Smartest Year Ever

Eye contact can be intense—but lock eyes with a gorilla, and you might be asking for trouble. That’s exactly what happened at the Rotterdam Zoo, where gorillas were getting agitated by staring contests with visitors. The solution? Gorilla Glasses—cardboard glasses with fake eyes to trick the gorillas into thinking you weren’t challenging them to a 400-pound showdown.

In this episode, Gordy dives into the science of primate behavior, the wild story of Bokito, the gorilla who leapt a moat after misreading a human’s intentions, and why direct eye contact is a no-go with these powerful primates. Plus, how one simple optical illusion helps prevent gorilla-human misunderstandings.

So there you have it—if you ever visit a zoo, remember: staring at a gorilla is like starting a bar fight you can’t win.

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Sources:

• Kutsukake, N. (2006). The context and quality of social relationships affect vigilance behavior in wild chimpanzees. Ethology, 112(6), 581-591.

• Ross, S. R., et al. (2009). Zoo visitor behavior influences gorilla behavior. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 120(1-2), 157-164.

• De Waal, F. B. M. (2007). Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved. Princeton University Press.

Ever feel like some people were destined for their jobs? Meet nominative determinism—the uncanny idea that your name might subtly nudge you toward a fitting career. Why else would a neurologist be named Lord Brain, or a urologist be Dr. Stream? And let’s not forget the legend, Usain Bolt, who became the fastest man alive.

Coined in the 1990s by New Scientist, nominative determinism suggests that we may unconsciously gravitate toward careers that match our names. Studies even show Dennis and Denise are more likely to become dentists. But is it real, or just a case of selective noticing? Plus, we’ll dive into aptronyms (fitting but coincidental names) and their opposite, inaptronyms—like Cardinal Sin, the former Archbishop of Manila.

So, do our names shape our fates? Or are we just picking out the funniest examples? Either way, you’ll never look at a name the same way again.

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• Pelham, B. W., et al. (2002). Why Susie sells seashells by the seashore: Implicit egotism and major life decisions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(4), 469-487.

• Rogers, T., & Smyth, K. (2019). Nominative determinism: Do names influence career choices?Behavioral Sciences, 9(1), 1-14.

Sources:New Scientist (1994). Feedback column: Nominative determinism and the laws of coincidence.

For centuries, we’ve been fed a big fat artistic lie. Those sleek, white marble statues from ancient Greece and Rome? They weren’t supposed to be white. They were painted in bold, almost garish colors—think bright reds, deep blues, and even gold leaf.

So why do we think of them as pristine white? Blame time, weather, and Renaissance scholars who assumed the ruins they found were always meant to look that way. Modern science has exposed the truth. Using UV light, X-ray fluorescence, and pigment analysis, researchers have uncovered just how vividly ancient statues were decorated.

This discovery completely rewires our perception of classical art—and might just make you see history in a whole new (technicolor) light.

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Brinkmann, V. (2008). The Color of Life: Polychromy in Sculpture from Antiquity to the Present. Getty Publications.Østergaard, J. S. (2010). Tracking Colors: The Polychromy of Greek and Roman Sculpture in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.Dyer, J. (2016). Investigating the polychromy of ancient sculptures using multispectral imaging. Heritage Science, 4(1), 1-12.

Sources:

Blowing out birthday candles might be the germiest part of your celebration—bacteria levels on a cake can increase by 1,400% when someone makes a wish. But where did this bizarre tradition even come from?

Turns out, ancient Greeks, 18th-century Germans, and soul-stealing spirits all played a role in the evolution of the birthday cake ritual. From offering moonlit cakes to Artemis to Kinderfest candles symbolizing the “light of life,” the history of birthday celebrations is far weirder (and spit-covered) than you think.

So grab a slice (maybe not the one under the candles) and let’s break down the surprising origins of birthday cakes, candles, and wishes—because tradition is weird, but at least it’s delicious.

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Sources:

• Dawson, P., et al. (2017). Bacterial transfer associated with blowing out candles on a birthday cake.Journal of Food Research, 6(3), 21-26.

• Dickie, S. (2014). The History of Birthday Celebrations. London: British Library.

• Davidson, A. (1999). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press.

2/20/25 - Light vs. Dark Roast: Who Wins the Caffeine War?

Does dark roast have more caffeine because it's “stronger,” or does light roast pack more punch because it’s roasted less? Coffee debates get steamy, but here’s the real answer: it depends on how you measure it.

• If you measure by volume (a scoop of grounds), light roast wins—the beans are denser, so you get more caffeine per scoop.

• If you measure by weight (on a scale), dark roast wins—roasting removes moisture, so you end up using more beans per gram.

• But in reality? The difference is small. Your brewing method (espresso vs. drip) and bean variety (Robusta vs. Arabica) make a way bigger impact on caffeine levels than roast type.

So there you have it—your caffeine boost isn’t about the roast; it’s about how you measure and brew. But if you really need more caffeine… just drink another cup.

