Why Are Some Words Funny?

This small island in the Bay of Bengal is home to one of the last uncontacted peoples on the planet -- and they seem to want to keep it that way. Learn how North Sentinel Island has remained independent in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuf ... Show More

Public death notices about common people are a fairly recent development, and they've changed a lot since their inception. Learn how obituaries went from dry statements to tributes to truth in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/cul ... Show More

When many people share a false memory, that's the Mandela Effect in action -- but how does it happen? Learn how our individual brains misremember stuff and how false memories can spread in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

From the brain’s point of view, what is humor? When something is funny, why do we breathe in and out rapidly? Do other animals laugh? Why do most jokes come in threes? What do mystery novelists, magicians, and comedians have in common? Could AI be truly funny? Join Eagleman this ... Show More

Major storms all get names: Milton, Katrina, Ian, Sandy etc. Why do we name storms? Do the names of storms ever get used again for other storms? Find out as we start this episode with a brief look at the tradition of naming major storms. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-do-hurric ... Show More

Daniel and Kelly answer listener questions about how we measure and define intelligence, hypotheses for why it arises, and why flies are so dumb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Why are Mindy and Guy Raz telling jokes to make a cake? And what does this have to do with the science of COMEDY? We've got the questions AND the answers on today's ground-breaking round of Two Whats?! And A Wow! We're challenging you to find the facts from the fiction about come ... Show More

In this episode, Andrew and Anna continue their chat about the challenges and joys of using humor in different languages. They share stories of failed jokes, moments when humor brought people together, and discuss how different cultures approach comedy. They also share their favo ... Show More

I. Me. My. You. He. She. They. It. To. Of. For. These are all words we use without a second thought. But psychologist James Pennebaker says if we pay close attention to the patterns in speech and writing, we can understand profound things about others, and even ourselves.For more ... Show More

Funding cuts and research censorship have shaken the foundations of America’s health and science agencies, leaving researchers shocked, confused, and afraid. What does this mean for the future of science?For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscriptsFor more, go to vox.com/un ... Show More

In this episode—in which Abby confronts my sister and me about our inability to have fun—discover:1. The one “fun” post that caused more people to unfollow me on social media than any other.2. Why girls may disassociate early from their ability to access fun.3. Science’s insisten ... Show More

Why is Mindy listening for quacks and searching for butt breathers? And what does this have to do with insects?! We’ve got questions AND answers in this round of Two Whats?! And A Wow! We’re challenging you to find the facts from fiction about BUGS! (Originally aired 5/7/21)See P ... Show More

When you use sarcasm in an email or text message, you are skating on thin ice. This episode begins by revealing the dangers of sarcasm in electronic communication and why it can get you in trouble. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/perceptual-asymmetries/201501/do-you-use-s ... Show More