Stuff You Should Know

Short Stuff: Saturn's Rings

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Friends, treasure Saturn’s rings while they are young. They won’t be around forever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmer's Almanac: Literature to Poop To

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Farmer's Almanac has a long rich history that is more than just moon phases and long-term weather patterns. Tune in to learn all about it. See om...

Selects: How Music Sampling Works

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Franklin Expedition

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the great Arctic mysteries was the disappearance of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition in search of a northwest passage between the Atlantic and...

Short Stuff: Edward Mordake

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the 19th century news spread of an unfortunate man who was born with an evil second face on the back of his head that spoke to him. The real story ...

How We’re Learning to Talk to Animals

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If we could talk with the animals, grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals, what would we say? We’d better start thinking of something good bec...

Selects: How Magnets Work

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You can stick them to the fridge or use them to transpose sound to tape, whatever they are used for magnets are surprisingly interesting. And knowing ...

Xenobiotics

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Science is just realizing the extent of the tiny pollutants that have entered ecosystems across Earth and inside all humans. We call them xenobiotics ...

Short Stuff: History of English

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who spoke English first and what was it like? Nothing like it is today. Listen in to learn all about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Dear Diary...

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Diaries have been around for a long time. There are many famous ones, and tens of millions that will never see the light of day. Learn about the histo...

Selects: Rainbows: Delighting humanity since forever

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rainbows seem to defy nature, but they're really pretty simple when it comes down to it. Turns out it's just light reacting to water droplets in the a...

The Last Meal Ritual

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The last meal of the executed is a longstanding tradition. Listen in today to learn about the dark history and modern practice of this culinary curios...

Short Stuff: NATO Alphabet

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. This is the NATO alphabet. But where did it come from?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BPD: The Worst Disorder or Not a Disorder at All?

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Borderline Personality Disorder has been described as emotional “third degree burns over ninety percent of your body.” It’s as close to a curse ...

Selects: What's the deal with Stradivarius violins?

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Strad violin is noted for its tonal qualities and superior craftsmanship. And for its price tag. There are many theories why the Strad sounds so g...

MAD Magazine: A Tribute

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck and Josh grew up on MAD Magazine and we hope you did too. What started out as a comic book that spoofed comic books grew into the foundation of ...

Short Stuff: Blue Highway Signs

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the US those ubiquitous blue highway signs that tell you which direction you’ll find a Burger King have an interesting backstory. See omnystudio...

Learning a Foreign Language

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Chuck and Josh dive into the ins and outs of language learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Nirvana: Not The Band

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hinduism and Buddhism are closely related in a number of ways, including their vision of what comes after we exit this mortal coil. Learn about the re...

Magic Eye Illusions

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What became the Magic Eye illusion fad of the 1990s was born by way of the stereogram of the 1950s (and even before that). It's a winding story that y...

Short Stuff: Pie-In-The-Face Gag

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Throwing a pie in someone’s face was groundbreaking comedy once upon a time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insomnia: Why you can't sleep

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Insomnia is rough stuff. Listen in and learn all about why you can't fall asleep and what you can do about that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Selects: How Police Lineups Work

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Police lineups are something most people have never had any firsthand experience with. What you see on TV and in movies isn't so far off though. Learn...

How PCP Works

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is probably no drug more mythologized than PCP. It drives users insane and has the unfortunate side effect of bestowing superhuman strength thus...

Short Stuff: Père-Lachaise Cemetery

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The most famous cemetery in Paris has some of the most famous people in the world buried there. And it's quite lovely.See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Birth Order: So nice, we did it twice

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a very special episode, the first one we've ever fully recorded a second time and decided to release. Why? Because it's good and a little diff...

Selects: How Bats Work

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

They are creepy, sure, but they are also useful, cute and in great danger of extinction. Get a new lease on life from a new view of bats in this class...

James Beard: Food Legend

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James Beard is well-known now for the annual awards named in his honor. But he used to be the most famous chef in America, and set the standard for wh...

Short Stuff: Hollywood Sign

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Hollywood sign is an iconic landmark that started out as a real estate billboard. Can you believe it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

How Trucking Works

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If truckers suddenly vanished the global economy would come to a grinding halt in a couple days. But as important as they are these highway heroes (mo...

Selects: What Makes Lead So Poisonous?

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The people of Flint, MI were horrified to find their drinking water was poisoned with lead. As we learn more about lead's effects and realize how pers...

Butterflies: Caterpillars with Wings!

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you thought caterpillars were awesome, just wait until you see them with colorful, iridescent wings!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Short Stuff: Fahrenheit or Celsius

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fahrenheit or Celsius? Why not both? If they can agree - exactly at -40 degrees  - then it seems like we should all be able to agree they're both gre...

Caterpillars: Nature's Magicians

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caterpillars are simply the best. Don't think so? Well listen in and you'll soon agreeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How Ocean Currents Work

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to overlook the importance of ocean currents - they move along out at sea, while we stay mostly on land. But we are globally affected by the...

How Afrofuturism Works

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Black sci-fi writers were shut out of their genre in the 20th century so they created their own vision of the future. That sentiment spread to music a...

Short Stuff: Chia Pet

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It has arrived, the most important podcast episode in the history of the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Large Language Models and You

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a good chance that in March of 2023, humans crossed a threshold into a transformative new era when a new, smarter type of AI was let loose in...

Selects: SYSK Live: Back When Ford Pintos Were Flaming Deathtraps

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this special live benefit episode recorded in Atlanta, Josh and Chuck go back to the 70s and look at the decidedly ungroovy course of events that ...

How Alumin(i)um Works

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans made it through the Bronze Age and Iron Age, then we dabbled in steel, and now we are living in the Aluminum Age. The metal is so ubiquitous it...

Short Stuff: Suicide Forest

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The suicide forest in Japan is a beautiful place with a checkered reputation. Trigger Warning: This episode features a discussion of suicide. If you o...

The Stinky History of Human Hygiene

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered when and why people started caring about body odors and cleanliness? Well look no further than today's episode. See omnystudio.com/list...

Selects: How Audience Testing Works

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know some of our most beloved movies originally had different, sometimes better, endings? That is until they were tested in front of focus gro...

Is Reality Real?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Philosophers have been wondering whether we experience reality as it is for millennia now. They’ve pretty much settled on no, no we don’t. Now sci...

Short Stuff: DNA Data Storage

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more futuristic things around right now on Earth is research into encoding data into strings of genetic code.See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Why Manners?

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keeping your elbows off the table, keeping your fingers out of the gravy boat – at some point these became very important rules of etiquette. But wh...

Selects: Pterosaurs: Not Flying Dinosaurs

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost everything you know about pterosaurs is wrong. They weren't birds, they weren't flying dinosaurs and they weren't all pterodactyls. Which makes...

What's the deal with intermittent fasting?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could eating at only certain times of the day lead to weight loss? Possibly! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Rube Goldberg

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows what a Rube Goldberg machine is, but what do you know about the cartoonist who they're named after?See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Saga of Milli Vanilli

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For a moment Milli Vanilli was the hottest musical act in the world. Then came the news that it was just that, an act, and the fall came swiftly and h...

Selects: How Color Works

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Science doesn't have a good explanation for why we sense color, yet it is everywhere and affecting us all the time. But why should minutely different ...

The Semi-Recent History of Exercise

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans exercising for better health has not been around that long. Today we dive into this fun history as we cover why and when we started this now co...

Short Stuff: Pollen Count

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you watch the news and hear the pollen count is high for some particular type of plant then it’s high time you learned how they do that.See omnys...

What is the Bechdel Test?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bechdel Test is a is a measure of the representation of women in film. You'd be surprised how many movies fail. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Selects: How Dog Shows Work

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

How Juries Work

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s totally bonkers that in the US and other countries, the job of determining the guilt or innocence of an accused criminal – whose life may be ...

Short Stuff: Mood Rings

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mood Rings were all the rage in the 1970s. Then they went away, and fast. What's your color today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inflammation Theory of Disease

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not too long ago we thought that germs were the cause of most diseases, leading to germ theory. But when we look at maladies from heart disease to Alz...

Selects: How Slinky Works

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It has been called a "glorified spring", but Slinky is one of the best selling toys of all time. From accidental origins to an unlikely resurrection, ...

How TV Weathercasters Work

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TV weather people can seem corny and maybe a little nerdy, but beneath that toothsome exterior lies the heart of a lonely warrior of science, one who ...

Short Stuff: Frances Kelsey: Hero of the FDA

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who is Frances Kelsey? Well, she's a semi-unsung hero of the FDA whose work helped save a lot of kids from congenital disorders and even death. Listen...

The Colosseum

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's funny how similar The Colosseum in Rome is to modern day arenas. They really had it figured out. Tune in today to learn all about this early ente...

Selects: Does the body replace itself?

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does the human body really replace itself every few years? The answer is yes, but different parts of the body do so at different rates. Learn all abou...

Introducing Smell-O-Vision!

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Smell-O-Vision was a post-war movie theater gimmick that delivered well-timed scents to the noses of audiences to align with the movie. Did it work? S...

Short Stuff: Dunbar's Number

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a theory that all of us have a maximum number of friendships that we can maintain – 150, to be exact. Suspiciously exact, really, if you t...

Nerf!

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another classic toys edition is at your collective feet. Today, we dive into the soft, padded world of NERF!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Selects: How Manhunts Work

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When a suspect or prisoner goes on the lam there are plenty of ways to hide: in plain sight, in the mountains, in another country. There are as many t...

Carbon Monoxide: Please Just Listen Anyway

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It might not be the sexiest topic we’ve ever covered (and by “might”, we mean “definitely”), but there are some things you just need to lear...

Short Stuff: Botox Brain

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Botox can chase away the lines on your face, apparently it can chase away your depression, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety too.See omnyst...

Why does everyone love Dolly Parton?

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we dive in to celebrate the international treasure that is Dolly Parton. Why is she nearly universally loved? Listen in to find out. See omnyst...

Selects: Was There A Real Robin Hood?

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that Robin Hood hung out in Sherwood Forest and stole from the rich to give to the poor? No. No, it’s not. Find out the real story in thi...

METI: Existential Threat? Probably Yes

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've wanted to contact extraterrestrials for as long as we've suspected they're out there. But as we get better and locating potentially inhabited pl...

Short Stuff: Routines

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Routines are a key part of a successful life. Ask anybody about theirs and they'll be happy to share!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Should Rich Countries Cancel Poor Countries’ Debt?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It sounds controversial, but there are persuasive arguments for the wealthy Global North to write off the debts lower-income nations have accrued. Som...

Selects: How Coffins Work

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, you've probably laid in one at the store or a funeral home, but how much do you know about receptacles used to bury the dead? We'll bet you'll l...

John Brinkley: The Quackiest Quack in History?

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Brinkley was perhaps the biggest quack who ever claimed to be practicing medicine. Learn all about this not so good guy today!See omnystudio.com/...

Short Stuff: Red Snow

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to green algae, there's such a thing as red snow. And we've recently found it can accelerate global warming. Look out!See omnystudio.com/listen...

How Skydiving Works

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At 13,000 feet the ground is nothing but far-away squares of land, and you can even see some clouds below you. All of a sudden you find yourself plumm...

Selects: Some Nutso Fan Theories

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out that the characters in your favorite TV shows and the like are actually dead, dreaming, dying or don't exist. Explore some strange fan th...

Playing Cards? You Got That Right!

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wanted to learn more about playing cards, now is your big chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Beethoven’s DNA

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been all over the news, Beethoven's DNA has revealed some interesting things about his health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

What Caused the Late Bronze Age Collapse?

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans’ first attempt at civilization went pretty well for the first thousand years. Important stuff like the wheel, writing, math, art, and diploma...

Selects: How Jet Lag Works

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was only since 1958 that the Jet Age began, and jet lag became a real condition. Also known as desynchronosis, jet lag can lead to all manner of ai...

What's the deal with dowsing?

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dowsing, aka water-witching has been around a long time. And you might be surprised that's still a thing. We get into all the nitty gritty of this pse...

Short Stuff: Theme Park Cremations

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a little-discussed trend you might run into at your favorite theme park – people scattering the ashes of a loved one on rides. Here's hopi...

The First Road Trip

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back when cars were a brand new thing, before people even knew they'd stick around, two men and a dog drove from San Francisco to New York. This is th...

Selects: Is The Uncanny Valley Real?

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori wrote an essay that said the closer robots come to lifelike, the more they unsettle humans. His theory became the Un...

An Interesting, Vastly Incomplete Look at Baseball Cards

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the all-stars of the hobby world is collecting baseball cards. Over time it’s gone from a kids’ hobby to a major investment vehicle, comple...

Short Stuff: Semantic Satiation

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know when you read a word over and over it starts to lose its meaning? There’s a term for that and why it happens is fascinating.See omnystudio....

The Tragic Tale of Floyd Collins

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Floyd Collins was a natural-born caver who met a terrible fate, becoming stuck underground where no one could get him loose. His unlucky, slowly unfol...

Selects: Do People Really Run Off to Join the French Foreign Legion?

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 fi...

Arcades: Nostalgia Abounds

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck and Josh were around during the Golden Age of the arcade. And look how they turned out! Join them on a trip down memory lane. See omnystudio.co...

Short Stuff: John Cage's 639 Year Concert

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Cage was a unique artist to say the least. Learn all about this avant-garde composer today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's Amaro!

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amaro is a delicious traditional liqueur, usually from Italy, that has delighted diners and drinkers for centuries. Tune in to learn all about this wo...

Selects: The Time Nazis Invaded Florida

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During World War II, Nazis invaded the United States with saboteurs bent on fomenting chaos. Three times. Learn all about it in this classic episode.S...

Woodstock: The Festival for Stardust, Golden Hippies

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard your parents or – gasp – grandparents prattle on about how amazing the original 1969 Woodstock Festival was. It turns out that,...

Short Stuff: Paprika

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paprika is more than a smoky Hungarian spice. Actually, that's not true, that's exactly what it is. But it sure is delicious!See omnystudio.com/listen...

Noncompete Agreements, Come On

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A noncompete agreement, a pledge not to work for a competitor for a set amount of time, makes sense – when the worker is well compensated and privy ...

Selects: Live From San Francisco: How Malls Work

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic show recorded live on January 5, 2017 at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, Josh and Chuck delve into the history and the heyday of the...

Crosswords episode, perhaps?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Crossword puzzles have an interesting history and are a lot of fun to do. Dive in today to learn about Chuck's latest obsession.See omnystudio.com/lis...