Favorite Superstitions Explained & Weird Science Quirks
4/4/202647 min
Apologizing seems like the obvious thing to do when you’ve done something wrong. It’s supposed to make things right—and make you feel better. But interestingly, there’s something else that can feel even better than saying “I’m sorry”… and many people do it without even realizing why. https://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175714511/why-not-apologizing-makes-you-feel-better
Every culture has superstitions—lucky charms, rituals, taboos, and beliefs that don’t seem to make logical sense. By definition, they’re irrational. So why do they persist? Why do otherwise rational people still avoid walking under ladders, knock on wood, or carry lucky objects...
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First 90 secondsMike Carruthers· Host0:00
This episode of Something You Should Know is presented by Dutch. If your pet is still scratching and over-the-counter treatments aren't cutting it, Dutch connects you with a real licensed vet online, no waiting room, and get prescription-strength flea and tick meds delivered to your door. Use code SYSK at dutch.com for forty dollars off your membership. [upbeat music] Today on Something You Should Know, why is it sometimes so hard to say I'm sorry? Then superstitions, why do we have them? And we have a lot of them, about lucky charms, broken mirrors, black cats.
Heather Alexander· Guest0:41
Europeans started associating black cats with witches, so that's why black cats crossing your path was thought to be a sign of bad things to come. As a result, black cats are not adopted as much from shelters.
Mike Carruthers· Host0:56
Also, what should you do if you see an egg on the ground that fell out of a nest? And fascinating science, like the only way to cure a hangover and why we use maggots to heal wounds.
Chris Balakrishnan· Guest1:09
Unfortunately, the grossness is really what prevents people from using this treatment. Maggots are not used nearly as much as, as they should, given their effectiveness, just because of the gross-out factor.
Mike Carruthers· Host1:21
All this today on Something You Should Know. Here's a question for anyone with a dog or cat.