Joy Overload! The science of tickles and cuteness

04/14/20 • 38 min

1 Listener

Get ready for some smiles! We’re looking at the science of two things that bring us joy: tickles and cuteness.

We’ll explain why tickles make us giggle and why you can’t tickle yourself. Then we’ll talk about what makes cute things cute and why sometimes we want to eat or smoosh cute things.

Plus, a super cute Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um answering the question: “Can a moon have a moon?”

This episode is sponsored by iD Tech (idtech.com/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Get ready for some smiles! We’re looking at the science of two things that bring us joy: tickles and cuteness.

We’ll explain why tickles make us giggle and why you can’t tickle yourself. Then we’ll talk about what makes cute things cute and why sometimes we want to eat or smoosh cute things.

Plus, a super cute Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um answering the question: “Can a moon have a moon?”

This episode is sponsored by iD Tech (idtech.com/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Previous Episode

Virus Busters: How scientists are working to stop the coronavirus

Scientists around the world are working fast to fight the new coronavirus. They’re developing medicines to help people who are sick. They’re also working on vaccines to stop the virus from spreading.

In this episode we’ll explain how these treatments work and we’ll give you some tips on keeping six feet from other people while taking a stroll outside. Oh, and Kara and Gilly stop by to drop some epic virus facts. Plus a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that looks at whether or not worms sleep.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Laurel Springs (laurelsprings.com/brainson). You can support this non-profit public radio podcast at brainson.org/fans

Please note that this episode was released on April 7, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

To learn more about how viruses spread, you can listen to our first episode about this new coronavirus: Understanding coronavirus and how germs spread : https://www.brainson.org/shows/2020/03/10/understanding-coronavirus-and-how-germs-spread-for-kids

And to learn about why it’s important to stay home, listen to our second episode: Staying home: How social distancing helps fight coronavirus : https://www.brainson.org/shows/2020/03/24/staying-home-how-social-distancing-helps-fight-coronavirus

For more on how our immune system fights viruses, check out our episode: How do flu vaccines work? https://www.brainson.org/shows/2019/10/08/how-do-flu-vaccines-work

For more on how to know which sources of information are trustworthy, you can check out our four-part series Prove It:
Part one: A brief history of facts: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/02/a-brief-history-of-facts-prove-it-part-1
Part two: Science under the microscope: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/09/science-under-the-microscope-prove-it-part-2
Part three: The scoop on journalism: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/16/the-scoop-on-journalism-prove-it-part-3
Part four: How to find the facts: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/23/how-to-find-the-facts-prove-it-part-4

Next Episode

Can you dig to the center of the Earth?

Like an onion, the Earth has layers. In this episode we’ll see if you can dig through those layers to get to the center of the planet.

We’ll also hear about the Danish scientist who discovered more about Earth’s core by studying earthquakes. Plus, we investigate the phrase “dig a hole to China.”

Children’s book author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers stops by to talk about the Earth’s crust. “Here We Are,” his book about our vast and wonderful planet, was just turned into a movie (you can find it on Apple TV+).

And our Moment of Um answers the question: do fish have tongues? All that and a Mystery Sound in this very layered episode!

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and Skylight Frame (skylightframe.com/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans