Episodes

  • What is myopia?

    What is myopia?
    Jan 24 2026
    What is myopia? According to a 2019 study from the Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science journal, almost 60% of all humans will have some form of myopia by 2050. That means as many as 5 billion people will be short-sighted, unable to clearly see objects more than 5 yards away. And that’s not at all; already one in three people suffer from myopia, a figure which rises to nearly 50% in some parts of east Asia! Some observers have labelled myopia an epidemic and researchers believe the increase is largely linked to lifestyle factors. We’re spending less time outdoors and more time on intense close up viewing activities. I thought myopia was a hereditary condition What does daylight have to do with it? Is myopia a serious condition? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is nuclear deterrence?⁠ ⁠What is the Wagner Group?⁠ ⁠What is the Azov Battalion?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 24/3/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Why do some stroke victims wake up with a foreign accent?

    Why do some stroke victims wake up with a foreign accent?
    Jan 24 2026
    The idea might seem like something out of a fantasy, but “Foreign Accent Syndrome” is a genuine, albeit very rare, neurological condition! It sees a person begin to speak with an accent different to the one they had prior to having a stroke; one which makes them sound like they come from an entirely different country! Since the first case was discovered in France in 1907, there have only been about 100 documented cases worldwide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But certain cases have attracted the attention of the media and scientific researchers alike. One dates back to 1941 in Oslo, Norway, during a period of German occupation. What is the foreign accent syndrom? What exactly happens in the brain in such cases? How serious can the syndrome be? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠⁠How to spot, prevent and treat heatstroke ?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠What are the strangest reactions caused by an orgasm?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How can I learn 1000 words in a new language?⁠⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 10/1/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is the Barnum effect?

    What is the Barnum effect?
    Jan 24 2026
    Have you ever felt like your horoscope was written just for you? Or a fortune’s cookie advice seemed incredibly relevant? You may be surprised, but it’s actually not such a coincidence after all. This psychological phenomenon is known as the Barnum effect. It’s a cognitive bias that occurs when people believe that generic personality descriptions and statements apply specifically to them. It may explain how practices such as astrology, fortune telling and personality tests have become relatively accepted despite lacking any basis in fact. Of course, people offering such services may not be aware of the Barnum effect label, but many understand how it works and seek to exploit it for their gain. Where does the name come from? So the professor was slacking rather than the students on that occasion! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is astropsychology?⁠ ⁠What is a Saturn return in astrology?⁠ ⁠Why has astrology come back into fashion?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 1/3/2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is Stan Culture ?

    What is Stan Culture ?
    Jan 23 2026
    This week, we're looking back at 10 words and phrases that have been on everyone's lips in 2022. From the Uber Files leak to "shrinkflation" in stores or "quiet quitting" at work, refresh your memory on some of the events and phenomena that best sum up the year gone by. Little did Eminem know when he invented obsessed super fan Stan for a track on The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, that over two decades later the term would still be used, albeit with a twist.The fictional fan Eminem wrote about ended up killing himself and his pregnant wife when his favourite rapper never replied to his letters. Nowadays, the term mostly refers to hardcore fan communities who are extremely active on social media. How did stan culture emerge? Can you give me some examples? Stans sure are quick to jump to conclusions, aren’t they? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Why do Christmas decorations make me feel happier?⁠ ⁠How can I choose the perfect gift, according to science?⁠ ⁠Why is the latest wave of Covid-19 destabilising the Chinese regime?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 20/12/2020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    6 mins
  • What is the Karpman drama triangle?

    What is the Karpman drama triangle?
    Jan 23 2026
    American psychiatrist Stephen B. Karpman coined this social model of human interaction in 1968. It describes the roles that we take on in unbalanced social relations. Relations which lead us to take one of three roles within Karpman’s triangle. These are three roles in Karpman's triangle. These are the victim, the persecutor and the saviour. And the role we take on unconsciously leads someone else to take on one of the others. Let’s take the role of the victim. If I consider myself as a victim, I’m going to tend to blame my hardships on a persecutor, who I consider responsible for my misfortune or pain. What are the roles in the Karpman triangle then? What’s the point of this whole theory? How does one escape from this infuriating triangle then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠What can we expect from Lula’s presidency in Brazil?⁠ ⁠How did Guy Fawkes become more than just a bonfire effigy⁠? ⁠What is sapiosexuality?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 7/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What can supermarkets do to reduce food waste?

    What can supermarkets do to reduce food waste?
    Jan 23 2026
    November is synonymous with Black Friday, great deals but what cost? Over consumption is endangering our already fragile planet. Is it time to change our ways? This week Do You Really Know is highlighting concepts and initiatives about reducing our consumption. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, roughly a third of all produced in the world goes to waste. What’s more the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation says that food waste accounts for a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of greenhouse gas emissions in total. With that in mind, we might feel guilty when we don’t finish our dinner, or leave something in the fridge for too long and have to throw it out. Where do these problems come from? Do new technologies have a part to play in this? What about imperfect food items? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Should I take part in Buy Nothing Day?⁠ ⁠How to buy second hand gifts?⁠ ⁠How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 26/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is an anocracy?

    What is an anocracy?
    Jan 22 2026
    Let’s think back to January 6th 2021, when the U.S. Capitol was invaded by radical pro-Trump activists. Of course since then, Donald Trump has left the White House. But, with hindsight, how should we remember his mandate and this event in particular? Political scientist Baraba F. Walter recently looked into the US's current instability and went as far as describing it as an anocracy. That’s a term for a government that is neither fully democratic, nor fully autocratic. It was first coined in 1946 by Austrian philosopher Martin Buber and then translated into English in the 1950s. Barbara Walter is a CIA advisor and professor at the University of San Diego in California. Throughout her career, she has studied conflicts in many countries across the world, such as Lebanon, Syria, Sri Lanka, and Nicaragua, to name just a few. Where does the word anocracy come from? Why would she believe that? And how can an anocracy plunge into civil war? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: ⁠Are my smart devices spying on me?⁠ ⁠What is synthetic fuel?⁠ ⁠What is a frozen conflict?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 19/1/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is synthetic fuel?

    What is synthetic fuel?
    Jan 22 2026
    For a number of years now, we’ve been hearing that the future of transport is electric, in particular due to the impact of fossil fuels on global warming. But there are a number of drawbacks, including cost, battery life, battery recycling, charging time which mean some people are reluctant to get on board. There are also fears that the switch to electric vehicles won’t be quick enough to meet environmental objectives. Some experts believe that the fastest way to reduce CO2 emissions from transport is to use fuels synthesised from organic materials that are carbon-neutral and can power existing vehicles. How are synthetic fuels made? Why are they a good alternative to fossil fuels? Will it be available to the general public? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: ⁠Could job enrichment make your work more rewarding?⁠ ⁠What is Ulysses Syndrome?⁠ ⁠What are nepo babies?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 16/01/2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins