Why does this thing exist? (Podcast)

In this episode two bald, flabby men in the early forties discuss the trousers that the young people are wearing nowadays, marvel at the tremendous public art on display in Hungary, and then smell their brains burning while discussing something to do with chemistry or something. 

Extreme distressed jeans - First (cheaper) pair:  https://www.emmiol.com/high-waist-expose-frayed-ripped-product239515.html

Extreme distressed jeans - Second (pricier) pair: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/extreme-cut-out-jeans-seams_n_5ae8ce81e4b00f70f0eccf26

Columbo statue in Budapest (via Atlas Obscura) - https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/columbo-statue 

Wikipedia: Trost Ligand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trost_ligand  

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In this episode Dean and Simon witness a load of very famous people fail to cook food properly, ponder whether one of the 20th Century’s most widely read authors murdered one of the 20th Century's most celebrated musicians, and then explore the history of one of the 20th Century’s most loved creatures. They also continuously confuse Jimmy Wales with James Whale but they’ve since realised their error and are ashamed of themselves.

Morrisons’ Christmas advert 2007 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyWBqoINakc 

Tesco Christmas advert 2007 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJfJOkRFZbo 

Sainsbury’s Christmas advert 2007 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwf2cmrEF6U 

M&S Christmas advert 2007 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNRnHHgS3Y 

Morrisons Christmas Advert 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L89G9H5U9YE 

Steve Lightfoot’s website – lennonmurdertruth.com  

Steve Lightfoot’s bus (images via Twitter): https://imgur.com/JnRICDl and https://imgur.com/NKkQLkr 

Wikipedia: Dichomeris homaloxesta - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichomeris_homaloxesta

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In this episode Dean tries to lay the blame for the state of this country on a series of unlikely targets, Simon relates detail of a truly excellent deal for all alco-hounds, and both of them wallow in ignorance like the big smooth pigs they are. 

Captain Beany – https://captainbeany.com/ 

Ice Club - https://www.ice-club.co.uk/product-page/big-rocks  or https://imgur.com/czyLj7Q 

Wikipedia:  Sam Houston State Bearkats football - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston_State_Bearkats_football 

K.C. Keeler - https://imgur.com/lyXSauU  

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In this episode you, the listener, will hear an interesting pitch for the next phase of super-hero movies, meet an important businessman, and then find yourself left slack jawed in wonder as the ‘Random Wikipedia Article’ conversation branches out like a glorious tree. 

The Jeremy Renner App (via Nathan Rabin’s website) - https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2019/9/9/hawkeye-misses-the-target-case-file-141my-year-of-flops-ii-38-jeremy-renners-app 

Man on bike, towing a bucket, carrying a black Labrador on his shoulders- https://imgur.com/ebp1LNW 

Wikipedia: Zach Hadel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Hadel 

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In this episode Simon’s failure to comprehend Dean’s submission and the general shabbiness of his own offering leads him to spiral downwards to a dark place. Can the listener’s favourite section “Random Wikipedia Article” improve his mood? Have a listen and find out. 

The Mangosteen Song - https://open.spotify.com/track/0VOrdK6TIeRqp5CMa37HUa?si=880e1cd956da441d 

Full album ‘Romeo Eats Part 1’ - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5woC1o9bxzyhV7sXR5t5Nd?si=EWox3rb5QV2aOf-zBQUVvA 

Goose measuring spoon – https://imgur.com/ZRAimNI

Wikipedia: Central African Republic at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic_at_the_2017_World_Aquatics_Championships 

“Freddie, your Shreddies are ready!” advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6KxBpIOKKI 

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Episode 2: “Technologically impossible and morally sickening” 

In this episode Simon and Dean balk at the idea of self-awareness as they discuss the importance of releasing your art with a well-thought-out marketing strategy and then they take an in depth look at a disgusting ornament.  

E=AM2: The Fourteenth Paradigm Shift - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07964W6N5/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 

Blue Dog Sniffing Ginger Boy’s Ringpiece (Ceramic) – https://imgur.com/yWp2akO

Wikipedia Article: Invader Zim (comics) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_Zim_(comics) 

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Episode 1: “Free range heads” 

Welcome, friends, to Episode 1 of ‘Why does this thing exist? (podcast)’. It’s the podcast where neuroscientist and author, Dr Dean Burnett (names of books Dean wants to flog) and his oldest friend in the world, Simon Feeley (some guff on BBC radios 4 and Wales, years ago) present each other with things, things they find confusing and perplexing, and have a little chat about them.  

In this episode Simon and Dean discuss a harrowing short film with a familiar soundtrack, conduct an experiment in taste and then lightly tiptoe around a topic they have very little knowledge of. 

Tom and Jerry, My Immortal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kRm6CFTDk8 

Heinz Saucy Sauce - https://www.heinz.co.uk/sauces/mayonnaise/product/100185200020/saucy-sauce 

Sauce Experiment - qOTqpXa.jpeg (3024×4032) (imgur.com) 

Wikipedia Article: Korina Adamou - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korina_Adamou 

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Podcasts are very common these days. There are literally dozens of them out there. But most podcasts tend to be about people talking about something they know and care a lot about, in an effort to share their wisdom with the listeners. 

But what about a podcast that… doesn’t do that? That instead does the opposite? What about a podcast where those responsible actively and knowingly don’t understand the thing they’re talking about? What if that was the whole point? 

And that’s what this is about. The brand-new podcast “Why does this thing exist? (podcast)”, where neuroscientist, science author, and all round ‘online person’ Dr Dean Burnett and his oldest friend, Simon Feeley, get together and present each other with something they’ve found, some bit of bizarre flotsam plucked from the churning tides of modern society, that they just don’t get, where they don’t comprehend the thinking behind bringing such a thing into existence.  

They'll also be further exposing their ignorance to all concerned, by plunging into the depths of Wikipedia, the store of all mankind’s knowledge, by bringing up a completely random article each week and seeing what sense, if any, they can make of it. 

So, if you were to see yet another podcast by two middle aged white guys and think to yourself “Why does this thing exist?”, they've got you covered. 

Available every via all your usual podcast platforms and providers, there'll be a new episode released every Wednesday. You can follow the poscast on @WhyExistPod on twitter, @whydoesthisexistpodcast on Instagram, and anywhere else you can find them, if you want to get in touch. 

The Why Does This Thing Exist? Podcast. Because rampant ignorance has never been so much fun.   

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