Shows / Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Episodes
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
Laughter: 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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
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…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Wildfires Work
Wildfires consume an annual average of 5 million acres in the US. But what causes wildfires? How do they become so powerful? More importantly, how do we fight…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Karma Works
While it's kind of perverted in the West, the concept of karma is a central tenet of several Eastern religions. Karma isn't just good or bad -- it's a natural…
- Stuff You Should Know
Does smiling make you happy?
You smile because you're happy, yet happiness research suggests the opposite can also hold true. Smiling may actually improve your mood. Open interpretation…
- Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know July 4th Extravaganza, Part 2: Baseball and Apple Pie
What makes America unique? In the second segment of this special two-part episode, Josh and Chuck join up with guests from The Daily Show and The Onion to take…
- Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know July 4th Extravaganza, Part 1: Mom
What makes America unique? In the first segment of this special two-part episode, Josh and Chuck join up with guests from The Daily Show and The Onion to take…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Human Cannonballs Work
There's no question that human cannonballs are daredevils. They pack themselves into the confines of huge cannons, which shoot them into the air. But how does…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Hate Works
Hate is generally defined as an extreme hostility to something or someone, usually stemming from fear, anger or a sense of injury. But how does it work? Join…
- Stuff You Should Know
Who was America's first murderer?
John Billington didn't just sign the Mayflower Compact -- he was also the colony's first criminal, and had the dubious honor of being the first European to be…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Asteroid Mining Could Work
There may be trillions of dollars' worth of resources in asteroids, and some scientists believe we could mine nearby asteroids. Join Josh and Chuck as they…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Suicide Bombers Work
It 1981 the first modern suicide bomber blew himself up. But this was by no means the first suicide bombing. Israeli psychologists evaluated the motivations of…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Curiosity Works
Alternately hailed a crucial part of the human condition or accused of killing cats, curiosity remains a subject of debate among researchers. Where does it…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Military Snipers Work
Military snipers always work in pairs, and they're called force multipliers because of the profound effect a two-man team can have on a rival military. But how…
- Stuff You Should Know
Was Malthus right about carrying capacity?
Thomas Malthus concluded that humanity is bound to outgrow Earth's carrying capacity. The prediction was based on humanity's exponential growth and the linear…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Underground Railroad Worked
As early as 1786, groups assembled to help slaves escape lives of bondage. And, as the 19th century progressed, the emergent Underground Railroad grew more…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Fear Works
Fear results from your brain's reaction to a stressful stimulus, and -- though it may be unpleasant -- it plays a crucial role in the life of every human…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Nicotine Works
Sure, nicotine doesn't cause cancer, but it does rearrange the brain's reward system. Humans have been ingesting this plant for more than 6,000 years, but we…
- Stuff You Should Know
How do I start my own country?
Whether through revolution, colonization or other means, every country has its start somewhere. But how does the process work? Join Josh and Chuck as they…
- Stuff You Should Know
What is terror management theory?
Terror management theory isn't about mid-level bureaucrats in Al-Qaeda -- so what exactly is it, and what does it say about human culture and our perception of…
- Stuff You Should Know
What is parallel evolution?
In the process of parallel evolution, two seemingly unrelated species living in isolation can evolve surprisingly similar traits -- but how does it work, and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can the sun kill you?
Could the sun, typically known for providing light and warmth, kill us? The Apollo 17 mission almost resulted in tragedy due to a mega-flare -- and astronauts…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Con Artists Work
They say you can't con an honest man, and that's key to thwarting cons; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Learn how to avoid everything from…
- Stuff You Should Know
What is mountaintop removal mining?
Mountaintop removal mining is (to say the least) a controversial practice. But what exactly is it, how does it work and -- most importantly -- why should you…
- Stuff You Should Know
A Podcast to Remember (How Memory Works)
How does memory work? How is internet access changing the function of the human brain? In this podcast, Josh and Chuck take a closer look at the science behind…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Parkour Works
The art of parkour is an astonishing combination of agility and physical strength pursued across the world -- but how does it work? Join Josh and Chuck as they…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Rollercoasters Work, Minus the Fun
Whether you're a rollercoaster fan or avoid them like the plague, there's no denying that these contraptions are striking examples of physics at work. So how…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Wills Work
Whether it's oral, scrawled in blood or signed on a deathbed everyone should have a will. But how do they actually work? Join Chuck and Josh as they explain…
- Stuff You Should Know
Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me
Flies: They're disgusting, disease-spreading flying machines. They're also really fascinating. Flies taste with their feet, smell with their antennae and use a…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Molecular Gastronomy Works
After botching a particularly tricky dish, molecular chemist Herve This decided to figure out why his recipe didn't work. He ended up creating a new field of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Does oil speculation increase gas prices?
