BrainStuff

FDR's Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins, pushed to create Social Security and expand workers' rights -- and she was the first woman to serve in a U.S. president's cabinet. Learn about her life and work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/frances-perkins.htm

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For a brief period in the 1990s, a simple game played with flashy paperboard discs ruled American playgrounds. Learn the history behind POGs in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/backyard-fun-games/pogs.htm

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As many as 7 in every 10 Americans have a fear of public speaking. Learn how this type of social anxiety develops -- and what you can do to fight it -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/anxiety/conquering-fear-public-speaking.htm

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Sloths only defecate once a week or so, and more sloths die during the process than at any other time. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/sloths-only-poop-once-week.htm

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In the 1850s, the abolitionist novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was America's first bestseller, and its enslaved character Uncle Tom was a heroic martyr. Learn how 'Uncle Tom' later became a biting insult in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/literature/uncle-toms-cabin.htm

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Our solar system runs pretty smoothly, but even tiny changes to how the planets, moons, and asteroids move could potentially cause Earth to collide with Mars or Venus in the distant future. Learn more about how chaos theory applies to planetary orbits in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/earth-venus-mars-collide.htm

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These cold-adapted cousins of modern elephants coexisted with humans for thousands of years. Learn what we know (and don't know) about them -- and why we shouldn't bring them back -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/woolly-mammoth.htm

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If you've ever gotten dizzy and seen stars for a second after standing or moving quickly, don't worry, it's just your heart adjusting to the sudden change. Learn why it happens and how to prevent it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nervous-system/split-second-dizziness.htm

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About 500 years ago, creating clever collective nouns for groups of animals, objects, and people was trendy, and some of those nouns of assemblage stuck. Learn the history of this quirk of the English language in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/shrewdness-apes-collective-nouns-500-year-old-language-fad.htm

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The satly, buttery popcorn sold in movie theaters is nigh irresistible, but there's zero butter involved. Learn what it's made of in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/what-heck-is-in-movie-theater-popcorn.htm

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Yes, the sun rotates, but it does so a little differently than rocky planets like Earth. Learn how (and why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/does-sun-rotate.htm

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A turtle's shell grows with it throughout its life. Learn how a hard, protective shell can keep growing in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/turtle-shell.htm

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In fascism, the needs of the people bow to the needs of the State, and violent, authoritarian leaders demand unity, sacrifice, and a strict social heirarchy in order to enact constant conquest to bring glory to the State. Learn more about the past and present of fascism in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/fascism-movement.htm

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Some specialized fungi can hijack the behavior of ants, wasps, and spiders in order to spread their spores. Learn about the real-life Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps fungi that inspired 'The Last of Us' in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/zombie-ant-fungus.htm

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Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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