Tag: number

• Unfriending Dunbar and Ending Conversations

  Dunbar's Number is the theoretical conative limit of friends any human can maintain at once. For years, social scientists have claimed that this upper bound was in tension with our modern, social media-influenced lives. But what if Dunbar's Number isn't true? Anthony and Jeff take a look at new study that might debunk the idea. Then, how often are you in a conversation that ends precisely when you want it to? Turns out, most people would like a conversation - any conversation - to be over sooner or last longer than it does. Jeff and Anthony examine some research into conversation. [more]

  May 14, 2021Episodes

• Prehistoric Boning and Micromorts

  Scientists know a surprising amount about the historical period when Neanderthals and ancient humans were interbreeding, including whether they kissed and the nature of their sexual organs. Jeff and Anthony take a look at this data with the dispassionate professionalism of real scientists who've seen the trailer for the Croods. Then, the unit measure known as the Micromort quantifies your chance at dying from any number of day to day activities. Anthony and Jeff are obsessed with death, but they might find new ways to employ this illuminating value. [more]

  January 23, 2021Episodes