Very Bad Wizards Episode 305: Emile Is the Name of the Goat (with Paul Bloom)
21 snips
Mar 25, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Paul Bloom, a Professor of Psychology renowned for his insights into moral psychology and cognitive science. They dissect the complex themes of the 'Severance' season finale, blending humor with deep philosophical questions. The discussion also dives into 'the ick,' a quirky phenomenon of attraction and aversion, and how trivial habits can influence romantic choices. Bloom and the hosts reflect on the intricacies of identity and emotional sacrifice, probing the impact of personal quirks in dating scenarios.
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Ping Pong Ick
- Paul Bloom's favorite "ick" example is men awkwardly chasing ping pong balls.
- He admits to experiencing this personally, noting the loss of status.
More Ick Examples
- Tamler's daughter cited seeing men's feet, certain flip-flops, and tripping as "ick" triggers.
- A grad student mentioned men playing guitar or writing love songs.
Evolutionary Basis of the Ick
- The "ick" is theorized as an evolved response in women to superficial cues indicating potential mate incompatibility.
- This stems from error management theory, prioritizing loss aversion in mate selection.
