Why We Do What We Do

We did a full episode on chiropractic, but we didn't get into the application for animals. Given the questionable nature of chiropractic in the first place, applying to animals seems pretty audacious. Enough so that we thought we could unpack it fairly comprehensively in a mini format. And we did. Enjoy!

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Links and References: 

1. https://skeptvet.com/2013/04/from-science-based-medicine-veterinary-chiropractic/
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/VetTech/comments/1ojt29c/chiropractic_skeptic/ 
3. https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/chiropractic-vertebral-subluxations-science-vs-pseudoscience/

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Tens of millions of people in the United States and likely hundreds of millions around the world have a shared interest in our avian friends. Birding is a hobby ranging from casual observation to expert documenting rare and common birds out in the wild. We'll describe how the hobby works, why people do, and how to get involved. Tell us your birding stories!

Recommendations

• Abraham: “Season of Surrender” by August Burns Red
• Shane: Jackass - Best and Last (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39316472/)

Holidays (7/22/2026):

• Casual Pi Day
• Fragile X Awareness Day
• Lion’s Share Day
• Mango Day
• National Hammock Day
• National Penuche Fudge Day
• Rat Catcher’s Day
• Spooners (Spoonerism) Day
• Summer Leisure Day
• Captive Nations Week
• Coral Reef Awareness Week
• Hemingway Look Alike Days
• Massage is for Every Body Week
• National Moth Week
• National Triathlon Week
• National Zookeeper Week

Links and References: 

1. https://magazine.avocadogreenmattress.com/birding-bird-watching/
2. https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-12/birdwatching-america
3. https://www.aba.org/aba-area-big-year-rules/
4. https://www.audubon.org/birding
5. https://www.nps.gov/articles/birding-for-beginners.htm
6. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sex-murder-and-the-meaning-of-life/202601/seven-reasons-you-should-take-up-birdwatching-this
7. https://www.10000birds.com/reasonstobecomeabirdwatcher
8. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2024/jan/08/why-do-middle-aged-people-love-birds-so-much 
9. Ratcliff et al. (2008) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013916518806952?__cf_chl_f_tk=VXtBzZ9XKT46gHdh.rztYMOeSy8BlGcd00oA2ldf9BE-1783235319-1.0.1.1-WV4Rf6a9p_VxCL6LqTTGD2WHvAhJd1GWviF4cZHvkf0
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34646931/

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It seems like an obvious answer to a silly question. But try to answer it and you find it can kind of spiral into more difficult conundrums. This doesn't mean that we don't value science. On the contrary, it may mean that it means science is a value unto itself and hence elusive in its aspirational origins. We'll review some old philospohical arguments and make some of our own. What do you think the point of science is?

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Links and References: 

1. https://isciencemag.co.uk/features/dear-science-students-five-philosophers-of-science-you-need-to-know-about-and-why-you-should-care/
2. https://undsci.berkeley.edu/the-philosophy-of-science/ 

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An all truism about altruism. We are reflecting on this earlier episode with a more nuanced view than the first time around. When it comes to matters of philosophy, definitions are important (and, some might argue, not important at all). So, we are replaying this past episode and adding a bit of an updated discussion at the end, plus some new recommendations. Tell us what you think about altruism!

Recommendations

• Abraham: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (https://www.searchlightpictures.com/ready-or-not-2-here-i-come)
• Shane: The Bear (Season 5) and the Gary episode (https://www.hulu.com/series/gary-8c779d24-233d-4453-a22d-455a1862f913)

Holidays (7/15/2026):

• Be A Dork Day
• I Love Horses Day
• National Give Something Away Day
• Developmental Disability Professional Day
• National Stamp Out Spiking Day
• National Gummi Worm Day
• National Hot Dog Day
• National Pet Fire Safety Day
• National Respect Canada Day
• National Tapioca Pudding Day
• Take Your Poet to Work Day
• National Baby Food Week
• National Ventriloquism Week
• Operation Safe Driver Week
• Rabbit Week

Links and References:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705185/2.     
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62652-13. 
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13504851.2022.20366784.     
• https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/isre.2020.09495.     
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37751434/6.   
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38748709/

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How many senses do we have? Like so many things, it depends entirely on how you define "senses." If the question is how many distinct things can we sense? Then, we have a number of sense so large it doesn't make any sense (pun intended). But, we'll get into some of the senses that can be reasonably argued to exist to paint a picture of how many potentially overlooked "senses" we might have.

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233832.htm
2. https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-may-actually-have-over-30-senses-scientists-say
3. https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/how-many-senses-do-we-have/
4. https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/blog/how-many-senses-do-we-have

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Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

In this discussion, we get into the grammar and structure of ASL. We also talk about non-manual markers and their importance in communication for ASL speakers. We describe how to do several signs and get into a functional analysis of sign language. Of course, we get into some various interesting tidbits (tidboints, as we sometimes like to call them) and some things to know about deaf culture. 

Recommendations (Part 2)

• Abraham: Widow’s Bay (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/widows-bay/umc.cmc.1zzly0vah46bnvnwf0qkrjhh2)
• Shane: GOD//MAN - LOVES YOU EP 

Holidays (7/8/2026)

• Be a Kid Again Day
• Coca Cola Day
• Math 2.0 Day
• National Freezer Pop Day
• National Ice Cream Sundae Day
• National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day
• SCUD Day (Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama)
• Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
• Be Nice to New Jersey Week
• National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Weeks
• Nude Recreation Weekend
• Blueberry Day
• World Allergy Day
• Shark Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_hearing_loss
3. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history
4. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/no-longer-deaf-past
5. https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/the-sage-deaf-studies-encyclopedia/chpt/deaf-history-antiquity#_ 
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy3mD7rH1aY 
7. https://www.northwestschool.com/programs/s-e-e-classes/ 
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNSrGy8lIw 
9. https://www.tactilecommunications.org/Resources/ProTactile

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In our strange decision to record a two-part mini, we are following up last week's mini with more information about the recent Iran "deal." Of course, we recorded this well before the cease-fire broke again. And who knows what will happen between scheduling this episode and its publication. Check out this discussion for the discussion around the contents of the actual recent agreement and how incredibly incompetent it is. 


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Links and References: 

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqiTJDmddg
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tehYRuem0A
3. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/middle-east-experts-weigh-terms-of-u-s-iran-deal-and-who-came-out-ahead 
4. https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/nea/p5/index.htm
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8HrM0hEH8&t=17s 
6. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-us-attack-iran-trump-administration/ 

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There are an estimated 70 million deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing impaired people in world. Given that language globably developed through auditory communication using speech, deaf people in history were often mistreated. At least, in western and European countries. American Sign Language (ASL) developed from French Sign Language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language and other regional signs. This discussion will largely expore the history of deaf people and the development of sign language. 

Recommendations (Part 1)

• Abraham: The Sheep Detectives (https://letterboxd.com/film/the-sheep-detectives/)
• Shane: Toy Story 5 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29355505/)

Holidays (7/1/2026):

• American Zoo Day
• Blink 182 Day
• Canada Day
• Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day
• Early Bird Day
• Gingersnap Day
• Second half of the year day
• Television Heritage Day
• International Joke Day
• International Reggae Day
• National Financial Freedom Day
• National Postal Workers Day
• US Postage Stamp Day
• Zip Code Day
• Clean Beaches Week
• Hellen Keller - Blind Awareness Week
• National Prevention of Eye Injuries Awareness

Links and References: 

1. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_hearing_loss
3. https://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-history
4. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/no-longer-deaf-past
5. https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/the-sage-deaf-studies-encyclopedia/chpt/deaf-history-antiquity#_ 
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy3mD7rH1aY 
7. https://www.northwestschool.com/programs/s-e-e-classes/ 
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNSrGy8lIw 
9. https://www.tactilecommunications.org/Resources/ProTactile

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

Every once in a while, something so monumental happens, we decide to release a topical episode rather than a timeless one. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), perhaps better known as the Iran deal, is a catostrophic failure and will cost the US a jaw-dropping amount of money. But you don't even have to take our word for it, we'll just give you the facts and let you decide on your own. In a rare move, we are releasing a two-part mini to cover these events. 

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqiTJDmddg
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tehYRuem0A
3. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/middle-east-experts-weigh-terms-of-u-s-iran-deal-and-who-came-out-ahead 
4. https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/nea/p5/index.htm
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8HrM0hEH8&t=17s 
6. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-us-attack-iran-trump-administration/

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

This follow-up discussion gets into the grammar mechanics and and cultural, structural aspects of AAVE. We add our own interpretation and philosophical discussion to bring some additional understanding to this topic. Tell us your thoughts and experiences with AAVE!

Recommendations (Part 2)

• Abraham: Zevo (https://zevoinsect.com/)
• Shane: Absolute Batman

Holidays (6/24/2026)

• Celebration of the Senses
• International Fairy Day
• Museum Comes to Life Day
• National Parchment Cooking Day
• Nationale Pralines Day
• Swim a Lap Day
• Amateur Radio Week
• Carpenter Ant Awareness Week
• Fish are Friends, Not Food Week
• National Forgiveness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/americanvarieties/AAVE/hooked/
2. https://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/americanvarieties/AAVE/timeline/
3. https://www.hawaii.edu/satocenter/langnet/definitions/aave.html
4. https://commonwealthtimes.org/2021/02/18/aave-is-not-your-internet-slang-it-is-black-culture/
5. https://certifiedlanguages.com/blog/african-american-vernacular-english-is-a-legitimate-dialect/
6. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00957984970233002
7. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/61882/chapter-abstract/547712638?redirectedFrom=fulltext#547712638
8. https://www.garfieldmessenger.org/6418/articles/news/a-brief-history-of-aave/
9. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/28056/chapter-abstract/212002865?redirectedFrom=fulltext
10. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/wls_fac/70/
11. https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/african-american-language-facts
12. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language/article/abs/language-and-linguistics-on-trial-hearing-rachel-jeantel-and-other-vernacular-speakers-in-the-courtroom-and-beyond/7DCD0B43230E3D17A2C4B43936341A48
13. https://globalvoices.org/2019/06/25/language-is-also-a-form-of-resistance/

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