Laugh and the world laughs with you, or so you might think. But watch any good comedian on TV by yourself and chances are you’ll laugh a lot less than if you were sat in a lively comedy crowd watching the same comedian in the flesh.
But why is that? Do people from different cultures and corners of the world all laugh at the same things? These are questions ... Show More
Jul 4
Can we harness solar energy from other stars?
Listener Dickson Mukisa from Uganda has been gazing up at the stars. But he’s not making wishes. He wants to know whether we can harness their energy, in the same way we do with our OWN star – the sun. After all, they may seem small and twinkly to us, but each one is a gigantic f ... Show More
26m 28s
Jun 20
How can we persuade more people to cycle?
Cycling is good for our health, good for the planet, and it can be an efficient way of moving around busy cities. But despite all the rational arguments for it, in most cities the number of people who get on their bikes is low.CrowdScience listener Hans wants to know whether it’s ... Show More
26m 28s
Sep 2020
Laughter: The Best Medicine
If you listen closely to giggles, guffaws, and polite chuckles, you can discern a huge amount of information about people and their relationships with each other. This week, we talk with neuroscientist Sophie Scott about the many shades of laughter, from cackles of delight among ... Show More
46m 19s
Apr 2022
Pourquoi faire rire les autres nous réchauffe-t-il le coeur ?
Comme pour les grands singes, le rire a un intérêt tout particulier dans l’évolution de notre espèce. Par exemple, vous saviez que l’humour, c’était une tactique super rentable en termes de temps et d’efforts, pour créer du lien dans un groupe ? En moyenne, nous rions 15 à 20 foi ... Show More
49m 53s
Jun 2022
Humor Us
Humor can lighten the mood. But it can also provoke, cajole, and inspire. This hour, TED speakers share how we can wield humor as a tool across all aspects of our lives. Guests include comedian Marcia Belsky, computer scientist Vinith Misra, behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker, c ... Show More
50m 48s
Feb 2024
Richard Lewis : Comedian reactions, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and asking Don Rickles to meet Frank Sinatra
In the world of comedy, there are a select few who leave an indelible mark on the industry. Richard Lewis, the legendary comedian, was one such individual. With his unique comedic style, candidness about his struggles, and memorable appearances, Richard Lewis became a favorite am ... Show More
14m 29s