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

4,139 ratings


More shows like Something You Should Know

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,842 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

22,004 Listeners

Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

Stuff You Should Know

78,629 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,986 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,185 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,719 Listeners

Science Vs by Spotify Studios

Science Vs

12,120 Listeners

TED Health by TED

TED Health

1,406 Listeners

Curiosity Weekly by Discovery

Curiosity Weekly

922 Listeners

Choiceology with Katy Milkman by Charles Schwab

Choiceology with Katy Milkman

1,421 Listeners

The Science of Happiness by PRX and Greater Good Science Center

The Science of Happiness

1,896 Listeners

Life Kit: Health by NPR

Life Kit: Health

448 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,806 Listeners

Short Wave by NPR

Short Wave

6,561 Listeners

The Economics of Everyday Things by Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

The Economics of Everyday Things

1,685 Listeners