals, crystals but I don't think they heal me in anyway other than the benefit I get mentally and physically by going out and gathering them in Nature, exercising as I collect and gather rocks and hike my dogs. That alone. That experience, the act of exploring, hunting, finding. Is so beneficial to my soul and mind. Then just being out in the woods here in Oregon and exploring the woods is the best type of therapeutic experience for me. It's like active meditation because even tho I am not sitting in one place - I am in a state of hyper awareness and I get in tune with my observation skills more and more each time I go exploring in the woods. There is just something magical about going on a walk in the wilderness by yourself and with your dog. Or, just by yourself if you don't have any dogs. The experience of hiking alone innately teaches you a lot, even if it's subconsciously. Nature is a amazing teacher, and you can learn how to be more connected to yourself, just by practicing going on solo hikes in the woods. (The one thing I am facinated about, is the effects scientist's have found Magnetic field waves are showing medicinal benefits and I'm curious to see where that field of science is going to go and evolve to...? 🧲🧠👍🏻)

[@D1R7Y54N32]

‘It’s just like it’s not even sitting there.” This is one of the many reasons why I love science. No bs. Just observations.

[@stevethea5250]

Is a credit rating the same as a credit score? Yes. In Australia, these two terms are used interchangeably and mean the same numerical score used by lenders. What credit score should you aim for? The higher the better, because your credit score affects your access to better loan and credit card deals. The credit score bands are as follows: Excellent: 833 - 1,200 Very Good: 726 - 832 Good: 622 - 725 Average: 510 - 621 Below Average: 0 - 509 What affects my credit rating? The list of things that can affect your credit report, for better or worse, is pretty lengthy, but here’s a rundown of some of the ways you can help or hurt your credit rating: Good for your credit rating Bad for your credit rating Paying bills on time Applying too often for credit cards or loans Not applying for new credit cards or loans Applying and being rejected for a credit card or loan Paying off outstanding loans and credit card debt Making late payments on your credit card or loan Making your monthly repayments on time every month Bills or payments for at least $150 that are overdue by 60 days or more Having a consistently low balance on your credit card Getting a balance transfer credit card but not repaying the balance transfer by the end of the promotional interest rate period Having an available credit limit much higher than your usual credit balance Getting multiple balance transfer credit cards one after another Hanging onto “good” credit accounts where you have faithfully made repayments on time for several years Source: Canstar, How to improve your credit rating.

[@minepose98]

@@stevethea5250 Ok...

[@rainyday6430]

@@stevethea5250 are you lost?

[@stevethea5250]

@@minepose98 did it help

[@stevethea5250]

@@rainyday6430 perhaps

[@TheMalerdaemon]

4:25 "are you an ion expert?" "I've been studying ions for" was expecting him to say Eons.

[@somebodynamedmorgan]

I'm not alone.

[@notthere83]

I was expecting an "ion man" joke. ;) (Not really...)

[@Male_Parent]

Same

[@joshybpotashy5829]

Yo

[@drftrkjhguvgggfd]

@@notthere83 ION MAN came to mind.

[@thewizard7780]

Even though they don't work in the slightest (my family never fell for that negative ion crap), the novelty of just having a rock that had a lightbulb in it was good enough for us :)

[@WakenerOne]

Yes! It's a ROCK . . . and a LIGHT BULB!

[@wtfbbq]

Jesus Marie, they're not rocks! They're minerals!

[@kellydoyle]

@@WakenerOne 😂🤣😂

[@rdtyphon6684]

@@wtfbbq rocks are minerals

[@wtfbbq]

@@rdtyphon6684 it is a quote from Breaking Bad

[@maypoole5854]

I absolutely love scientists - like imagine working on one specific topic for 30 years and doings 100s of papers on it but you won’t claim to be an expert. They’re the best

[@thecluelessone7296]

Yes, salt lamps work: they glow and if you lick them, they taste salty. Everything you could want of a salt lamp!

[@Anonymous-wy5dc]

I'm teaching mine to get the newspaper for me So far... unsuccessful

[@SteadyGun360i]

@@Anonymous-wy5dc Keep me updated on your training.

[@Anonymous-wy5dc]

@@SteadyGun360i It's a stubborn. I placed some headphones on it playing David Goggin's audiobook on a loop. We'll keep ya'll updated.

[@ちるの9]

I didn’t even know that’s what they were meant to do, I just thought they were supposed to look cool

[@edwilko8819]

you were right the first time sadly a myth has got caught up and become a fact to some less educated. defo just to look good

[@bakedpotato9743]

I have a salt lamp in my room, It's really pretty! but I never thought it would "purify" the air or something

[@MuandingsHyper]

i literally thought it was too look cool and it was just a lamp with a plastic cover

[@ohno7447]

I thought it sucked some of the moisture out of the air. Not nearly as much as a dehumidifier would of course but maybe the equivalent of putting a few silica packets in a shoe box or something. Salt being drying and such. Guess others didn't have that thought

[@greerbriggs8421]

they do something else if you turn them off and on over and over in a hot and cool cycle (like how you'd use a lamp as a lamp) it's not exactly a good thing btw when the lamp turns off: the cool salt absorbs water from in the air (because it's a desiccant) that water from in the air typically also has really tiny dust particles in it as the water hits and soaks into the salt, that dust is depposited onto the salt when the lamp turns on: the heat dries out the water, forcing it out of the salt that deposited dust remains on the lamp IT LITERALLY MAKES ITSELF DIRTY JUST BY BEING USED AS A LAMP

[@CalebJMartin]

Man, this video was a roller coaster! At the beginning, I was certain the idea was little more than fantasy. Toward the middle you almost had me convinced they could help somehow. And then at the end, I had my original beliefs reaffirmed for the exact reasons I came to that conclusion in the first place. A really fascinating dissection of the theory. I have to say, as much as it feels good to have my own understanding solidified by evidence, in retrospect, it was interesting to feel my opinion being slowly shifted by what 'evidence' was initially presented. It's always good to challenge your own beliefs once in a while. Thank you!

[@EcceJack]

Yeah, I can agree with all that you said! The only "saving grace", so to speak, for me was that I kept a thought "to check later", namely: how many molecules even *are* there in a cubic centimetre? But I was also being slowly convinced by the arguments (and was surprised at myself for doing so, but was doing it nonetheless. Mind you, my automatic internal solution to "oh, we need more negative ions in houses?" wasn't "let's buy ionisers", but "I need to open the windows more, then!". A little bit cheaper!)

[@CalebJMartin]

EcceJack I was very surprised too! It was an interesting experience 🙂

[@byronyoung1387]

Take a walk is great advice! But it's not just the exercise but the extroversion and space perception that helps. By orienting and looking outward you get space. Except some people are so stuck in their head, that while their eyes look outward, all their attention is still looking at past pictures in the mind and so they walk does little good because they are not mentally there, focus on the present and give attention to that.

[@davidbaranski7718]

"So which one produces the most negative ions?" Shopkeeper - walks around looking for the most expensive one

[@antigov5275]

That's kinda how things work tho. Usually the dearer the item the better quality it is. Not always tho of course

[@samuelthecamel]

They could all be the same price

[@dutchik5107]

@@antigov5275 it's all salt with a lamp inside. Sure. The size varies. But they didn't get the biggest

[@sobreaver]

yea but did you see the glow in his eyes, that was THE ONE ! LMAO XDDD WAKE UP NEO ;)

[@cinnabonbon]

sobreaver ????

[@SwankiestPants]

I love how the "ionizing air PURIFIER" produces air that would be considered smog and as such isn't safe to breathe, seems like it should be renamed

[@GoTeamScotch]

Ionic Wheeze

[@joshuasukup2488]

The 55 years of ion study guy was hesitant to say it was the same thing that others called "smog". He knew he didn't do enough "smog" research.

[@officialnickname]

Yeah it's not really good for humans. Only use I know of is in green houses to compensate for a lack of fresh air supply.

[@Lunarcreeper]

@@joshuasukup2488 he wouldn't have lied then lmao. plus when i'm a closed room.... it will build up. it's the opposite of purification. get it right.

[@kirathekillernote2173]

Ionic asphyxiator or Ironic air ourifier

[@chameleonedm]

I love scientists "So you're saying this doesn't create any negative ions?" "I'm saying that we aren't detecting any" His reponse to that question should be considered. He chose his words extremely carefully, we could all learn from this

[@pprophet]

i didnt catch that at first, goes to show how objectively his brain works

[@miguelmartin2821]

how can we learn from this? bozo?

[@coolcatjk30]

@@miguelmartin2821 the lesson learned is that u can still speak ur truths without being a jerk. It's the difference between trying to educate someone vs just putting them down. You can be right about something without the need to verbally attack someone. Just like u can ask a question without attacking someone. Seems like a lesson u need to learn 🤷‍♂️.

[@christian5256]

@@coolcatjk30 What? No, the lesson is that he's a scientist who doesn't jump to conclussions. It's like the difference between walking into a dark room and saying "there's nothing here" and "I don't see anything."

[@punk4226]

@@coolcatjk30 Seems like you did not get the lesson at all. He isn't dismissing the idea but rather he is saying there is no evidence to support such a claim.

[@SharonChaney-z4s]

Like everyone I like the humility of the Professor at Caltech that didn’t say he was an expert, stated his experience. He obviously doesn’t work in the world of business that breeds arrogant “experts,” like the salesman. The Professor is a good, smart man.