Why We Do What We Do

How many names do you have? In America, it is very common to have three names, with the second name, called the "middle name," being a way to honor family, or just sound cool. We explain the history and uses of middle names. Listen in and support us if you can: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and Reference:  https://blog.myheritage.com/2024/10/exploring-the-diverse-origins-of-middle-names-from...

We are giving away the secret sauce. This is how to teach reading in Enlighs and how to do it efficiently. It's the rare trifecta of quick, cheap, and good. This first discussion needs to first carefully explain what reading is so that it is clear how teaching it works. Come back for part two to hear the builk of the sequence of curriculum.  Recommendations Metal Lords: https://www.netflix.com/tit...

The idea of holding someone hostage had to start somewhere. Actually, it started much more peacefully than what it evolved into. This episode is an exploration of the history of a word by reviewing Norse mythology. It is a blast, if we do say so ourselves. You're welcome. Join our membership group: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links:  https://norse-mythology.org/tales/the-aesir-vanir-war/#:~:text...

Special guest, journalist Ben Miller, joins us to talk about journalism compared to other forms of "news" and the importance of journalism to a functioning democracy. What do we do to combat the slew of misinformation propogated by real and false "journalists?" Ben has some ideas. Listen in and share your thoughts with us.  Recommendations A Complete Unknown ( https://www.searchlightpictures.com/a...

Everyone knows these squishly, novelty door prizes. Stress balls are touted as being able to help reduce your stress via the mechanical action of squeezing. Do they work to this end? Maybe! We'll explain in this brief, Monday mini.  Join our membership:  www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links:  Yüksel & Güneş (2024). The Effect of Stress Ball on Anxiety and Pain Levels in Angiography: A Randomize...

A lot is made of the potential benefits of massage. Unfortunately, the camp has established firm roots to a lot of other pseudoscience. There seems to be legitimate benefits to getting massage, even beyond the fact that they make us feel good. Let's do the good science to see how we can leverage massage to help the people who would benefit from it the most. And booooo pseudoscience. Recommendation...

A signed copy of a first edition book might fetch you a high price down the road. But why? How does a signature increase the resale value of a book when it doesn't even increase the MSRP of a book? Is it even worth it for authors to spend dozens or even hundreds of hours signing books? We talk about the effect of authors signatures on books and why it increases the value and desirability.  Join ou...

Our second discussion regarding houselessness we finish our review of some of the myths of houselessness as well as some potential solutions. It is a complicated issue, but this means that it will require nuanced, and idiosyncratic solutions. Let's remember our humanity and compassion when considering the people who have the least, and use our best tool, science, to help us resolve the issue.  Rec...

Fake news is a triple threat for manipulating an audience. Boiled down, it is essentially a propaganda technique. We quickly expoore fake news, how it works, and the dangers it poses.  Support us on Patreon www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References:  https://guides.lib.umich.edu/fakenews https://www.webwise.ie/teachers/what-is-fake-news/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spr...

There are a lot of ideas, hypothesis, opinions, and judgements about the issue of houselessness (formerly known as homelessness, sorry RV dwellers). However, there is logic, understanding, and science in this space. We'll explore the turbulent world of the unhoused, what people get wrong, and in the next episode, what we can do about it. Check out the first part of this two-part series.  Recommend...

Conventional wisdom is often wrong One maxim in particular asserts that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Given that every opportunity to do anything is a learning opportunity, the implication of this saying is that no one ever learns anything. We'll tackle this saying, why people believe it, and what is really going on.  Become a supporter on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdp...

We all just endured slogging through yet another ritual of the mysterious tradition of "daylight saving time." This unloved, uniquely bitartisan practice has been excused as energy savings or just fun. You might be surprised at how recent this actually is to be so firmly established throughout all of our society's systems and even across continents. Learn about where daylight saving time comes fro...

Do you impulsively consume smoothies, slushies, or ice cream at a speed that gives you a cold headache? We do. We were wondering what is going on with sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia (brain freeze). We explain why this happens and what you can do about it. Go forth and eat cold stuff to your heart's content! Get ad-free content and bonus materials when you support us on patreon! www.patreon.com/ww...

We originally published this episode February 26, 2020. Today we revisit with some updated research. Listen in to brush up on your imposter syndrome knowledge with some fresh insights into what we have learned in the last five years.  Recommendations Abraham: Meati (https://www.meati.com/) Shane: Grave Conversations with Dave Dastmalchian (https://www.instagram.com/graveconversationsshow/?hl=en) H...

A mini episode seems like th perfect venue for this mini food. This is a very elite/priviliged way to think about food as it is supposed to relate to food themes and presentation styles. We'll talk a little about its history, what it is, and why we do it.  Support us on Patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References:  https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/kitchen-language-what-is-amuse...

The paradox of tolerance is a philosphical thought experiment inspired in part by a curiosity about what gave rise to Hitler. The inquiry extrapolates what happens when allowing in ideas includes allowing in ideas that demand shutting out ideas. More directly, when you tolerate intolerance, you end up with no tolerance, but you must be intolerant to allow tolerance... paradoxically. Be prepared to...

Do thoughts cause behavior? A common question about behavior is how we understand the variables of behavior to be external if we can observe our own internal behavior. That is, how do we umderstand the relation between thoughts and behavior? We explain a concept called the "locus of control" as it relates to unerstanding how behavior is shaped.  Support us at patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Link and Ref...

The current trend to discontinue and dismantle DEI motivated us to look into this suddently controversial issue. DEI will be another corpse on the pile of convenient corpses that were easy targets. But, what does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mean? What are the impacts it has had? What will happen when it's gone? The implications are further reaching than you might think. Recommendations Abraha...

Yet another check-in with the nightmare fuel that is the news. We consider the ramifications of cutting programs that prevent disease from spreading and keep many American businesses and farms afloat. Who needs weight-loss drugs when you can just not have food be available? Should we shorten the name of these to M&P?  Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References: ...

This classic episode revisits some old "research" attempting to assess the inherent morality of humans found in the gaze of babies looking at puppets. If that sounds silly, it's because it is. Updated research further debunks this claim, indicating that the original studies were either flawed or fraud. Check it out with us! Recommendations Abraham: Stamp Swap (https://store.stonemaiergames.com/pro...

Do you get goosebumps and shivers when you hear certain songs? There is a name for this experience: frisson. We discuss frisson and what psychological variables influence this experience.  Support us on Patreon (www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast) Links and References:  https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0dgrs1l/frisson-why-music-can-give-you-chills-or-goosebumps https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.108...

Not the BPA that is commonly advertised as being  not in our water bottles (at least I don't think so...), bloodstain pattern analysis is an investigative tool for analyzing crime scenes. Made popular by the TV show, Dexter, BPA attempts to reverse engineer and recreate a crime scene so as to determine important clues. But in real crime scenes, the evidence is very messy, and analysis can become p...

We plunge into the perilous yet enthralling world of stunt diving into shallow pools—a practice in which the stakes are as high as the platforms. From the daring exploits of Roy Fransen, who set records by jumping into pools merely 8 feet deep from heights of 110 feet, to Darren Taylor, who in 2014 soared from 37.9 feet into a pool just 12 inches deep, these stunt divers push the limits of human b...

Think adrenaline junkies are just chasing the thrill? Think again. From BASE jumping to bull riding, the real high might not be what you think. Join us as we dive into the science of thrill-seeking, break down the myths about adrenaline addiction, and find out what’s really fueling our need for speed and intense stimulation. With extreme sports legends, wild experiments, and a dash of history, we'...

Ever stop to think about how strange it is that women wear fabric over their entire faces during wedding ceremonies? We did, and so we looked into the history of this very strange and very sexist tradition. It's not NOT about warding off evil spirits, in the pagan religions of the past...  Get episodes early and ad free by joining our exclusive Patreon club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and...