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 or deficient in empathy. 

Recommendations part 1

• Abraham: The Bear (season 3; https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-bear)
• Shane: Gojira performing at the Olympics (https://loudwire.com/gojira-first-metal-band-play-olympics-opening-ceremony-watch/)

Holidays (08/07/2024:

• Aged Care Employee Day (Australia)
• Mom’s Equal Pay Day
• National Beach Party Day
• National Lighthouse Day
• National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day
• National Raspberries and Cream Day
• National Opportunity Day
• National Sea Serpent Day
• Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
• Professional Speakers Day
• Purple Heart Day
• Exercise with your Child Week
• International Assistance Dog Week
• International Clown Week
• International Mathematicians Week
• National Bargain Hunting Week
• National Minority Donor Awareness Week
• Simply Your Life week
• Weird Contest Week
• World Breastfeeding Week
• Marine Week
• Child Vision Awareness Month
• National Breastfeeding Month
• Beautiful in your Skin Month
• Cheerleading Safety Month

Links and References:
Links: 

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy
2. Luciano, et al. (2020). Perspective taking, empathy, and compassion. In Applied Behavior Analysis of Language and Cognition (Fryling et al, Eds). Oakland, CA: Context Press
3. Wilson, D. S., & Hayes, S. C. (2018). Evolution and contextual behavior science. Oakland, CA: Context Press. 
4. Barnes-Holmes et al. (2001). Psychological development. In Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language and Cognition. New York, NY: Klewur Acadmic/Plenum Press
5. Skinner, B. F. (1974). About behaviorism. New York, NY: Random House.
6. https://www.humintell.com/2019/05/the-cultural-significance-of-smiling/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6169872/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10427576/#:~:text=Several%20studies%20showed%20that%20adults,develop%20alexithymia%20and%20low%20empathy.
9. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1541204020939647
10. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-88174-004
11. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13554794.2013.826695
12. https://uktherapyguide.com/empathy-disorder-what-is-it-symptoms-and-how-to-overcome-it
13. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/apr/29/confessions-of-a-hyper-empath
14. https://www.verywellmind.com/hyper-empathy-in-autism-8426957
15. https://www.theedgetreatment.com/hyper-empathy-disorder-what-happens-when-you-feel-too-much/
16. https://www.psychalive.org/empaths/
17. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-finesse/202202/the-challenges-being-empath

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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: 

1. https://youtu.be/5vZ4-UHszs4?si=jZi61Go5u0nQmEYh
2. https://youtu.be/IVTRpTHPs3o?si=cvQs7cSm7TV3sZtj
3. https://youtu.be/50_O6YWJPMk?si=KyNJ07QxrX6SI73D
4. https://www.history.com/news/toilet-paper-hygiene-ancient-rome-china
5. https://www.livescience.com/42921-why-humans-need-toilet-paper.html

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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 future. 

Recommendations:
Abraham: Abbot Elementary (https://abc.com/show/e4f28254-2fc4-4cc1-b9bb-eee0564c178e)
Shane: DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation by Dr. Eric Sprankle (https://www.drsprankle.com/)



Holidays (07/31/24):

• Cotton Candy Day
• Jump for Jelly Beans Day
• Shredded Wheat Day
• National Avocado Day
• National Raspberry Cake Day
• National Mutt Day
• National Jump for Jelly Beans Day
• Black Tot Day
• World Ranger Day
• Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
• National Marine Week
• Beans Month
• Anti-Boredom Month

Links and References: 

1. https://youtu.be/m25YLByFVRw?si=n684PjQnuWhFLRd3
2. https://youtu.be/Sgcvtjoi8Bs?si=-XQ5oXxR5qx9D7As
3. https://youtu.be/UqESogRgrYw?si=IY5EwFEYgioO8aGK
4. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/11/25/20973151/givedirectly-basic-income-kenya-study-stimulus
5. Hoynes, H., & Rothstein, J. (2019). Universal basic income in the United States and advanced countries. Annual Review of Economics, 11(1), 929–958. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080218-030237
6. https://www.procon.org/headlines/universal-basic-income-top-3-pros-and-cons/
7. https://college.unc.edu/2021/03/universal-basic-income/
8. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/basic-income.asp
9. https://www.denverbasicincomeproject.org/research#:~:text=The%20Denver%20Basic%20Income%20Project,guaranteed%20income%20for%20unhoused%20people.
10. https://www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic-income-reduces-homelessness-food-insecurity-housing-ubi-gbi-2024-6#:~:text=Denver%20gave%20people%20experiencing%20homelessness,participants%20said%20they%20had%20housing.&text=The%20Denver%20Basic%20Income%20Project%20gave%20cash%20to%20more%20than,payment%20structures%20might%20benefit%20them.
11. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-deep-and-enduring-history-of-universal-basic-income/#:~:text=Joseph%20Charlier%2C%20a%20Belgian%20utopian,persistent%20poverty%20despite%20economic%20progress.
12. https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/10/24/universal-basic-income/
13. https://www.cato.org/commentary/universal-basic-income-might-fix-our-broken-welfare-system-give-it-serious-scholarly
14. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigans-55m-experiment-guaranteed-income-begins-flint-moms

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://www.kotaklife.com/insurance-guide/about-life-insurance/how-to-calculate-human-life-valuehlv

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/us/air-conditioners/portable-air-conditioners/14000-btu-ashrae-1200-btu-saccsmart-inverter-portable-air-conditioner1
• Shane:  The Flow Trip (https://shop.flow.life/products/subscribe-to-the-flow-trip)

Holidays (7/24/2024)

