Stuff You Should Know
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How Aerosol Cans Work
In the 87 years since they were invented aerosol cans have protected soldiers, temporarily fixed flat tires, killed a boy who used too much deodorant and had their contents banned by most countries for wrecking the ozone layer. Tune in to learn more.
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How Electroconvulsive Therapy Works
With the exception of lobotomies, no other psychological treatment has a worse reputation. But thanks to some thoughtful tweaks, ECT has lately emerged from the dark ages and toward the respectable forefront of treatment for major depression.
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How Foot Binding Worked
Once in a while, all the necessary factors converge to produce a peculiar nationalized sexual fetish. In China, that fetish was foot binding and over a millennia three billion Chinese women’s feet were brutally disfigured for men’s pleasure.
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How Fair Trade Works
The West has gotten rich off the backs of underpaid labor living elsewhere; people who are dedicated to Fair Trade feel it’s time people at a disadvantage should stop being exploited. The concept is simple – just pay workers fairly for their labor.
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How Dungeons and Dragons Works
Despite what you’ve heard, Dungeons and Dragons isn’t just for geeks, it isn’t satanic and it’s actually a great way to exercise your imagination. Learn about the basics of D&D, its place in pop culture and the controversy the game has stirred.
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Is there such a thing as a truth serum?
Ever since people have had secrets, other people have been looking for ways to get it out of them. Law enforcement and chemistry alike have searched for a drug that can remove the ability to lie. Join Josh and Chuck as they check in to see how it’s going.
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What makes us yawn?
What is it that makes us suddenly draw in a deep breath through a wide-open mouth? researchers really don’t know. Whether the answer is physical, mental or even contagious there is pretty much no chance you won’t yawn during this episode.
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How Magnets Work
Whether you're sticking them to the fridge or using them to transpose sound to tape, magnets are surprisingly interesting. And knowing just how and why magnets work will make you more interesting, which is why you should listen to this episode of SYSK.
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Uses of the Insanity Defense
The idea that a person who can’t understand the crime they’ve committed should be inculpable is a longstanding pillar of Western criminal law. Learn about some of the prominent and overlooked cases where the accused has plead insanity in this episode.
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How Marriage Works
You can tell a lot about a culture through marriage statistics: what age people get married, how many divorce, who is excluded from legal marriage. It forms a picture of how a society interacts with itself. Learn more about marriage in this episode.
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Do men and women have different brains?
It’s a touchy subject – if you find gender-based differences between brains, does that mean there are differences in intellect? Surprisingly, though there are demonstrable differences, men and women use their brains differently to achieve the same ends.
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What’s the deal with duckbill platypuses?
It's pretty much impossible to describe duckbill platypuses without using the word “hodgepodge”. These mammals share features with birds, reptiles and even sharks. Learn about these peculiar little creatures in this episode.
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How Grief Works
Since 1969, the five stages of grief have become pretty well known. But later researchers are finding that grief is rarely cut and dried, and may not be as widely experienced as we thought. Join Josh and Chuck as they look at the sad science of grief.
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How the Panama Canal Works
The Panama Canal is one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken. First conceived of in the 1580s and completed in 1914, the canal's fascinating history includes a stint where it was considered U.S. soil. Learn all about it on this episode.
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How No-fly Zones Work
They have become such a ubiquitous tool for international interventions that it seems like no-fly zones have been around forever. But it was only the 1990s that the first one was enacted. Learn about this peculiar military tool with Chuck and Josh.
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What was the most peaceful time in history?
There's a lot of debate about whether pre-agricultural humans existed in a more harmonious state than we do today. Did we slip out of Eden when we began building large scale societies? Or is it possible that the most peaceful time in history is right now?
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Gesundeit! How Allergies Work
About 30-40 percent of humans suffer from some sort of allergy. The big joke, though, is that every sufferer is the victim of mistaken identity. Allergies are the result of a hypersensitive immune system mistaking a harmless protein for a foreign invader.
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How Apartheid Worked
After WWII, the government of South Africa turned inward to focus its attention on domination of the white minority over the non-white majority. It took an internal struggle and the voice of the world to finally end the terrible practice of “apartness.”
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How the U.S. Postal Service Works
The USPS is currently teetering on the edge of going under and there are a lot of plans to save it, from cutting service to creating federally-protected email addresses. Join Chuck and Josh as they explore the history and future of the postal service.
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How Police Sketches Work
Creating composite drawings of suspected criminals from eyewitness accounts has been around since a Frenchman introduced it in the 19th century. Despite the introduction of new techniques and software it hasn’t changed all that much.
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TV Bonus: What will happen when we reach the singularity?
Futurists have unnervingly predicted an impending moment in human history: the Singularity, when a superhuman artificial intelligence is created. What will become of humans? Enslavement? Extermination? Utopia? Find out with Josh and Chuck.
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TV Bonus: Do zombies really exist?
In movies and stories, zombies are undead menaces that lurch around mindlessly, in search of flesh -- and braaaaaains! Where did the idea for zombies originate? Do they exist outside of fiction? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out.
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TV Bonus: Can we build an elevator to space?
With the end of the shuttle program and an International Space Station still in need of supplies, the aerospace industry is working the kinks of out of a century-old idea to build a service elevator from Earth to outer space.
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TV Bonus: How Sleepwalking Works
Sleep behaviors are pretty fascinating. Some people snore, some grind their teeth -- and some take a little stroll, or perhaps a drive. In this episode, Josh and Chuck investigate how sleepwalking, or somnambulism, works.
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Do people really run off to join the French Foreign...
Anyone who knows anything about Jean-Claude Van Damme knows he played a French legionnaire in the movies. He was just one of many actors to star in films that romanticized this mercenary force. Check out the details in this episode with Josh and Chuck.
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What makes a one-hit wonder?
