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Maximum Fun
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Oct 23, 2025 • 2h 22min

95: 🎂 Superheavy Elements 2, Craftivism 2, and Tom's List

It's the podcast's birthday!! So Tom has a few ideas he wants to pitch to Caroline and Ella... but first! Ella and Caroline finally revisit the topics they promised! What are the WILD stories behind the race to discover new elements, and what are the real nuancy nuances of craftivism?Images we Talk About:William Morris' PrintTerrero's HankieHankie Given to TerreroMadres de Plaza de MayoPussyhatTom's GiftsTimestamps:(00:00:00) Intro(00:06:43) Superheavy Elements 2(01:17:58) Craftivism 2(02:01:28) Tom’s ListSupport us with a Max Fun Membership!Join our Discord!We also learn about: How do we prove this is real, we pinky promise, a refresher in the form of a pop quiz, we didn’t make the elements - except for some we did make, is the gift plutonium? we never thought we’d have another element heavier - and then you happened! the quizkids element reveal, the increasing specificity of Stan’s Apartmentium, just keep adding and smashing its just math - really expensive math, the long island ice tea of nuclear materials is in the bomb, scraping new elements off the filters of flying through a mushroom cloud, the edge of the periodic table was a cold war battle field, the feuds of the transfermium wars, perhaps sodium seaborgate, while they were bickering over naming Germany discovered 5 new elements, it’s like a railgun you nerd, linear vs circular accelerators, it’s like hotwheels tracks, we could’ve designed this! “how can we differently smash this stuff?”, I’m hype about a filter, only Victor Ninov could run GOOSY, “the most audacious fraud in scientific history”, lying about discovering an element and then discovering it before people catch on to the lie, 3 elements wasn’t enough, Oganessian co discovered 14 elements - the most of anyone, I mean really we all co-discovered this topic, “we hit this wall of super heavy elements being bastards”, Goosy 2 Electric Goosyloo, you’re smashing billions of particles per second over months to hopefully get 1 atom, calcium beam of milk, the theoretical island of stability, superstable superheavy elements, disappointment on the horizon, domestic arts for political and social change, I sure wish someone had done research into this nuance, oh fuck that was supposed to be me! the arts and crafts movement was activism for crafts not crafts for activism, fucking up golf courses for women’s suffrage, some suffragettes didn’t want to include working class women, imprisoned women were given sewing needles to reform but they just made incredible protest art, Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a sense of solidarity through craft, lets tonally tokyo drift this episode baby, comparing and contrasting with the pussy hat, craft ins and yarn bombing, craftivism defies expectations and engages community, “appealing” activism, craftivism is a piece of the puzzle not the whole solution, it’s a useful tool in the toolkit, Hoisin Duck Wrap - Irn Bru - Yogurt, Tom gets a tattoo and regrets it, stopping by Tom Scott’s spinoff podcast show, Tom’s gifts, putting it to the test who’s the strongest cohost, the podcast can officially hop!Sources:Kit Chapman's "Super Heavy: Making and Breaking the Periodic Table"Ella's Superheavy Documentary---Britannica: Arts and Crafts MovementTextile Society of America: The benefits and pitfalls of craftivismMuseum of English Rural lift: Suffrage and the Sewing MachineAmerican Golfer 1912: The British Suffragettes Attack Golf CoursesTextile Society of America: The Political Stitch: Voicing Resistance in a Suffrage TextileThe Thread Blog: Historical Craftivism: From Suffragettes to Gandhi to ArgentinaThe Association of the Madres de Plaza de MayoLearning for Justice: Madres de Plaza de MayoV&A: The PussyhatThe Morning Crafter Blog: Craftivism: Empowerment, Resistance, and Activism Through HistoryBook: How To Be A Craftivist by Sarah Corbett2022 Paper: Negotiating the Art of Protest through Craftivism2017 Paper: KNIT + RESIST: placing the Pussyhat Project in the context of craft activism2018 Paper: Knitting Activism, Knitting Gender, Knitting RaceJ. Feliz: An Open Letter to the Craftivism MovementBBC: Police to get broader powers to restrict repeated protests
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30 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 41min

94: Paranormal Psychology & Defunct Halloween Traditions

Dive into the fascinating world of paranormal psychology and discover why our brains love to create spooky experiences. Explore old Halloween traditions, like the wild antics of Mischief Night and the peculiar 'Silent Supper' game. Learn how suggestion can shape our perceptions, making us feel haunted by the unseeable. Marvel at quirky pumpkin-carving rituals and the history behind bobbing for apples. This episode blends science and the supernatural with laughs and reflections on how to reclaim forgotten festivities for a modern Halloween!
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30 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 54min

93: Unsolved Math Problems & Video Game Controllers w/ Ellen Weatherford

Ellen Weatherford, a dynamic producer and podcaster, dives into the fascinating realms of unsolved math problems and video game controllers. She shares the legacy of Fermat's claims and highlights the captivating history behind perfect numbers. Then, Ellen explores the evolution of gaming controllers, discussing iconic innovations from the Magnavox Odyssey to modern ergonomics. With personal anecdotes peppered throughout, listeners will enjoy a nostalgic journey through gaming's tech evolution, sparking curiosity about both math and gaming history!
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19 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 55min

92: The Chemistry of Computers & The Great Moon Hoax of 1835

Discover how chemistry explains the inner workings of computers, from semiconductors to transistors, showcasing the evolution from bulky vacuum tubes to sleek integrated circuits. Dive deep into the Great Moon Hoax of 1835, a satirical series that led many to believe in fantastical lunar discoveries, fueled by intrigue in extraterrestrial life. Learn about the clever techniques used to lend credibility to the hoax and its lasting impact on science fiction and media responsibility.
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21 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 29min

91: Lauren Gawne, Is Pointing Rude, and Gestures Studies

In this discussion, Lauren Gawne, a senior lecturer and gesture researcher, delves into the complexities of pointing. Is it truly rude? Lauren explores cultural perceptions, revealing that index-finger pointing can feel aggressive due to its associations. The conversation also highlights diverse pointing methods across cultures, such as lip and chin pointing, and discusses the fascinating role of gesture in language—a key component of sign languages. Plus, learn how gestures enhance memory and storytelling. Where will pointing lead us next?
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26 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 47min

90: Octopuses & The Paralympics

Dive into the quirky world of octopuses, where their alien-like intelligence and decentralized nervous systems challenge our understanding of animal behavior. Explore their playful antics, like navigating mazes and forming social groups, revealing a surprising depth. Shift gears to the Paralympics, tracing its roots and the ongoing struggles for representation and fairness in sports. Discover the inspiring histories, the complexities of competition, and the societal impacts of visibility for disabled athletes, making this a captivating blend of science and sports.
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16 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 30min

89: Understanding Blood & Peculiar Percussion

Dive into the fascinating world of blood and percussion! Explore ancient medical theories like humoral theory and the quirky history of bloodletting with leeches. Discover how blood science evolved from ancient understandings to modern transfusions. Shift gears to unique percussion instruments, including the quijada and cymbals, reflecting their cultural significance. Enjoy anecdotes and a playful quiz that connects blood and music, blending science and art in an engaging discussion!
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26 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 47min

88: The Evolution of the Placebo & Postage Stamp Art

Discover the fascinating world of placebos and their evolution in science and ethics. Learn about the placebo effect's mysterious workings and even its impact on animals. The podcast also dives into the captivating realm of postage stamp art, exploring its rich history and cultural significance. From the first UK stamp to the competitive Duck Stamp Competition, the discussion highlights the artistry and storytelling behind these tiny pieces of communication. Plus, enjoy whimsical tales that blend nutrition and adventure!
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Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 51min

87: Mating Rituals & True Crime

Just how complicated can animal mating rituals be, and why did they even evolve them at all? And why is true crime Everywhere, and what can we learn from breaking down what makes it feel so icky?Also see Tom's new Game Show in NYC this Sunday! www.OurFindingsShow.comThings we Talk About:Deathwatch BeetleRed-Winged BlackbirdHouse FinchLesser Florican VideoDance Analysis Video 1Dance Analysis Video 2Cruell Step-DamesCarolina Buddies Murder BalladTimestamps:(00:00:00) Intro(00:04:04) Mating Rituals(01:03:01) True Crime(01:46:08) OutroSupport us with a Max Fun Membership!Join our Discord!We also learn about: the adorable death watch beetle, the deep sea “ah fuck it - you’re here” approach, of course the man on the podcast thinks reproduction is easy, why are people on hinge so picky, hermaphrodite sea bunnies, there’s plenty of fish in the sea and the sea is fucking huge, sexual ornaments, peacock feathers made Darwin SICK, sexual ornaments to identify you’re doing it with the right species, you can hang your sexual ornaments all year long for other purposes, finch dating shows, carotenoids from skilled foraging make a brighter pigment is an indicator trait, or just go to a tanning salon, going to the gym is the same - false muscles, active at night - gives you a fright - active at day - wants to get laid, wow flies give eye contact during courting - that’s better than a lot of humans, the fly cha cha slide, drosophila simlish, nuptial gifts, Women! Want! Regurgitated Nutrient Liquid! the arms race of jumping birds, the “I’ll have what she’s having theory”, dancing mannequins, intermediate level of asymmetric arm movement, if anything the study shows how comical it is to try to boil down human mating, the famous shirt smelling study, what are you trying to show with a human mating study? we shouldn’t be reductive for human mating or for animal mating either, ascribing the gender binary to worms, there is no one easy tip to dating in nature, a double banger for nuance, early crime tabloids like Illustrated Police News, Jack the Ripper was dubbed by the press after all, the prison chaplain’s broadsides, nature’s cruel step-dames or matchless monsters of the female sex, I can’t stop myself from coming up with names fro these murders, true crime lit was a best seller at public hangings, some broadsides sold 30x more than the news, the unmissable attraction of La Morgue de Paris, American Murder Ballads didn’t need you to be literate, true crime as an indicator of media trends, the vicious cycle of true crime consumption, icky entertainment motivations, working against the wishes of survivors, if only the victim had had our sponsor - simply safe, the commodification of people’s suffering, what stories do we choose not to tell, true crime seems to say there is “right” kind of victim, but true crime isn’t irredeemable.Sources:Combermere Abbey: A Hard Day’s Night For The BeetlesPadi: Sea BunnySea Slug Courtship and Reproduction1978 Paper: Ultraviolet reflection and its behavioral role in the courtship of the sulfur butterflies 1972 Paper: The Role of the Epaulets in the Red-Winged Blackbird, (Agelaius phoeniceus) Social SystemAudubon: Are Brightly Colored Males Really the Best Mates?Scientific America: Why are male birds more colorful than female birds?National Science Foundation: Bright colors in the animal kingdom: Why some use them to impress and others to intimidate2019 Paper: Facial masculinity does not appear to be a condition-dependent male ornament and does not reflect MHC heterozygosity in humansYale News: Yale study reveals mating tip for bird species: You should be dancingThe Guardian: Dinosaurs performed dances to woo mates, according to new evidenceNorthumbria University: Study identifies high quality female dance movements1995: MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans2023 Paper: Do humans agree on which body odors are attractive, similar to the agreement observed when rating faces and voices?2017 Paper: Humans as a model species for sexual selection research2009 Paper: Dance dance attribution: exploring the relationship between dance and attractiveness in intial perceptions 2020 Paper: Mutual mate choice and its benefits for both sexes---Podcast.co: How Many True Crime PodcastsCrime Reads: The Rise of the True Crime PodcasterJSTOR: The Bloody History of the True Crime GenreHenry Goodcole: Nature’s Cruel Steppe DamesNYT: The Bloody History of True Crime LitWellcome Collection: Paris MorgueJSTOR: The Paris Morgue Provided Ghoulish EntertainmentJSTOR: The Murder Ballad Was the Original True Crime PodcastPsychology Today: Why the True Crime Audience Is Predominantly FemaleSAGE article: Why women are drawn to tales of rape, murder and serial killersNYT: Is Our True-Crime Obsession Doing More Harm Than Good?Gawker: True Crime is Rottnig Our BrainsTIME: The Human Cost of Binge-Watching True Crime SeriesReclamation: The Fascination With All That is Morbid and MacabreBinghamton University: True Crime Adaptations and How the Public SurveilsUniversity of Oregon: The true crime genre is popular, but is it ethical?
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Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 46min

The Best of Everything 2025

Listeners voted for their favorites topics of the past year, so join us as we chat and relearn the best of everything!Support us with a Max Fun Membership!Join our Discord!The best awards in podcasting that feature hosts named Tom, Ella and Caroline, the best cohost award is a tie (for Charlie and Teddy) actually introducing ourselves again, Tom is the hot one and the funny one, everyone loves dinosaurs, satisfying questions I never thought to ask, no one at the Igs knows Tom, the nuanced story of the propoganda of the propaganda, hey they happen to be some great topics we’re talking about, I had to put jokes about how bad we are so that we could compliment each other later, you can go back and discover Ella’s, we love an experimental episode as well as a classic episode, we love the quirky younger sibling of things, the World Games are coming up soon - get hype! 

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