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Very Bad Wizards

Episode 305: Emile Is the Name of the Goat (with Paul Bloom)

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.
01:44:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast explores 'the ick,' a phenomenon where trivial behaviors can lead to a sudden loss of attraction, especially among women.
  • Historical concepts of humors are discussed as influential factors in personality and relationships, contrasting against modern psychological theories.

Deep dives

The ick: A Deep Dive

The podcast delves into the concept of 'the ick,' which refers to a sudden loss of attraction often triggered by trivial behaviors or traits. It is emphasized that this phenomenon is predominantly experienced by women, who react strongly to perceived unmanliness in men. The hosts provide examples, such as a man awkwardly chasing a ping pong ball or wearing jorts, illustrating how these seemingly minor actions can lead to a complete shift in attraction. They discuss the evolutionary psychology behind the ick, suggesting it may stem from instincts to avoid unsuitable partners, but express skepticism regarding the validity of such claims.

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