The term “one-hit wonder” gets thrown around a lot, but Chuck Bryant went to the trouble to really define what makes a one-hit wonder in the article this episode is based on. Join him and Josh as they get to the bottom of this disparaging term.
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How the Papacy Works
In February 2013, Pope Benedict said he would become the first pope to retire in 600 years. Check out this episode of Stuff You Should Know to find out just what the pope does and the process of choosing a new one.
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How CPR Works
You have a golden opportunity to make yourself into a worthwhile human being by learning how to perform CPR. The chances are you’ll never need to use it, but knowing how never hurts. Listen in and get primed to take a course on real-life life-savin’.
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TV Bonus: Stuff You Should Know, Live at Comic-Con
How does time travel work? Could it ever cross the line from science fiction into science fact? Join Josh and Chuck -- along with a live audience at the 2012 Comic-Con -- as they explore the ins and outs of time travel.
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TV Bonus: How Spies Work
Psst. You want to know how governments and corporations get the drop on one another? The frontline of intelligence is populated by spies. Learn about how spies get and transfer information (and why they do it) in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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What would happen if the world stopped spinning?
Over 400 million years, the day has grown two hours longer thanks to Earth's slowing axial rotation. While it will be a long time before it stops spinning, it never hurts to plan. Listen to Chuck and Josh discuss what a still Earth would look like.
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How Surfing Works
You know the Beach Boys and you’ve seen Hang Ten shirts, but there’s a lot more to surfing. Join Josh and Chuck to learn more about surfing, from how to pop up on the board to the physics of waves and the Sport of Kings’ Hawai’ian origin.
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Myths About the Brain
As is usual for SYSK, Josh and Chuck go over some, but not all, of the entries in this list of ten myths about the brain. While it lives in your noggin you don’t really have much of a grasp on your brain and how it works. You think you do, but you don’t.
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How Jet Lag Works
Jet lag has only been a real condition since 1958. Also known as desynchronosis, jet lag can lead to sleeplessness, irritability, diabetes and cancer. Learn about how the body’s natural clock runs and what happens when we cross time zones quickly.
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TV Bonus: How Weather Modification Works
It began with old-timey guys dropping dry ice on clouds. Since then weather modification was used to keep the 2008 opening ceremonies dry and flood the Ho Chi Minh Trail, but does it work? Learn about weather control plans, diabolical or otherwise.
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TV Bonus: How Flesh-eating Bacteria Work
Possibly the most horrifically-named disease anyone could contract, flesh-eating bacteria can lead quickly lead to amputations and death. Learn about how this disease works and how to prevent it in this episode with Chuck and Josh.
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TV Bonus: How Flesh-eating Bacteria Work
Possibly the most horrifically-named disease anyone could contract, flesh-eating bacteria can lead quickly lead to amputations and death. Learn about how this disease works and how to prevent it in this episode with Chuck and Josh.
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How Willpower Works
You use it to overcome your lower self (which wants you to eat cake until your vision blurs) in pursuit of the goals of your higher self (which wants you to avoid diabetes). Yet it was only the 1990s that researchers have begun to understand willpower.
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How Garbage-powered Cars Could Work
We’re not so far off from being able to power cars using beer and banana peels, like Doc in Back to the Future. Rather than solving the energy crisis with Mr. Fusion, though, we’ll use the centuries-old technique of creating syngas through pyrolysis.
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How Gold Works
Over the course of history, humanity has only mined 161,00 metric tons of gold. Considering about 85 percent of gold is recycled, there’s a chance your jewelry may once have been part of an Incan headdress or Mycenaean face mask. Listen in to learn more.
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How Stuntmen (and -women) Work
They get blown up, shot, drowned and thrown out of windows on the silver screen – and we don’t even know their names. Stuntpeople are the unsung heroes of the movie industry. Learn the ins and outs of the stunt world and how one becomes a stunt person.
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TV Bonus: How Bees Work
With less than a million neurons in their heads, bees shouldn’t be able to do much. Yet bees are capable of high functions like population economics and navigating by the sun on overcast days. Learn about these fascinating insects in this episode.
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Fecal Transplants: You Gonna Drink That Poop?
Medical ecology is concerned with understanding how microbes living inside us keep us healthy. The field’s first breakthrough is the fecal transplant, moving poop from a healthy person and into the gut of a sick person. It’s a real thing, and it works.
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How the Frick Fracking Works
Fracking, the process of breaking trapped resources like natural gas and oil from shale, has led to a revolution in energy production in the U.S. It’s also given rise to increasing worries that the process can have sweeping environmental impacts.
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How Autopsies Work
How can experts determine a person’s cause of death? Join Josh and Chuck as they take a trip through the morgue and look over the shoulders of the often controversial coroners and medical examiners that open cadavers to determine how someone died.
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How Alien Hand Syndrome Works
When a person has alien hand syndrome, his or her hand can move involuntarily, and seemingly of its own volition. Tune in and learn Stuff You Should Know about this misunderstood syndrome.
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Does the five-second rule work?
If you drop a piece of food and pick it up within five seconds, is it still good to eat? Researchers have studied this and have also inadvertently shone a light on how utterly covered our world is with bacteria and germs. Prepare to shudder.
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How Death Masks Work
The Myceneans kicked off the habit of creating a mask of a deceased person’s face in deathly repose, and what began as an ancient rite has only recently fallen out of practice. Learn about this dignified but ghoulish custom with Josh and Chuck.
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Why do men have nipples?
They’re always right there, taunting you: why do you have me, they ask? Why do men have nipples? It turns out there’s a good answer why and nipples on men aren’t entirely useless after all.Join Chuck and Josh for this heady investigation.
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Can you outrun an alligator in a zig-zag?
You’ve heard the warning before: If you’re being chased on land by an alligator, run in a zig-zag. Of course, the average person should be capable of outrunning an alligator. Josh and Chuck take the opportunity to explore alligator safety anyway.
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What was America’s first terrorist threat?
From the moment it was established, the United States had headaches with terrorism of the pirate variety. For decades, the federal budget even include bribe money to pay them off. Learn all about this early threat on this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Bigfoot Works
For centuries North American tribes have told stories of a hairy wild giant in the wilderness, and once Europeans arrived they claimed to see it, too. Chuck and Josh examine the claims of believers and the rebuttals of skeptics in this evenhanded episode.
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How Dog Shows Work
You know those shows where people wearing sensible shoes jog dogs around in circles? They actually represent the pinnacle of a long and complex path to glory for dogs and their owners. Join Chuck and Josh as they peek inside the American dog show.
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Josh and Chuck’s Christmas Extravaganza 2012
Kick back and raise a glass of eggnog to Josh and Chuck as they carry on a new holiday tradition of exploring the ins and outs of all things Christmas – and maybe even warm your heart along the way. Happy holidays, everybody!
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How Barbie Doll Works
In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore the history, cultural impact and feminist ire raised by the Barbie doll. The boys are joined by Gordon Javna, the founder of the Bathroom Readers’ Institute and publisher of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader.
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Lab-grown meat: Order up!
Since Winston Churchill predicted we’d grow meat in a lab by 1981, researchers have considered doing just that. And thanks to the current work of about 30 groups, we may be only years away from mass-produced artificial meat. But will anyone eat it?
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How Condoms Work
The earliest depiction of a condom is found in a 15,000-year-old cave painting. Ever since humans realized sex led to children, we’ve been using condoms to prevent pregnancy. Join Josh and Chuck for this comprehensive tour of all things condom.
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Why isn’t the U.S. on the metric system?
The U.S. stands proudly defiant and the world looks at Americans as dopes for the U.S.’s stubborn refusal to go metric. However, the States have been going metric for about 150 years. Find out what’s the haps in this weighty and measured episode of SYSK.
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Will we reach peak oil?
A 2012 report showed that the U.S. may be energy-independent in just a few years, but not too long ago the specter of peak oil loomed large on the political and economic landscape. Join Chuck and Josh as they visit the consequences of running out of oil.
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How Vampires Work
Out of obligation, Chuck and Josh mention Twilight, but it is the longstanding vampire lore that gets the most attention in this examination of how the bloodsucking undead evolved from baby-stealing demonesses to suave counts in our collective psyche.
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How Caving Works
Entrances to the underworld have been places of wonder for eons, and humans have ventured into caves to sleep, hunt, create art and explore. Thanks to the hobby of caving, that tradition continues today. Bonus: Chuck discusses his caving experience.
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Why do leaves change colors in the fall?
Ah, autumn – arguably the most beautiful time of the year, thanks to the vibrant colors trees put on display as they close up for the winter. Ever wonder why and how trees change color in the fall? Chuck and Josh have it down pat and explain it here.
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Philanthropy: Humankind and Loving It
Sure the fatcats get all the credit for donating millions, but did you know US households making $20,000 or less contribute the highest percentage of their income to charity? Learn more (not to mention a sexy look at the U.S. tax code) in this episode.
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Should we be designing our children?
In 2009, a fertility clinic controversially offered parents the ability to customize their children. How will society take the idea of designing children? Do we have a moral obligation to design better people? Join Josh and Chuck for this heavy episode.
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How Meth Works
You know how when you do a lot of crystal methamphetamine you get meth mouth, where your teeth decay? Of course you don’t! So check out this in-depth look on the most widely-abused hard drug in the world. Even tweakers will learn something new.
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How close are we to holographic environments?
Star Trek was famous for its holodeck, a completely immersive holographic environment that could be any space a user wanted. Thanks to telemersion technology built for business conferencing, we’re starting to get close to that holodeck after all.
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What will happen when we reach the Singularity?
Futurists have unnervingly predicted an impending moment in human history: the Singularity, when a superhuman artificial intelligence is created. What will become of humans? Enslavement? Extermination? Utopia? Find out with Josh and Chuck.
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Yakuza: From Samurai to Slot Machines
The Yakuza trace their lineage back to the 18th century samurai, left masterless following political upheaval, who turned to lives of crime. After centuries, the Yakuza is still going strong, following both tradition and new avenues of illicit revenue.
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Is Stockholm Syndrome real?
Since a hostage standoff in Sweden took place in 1972 a peculiar and mysterious psychological phenomenon has had a name. But is Stockholm Syndrome real? And what conditions have to be present? Join Chuck and Josh as they look into this unusual condition.
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SYSK’s Halloween Horror Fiction Winner!
Josh and Chuck have been planning this thing since spring and it’s finally here! Tune in to hear which listener’s scary story won the SYSK Halloween Horror Fiction Contest -- and prepare to have your socks scared off just in time for All Hallow’s Eve.
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Exoskeletons: How’s it coming?
Since the 1960s, the Pentagon has called for a suit that can make a soldier jump higher, run faster longer and generally be a badder dude. It’s only now that the materials needed are coming of age. Listen in to learn the state of exoskeleton technology.
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How Commercial Jingles Work
You probably can recite five right now. Commercial jingles are designed to hijack your working memory and implant a product or service and they really work. Learn about the history of these insidious and catchy advertising vehicles with Chuck and Josh.
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How Lion Taming Works
Bossing a lion around in front of a crowd at a circus has been an attraction for 200 years, but exactly how lion tamers get their captive wild animals to comply has evolved over time. Take a peek in the jaws of this odd profession with Josh and Chuck.
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How Black Holes Work
It wasn’t too long ago when black holes were strictly predictions in theoretical math. Over decades, astronomy has gotten better at uncovering these cosmic phenomena. Learn about how black holes form and their ability to spaghettify you in this episode.
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How Pizza Works!
Sure it’s everywhere and there’s a more-than-90-percent chance you eat it once a month. But we’ll bet you don’t know the full history of that pizza (or tomato pie) you’re about to chow down on. Join Chuck and Josh as they explain it to you, bite by bite.
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How Rainforests Work
It’s been called the world’s lungs, the world’s pharmacy and the world’s air conditioner. It takes up only 6 percent of Earth’s land, yet houses 50% of the world’s species. Find out the math behind why they may be gone in 40 years in this episode.
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How Fire Works
Creating fire was possibly the most important human discovery, but it’s easy to take for granted. But. Josh and Chuck get to the bottom of the chemistry of fire in their quest to explain everything in the universe.
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How Whiskey Runners Worked
Sure, Chuck and Josh have discussed it before, but it’s worth revisiting: Running moonshine led to the creation of NASCAR. Chuck and Josh aren’t even NASCAR fans and they think that’s cool. Join them as the investigate moonshine runnin’.
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Subways: HUH! What are they good for?
As ubiquitous as they’ve become, it’s easy to overlook the marvels of engineering that are subways. Chuck and Josh go boring as they explore these systems of tubes that must circumnavigate rock, rivers, cables and more to get you where you’re going.
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Q: Are we in the midst of cyberwar? A: Yes
There’s a secret war going on around us, and it's happening on a daily basis. The Air Force recently launched a new unit specifically designed to carry out and defend against cyberwar. Go deep into this new and alarming type of war with Josh and Chuck.
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Why does music provoke emotion?
A well-crafted piece of music can bring us to incredible highs and crushing lows, sometimes within the same song. Why does music affect humans this way? Join Chuck, Josh and special guest cellist Ben Sollee as they get to the bottom of music and emotion.
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Are we all Martians?
There’s a very good question that no one has yet satisfactorily answered: Where did life on Earth come from? Some look to the Red Planet as the source of life here, which, if correct, would make us all Martians. Is there anything to this out there claim?
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How Book Banning Works
If you want to control the masses, control what they read. After all, books are seeds that germinate new points of view. As a result, the struggle against banning books is contentious and continual. Learn more about banning books in this episode.
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How Asexuality Works
When Alfred Kinsey conducted his sex surveys he turned up, but ignored, a fourth sexual orientation: people who don’t experience sexual attraction. It took 60 years for Group X to gain a name and recognition, but with that has come increased scrutiny.
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Bioluminescence: A Bright and Shiny Fish
Science has a handle on fireflies and glowworms, but most bioluminescent animals live in the ocean and are tough to study. Today, researchers are still figuring out why some animals produce light. Dive with Josh and Chuck into this illuminating topic.
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Can you test a nuclear weapon without a fallout?
Over the course of human existence, thousands of nuclear weapons have been exploded on Earth and in space. With all of those tests, one can't help but wonder how much fallout has been produced. Learn the tricks of the nuke-testing trade in this episode.
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How Flesh-eating Bacteria Work
Possibly the most horrifically-named disease anyone could contract, flesh-eating bacteria can lead quickly lead to amputations and death. Learn about how this disease works and how to prevent it in this episode with Chuck and Josh.
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How the Electoral College Works
When you vote in an American presidential election, you’re not voting for your candidate – you’re voting for a group of people you hope will in turn vote for your candidate. Listen in to learn more about the strange process for electing the president.
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What happens to abandoned mines?
Did you know there are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the US, but the federal government knows where only 30,000 of them are? Learn about these places go from money pit to death trap when mine companies simply walk away.
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Why You Probably Have a Criminal Record
If you're an American adult, there's a 1 in 4 chance you have a criminal record. While it's less likely you've committed any serious crime, there are still repercussions to having a rap sheet as more employers use them to decide between candidates.
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Did Reagan's Star Wars program win the Cold War?
Putting lasers in space to blast Soviet missiles out of the air was a real part of Ronald Reagan's defense policy. While his "Star Wars" program was derided at home and abroad, historians are beginning to wonder if it didn't help win the Cold War.
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The Shark Diaries
In this special episode of Stuff You Should Know, Chuck and Josh tip their hats to Shark Week with an old-fashioned radio play. Join the guys (and a few guests) as they present a dramatization of the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks.
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How Shark Attacks Work
Ashark attackis a terrifying experience for the victim -- but aresharksreally man-eating monsters with a taste for human flesh? Join Josh and Chuck as they ask why sharks attack, how attacks occur and which sharks are most likely to attack someone.
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How Ramadan Works
It's the holiest month of the Muslim calendar, and for good reason. It was during the month of Ramadan that Mohammed began to issue the Koran. Learn about the customs and traditions behind observing Ramadan in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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Can we build an elevator to space?
With the end of the shuttle program and an International Space Station still in need of supplies, the aerospace industry is working the kinks of out of a century-old idea to build a service elevator from Earth to outer space.
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How the Musketeers Worked
You know and love them as a fluffy chocolate nougat and maybe as a book and a movie, but musketeers were quite real and quite deadly. Visit with Josh and Chuck as they examine the elite special forces of 17th-century France.
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Stuff You Should Know, Live at Comic-Con
How does time travel work? Could it ever cross the line from science fiction into science fact? Join Josh and Chuck -- along with a live audience at the 2012 Comic-Con -- as they explore the ins and outs of time travel.
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How White-collar Crime Works
White-collar crime often involves fraud and other nonviolent acts. For most people, the term "white-collar crime" conjures up images of CEOs conniving their way to fortune. But what is it, really? Listen in as Josh and Chuck break down the facts.
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Did a cow start the Great Chicago Fire?
It's true: The newspapers of the day reported that a cow (or perhaps its owner) was responsible for a fire that burned half of Chicago in 1871. Yet in 1997 Mrs. O’Leary and her cow were exonerated. Join Josh and Chuck to find out who’s probably to blame.