In an uncertain economy, investors often flock to commodities like oil, trading oil futures in a derivative market. Some believe this creates an artificially…
- Stuff You Should Know
Sherpas: Warm, Friendly Living
Pop quiz: What word denotes a nation of people, a last name and an occupation? If you guessed 'Sherpa,' then congratulations: You're correct. But what exactly…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Live from SXSW: How UFOs Work
In this episode, Josh and Chuck ditch the studio and head west -- south by southwest, in fact -- to record a live podcast in Austin, Texas. Tune in and learn…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Igloos Work
Igloos were traditionally used by Inuit Indians as temporary shelter while on hunting and fishing trips. In this episode, Josh and Chuck look at the design of…
- Stuff You Should Know
That Dang-old Goat Fell Over
Due to a condition known as Thomsen's disease, the muscles of fainting goats tense up whenever the animal is startled. In this episode, Josh and Chuck break…
- Stuff You Should Know
How a Nuclear Meltdown Works
The recent disaster in Japan has caused massive damage and killed thousands -- but that's not all: The Fukushima nuclear plant may possibly be on the verge of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why's that dude in that dumpster?
Freegans prefer scavenging, volunteering and squatting to the more mainstream consumer practices of buying, working and renting a home. But how does this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Mummies Work
A mummy is a human being whose soft tissue has been preserved after death, and there are mummies around the world -- including natural mummies, as well as…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is it legal to sterilize addicts?
It's a controversial idea, to say the least: If evidence shows that addicts tend to be irresponsible, abusive parents, then why should they have children at…
- Stuff You Should Know
Cults: Who is this "The Leader?"
Cults are conventionally understood to be unestablished, non-mainstream religious groups that follow a single leader. So what does it take to be the leader?…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Fossils Work
A fossil is a piece of once-living organic material that has undergone a transition from an organic state to an inorganic state. But what exactly is…
- Stuff You Should Know
Were U.S. citizens in Japanese internment camps?
During World War II, the U.S. interned more than 100,000 Japanese and Japanese-American citizens. In this episode, Chuck and Josh recount the events that led…
- Stuff You Should Know
What is stagflation?
When high inflation, slow growth and high employment combine, they result in an unfortunate economic situation known as stagflation. But what exactly is…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Tickling Works
What's the deal with tickling? Why does it make people laugh, and what's the science behind the reaction? Join Chuck and Josh and listen in as they demystify…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Crime Scene Photography Works
Crime scene photography is a crucial aspect of forensic investigation, but it's by no means a new part of detective work. In this episode, Chuck and Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Blood Pattern Analysis Works
Numerous television shows feature blood pattern analysis -- but how do these fictional portrayals measure up to the real thing? Tune in as Chuck and Josh break…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Black Death Worked
The Black Death was gruesome: Symptoms included tumors, purple splotches, fevers and vomiting. But how did this disease manage to spread from the Gobi desert…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Bartering Works
Bartering is an ancient practice. With the emergence of money-based transactions, it's no wonder that people might think bartering is a thing of the past. Tune…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Munchausen Syndrome Works
Why would someone fake an illness? Here's an even better question: Why would someone repeatedly make themselves sick? Join Josh and Chuck as they separate the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How to Control a Riot
It's no secret that people in crowds will behave differently than they would if they were alone. In a riot, individuals may exhibit a drastic change in their…
- Stuff You Should Know
What has the world's deadliest venom?
Venom isn't unique to snakes -- animals like scorpions, spiders, jellyfish and even platypuses can all use venom. Join Chuck and Josh as they explore the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can oceans power the world?
Oceans cover more than 70 percent of Earth's surface. But could the kinetic power of the tides or the oceans' thermal energy become the world's future power…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Mafia Works
Many people are familiar with depictions of the Mafia in film, but what's the real story? Join Chuck and Josh as they break the infamous code of silence and…