Smartest Year Ever

Why do we still knock on wood when we’re trying not to jinx something? Gordy explores how ancient tree-worshipping traditions, Christian symbolism, and even kids’ games contributed to this enduring ritual. Learn how other cultures put their own twist on luck—like tugging earlobes or saying “touch iron”—in this fascinating exploration of history and superstition.

Sources:

• Frazer, J. G. (1922). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion.

• BBC Culture: "The Superstition of Knocking on Wood."

• Encyclopedia Britannica: "Origins of Superstitions."

Season 1, Episode 25

Could a beloved video game stop PTSD in its tracks? 🎮 Smartest Year Ever explores the groundbreaking science behind Tetris as Trauma Therapy. Learn how this nostalgic block-stacking game is helping disrupt intrusive memories, reduce trauma, and even curb cravings. Featuring research from Oxford University and beyond, this episode shows how science meets fun in the most unexpected way.

Sources:

Holmes, E. A., et al., "Can Playing the Computer Game 'Tetris' Reduce the Build-Up of Flashbacks for Trauma?" PLOS ONE

American Psychological Association - Using Games to Heal

BBC Future - The Tetris Effect on Mental Health

Follow for daily facts and insights on Spotify, YouTube, and social media @SmartestYearEver.

Ever wondered why Swiss cheese has holes? Gordy explores the quirky science behind these “eyes,” from bacteria and gas bubbles to the surprising role of hay dust. Discover how modern hygiene standards shrank the holes—and how cheesemakers brought them back.

Sources:

• SwissInfo.ch: How Hay Particles Help Make Cheese Holes

• National Dairy Council: Cheesemaking and Fermentation

• Cheese.com: Types of Swiss Cheese

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Did you know pirates were sometimes perfectly legal? Dive into the fascinating history of letters of marque and reprisal, the government-issued permission slips that turned private citizens into privateers—essentially lawful pirates. Gordy uncovers how nations like England, France, and the U.S. used privateers to disrupt enemy trade, boost war efforts, and rake in profits during wartime. Learn about the fine line between hero and pirate, why privateering ended, and whether the U.S. could bring it back.

From the American Revolution to Sir Francis Drake’s exploits, this episode is a swashbuckling journey through history with a twist of modern intrigue. Patriotism meets plunder—it’s a story you won’t forget.

Sources:

• Rodger, N. A. M. (2004). The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649-1815. Penguin Books.

• Starkey, D. J. (1990). British Privateering Enterprise in the Eighteenth Century. University of Exeter Press.

• Kert, F. (1997). Privateering: Patriots and Profits in the War of 1812. Johns Hopkins University Press.

• U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 11: Letters of Marque and Reprisal.

What exactly are DEFCON levels, and why do they feel straight out of a doomsday movie? In today’s episode, Gordy breaks down the Defense Readiness Condition system used by the U.S. military to gauge national security threats. Learn the difference between DEFCON 5 (peacetime calm) and DEFCON 1 (nuclear war imminent), the real history behind DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why DEFCON 3 isn’t always as ominous as it sounds.Discover how DEFCON compares to Threat Levels, dive into fascinating historical tidbits, and impress your friends with facts that go far beyond Hollywood drama.Closing Thought: “DEFCON: A countdown you’d rather not see hit one.”

Contents:

1. What DEFCON stands for and its 5 readiness levels

2. Why DEFCON 1 has never been declared

3. A surprising story about DEFCON 3 during the Yom Kippur War

4. How DEFCON differs from Threat Levels

Sources:

• U.S. Department of Defense. Defense Readiness Condition.

• Cuban Missile Crisis History, DEFCON 2 and the Brink of War.

• Encyclopedia of Military History, DEFCON Levels: A History of Readiness.

Follow Gordy on @SmartestYearEver across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Spotify for your daily dose of fascinating facts.Stay curious, stay clever. See you tomorrow in the Smartest Year Ever!

How did people wake up on time before smartphones or alarm clocks? Gordy explores the ingenious—and sometimes bizarre—solutions humans used to get out of bed. From ancient water clocks that dripped their way to morning gongs, to the medieval church bells that served as the neighborhood alarm, and even Industrial Revolution knocker-uppers who literally knocked on windows with sticks, history proves we’ve always struggled with mornings. Don’t miss the story of the candle alarm, where a nail dropped onto a plate as the candle burned down.