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How Disco Works
Fly, robin, fly indeed. No musical genre has risen and burned out as quickly as disco, and historians are still trying to unravel the animosity aimed at it. Join Chuck and Josh as they dig into disco’s underground roots and its sashay into the mainstream.
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How Lightning Works
You’ve seen lightning before, and maybe you’re even afraid of it. You should be. The air is ripped apart and a sudden electrical discharge burning six times brighter than the sun connects with Earth. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck.
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Geysers: Nature’s Innuendo
The spectacular eruptions of steam and water we call geysers are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the result of thousands of years of specific natural conditions and physical processes. Learn the Stuff You Should Know about geysers in this episode.
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How Tabloids Work
Having started as an egalitarian answer to 19th-century newspapers, tabloids came to peddle shock and sleaze. They’ve cleaned up a bit, but they remain the world’s guilty pleasure. Learn more about the fascinating history of tabloids with Chuck and Josh.
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Is the Dead Sea dead?
An anomaly of geography, the shores of Dead Sea form the lowest dry spot on Earth. It’s been visited by millions, including King Herod and Cleopatra, all seeking the health benefits of this saline lake. Learn about this unusual spot with Josh and Chuck.
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What’s the deal with Executive Orders?
Depending on who’s in office, they’re either a presidential tradition or the acts of a despot. Executive orders are not spelled out in the Constitution, yet every president has issued them. Learn about these controversial edicts with Josh and Chuck.
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Lying Liars: How Lying Works, Liar
Studies find that absolutely everyone lies – some have found as much as a quarter of our daily interactions involve lies. What gives with everyone fudging? Chuck and Josh explore the philosophy, psychology and reality of lying and what constitutes liar.
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10 Accidental Inventions: By the Numbers
Every once in a while Chuck and Josh do things by the numbers and here’s a good example. Turns out a surprising amount of ubiquitous items in our everyday lives were stumbled upon by accident. This episode explores a few of the more noteworthy ones.
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How Icebergs Work (Very Cool)
" Icebergs: floating chunks of ice. True, but whoa there. Scientists are learning that there’s a lot more to icebergs. Appropriately enough, we’ve only come to understand the tip of the iceberg and recent research shows there’s plenty more to uncover.
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Whatever happened to acid rain?
Along with the hole in the ozone layer, acid rain was one of the first international environmental threats. It’s fallen to the wayside in the face of climate change, but we have yet to lick it. Join Chuck and Josh as they revive the 80s drumbeat.
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Should we have a fat tax?
The concept of fighting unhealthy behavior like overeating by taxing unhealthy food has been around since 1994. But as the debate over a fat tax rages on in the U.S., Europe has begun to institute them and there’s talk of taxing overweight people as well.
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Fractals: Whoa
In the 1980s, IBM mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot gazed for the first time upon his famous fractal. What resulted was a revolution in math and geometry and our understanding of the infinite, not to mention how we see Star Trek II.
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How Moss Works
Think you have moss figured out? You probably don’t. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore some of the surprising aspects of these most ancient and important plants on the planet.
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Can it rain frogs?
If you’ve seen the movie Magnolia, you’ve seen what it looks like to rain frogs. While there are reports of frogs, fish and even squid raining down that are questionable, science has figured out how it can – and does – rain frogs sometimes.
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Do video games produce real-life violence?
The disturbing trend of school shootings around the world has dragged violence in video games into the hot seat. But are violent video games actually more capable of producing real violence in gamers or is it just the latest victim of societal hysteria?
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Are we obsessed with goals?
We’ve all been brought up to keep our eyes on the prize and our pedal to the medal when we go for that brass ring, but does the Western interest in goals verge on an insane obsession? Learn how goals work (and if they’re healthy) with Chuck and Josh.
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How Labor Unions Work
Yes, it’s true: Unions have a shady mob-related past and were originally championed by anarchists. Born from medieval trade guilds, these organizations also helped grow the American economy, and not only protected but established workers’ rights.
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What is the future of Earth?
What will the Earth be like in 5,000 or 50,000 years? In this far-sighted episode, Josh and Chuck explore how Earth may change over time. Listen in to learn more about humanity's odds of survival -- and how technology just might save us.
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Interpol: World Police
Interpol is an international police agency that helps other law-enforcement agencies track criminals who operate across national borders -- but how does it work, exactly? Join the guys as they delve into the world of global law enforcement.
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What is a shotgun house?
Shotgun houses are iconic pieces of American architecture: they're long, narrow, and filled with artistic flourishes. But where did they come from? In this episode, Chuck and Josh explore the mysterious origins of shotgun houses.
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Did the Dutch trade Manhattan for nutmeg?
Today nutmeg is commonplace, but this wasn't always the case. In the 17th century, the Dutch and the British fought a trade war over nutmeg. Join Chuck and Josh as they travel across continents and centuries to trace the story of nutmeg and Manhattan.
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How Bullfighting Works
When the Visigoths ruled Spain, they introduced the idea of battling bulls at festivals. Today matadors get paid $100,000 and perform in front of 50,000 fans. But is bullfighting an antiquated, abusive relic or a cultural tradition above reproach?
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How did language evolve?
" Sure animals talk in their own way, with chirps and grunts and the like, but only humans can form words. It is this, some evolutionary psychologists contend, that is what truly separates us from the rest of the species on the planet. But why us?"
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How Medical Marijuana Works
Some quarters of the medical establishment endorse it, others abhor it. The DEA is cracking down on it, but the Veterans’ Administration supports it as a treatment for soldiers. Medical marijuana is indeed a contentious issue. Learn all about it here.
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How Air Traffic Control Works
You know how when you fly in an airline you usually don’t die? You can thank the battalion of air traffic control professionals who studiously track every moment of your flight to ensure its safety. Learn all about this unsung field with Chuck and Josh.
