Curiosity Daily

Curiosity Daily


Latest Episodes

Why Itches Spread, Ancient Vending Machine, and Not Realizing When Your Beliefs Change
June 09, 2019

Learn about the world’s first vending machine that was invented nearly 2,000 years ago; why scratching an itch can make it spread; and, why you probably don’t realize it when your beliefs change.

EMD and the Science Behind Today's — and Tomorrow's — Technology
June 08, 2019

Learn about EMD Performance Materials; why packaging innovation is a vital component in developing new technologies; and what it takes from a business standpoint to change the way we interact with computers and other devices in our daily lives.

Personality Test Role-Playing Game, Antimatter Double-Slit Science, and Asexual Reproduction
June 07, 2019

Learn about what happened when scientists put antimatter through the double-slit experiment; how a role-playing game could test your personality better than an actual personality test; and why more animals don’t reproduce asexually.

Life After Life Hacking (w/ Professor Joseph M. Reagle, Jr.) and White Hole Science
June 06, 2019

Learn about the replication crisis facing researchers in the social and life sciences from a special guest: Professor Joseph M. Reagle Jr., author of the new book “Hacking Life: Systematized Living and Its Discontents.” You’ll also learn why white holes c

New Laser Uses Sound Waves, Get Your Kids to Eat Veggies, and Better-Than-Average Effect
June 05, 2019

Learn about a new phonon laser that uses sound instead of light; a counterintuitive trick to get your kids to eat vegetables; and a cognitive bias that explains why most people think they’re better than other people.

Passion for Your Job Can Backfire, Ancient Greeks Knew Earth Was Round, and Hair in Food
June 04, 2019

Learn about how the ancient Greeks knew the Earth was round; why being passionate about your job can backfire; and why you shouldn’t worry if you find a hair in your food.

What Determines How Others See You (w/ Vivian Zayas) and Don’t Ask for Too Much Advice
June 03, 2019

Learn about the factors that determine how other people see you with special guest Vivian Zayas, Director of the Personality, Attachment, and Control Laboratory at Cornell University. Plus, learn about why it’s possible to ask for too much advice.

Ancient Cities Can Help Us Plan Modern Cities (w/ Monica L. Smith) and Where Light Goes
June 02, 2019

Learn about how studying ancient cities can help us plan modern cities from author Monica L. Smith, an archaeologist and professor in the department of anthropology at UCLA. Plus, learn what happens to light when you turn off the lightswitch.

Ingredients for New Friendships, Dark Matter Debate, and How to Make Decisions with Friends
May 31, 2019

Learn about the key ingredients for forging a friendship; why it’s so hard to make decisions with friends; and what it would mean if dark matter doesn’t exist and the law of gravity is wrong.

Drawbacks and Dangers of Life Hacking (w/ Joseph M. Reagle, Jr.) and Why Wet Fingers Prune
May 30, 2019

Learn about potential drawbacks to life hacking from Professor Joseph M. Reagle Jr., author of the new book “Hacking Life: Systematized Living and Its Discontents.” You’ll also learn why your fingers get pruney when they’re soaked in water.