Why We Do What We Do

Empathy is a common term that has an elusive definition and nebulous parameters. In this first episode, we set out to walk through definitions of empathy and try to narrow it down to its most critical features. Further, we describe the scientific attempts to objectively measure empathetic observation. Next week, we will explain the development of empathy and when people become extremely empathetic...

Today, wiping our anuses after defectating seems so natural as to be just a part of being human. But, most animals do not wipe their anuses. And, toilet paper is a relatively recent invention. How did toilet paper become the ubiquitous necessity that it is now? We explore a brief history of toilet paper in this mini. Links and References:  https://youtu.be/5vZ4-UHszs4?si=jZi61Go5u0nQmEYh https://y...

The second part of this discussion explores that actual attempts at implementing some version of UBI in various parts of the world. It sounds good, but would it even work? If so, how? There are many reasons to be skeptical that anything like this will ever work at scale, but let's see what we can learn about how it has performed and what, if anything, that tells us about what we can do in the futu...

How much money is your life worth? In the transactional scheme of our modern world, some people have taken on the somewhat macabre task of assigning a dollar amount to human lives. So, how is this calculated? We'll tell you all about it here.  Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links:  https://www.kotaklife.com/insurance-guide/about-life-insurance/how-to-calculate-human-life-valuehlv Beco...

Universal Basic Income is a policy proposal to provide everyone in a closed system with a no-strings-attached cash infusion on a regular schedule such as every month. Some people love it, some people hate it, most people have never heard of it. In part one, we mostly review the history and arguments for and against this idea. Would you like $1,000 just because? Recommendations Abraham: Toshiba: ht...

Another quick review of a a logical fallacy. This time, we dive into the Middle of the Road logical fallacy, which many people inadvertently fall prey to. Of course, all you smart people already know this. But hopefully, this refresher will heighten everyone's sensitivity to it for a little while.  Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links:  https://youtu.be/VDGp04CfM4M https://yourlogical...

Many of us will blame our most instinctual behaviors, impulses, and drives on the vestigial, reptilian parts of our brains. My lizard brain made me do it! What is the science and evolution behind this impulsive little humunculous?  Recommendations Abraham: Daich Coatings ( https://daichcoatings.com/shop/luxrock-solid-surface-countertop/ ) Shane: Dope ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3850214/ )  Holi...

Employers should consider what they are incentivizing and de-incentivizing when they put certain policies in place. One such common policy is to make employees to use their PTO when taking sick days. This can seriously backfire. Psychology to the rescue! Links:  https://www.trinet.com/insights/if-an-employee-gets-sick-after-using-all-of-their-paid-time-off-pto-for-the-year-am-i-obligated-to-grant-...

People often invoke our impulses by referencing the lizard part of our brains. What is this vistigial reptillian cortex that weilds so much power over our most base instincts? We'll unpack what this term is supposed to mean. Further, we explore the evolutionary, psychological, and scientific history of this idea and the "evidence" for it. Join us for a romping good take down. Recommendations Abrah...

We can broadly categorize our levels of confidence or purpose of scientific data based on the amount of and quality of the information we have about the phenomenon of interest. People hear these terms but don't fully understand what we mean when we call something a "theory," "law," or "hypothesis." We explain them here today. Support us at Patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links:  https://chem.libretexts....

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we needed to release another nostalgia episode this week. This was our second most popular episode ever. Dr. Steven Hayes ("Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life") joins us to discuss the concept of "grit" as well as share several personal anecdotes. Enjoy this rerun of a popular classic.  Support us at Patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Become a supporter of this po...

Mood rings change color to inform the external world about our emotional states. How does this magical jewelry make our most private, inner experiences overtly observable? Most people know this is temperature-based reaction... and it is. But, we'll explain how and what it means, if anything.  Links:  https://thebannercsi.com/2020/03/22/the-science-and-history-behind-mood-rings/ https://www.atlasob...

Do pandas have thumbs? Kind of. We should periodically take the time to acknowledge and admire the significan role our biological morphology affects our psychology as a species. Aside from language, humans have a simple adaptation that wsa likely crucial to how we have evolved as a species.  This is our episode all about thumbs!  Recommendations Abraham: No Hard Feelings ( https://www.sonypictures...

Many people have taken a strong stance for a particular approach to reasoning: either inductive or deductive. However, we are going to try to argue that these approaches are not fundamentally different and any attempt to distinguish them is arbitrary. Did we succeed? You decide :)  Support us at patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-d...

What does it take to put on a conference? We invite speical guests Jackie and Tyanna to talk about how and why they are a part of the team that organizes the Black Applied Behavior Analysts Conference (BABA). Special sale today for listeners who are interested in attending online or in-person. Learn more at https://babainfo.org/ or https://babainfo.org/conference/ Become a supporter of this podcas...

Our least scripted, most free-form discussion ever! Abraham doesn't even tell Shane the topic until after hitting record. This is the most raw, actual conversation ever recorded as an episode for this show. We discuss whether and to what extent and understanding the underlying philosophy of something is important for being a professional or expert in that thing. What do you think? Email us your th...

Do you know all seven of the wonders? Do you know how they were chosen? As a species, we seem to be fascinated with lists and ranking things. So, let's talk about this particular list (or lists) and learn something new. If I live to see the seven wonders... As Fleetwood Mac would say.  Recommendations Abraham: 7 Wonders: Architects ( https://www.rprod.com/en/games/7-wonders;https://www.rprod.com/e...

The idea that stress turns our hair gray has been the punchline of many jokes. Do those of us with anxiety gray sooner? We do a quick dive into the science of graying hair and to what extent stress may be related to the accelerated pace of graying.  Join us on Patreon! patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References:  https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/04/how-stress-causes-gray-hair#:~:text=A%20new%...

Oh rare Friday release! This is our follow up to our nostalgia episode on Social Media addiction. Enjoy! This concludes our mult-month coverage of the topic of addiction for now. Next week, we'll be back totaly new non-addiction-related conten. Recommendations Abraham: Gattaca ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/ ) Shane: My daughter graduated high school! Holidays for Part 2 Daniel Boone Day H...

Recorded in the early days of the pandemic, we are resurrecting this little gem to put a cap on our series of addiction-themed episodes. Amazing how much and how little has changed since then. The 2nd part will come out later this week and will have additional content to update the conversation on Social Media addiction.  Recommendations Scott: Mystic Vale ( https://www.alderac.com/mystic-vale/ )...

WARNING: Contains discussion of death, murder, and mutliation which some listeners may find disturbing. Who even wants to think about this? A lot of people, it turns out. This would have been well-suited for a Halloween release. Oh well. Enjoy this weird survey of books held together by peices of people.  Links:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETDr8PQ00ag https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-2790374...

Wishful thinking, empty promises and empty threats, and shaming don't work to treat addiction. People have been trying to strategize ways to overcome addiction for centuries. Have we finally gotten it right? We are certainly doing a lot better now. We unpack that long history and current research around treating addiction. Recommendations Abraham: Fall Guy ( https://www.thefallguymovie.com/ ) Shan...

Is catnip "drugs" for your cat? Why does it affect them the way that it does? We explain what is going on in the brain and the behavior of cats when they get ahold of this werid herb, and what would happen if you gave catnip to a lion. Links:  https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/crazy-catnip#:~:text=Researchers%20suspect%20that%20the%20herb,growl%20at%20the%20same%20time . http://www.compoundc...

Another example of behavioral excess of things that are biologically necessary. Again, the utility of calling this an "addiction" is questionable, and we will ask that question in this discussion. We'll dig into the history of food addiciton, the criteria for food addiction, and treatment for food addiction. Of course, we are going to bring a skeptical analysis as well.  Recommendations Abraham: H...

Traffic is the worst. But, why do traffic jams happen in the first place? Am I the problem? Are you the problem? Are we all the problem?! We'll unpack what you can do to help end congested traffic, what policies can help make this happen, and the science and psychology of phantom traffic! Links and References:  https://commuterbenefits.com/2020/02/5-ways-to-end-heavy-traffic/ https://ops.fhwa.dot....