The modern world overwhelms us with sounds we didn’t ask for, like car alarms and cell-phone “halfalogues.” What does all this noise cost us in terms of productivity, health, and basic sanity?
Sep 16
How to Be a Double Unicorn, with John Urschel | Better in Person
He was thriving in the N.F.L., but then he decided to focus on mathematics — a subject he now teaches at M.I.T. John walks Stephen Dubner through the whole story, teaches him some blocking techniques, and explains why some infinities are bigger than others. If you'd like to see t ... Show More
32m 32s
Sep 11
686. Why Is It So Hard to Find an NFL Quarterback?
For decades, teams have tried (and mostly failed) to predict which college quarterbacks will thrive in the pros. Is the science finally catching up? Stephen Dubner speaks with a scout, a psychologist, a data warrior, and a Hall of Fame quarterback who nobody wanted. SOURCES:Scott ... Show More
58m 20s
Jan 2023
Have we lost our manners when it comes to noise pollution ?
A year after we reopened as a society, some of us are still trying to adjust to the noise of everyday life. But have we gotten louder, playing Instagram out loud on the Luas, shouting in the street late at night. Has Ireland become selfish and has the world turned louder? Is it a ... Show More
10m 43s
Feb 2019
Why noise is bad for your health -- and what you can do about it | Mathias Basner
Silence is a rare commodity these days. There's traffic, construction, air-conditioning, your neighbor's lawnmower ... and all this unwanted sound can have a surprising impact on your health, says noise researcher Mathias Basner. Discover the science behind how noise affects your ... Show More
10m 4s
Aug 2023
Ep.83 Silence: A Necessity In A Noisy World
We've become so used to receiving constant stimulation from our environment that now silence has become uncomfortable. When doing chores, driving, eating by ourselves, or walking on the street, many of us always accompany it with some kind of entertainment. Some of us listen to m ... Show More
41m 14s