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Social Security Numbers: Less Boring Than You’d Think
Do you know that up until July 2011 an ambitious hacker with a good software program could deduce your social security number based on your date and place of birth? In this episode, the boys examine some of the lesser-known details of the Social Security system in the U.S.
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How Whaling Works
Despite its embattled status as brutal and illegal, commercial whaling is a tradition that dates back 1,000 years and served as the economic engine of the Industrial Revolution. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore the whaling life then and now.
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Body Odor: You Stink
Chuck and Josh end up making reduxes of past episodes on things like sweating and deodorant in this all-new episode on the science beneath what makes people smell. Learn all about your odor in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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Was Atlantis a real place?
While the search for Atlantis has been pushed to the fringes since the 19th century, archaeologists have quietly pursued cities that may have inspired Plato to fabricate the mythical city. It looks like a team in Greece has found it.
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How Beer Works
At long last, Josh and Chuck take on perhaps their most important topic ever. Learn about the history of beer, how it’s made -- the whole shebang, basically -- in this watershed episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Diamonds Work
There's no denying that diamonds are pretty -- but where do they come from, and why are they so expensive? Join Chuck and Josh as they explore everything about diamonds, from their formation to the mining process and the history of the DeBeers cartel.
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How Music Sampling Works
Today music sampling is a common practice, especially in electronic or hip-hop music. But how does it work? After all, other artists made the original music, and most of them would presumably like to be paid. Tune in to learn more about music sampling.
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10 Big Cases of Revenge
Who doesn't love a good story about comeuppance? Whether served cold or piping hot, revenge is an ancient idea -- and history is filled with acts of vengeance. Join Josh and Chuck as they trace the concept of revenge from the bygone days of Hammurabi to the modern era.
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How Tipping Works
Tipping is commonly expected in some places, such as U.S. restaurants. Yet this practice varies across cultures. Join trivia gurus (and former waiters) Josh and Chuck as they take a closer look at the history, practice and controversy surrounding tipping.
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How Comic Books: Live from SXSW 2012
Although you might not be a fan of comic books, there's no denying that they have a fascinating place in American history. And -- as if that wasn't interesting enough -- Josh and Chuck decided to break down the story of comic books live at SXSW.
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How the Donner Party Worked
Did they or didn’t they? There is plenty of written evidence that the ill-fated Donner Party resorted to cannibalism – except there are no bones. Learn the details of one of the worst disasters of the early West in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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Should chimps be used for medical testing?
If you’ve got half a heart it’s an easy question to answer. But if you’re happy living without polio and hepatitis B you may want to question further. Learn about what makes chimps special and the history of medical testing in this episode.
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How Noah's Ark Worked
Stories of a great flood and a man who managed to stay afloat while the world drowned abound in ancient traditions. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore the possible evidence of the Great Flood and whether Noah really existed.
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Duels: A guide to throwing down the gauntlet
Pretty much everything you know about duels is true – it’s a challenge to violence to defend honor. But did you know the U.S. Navy used to publish detailed guidelines in its midshipmen’s handbook? Learn all there is to know about dueling in this episode.
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How SETI Works
SETI stands for 'search for extraterrestrial intelligence,' and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in general. In this spaced-out episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin, aims and challenges facing SETI.
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How Crying Works
You probably did it around 70 times last year, yet you probably don’t understand the psychological and physiological processes at work when you cried. Don’t feel bad – no one does. Join Chuck and Josh as they poke around your tear ducts in this episode.
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Fasting: deadly or what?
Avoiding food for religious or health reasons has been around for millennia. But while God may appreciate the sacrifice, how does it affect the body? Join Josh and Chuck to find if fasting actually can be healthy or if it’s as bad an idea as it sounds.
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How Spies Work
Psst. You want to know how governments and corporations get the drop on one another? The frontline of intelligence is populated by spies. Learn about how spies get and transfer information (and why they do it) in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Autopsies Work
In the 400th episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck take a trip through the morgue and look over the shoulders of the often controversial coroners and medical examiners that open cadavers to determine how someone died.
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How Zero Works
Few numbers have as storied a past as zero. Even fewer have had as great an impact on our ability to understand our universe. Yet zero is a relatively recent arrival in math. Find out all about this surprisingly fascinating number with Chuck and Josh.
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How Coral Reefs Work
Coral reefs are the largest organic structures on Earth, yet they're created through a symbiotic relationship between creatures about 3 millimeters long. Learn more about the the world’s coral reefs (and how to protect them) in this episode.
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Pickpockets: Artists or Crooks?
There aren’t many criminal pursuits that are as storied as pickpocketing, and some people fondly reminisce over its heyday. Learn why some consider pickpocketing an art form, how to protect yourself from this art and more in this episode.
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What’s the 10,000 Year Clock?
In a desert in Texas a 200-feet-tall clock is being constructed deep inside a mountain. Once completed, it will keep time for the next 10,000 years, even if there are no humans around to use it. Tune in as Chuck and Josh get to the bottom of the Long Now.
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How Magic Mushrooms Work
For thousands of years, humans have used hallucinogenic mushrooms for spiritual reasons. Today, however, having them can get you thrown in prison. How do magic mushrooms do what they do? Can they help the mentally ill? Find out in this far out episode.
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How Floods Work
Floods happen when more water is introduced to an area than can be quickly removed. That’s about it, but there's more to floods, what causes them and the havoc they can wreak. Join Josh and Chuck in this super-saturated episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Human Trafficking Works
Despite worldwide prohibitions, slavery still exists. Slaves are forced or coerced into prostitution or made to work in deplorable factory conditions. Yet there’s still debate over how widespread the problem is. Learn about modern slavery in this episode.
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How Mexican Wrestling Works
Perhaps it’s the colorful masks or the high-flying, rapid-fire acrobatic moves. Whatever it is, there’s something uniquely and particularly entrancing about Mexican wrestling, called lucha libre. Learn more about lucha libre in this episode of SYSK.
