Something You Should Know

Why We Like Superstitions & Science You Never Knew


Listen Later

Apologizing is often difficult. Why though? It seems like doing the right thing and saying you’re sorry should make you feel great. Well, it may make you feel a little better but there is something else that feels MUCH better. Listen as I explain. https://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175714511/why-not-apologizing-makes-you-feel-better

We have a lot of strange and unusual superstitions in this country. But did you know that every culture on earth has superstitions? By definition, superstitions are irrational beliefs. So why do we cling to them and cherish them? Here to discuss and explain is Heather Alexander, author of The Good Luck Book: A Celebration of Global Traditions, Superstitions, and Folklore (https://amzn.to/3TUWIAe).

There are always new things to learn in science. Sometimes useful things like the only real way to cure a hangover or why we use maggots to help wounds heal or how a cup of tea changed the way science is done. Well, those are just a few things you will discover when you listen to my guest, Chris Balakrishnan. He is co founder of Nerd Nite. For over 20 years, Nerd Nite has delivered interesting, live presentations about science, history, the arts, pop culture, around the world. He is also author of the book How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite (https://amzn.to/3TXVrIK)

What should you do if you see an egg on the ground that has fallen from a nest? There are a lot of theories. But I will tell you what bird experts say you should do. https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/how-to-help-orphaned-baby-wild-animals/what-should-i-do-with-eggs

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING

NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com

TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees

Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

Listen to TED Talks Daily https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks/ted-talks-daily Wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Something You Should KnowBy Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

4,094 ratings


More shows like Something You Should Know

View all
Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,185 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,774 Listeners

Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

Stuff You Should Know

77,665 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,734 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,071 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

21,906 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,337 Listeners

Curiosity Weekly by Discovery

Curiosity Weekly

933 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,109 Listeners

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos by Pushkin Industries

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

14,279 Listeners

Short Wave by NPR

Short Wave

6,211 Listeners

No Stupid Questions by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

No Stupid Questions

3,643 Listeners

People I (Mostly) Admire by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

People I (Mostly) Admire

2,093 Listeners

Unexplainable by Vox

Unexplainable

2,232 Listeners

The Economics of Everyday Things by Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

The Economics of Everyday Things

1,613 Listeners