🔎 Sources:Baggenstoss, J., et al. (2008). Influence of coffee roasting on caffeine content. European Food Research and Technology, 227(5), 1271-1275.Caprioli, G., et al. (2015). Caffeine content in Arabica vs. Robusta coffee: Impact of roasting and brewing method. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(47), 10135-10141.Morais, E. C., et al. (2021). Coffee roasting and chemical transformations: Caffeine stability and degradation. Food Chemistry, 343, 128445.

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Why does male pattern baldness target your scalp but leave your beard untouched? The answer lies in DHT (dihydrotestosterone)—a byproduct of testosterone that miniaturizes hair follicles on your head while supercharging beard growth.

Today, Gordy dives into:

• Why DHT causes balding but boosts facial hair

• The genetic lottery that determines who loses hair

• Why arm and leg hair stay intact while your hairline retreats

• The evolutionary irony behind balding

Your body isn’t losing hair—it’s just moving it around in the worst possible way.

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Sources:Randall, V. A. (2008). Androgens and hair growth. Dermatologic Therapy, 21(5), 314-328.Kanti, V., Messenger, A., Dobos, G., et al. (2018). The biology of hair aging. International Journal of Trichology, 10(5), 161-167.Inui, S., & Itami, S. (2013). Androgen actions on the human hair follicle: Perspectives on androgen-dependent hair growth and alopecia. Journal of Dermatological Science, 70(2), 105-112.

Why do we clap instead of, say, snorting like a pig? 🤔 Applause is so universal that even babies do it without being taught—but where did it start? Turns out, clapping has a deep history, from Roman toga waves to professional clappers hired to make performances seem like a bigger hit.

Ancient Rome had elite squads of applauders, and in 18th-century France, claqueurs were literally paid to clap—or boo if they weren’t compensated. Even Emperor Nero had 5,000 professional clappers ensuring his performances were well-received. But is applause hardwired into us? Some scientists think it’s connected to how chimps drum on trees and how humans synchronize in crowds.

So next time you're clapping, just remember—you’re basically a fancier, less arboreal chimp. 🐵👏

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Sources:

• Goldhill, O. (2016). Why do humans clap? Quartz.

• Macaulay, R. (2009). The Secret Lives of Plays. Nick Hern Books.

• Wilson, E. (2006). Theatre Experience and Audience Reception in Antiquity. Cambridge University Press.

• Iverson, J. M., & Fagan, M. K. (2004). Infant rhythmic movement and communication. Developmental Science.

• Bieber, M. (1961). The History of the Greek and Roman Theater. Princeton University Press.

Is today Presidents' Day or Washington’s Birthday? Thefederal government still calls itWashington’s Birthday, but thanks toconfusion, marketing, and retail sales, the name “Presidents’ Day” took over. It all started with theUniform Monday Holiday Act (1968)—a law meant to give Americans morethree-day weekends by shifting certain holidays to Mondays. But this change had an unintended effect.

Find out how alaw meant to standardize holidays accidentally created a new one, why Washington’s actual birthday is never on Presidents’ Day, and how retailerssealed the deal with sales.

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📌Sources:

• National Archives -Washington’s Birthday: The Truth Behind Presidents' Day

• U.S. Office of Personnel Management -Federal Holidays List

• History.com -How Washington’s Birthday Became Presidents' Day

• Public Law 90-363 (1968) -Uniform Monday Holiday Act

2/16/25 - The Rise and Fall of Holidomes

Once upon a time, you didn’t need to book a flight to escape the cold—you just needed a Holiday Inn Holidome. These indoor vacation hubs promised a year-round paradise, complete with pools, putt-putt courses, and an arcade—all under one giant dome. For kids in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, Holidomes were the ultimate getaway. So why did they disappear? And why do so many people still feel nostalgic for these surreal hotel playgrounds? Gordy dives into the golden age of Holidomes—and their eerie, almost-forgotten legacy.

🎧 Follow Smartest Year Ever for daily facts that make you smarter every day.

🔗 Sources:

• Holiday Inn Archives (n.d.). The Rise and Fall of the Holidome. Retrieved from ihgplc.com/history

• Roadside America (2021). Inside the Lost World of Holidomes. Retrieved from roadsideamerica.com/story/holidomes

• Travel + Leisure (2019). A Look Back at the Golden Age of the Holidome. Retrieved from travelandleisure.com/holidome-history

Pink lemonade—just a fancy version of regular lemonade, right? Not exactly. Its origins are as messy as a circus act gone wrong.

In today’s episode, Gordy uncovers two competing (and equally absurd) stories about how pink lemonade was born. Was it a circus worker’s desperate attempt to make lemonade with sock water? Or was it a lucky mistake involving cinnamon candy? Either way, the drink quickly evolved from questionable origins into an American staple.

And today? Some brands still use real fruit, while others rely on good ol’ Red No. 40—the same dye found in fruit punch and cherry candy. So, what’s really in your glass?

Listen now and add some scandal to your next lemonade stand conversation.

Sources:

• Smithsonian Magazine (2015) - How a Circus Worker’s Laundry Accident Created Pink Lemonade

• Atlas Obscura (2020) - The Surprisingly Murky History of Pink Lemonade

• FDA.gov - Color Additives: What They Are and How They're Used

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