Discover how the first mechanical alarm clocks were reserved for the wealthy and how mass production finally brought alarms to the masses. You'll never think of your phone alarm the same way again!

Sources:

• Dohrn-van Rossum, G. History of the Hour: Clocks and Modern Temporal Orders. University of Chicago Press.

• Bedini, S. A. The Life of Clocks: From Ancient Timekeeping to Modern Chronometry. Horological Society of America.

• National Trust (n.d.). The Role of the Knocker-Up in the Industrial Revolution. Retrieved from nationaltrust.org.uk

Follow @SmartestYearEver on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and YouTube for daily facts and full episodes!

Did your last name reveal your ancestors' profession? Turns out, it probably does! In this episode, Gordy dives into the fascinating history of surnames like Smith, Baker, and Cooper to uncover how jobs shaped identities. From blacksmiths forging tools to chandlers crafting candles, these names tell stories of a world where your trade defined who you were. But what about names like Fletcher, Webster, or Wainwright? Join Gordy to uncover the surprising origins of these everyday last names.

Discover the hidden histories of surnames and the professions that built them—because what’s in a name is often a window into the past.

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

Sources:

• Hanks, P., & Hodges, F. (1988). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.

• Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge.

• National Trust Names Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from nationaltrustnames.org.uk.

When is it half-staff and when is it half-mast? Gordy dives into the origins and proper usage of flag terminology, revealing why it depends on where you are—and even the pole you’re talking about! Learn how centuries-old traditions, like lowering flags to honor the fallen, connect us across time. Plus, discover the hidden meanings behind upside-down flags and how they signal distress.

In this episode:

• The difference between half-staff and half-mast

• The symbolism of lowered flags in mourning

• A curious twist: what an upside-down flag means

Sources:

• United States Code: Title 4, Chapter 1 – The Flag Code

• Naval History and Heritage Command

• Smithsonian Institution

Follow Gordy on @SmartestYearEver (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts) for daily facts! Find full episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Master Description (For YouTube and Spotify):

In 1932, Australia declared war—on emus. Yes, you read that right. When 20,000 of these giant, flightless birds invaded Western Australia's farmland, the government sent machine guns to solve the problem. What followed was a hilariously chaotic and ultimately unsuccessful military campaign. From emus dodging bullets like feathered tanks to soldiers literally losing a war to wildlife, the Great Emu War is one of the most bizarre stories in history.

Why did this happen? How did the emus outsmart humans? And what lessons can we take from this epic feathered fiasco? Gordy dives into the wild tale of the Great Emu War, blending history with humor to kick off your weekend with a laugh.

Sources:

• Johnson, L. (2014). The Great Emu War of 1932. Australian History Journal.

• Williams, D. (1996). Emu Ecology and Management. Journal of Australian Wildlife Studies.

• Museum of Western Australia. (n.d.). The Great Emu War: A Tactical Blunder. Retrieved from museumwa.org.au.

Follow us everywhere:YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts: @SmartestYearEverTikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts: @SmartestYearEver

Stay curious, stay clever.

Master Description (For YouTube and Spotify)

What if eating colorful fruits and veggies could make you more attractive? Science says it can! In this episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy dives into the fascinating link between carotenoids—the pigments found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and watermelons—and your skin's natural glow. Discover how these pigments give you a subtle golden tone that studies show is universally perceived as healthier and more attractive. But don’t worry, Gordy also explains how to avoid going too far and turning orange! 🍊

In today’s episode:

1. What are carotenoids, and how do they work?

2. The science behind their effects on attractiveness and health.

3. Why eating veggies beats beta-carotene supplements.

4. The surprising difference between a carotenoid glow and a suntan.

5. The fine line between glowing and carotenemia (yes, that’s a thing!).

Sources:

• Stephen, I. D., & Perrett, D. I. (2010). Effects of skin color on perceptions of attractiveness. Evolution and Human Behavior.

• Whitehead, R. D., et al. (2012). You are what you eat: within-subject increases in fruit and vegetable consumption. PLoS ONE.

• Lefevre, C. E., & Perrett, D. I. (2014). Fruit over sun: Carotenoid skin coloration. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.

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• YouTube: @SmartestYearEver

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Stay curious. Stay clever. See you tomorrow in the Smartest Year Ever!