BrainStuff

Discover how paleoartists collaborate with scientists to bring prehistoric creatures back to life. The impact of the Dinosaur Renaissance changed how we envision these giants, making them look more dynamic. Controversies like shrink-wrapping reveal challenges in creating accurate depictions. Modern artists study living animals to incorporate realistic features like feathers and fat. Learn about historical paleo art, including the iconic models from Crystal Palace Park. It's a fascinating blend of art and science that breathes life into the distant past!

Discover the eerie tale of the Winchester Mystery House, constructed by Sarah Winchester in a desperate bid to appease restless spirits. Delve into her personal tragedies, including family losses that prompted her move to California. The podcast explores bizarre architectural choices, like doors and stairs to nowhere, and examines Sarah's nightly seances that guided the house's endless renovation. Uncover the modern reputation of the house as a haunted attraction and the strange phenomena reported by visitors.

The number 666 has been adopted by modern horror media as a demonic symbol, but what (or whom) does this number really refer to? Learn about the Book of Revelation and ancient wordplay via numbers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/666.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piranhas are very efficient eaters, but their frothing feeding frenzy seen in horror movies is mostly based on a myth started by Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/piranha-eat-cows.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Turkey, a set of prehistoric columns rivals Stonehenge -- but they're 6,000 years older. Learn what we know (and don't know) about the hunter-gatherers who built Göbekli Tepe in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/gobekli-tepe.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This blockbuster style of hot sauce started with the Huy Fong brand, but that original 'rooster sauce' is often out of stock. Learn how a combo of weather and legal drama are at the root in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/sriracha.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Levee systems make it possible for us to live alongside bodies of water with less danger of flooding. Learn how engineers design them -- and why levees sometimes fail -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/levee.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the intriguing distinctions between socialism and communism! Explore their shared roots in the Communist Manifesto and how visionary thinkers like Marx critiqued earlier socialist models. Discover the aims of democratic socialism in Nordic countries, marked by their welfare systems and high taxes. Contrast this with one-party communist states, where political freedom is limited. Unpack why nations still identify as socialist while implementing market reforms, and ponder whether true communism has ever truly existed.

Our bodies can often prevent us from catching the same illness twice, and vaccines use that bodily system to prevent us from getting sick in the first place. Learn how the immune response works, what goes into vaccines, and why vaccines are safe for kids in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/preventive-care/vaccine.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, advances in technology allowed brave aquanauts to explore deeper into the ocean than ever before, but the project was shut down. Learn how Sealab worked -- and how that technology is still used today -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.