Stuff You Should Know
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Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Episodes 4,641
Books 1,074

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Project Hail Mary: A Novel cover

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

Mentioned 1 week ago

Selects: The First Road Trip

The episode highlighted the audiobook of Andy Weir's sciencefiction novel, noting that Ray Porter was the narrator and describing it as a massive scifi adventure about survival and science.

I'm sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook Project Hail Mary. Massive scifi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone very far from earth.

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The Body cover

The Body

Stephen King

Mentioned 1 week ago

Selects: The First Road Trip

The hosts introduced the novella as the source material for the film Stand By Me and noted that Will Wheaton narrated its audiobook version.

I'm sitting down with Will Wheaton, who played Gordie Lachance in Stand By Me 40 years ago, and now narrates Stephen King's The Body, the novella that inspired it all.

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Of Mice and Men cover

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

Kola: The World’s Deepest Hole

The hosts said John Steinbeck visited the early Project Mohole drilling and that experience gave him the idea for the ending of Of Mice and Men.

That's where he got the idea for the end of, of Mice and Men.

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The Pearl cover

The Pearl

STEINBECK JOHN

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

Kola: The World’s Deepest Hole

They wondered whether Steinbeck had written The Pearl, mentioning it in the context of his involvement with the drilling project.

Did he write the Pearl? Because that was about pearl diving. So I'm pretty sure that was Steinbeck.

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Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron cover

Smartest Guys in the Room

Bethany McLean

Mentioned 3 weeks ago

Selects: How Enron Fooled the World

The hosts highlighted the book as the source material for the Enron documentary, noting its thorough investigation of the scandal and its authors' backgrounds. They recommended watching the film and reading the book for deeper insight into Enron's rise and fall.

I finally watched The Smartest Guys in the Room today. Yeah, the documentary based on the book, and we'll get to the authors and stuff. It was Peter Elkind, and who was the co-author? Bethany McClain. I knew she wrote the original articles in Forbes, so she co-authored the book.

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Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics) cover

Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

Short Stuff: Why does it feel good to be scared?

One host mentioned having read the novel the day before while discussing the idiom "sixes and sevens".

I was reading a book last yesterday. It was Crime and Punishment. And I'm not just saying this just to show everybody I'm reading Crime and Punishment. But somebody mentioned something being like sixes and sevens.

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Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980) cover

Scream with Me

Eleanor Johnson

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

Short Stuff: Why does it feel good to be scared?

The hosts highlighted the book as discussing why people pay to experience haunted houses or scary movies, describing it as voluntary engagement with negative higharousal stimuli.

There's a book that we want to shout out called Scream, Scream with an exclamation point from Margie Key and her colleague, Dr. Greg Siegel, who is director for the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at University of Pittsburgh. But their description of what we're talking about, like paying to go to a haunted house or something or a really scary movie as voluntary engagement with negative high arousal stimuli.

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A Confederacy of Dunces: A Novel cover

A Confederacy of Dunces

John Kennedy Toole

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

Some Interesting Curses

They mentioned the wellknown novel as a great book that, despite many attempts, has never been turned into a movie.

the very famously, the great, great book, A Confederacy of Dunces, has never been made.

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The Incomparable Atuk cover

The Incomparable Atuk

Mordecai RICHLER

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

Some Interesting Curses

The hosts said it was a 1963 satirical Canadian novel that the cursed Hollywood script was based on, and they discussed its plot about an Inuit poet in Toronto.

There was a script based on a book. It was a 1963 satirical Canadian novel called The Incomparable Atuk by Mordecai Rickler.

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Jurassic Park: A Novel cover

Jurassic Park

Michael Crichton

Mentioned 1 month ago

The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe

They noted that the novel was published in 1990 and introduced the character Ian Malcolm, a chaotician, which later influenced the film's depiction of chaos theory.

The book came out in 1990. And in the book, uh, Ian Malcolm, who's a chaotician-

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Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming cover

Merchants of Doubt

Naomi Oreskes

Mentioned 1 month ago

How Global Warming Works

The hosts referenced the book while discussing how think tanks spread doubt about climate science, noting they had mentioned it earlier in the episode.

Well, plus also that it's been proven, I've mentioned that book before, The Merchants of Doubt, that think tanks have been set up to basically influence public thought and point out like scientists aren't 100% certain, scientists aren't 100% certain.

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Mash cover

Mash

Richard Hooker

Mentioned 1 month ago

M*A*S*H: The Story of the 4077th

The hosts explained that the 1970 film was based on a 1968 paperback novel about three army doctors, written by veteran surgeon Richard H. Hornberger under the pen name Richard Hooker. They noted the book was a loose collection of anecdotes that was later expanded with a cowriter.

the movie was optioned from a book written in 1968 called MASH colon, a novel about three army doctors by a MASH veteran doctor named Dr. Richard H. Hornberger under a pseudonym Richard Hooker.

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Most Recommended

The Sword in the Stone Cover

Terence Hanbury White

The Sword in the Stone

It was mentioned as a book that many people are familiar with in connection to the King Arthur legend, and was also referenced as a good movie.

"

Sword in the Stone was pretty good, too.

— Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: Was there a r...

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Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: Was there a real King A...

It was mentioned as a book that many people are familiar with in connection to the King Arthur legend, and was also referenced as a good movie.

"

Sword in the Stone was pretty good, too.

Yeah. That everybody has a kind of a basic idea of the King Arthur legend, the Arthurian myth or romance.

Yeah. Well, Disney action.

That was a good movie, if I remember correctly.

La Contessa (The Grub Series Book 2) Cover

Stephen Matthews

La Contessa (The Grub Series Book 2)

It was a romance novel written by Rodney Dangerfield, which is described as being disturbing, with a cover that featured Rodney's face instead of Fabio's.

"

He wrote a romance novel called La Contessa. And if you Google the image for this, it's disturbing. Yeah, it's basically like your typical, it was like it's Fabio basically with a woman, except it's g...

— Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rodney Da...

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Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rodney Dangerfield...

It was a romance novel written by Rodney Dangerfield, which is described as being disturbing, with a cover that featured Rodney's face instead of Fabio's.

"

He wrote a romance novel called La Contessa. And if you Google the image for this, it's disturbing. Yeah, it's basically like your typical, it was like it's Fabio basically with a woman, except it's got Rodney Dangerfield's face on it.

And it's available on Audible. Oh, is it really? Yes, it is. With Rodney Dangerfield reading it. No way.

When I Was a Kid Cover

Cheeming Boey

When I Was a Kid

It was Rodney's autobiography, which he wrote shortly before his death, and he detailed the difficult childhood he had experienced.

"

And he had just written his autobiography and really just laid it all out there like he'd alluded to the rough life that he'd had in interviews and stuff like that.

— Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rodney Da...

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Episode: SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rodney Dangerfield...

It was Rodney's autobiography, which he wrote shortly before his death, and he detailed the difficult childhood he had experienced.

"

And he had just written his autobiography and really just laid it all out there like he'd alluded to the rough life that he'd had in interviews and stuff like that.

Hasbro Monopoly Money Cover

Hasbro Monopoly Money

It was written by Ralph Ansbach, who exposed the truth behind the Monopoly game's origins and the theft of the game by Charles Darrow, and it's a bit clumsily named.

"

He wrote a book awkwardly titled The Billion Dollar Monopoly in Swindle Colon.

— Episode: SYSK Selects: How Monopoly Works

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Episode: SYSK Selects: How Monopoly Works

It was written by Ralph Ansbach, who exposed the truth behind the Monopoly game's origins and the theft of the game by Charles Darrow, and it's a bit clumsily named.

"

He wrote a book awkwardly titled The Billion Dollar Monopoly in Swindle Colon.

During a David and Goliath battle, Anti-Monopoly uncovers the secret history of Monopoly.

The Travels of Marco Polo Cover

Marco Polo

The Travels of Marco Polo

It was mentioned that Marco Polo's book inspired Christopher Columbus' voyage, influencing his belief in the existence of cities filled with gold in the New World.

"

Where he talked about palaces of silver and gold You know people thought it was just like the streets were lined with this stuff, right in the New World

— Episode: SYSK Selects: How Gold Works

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Episode: SYSK Selects: How Gold Works

It was mentioned that Marco Polo's book inspired Christopher Columbus' voyage, influencing his belief in the existence of cities filled with gold in the New World.

"

Where he talked about palaces of silver and gold You know people thought it was just like the streets were lined with this stuff, right in the New World

Artistic gold prospecting / nuggets: For Garimpeiros Only (Japanese Edition) Cover

TONOUCHI TETSUO

Artistic gold prospecting / nuggets

For Garimpeiros Only (Japanese Edition)

It was recommended for its captivating nature and was described as an engaging article about the environmental impact of illegal gold mining in Guyana, including the use of mercury and other harmful practices.

"

there's a really great article May have one of Pulitzer. I found it on Pulitzer org, but it was originally in Harper's. That's where I read it gold guns and Garamperos that is G A R I M P E I R O S an...

— Episode: SYSK Selects: How Gold Works

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Episode: SYSK Selects: How Gold Works

It was recommended for its captivating nature and was described as an engaging article about the environmental impact of illegal gold mining in Guyana, including the use of mercury and other harmful practices.

"

there's a really great article May have one of Pulitzer. I found it on Pulitzer org, but it was originally in Harper's. That's where I read it gold guns and Garamperos that is G A R I M P E I R O S and it's by Damon tabor

It has that effect a little bit, but it's it's more just completely fascinating like you can't believe that people are doing this

A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance Cover

Rupert Sheldrake

A New Science of Life

The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance

It was Sheldrake's first book that gained popularity, introducing the concept of morphic fields and morphic resonance, which guide the development and behavior of living organisms.

"

Morphic resonance is the influence of previous structures of activity on subsequent similar structures of activity organized by morphic fields. It enables memories to pass across both space and time f...

— Episode: How Morphic Fields Work?

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Episode: How Morphic Fields Work?

It was Sheldrake's first book that gained popularity, introducing the concept of morphic fields and morphic resonance, which guide the development and behavior of living organisms.

"

Morphic resonance is the influence of previous structures of activity on subsequent similar structures of activity organized by morphic fields. It enables memories to pass across both space and time from the past.

In its most general sense, this hypothesis implies that the so-called laws of nature are more like habits.

Sheldrake is so committed to his hypotheses that it is very hard to envisage the circumstances in which he would accept its disconfirmation.

Sheldrake is putting forward magic instead of science. And that can be condemned in exactly the language that the Pope used to condemn Galileo for the same reason. It is heresy.

Morphic resonance is rubbish. It is unmitigated junk and a great insult to the people who do real work in the field.

The History of Syphilis Cover

Professor Claude Quétel

The History of Syphilis

It was mentioned as a good reference for information on syphilis, specifically its history and the various treatments used in the past.

"

History of syphilis by Claude Cattell is a pretty good reference.

— Episode: SYSK Selects: Your limb is torn off - no...

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Episode: SYSK Selects: Your limb is torn off - now what?

It was mentioned as a good reference for information on syphilis, specifically its history and the various treatments used in the past.

"

History of syphilis by Claude Cattell is a pretty good reference.

He read a book called The History of Syphilis.

Let Our Children Go: Steps to Free Your Child from Evil Influences and Demonic Harassment Cover

Rebecca Greenwood

Let Our Children Go

Steps to Free Your Child from Evil Influences and Demonic Harassment

It was mentioned as a book written by Ted Patrick in 1976, and some of the details of the book were discussed, specifically about his methods of deprogramming.

"

He said he's talking about Wes, one of the people he deprogrammed. He said Wes had taken up a position facing the car with his hands on the roof and his legs spread eagled. There was no way to let him...

— Episode: SYSK Selects: How Cult Deprogramming Wor...

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Episode: SYSK Selects: How Cult Deprogramming Works

It was mentioned as a book written by Ted Patrick in 1976, and some of the details of the book were discussed, specifically about his methods of deprogramming.

"

He said he's talking about Wes, one of the people he deprogrammed. He said Wes had taken up a position facing the car with his hands on the roof and his legs spread eagled. There was no way to let him inside while he was braced like that.

I had to make a quick decision. I reached down between Wes's legs, grabbed him by the crotch and squeezed hard. He let out a howl and doubled up, grabbing for his groin with both hands.

Then I hit shoving him headfirst into the back seat of the car and piling in on top of them.

Cab Calloway Cover

Cab Calloway

It was mentioned that Cab Calloway, a lover of the zoot suit, created a dictionary of jive slang. It was also mentioned that the word 'Zoot' meant exaggerated.

"

One of the words that he put down was zoot, which he says means exaggerated.

— Episode: SYSK Selects: A Podcast on Zoot Suits? Y...

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Episode: SYSK Selects: A Podcast on Zoot Suits? Yes

It was mentioned that Cab Calloway, a lover of the zoot suit, created a dictionary of jive slang. It was also mentioned that the word 'Zoot' meant exaggerated.

"

One of the words that he put down was zoot, which he says means exaggerated.

The Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul Cover

Francis Crick

The Astonishing Hypothesis

The Scientific Search for the Soul

The book, written in the 1970s, was mentioned as containing a famous quote suggesting that humans are simply a collection of neurons, a concept that was discussed in the context of optogenetics and its potential impact on understanding consciousness and happiness.

"

You're nothing but a pack of neurons.

— Episode: Optogenetics: Controlling Your Genes wit...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Optogenetics: Controlling Your Genes with Light

The book, written in the 1970s, was mentioned as containing a famous quote suggesting that humans are simply a collection of neurons, a concept that was discussed in the context of optogenetics and its potential impact on understanding consciousness and happiness.

"

You're nothing but a pack of neurons.

Baby Shower Guest Book Cover

Meat design

Baby Shower Guest Book

It was described as a book gifted to the hosts and mentioned to be amazingly illustrated. It is available on thepast and the curious dot com.

"

Mick Sullivan gave us a copy of his book The Meat Shower which is amazingly illustrated.

— Episode: How AI Facial Recognition Works

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: How AI Facial Recognition Works

It was described as a book gifted to the hosts and mentioned to be amazingly illustrated. It is available on thepast and the curious dot com.

"

Mick Sullivan gave us a copy of his book The Meat Shower which is amazingly illustrated.

Meat shower. Yeah, that just sounds really gross.

5-Minute Under the Sea Stories (5-Minute Stories) Cover

Disney Books

5-Minute Under the Sea Stories (5-Minute Stories)

It was mentioned as a book based on real science, gifted by a real life marine biologist, and is available at sea story books dot com.

"

and she sent us a couple of copies of her kids book Sea Stories Children's Books based on real science.

— Episode: How AI Facial Recognition Works

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: How AI Facial Recognition Works

It was mentioned as a book based on real science, gifted by a real life marine biologist, and is available at sea story books dot com.

"

and she sent us a couple of copies of her kids book Sea Stories Children's Books based on real science.

You can check it out at sea story books dot com.

Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Cover

Neal Ascherson

Wojtek the Bear

Polish War Hero

The book, written by Eileen Orr, discussed the story of Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear who was adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II and became a beloved member of their unit, eventually finding a home in the Edinburgh Zoo after the war.

"

There's a woman named Orr. Her last name is Orr. Eileen Orr. Eileen Orr. She wrote Wojtek the Bear, Polish War Hero.

— Episode: Amazing Animal Stories!

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Episode: Amazing Animal Stories!

The book, written by Eileen Orr, discussed the story of Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear who was adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II and became a beloved member of their unit, eventually finding a home in the Edinburgh Zoo after the war.

"

There's a woman named Orr. Her last name is Orr. Eileen Orr. Eileen Orr. She wrote Wojtek the Bear, Polish War Hero.

Horton Hears a Who! Cover

Dr. Seuss

Horton Hears a Who!

It was suggested as a possible apology for the author's earlier depictions of the Japanese people, with themes of protecting the vulnerable and the importance of every life.

"

a lot of people point to Horton hears a who as a bit of a me a culpa for his treatment of the Japanese prior to World War II and during World War II

— Episode: Dr. Seuss: The Good, the Bad and the Ugl...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Dr. Seuss: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

It was suggested as a possible apology for the author's earlier depictions of the Japanese people, with themes of protecting the vulnerable and the importance of every life.

"

a lot of people point to Horton hears a who as a bit of a me a culpa for his treatment of the Japanese prior to World War II and during World War II

Future Shock Cover

Alvin Toffler

Future Shock

Published in 1970, it predicted that rapid technological advancement would overwhelm individuals, leading to stress, exhaustion, and adverse reactions.

"

The one that I ran across in this article that I had heard of but I didn't know anything about was Alvin Toffler's Future Shock.

— Episode: Selects: How Futurology Works

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Selects: How Futurology Works

Published in 1970, it predicted that rapid technological advancement would overwhelm individuals, leading to stress, exhaustion, and adverse reactions.

"

The one that I ran across in this article that I had heard of but I didn't know anything about was Alvin Toffler's Future Shock.

But it came out in 1970 and it predicts a future where too much rapid change, technological change and advancement, it happens too quickly and people get all sorts of stressed and just worn out and basically have all manner of terrible reactions to it.

I'm like, well, that guy predicted 2015.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.