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Are contrails actually chemtrails?
You know those trails that jets leave in the sky? While science has explained why they happen, plenty of conspiracy theorists believe there’s more to it. Join Josh and Chuck as they channel the guys from Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know in this episode.
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What’s the deal with the Bermuda Triangle?
There’s roughly 500,000 squares miles encompassed in a triangle with points in Miami, Bermuda and San Juan. There shouldn’t be anything different about this area, but some people believe it’s a hotbed of supernatural activity. Tune in to learn why.
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Can you vacation in Antarctica?
The answer is yes, but there’s a lot more to traveling to the southernmost continent. Learn why emperor penguins don’t make eye contact with humans, which country has the best research station and why the chances of your ship sinking are alarmingly high.
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Was there a curse on King Tut’s tomb?
When Howard Carter opened Tutankhamen's tomb, some believe he unleashed a curse on everyone associated with his expedition. But there’s no such thing as a curse, right? Learn the scientific basis beneath King Tut's curse as Chuck and Josh Meet the Mummy!
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How Yo-Yos Work
You may have played with a yo-yo before -- perhaps you’ve even walked the dog -- but do you know about the physics behind what makes a yo-yo sleep and wake up? Learn all about inertia, angular momentum and the history of the yo-yo in this episode of SYSK.
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Coffee: The World’s Drug of Choice
There’s a 98 percent chance you’re drinking coffee right now. Maybe not, sure, but coffee is ubiquitous – about 80 percent of Americans consume coffee and Brazil alone has 3 billion coffee plants. Learn all about the great black brew in this episode.
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What happens in the brain during an orgasm?
Chuck and Josh test the limits of their decorum as they explore the physiology of an orgasm. Learn all about this inexplicably taboo subject (including how even women who are paralyzed can experience orgasms) in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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Josh and Chuck’s Christmas Extravaganza
Have you ever wondered why the poinsettia is the official plant of Christmas or why we hang stockings by the chimney with care? Join Chuck and Josh for this very special Christmas episode. Who knows, maybe even St. Nick will make an appearance (he doesn’t).
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How Pepper Spray Works
Lt. John Pike of the Davis, Calif., police department brought the wrath of the Internet on himself when he casually doused peaceful protestors with pepper spray. Find out what was in the can in this eye-watering episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Earthworms Work
Earthworms come in a wide range of sizes: The average U.S. earthworm is 6 to 11 inches long, and the giant worms of Australia and South America can grow to a length of 11 feet. Join Josh and Chuck as they burrow into the weird world of earthworms.
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How McCarthyism Works
If you're accusing someone of disloyalty or subversion without decent evidence, then you may be guilty of McCarthyism. In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin of the term, starting with the infamous Communist-hunting Senator Joseph McCarthy.
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How the Digestive System Works
The digestive system uses mechanical and chemical processes to absorb and transport all the nutrients your body needs to survive -- but how does it work? In this episode, Josh and Chuck take you through all 30 feet of the average digestive system.
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What made the donkey and the elephant political?
Sure we take it for granted the elephant represents the Republican party and the donkey Democrats, but have you ever wondered why? Josh and Chuck explore the foundation of these bizarre political symbols in this old-timey episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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Cash Debit or Credit: Which is best?
Chuck and Josh take a stab at answering the age old question of whether cash or plastic is the best choice for paying your way through life. Join them as they look at shopping, theft, security and the heartbreak of overdraft fees in this episode.
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How Thoroughbred Horses Work
It’s been just 300 years since the Thoroughbred breed has been around, but it has produced some of the most storied animals humans have ever loved. Chuck and Josh dive into what makes these horses special and the controversy around racing them.
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Crossbows: They Look Cool
Sure, they look cool. It’s as if someone put a bow and a rifle together, but in fact crossbows predate firearms by a few thousand years. Learn all about the advantages crossbows bestow, the physics behind them and how to use one with Josh and Chuck.
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How Air Force One Works
As you might imagine, the President of the United States doesn't fly coach. But what exactly does he use when traveling from point A to point B, and how does it actually work? join Josh and Chuck as they demystify Air Force One.
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How Alcatraz Works
Sure, you've heard stories about Alcatraz. From high-profile escape attempts to tales of notorious inmates, the Rock is unique in American history. But how did it actually work? Join Josh and Chuck as they explain the Stuff You Should Know about Alcatraz.
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How Presidential Debates Work
The first televised Presidential debate had some odd results: The radio audience tended to believe Nixon won, while television viewers supported Kennedy. Today, debates continue weld an enormous influence on public opinion. But how do they work?
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How Gene Patents Work
Should a company be able to own the rights to something found inside your own body? In this episode, Chuck and Josh delve into the complicated, controversial world of gene patents. Tune in to learn more about the history -- and future -- of gene patents.
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What Saved the American Bison
The pre-colonial range of the American bison stretched from Canada to Mexico. From 1820 to 1880, the population dwindled from 30 million to just over 1,000. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore how bison were brought back from the verge of extinction.
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How the Autobahn Worked
The autobahn has an international reputation, and people around the world love the notion of driving on a road with no speed limits -- but how true is this reputation? Join Josh and Chuck as they tell you everything you need to know about the autobahn.
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Berenice
It's Halloween again, and this year Chuck and Josh are ringing in the holiday with a special reading of the short story "Berenice," by Edgar Allan Poe. Tune in to catch Stuff You Should Know's Poe-rific Halloween episode.
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How Anti-matter Spacecraft Will Work
There may be a Bizarro World in our universe. Every particle has a mirror image with a reverse electrical charge, and when these opposites meet an energy transfer 300 times stronger than nuclear fusion occurs. Could this reaction power spacecraft?
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Do you lose the right to privacy when you die?
If you live in a place where privacy is protected, the legal system keeps prying eyes from your personal information. But does that privacy extend beyond death? That depends. Tune in to learn more.
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The Nile IS Just a River in Egypt
The Nile River has been flowing south to north for about 30 million years, and the human race’s cradle may have been along the Blue Nile stemming from Ethiopia. Find out some amazing facts about what may be the world’s most important river.
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The Wind Cries Typhoid Mary
In the 19th century, typhoid was considered a disease of the lower classes. When an outbreak occurred in wealthy Oyster Bay, New York, a mystery was afoot. Tune in to learn how this event began an ongoing debate over public safety versus civil rights.
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A Podcast on Zoot Suits? Yes
Few riots can be attributed to passing fashions, but zoot suits are top among them. After originating among the Harlem Renaissance crowd, the zoot suit came to symbolize political defiance. Find out why it’s still illegal to wear a zoot suit in L.A.
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How the Peace Corps Works
Since its inception, the Peace Corps has sent 200,000 members to 193 countries to deliver aid and good will through know-how rather than direct funding. Learn about the successes, criticisms and dangers of the Peace Corps in this gung-ho episode of SYSK.
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How Silly Putty Works
When the Japanese invaded Southeast Asia in World War II, they cut off America's rubber supply. Luckily, American can-do created a synthetic rubber and saved the War. Learn about the inventor, fluid chemistry and more in this episode of SYSK.
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How U.S. Marshals Work
Thought Chuck and Josh had already covered every law enforcement agency? Think again. The Marshals Service is the oldest law enforcement branch in the land, dating back to 1789. Listen up for how to get a free ride courtesy the Marshals in this episode.
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How Sword Swallowing Works
Houdini suggested that sword swallowing was merely a trick. But there’s no sleight of hand or throat to this ancient practice. Practitioners really do swallow swords, car axles and more. Learn more about sword swallowers in this gag-reflexive episode.
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How Family Crests Work
After 800 years of creating coats and crests, some meaning has been lost to history, but much has been retained and is still in use. Find out what a mullet on field argent with stags rampant means in this Olde English episode of Stuff You Should Know.
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How Acne Works
Over the course of our lives, 80 percent of us will experience acne. Ultimately, acne comes down to one thing, a blockage in the sebaceous gland. Learn what makes a blackhead black, and everything else about zits, in this pus-filled episode of SYSK.
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How the Moon Works
Did you know that science still doesn’t know the exact origin of the moon? Do you know how the moon creates high and low tides? Do you know the difference between a waxing crescent and a waning gibbous? You will after listening to this riveting episode.
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How Casinos Work
Gambling predates the written word; dice made of bones have been discovered at prehistoric sites. Today, the concept of amassing a fortune in moments remains attractive. Join Josh and Chuck as they take a look at the games and the glitz of casinos.
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How the World Trade Center Memorial Works
The World Trade Center was once a global symbol of progress. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, the area has undergone a massive rebuilding process. Chuck and Josh take a look at the World Trade Center, its memorial and its symbolism in this special episode.
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10 Scientists Who Were Their Own Guinea Pigs
Over the centuries, some scientists have concluded that the best test subject is looking at them in the mirror. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore 10 researchers, unsung or otherwise, who put their own health second to the advancement of science.
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How Lie Detectors Work
Instead of actually detecting lies, polygraph machines sense physiological variations, ostensibly brought on by guilt. The results are subject to interpretation, and therefore controversial. Join Josh and Chuck as they investigate the polygraph.
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Cryonics: Hi, Frozen Body!
In 1964 The Prospect of Immortality laid out a plan for placing humans in suspended animation. The first person was placed in cryonic suspension three years later. But how does it actually work? Learn more about cryonics in this chilly episode of SYSK.
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The Cheesiest SYSK Episode Ever
Cheese is often overlooked as a one of humanity's great achievements. Making cheese is surprisingly easy: It's been accidentally created by more than one culture at different times. Tune in to learn more about cheese -- and enjoying it -- in this episode.
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How Schizophrenia Works
Up to 24 million people worldwide have schizophrenia. Despite the vast amounts of research, the disorder remains mysterious. In this episode, Josh and Chuck delve into the nature of schizophrenia, from the history of the disorder to the latest research.
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How to Land on a Government Watch List
The U.S. Government's Consolidated Terrorist Watch List keeps track of people who are known or suspected terrorists. But what how do people end up on it, and what happens if your name is similar to a suspected terrorist? Tune in to find out.
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How Murphy’s Law Works, the Redux
Years back, Josh recorded this show without Chuck, and the old version's omitted facts bugged him. In this new version, the pair delve into the people, science and rocket tests behind Murphy’s Law. Join Josh and Chuck for this properly-executed episode.
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What's so funny about that?
The response to humor starts with electrical activity, potentially translating to physical responses that make up laughter. Science still can’t pin down what makes one thing amusing and another not (which is pretty funny). Tune in to learn more.
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What's the future of the internet?
It's tough to predict the future. Instead, the future looks a lot like it does now: Faster data transfer rates, more social networking, ubiquitous mobile devices -- and possibly dumber people from using all this stuff.
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Ethnobotany: How to Get Drugs from Plants
In 1820, most of the drugs listed in the American Pharmacopoeia were plant-based; by 1960, it was a mere 5 percent. Yet in the late 20th century this trend reversed. Why? Join Josh and Chuck as they get to the root of ethnobotany and plant-based medicine.
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Can you sweat colors?
A condition known as chromhidrosis can be jarring: The sufferer excretes colored sweat from the eccrine or the apocrine sweat glands. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore this somewhat understood, but still bafflingly mysterious medical condition.
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How SPAM Works
SPAM is a canned meat product made from pork shoulder and ham. First introduced in 1937, this iconic food has spread to stores across the world. But what exactly is it, how did it get here -- and why is its shelf life "indefinite?" Tune in to find out.
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