", Edward Jay Epstein's article on the February 1982 issue of The Atlantic highlighting De Beers' aggressive campaign promoting diamonds as an important cultural item.

This dialogue serves as a springboard to a more in-depth discussion of commonly-held beliefs and falsehoods related to that topic, in which Adam provides historical background to explain how the ideas in question became popularized, introducing real-life experts who explain these details, and citing peer-reviewed science studies and other empirical sources from which the information is derived.

At the end of the show's third act, the other characters' frustration will reach a critical point, prompting them to feel demoralized and disempowered.

[7] These actors appear in featured roles, often as historical figures that help illustrate the origins of the ideas that Adam scrutinizes.

[23] On December 1, 2020, Conover confirmed the show's conclusion on his website while announcing the development of a new original series for Netflix called The G Word.

[24] On January 18, 2022, Conover revealed that the show was canceled in late 2019 following job cuts and other cost-cutting measures that affected TruTV in the aftermath of AT&T's 2018 acquisition of Time Warner.

"[27] Reviewing the second season, The Wall Street Journal critic John Anderson wrote, "In short, he's irritating.

"[28] Writing in Fast Company, Christine Champagne described Conover as "the lovechild of Debbie Downer and the coolest, most contrarian college professor you ever had.

Reviews have praised Adam Ruins Everything's ability to encourage critical thinking and change its minds using comedy and facts, even when viewers have strongly-held beliefs to the contrary.

Writing in the Pacific Standard, Andy Dehnart said: While one show may not singlehandedly slow society's metastasizing ignorance or save critical thinking, it does offer a highly effective model for overcoming the roadblocks between our brains and reality...

Writing in The Verge, Sean O'Kane criticized the episode "Adam Ruins Going Green's" representation of a report on electric cars by Slate magazine.