The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week Deprogramming the Patriarchy, Metric Pirates, Earwax Types
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Mar 1, 2023 Angela Saini, a science journalist and author known for her work on gender and science, dives deep into the complexities of gender equality across different cultures. She shares fascinating historical anecdotes about feminist movements and the origins of patriarchy. The conversation also humorously explores earwax, highlighting its cultural significance and the misconceptions surrounding ear hygiene. Lastly, Saini discusses the evolution of measurement in America, illustrating the quirky challenges of adopting the metric system.
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Intimate Ear Cleaning Tradition
- Lauren Young shares a personal story about her mother cleaning her ears with a delicate bamboo stick called mimikaki in Japanese culture.
- Ear cleaning is an intimate, affectionate act in Asian cultures, practiced for over a thousand years with ornate tools including ones made from precious metals.
Genetics Determine Earwax Type
- Earwax type (wet or dry) depends genetically on oil gland productivity and sweat content.
- Wet earwax is dominant and common in Europeans and Africans, while dry is predominant in East Asians, but exceptions exist.
Avoid Q-tips For Earwax
- Avoid using Q-tips as they push earwax deeper, worsening blockages.
- Visit doctors for earwax problems since earwax serves protective antibacterial and antifungal functions.
