The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong
Mark Chrisler
A podcast about exactly what it says it is: examining the bad ideas, mistakes and accidents that misshaped our world.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 26, 2025 • 42min
The Rest of The Story - Redux
We're hatching a plan to demolish The Great Wall of China... again!
Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringVisit our Patreon here. BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 2min
By Heart, Part 2
Dive into the fascinating world of Scrabble, where casual play meets fierce competition, revealing deep connections between players. Explore the astounding memory of Nigel Richards, a multilingual Scrabble titan, and ponder the philosophical implications of knowledge and memory. Uncover the flaws of human memory, contrasting historical insights from Aristotle to Pliny. Discover legendary memory feats and the intriguing tale of Simonides that links criticism to creative memory techniques. Finally, unlock innovative mnemonic strategies that reshape our understanding of human potential.
Jul 29, 2025 • 50min
By Heart, Part 1
Delve into the groundbreaking world of genetics, where the discovery of the 47th chromosome linked to Down syndrome unfolds amid societal chaos. Explore Aristotle's timeless theories on memory and their enduring impact on psychology. Witness the evolution of memory research, from Ebbinghaus’s innovative methods to the complex interplay of cognitive processes. Uncover the fragility of memory, shaped by emotional experiences, and ponder the intriguing concept of near-perfect memories that challenges our understanding of recall.
Jul 15, 2025 • 54min
It's a Secret 4 Everyone
Dive into the intriguing phenomenon of 'blue moons' within the Gregorian calendar, sprinkled with humor. Explore bizarre literature, including the enigmatic Voynich Manuscript. Reflect on Robert Burton's 'The Anatomy of Melancholy' and its insights on mental health and creativity. Discover the chilling tale of meteor tsunamis that struck Chicago in 1954. Enjoy the whimsical chaos of chimney sweeps descending on a widow’s home and the comedic fallout from Theodore Hook's elaborate hoax in London. It's a delightful blend of history and oddities!
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 4min
The Mysterious Stranger
The confusing con of Canada.
Send me your best "I bet you didn't know that" story in an audio file to tellmesomethingconstant@gmail.com
Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringVisit our Patreon here.
You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now! BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!
The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025 • 43min
Caraboo Who?
A mysterious princess appears!
Send me your best "I bet you didn't know that" story in an audio file to tellmesomethingconstant@gmail.comCheck out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringVisit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now! BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 3, 2025 • 51min
The Need for Speed (w/ Nicky Woolf)
Nicky Woolf can be my wing man anytime.
Send me your best "I bet you didn't know that" story in an audio file to tellmesomethingconstant@gmail.comCheck out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringVisit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
Tell Me Something I Don't Know (Episode 200!)
Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringWant a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here!Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 6, 2025 • 54min
A Pirate's Life for Me
Clew up! Man the top sails! Other generic sailing jargon! There's a pirate utopia off the starboard bow!
Go to US.Amazfit.com/TheConstant and enter promo code "constant" for 15% off your Amazfit smart watch.Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringWant a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here!Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 22, 2025 • 42min
Madagascar (Redux)
The story of an island, and the worst thing that never happened on it.Go to US.Amazfit.com/TheConstant and enter promo code "constant" for 15% off your Amazfit smart watch.Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiringWant a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here!Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS!The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