• Amelia Earhart Day
• Cousins Day (George RR Martin’s day)
• International Self-Care Day
• National Drive-Thru Day
• National Tequila Day
• National Thermal Engineers Day
• National “Talk to Us” day
• Pioneer Day (State Holiday in Utah)
• Tell an Old Joke Day
• National Independent Retailers Week
• National Moth Week
• National Scrabble Week
• National Zoo Keeper Week
• Restless Leg Syndrome Education & Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://youtu.be/m25YLByFVRw?si=n684PjQnuWhFLRd3
2. https://youtu.be/Sgcvtjoi8Bs?si=-XQ5oXxR5qx9D7As
3. https://youtu.be/UqESogRgrYw?si=IY5EwFEYgioO8aGK
4. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/11/25/20973151/givedirectly-basic-income-kenya-study-stimulus
5. Hoynes, H., & Rothstein, J. (2019). Universal basic income in the United States and advanced countries. Annual Review of Economics, 11(1), 929–958. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080218-030237
6. https://www.procon.org/headlines/universal-basic-income-top-3-pros-and-cons/
7. https://college.unc.edu/2021/03/universal-basic-income/
8. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/basic-income.asp
9. https://www.denverbasicincomeproject.org/research#:~:text=The%20Denver%20Basic%20Income%20Project,guaranteed%20income%20for%20unhoused%20people.
10. https://www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic-income-reduces-homelessness-food-insecurity-housing-ubi-gbi-2024-6#:~:text=Denver%20gave%20people%20experiencing%20homelessness,participants%20said%20they%20had%20housing.&text=The%20Denver%20Basic%20Income%20Project%20gave%20cash%20to%20more%20than,payment%20structures%20might%20benefit%20them.
11. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-deep-and-enduring-history-of-universal-basic-income/#:~:text=Joseph%20Charlier%2C%20a%20Belgian%20utopian,persistent%20poverty%20despite%20economic%20progress.
12. https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/10/24/universal-basic-income/
13. https://www.cato.org/commentary/universal-basic-income-might-fix-our-broken-welfare-system-give-it-serious-scholarly
14. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigans-55m-experiment-guaranteed-income-begins-flint-moms

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://youtu.be/VDGp04CfM4M
2. https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/middle-ground

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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/) 

Holidays:

• Disneyland’s Anniversary
• National Hot Dog Day
• National Peach Ice Cream Day
• National Tattoo Day
• Take your Poet to Work Day
• World Day for International Criminal Justice
• World Emoji Day
• Wrong Way Corrigan Day
• Yellow Pig Day
• Coral Reef Awareness Week
• Every Body Deserves a Massage Week
• Hemingway Look Alike Days
• National Baby Food Week
• National Ventriloquism Week
• Perseid Meteor Showers
• Sport Cliche Week
• National Hemp Month
• Bank Account Bonus Month
• Cell Phone Courtesy Month

Links and References: 

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/managing-your-memory/201712/don-t-listen-your-lizard-brain
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-addiction-meets-your-brain/201404/your-lizard-brain
3. https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/limbic-system
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406946/
5. https://www.earth.com/news/differences-in-the-mammalian-and-reptilian-brain-revealed/
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/triune-brain
7. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/brain-the-inside-story/your-emotional-brain/beyond-our-lizard-brain
8. https://www.biotechniques.com/neuroscience/10x_sptl_so_no-we-dont-have-a-lizard-brain/
9. https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2020/study-finds-classically-mammalian-brain-region-reptilian-brains/
10. https://brain.mpg.de/88758/research-labs
11. https://www.sciencealert.com/you-dont-actually-have-a-lizard-brain-evolutionary-study-reveals
12. https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/carl-sagan-reptile-brain/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. 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-them-additional-paid-time-for-sick-leave

Become a member! Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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

• Abraham: Orbital Sanders
• Shane: Fables comics series (https://www.goodreads.com/series/54296-fables)

Holidays:

• Don’t Step on a Bee Day
• International Nikola Tesla Day
• National Kitten Day
• National Pina Colada Day
• Pick Blueberries Day
• Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day
• U.S. Energy Independence Day
• Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
• Be Nice to New Jersey Week
• Creative Maladjustment Day
• Dog Days of Summer
• Freedom Week
• National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week
• National Farriers Week
• Nude Recreation Weekend
• Operation Safe Driver Week

Links: 

1. Schumann & Ross (2010). The benfits, cost, and paradox of revenge. Social and Psychology Personality Compass. https://www.pittcorelab.com/uploads/1/1/5/5/115561629/paradox_of_revenge_10.pdf
2. Uniacke, S. (2000). Why is revenge wrong? Journal of Value Inquiry, 34. 61-69). https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/jrnlvi34&div=7&id=&page=
3. Jackson, J.C.,  et al. (2019). Revenge: A multi-level view and synthesis. Annual Review of Psychology, 70.https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103305. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103305
4. Stillwell, A. M., et al. (2010). We’re all victims here: Toward a psychology of revenge. Basic and  Applied Social Psychology, 30(3). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01973530802375094
5. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/the-complicated-psychology-of-revenge
6. https://tnsr.org/2017/11/blunt-not-heart-enrage-psychology-revenge-deterrence/
7. Price, M. (2009, June 1). Revenge and the people who seek it. Monitor on Psychology, 40(6). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/revenge
8. https://www.psychologs.com/the-psychology-behind-revenge/
9. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/the-psychology-of-revenge/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Introductory_Chemistry/01%3A_The_Chemical_World/1.06%3A_Hypothesis_Theories_and_Laws#:~:text=A%20hypothesis%20is%20a%20tentative,summarizes%20the%20relationship%20between%20variables.
2. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/10/31/1209683893/how-the-u-s-gun-violence-death-rate-compares-with-the-rest-of-the-world
3. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/26/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-u-s/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast