Our Obsession with Aliens & The Dangers of Loneliness and Isolation

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCastMedia

Science, Education, Health & Fitness, Social Sciences, Self-improvement

4.6 • 4K Ratings

🗓️ 4 December 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When you’re asked to “sign in blue or black ink,” is that actually the law — or just an outdated rule we all obey? We begin with the surprising truth about which ink colors really matter when you’re signing checks, contracts, or legal documents. Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/061314/dont-sign-legal-pitfalls-signatures.asp Why are humans endlessly fascinated by aliens? For thousands of years, every culture has looked to the sky and wondered who—or what—might be out there. Today, that fascination fuels movies, conspiracy theories, and serious scientific searches for extraterrestrial life. Science journalist Becky Ferreira, contributor to NPR’s Science Friday, The New York Times, Wired, and Popular Science, joins me to explain why our obsession runs so deep. She’s the author of First Contact: The Story Of Our Obsession with Aliens.(https://amzn.to/43HzgLp). Loneliness is rising, especially during the holidays. And the science is clear — friendships and social ties aren’t just emotionally important; they directly affect your longevity, immune system, and overall health. Ken Stern, founder of the Longevity Project, former CEO of NPR, and author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives (https://amzn.to/4ranyTB) , reveals why social connection is essential and how to build it, even if it feels hard. Finally, is sitting with your legs crossed actually bad for you? You’ve probably heard it causes varicose veins or circulatory issues — but is that true? We share what a top vascular surgeon says about the real risks (and the myths). Source: https://www.medicaldaily.com/no-sitting-your-legs-crossed-wont-harm-you-heres-how-seated-posture-affecting-your-357926 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! AURA FRAMES: Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://AuraFrames.com⁠⁠⁠ and get $45 off Aura's best selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code SOMETHING at checkout. DAVID GREENE IS OBSESSED: We love the "David Greene Is Obsessed" podcast! Listen at ⁠ https://link.mgln.ai/SYSK⁠ or wherever you get your podcasts. QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! DELL: It’s time for Cyber Monday at Dell Technologies. Save big on PCs like the Dell 16 Plus featuring Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Shop now at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://Dell.com/deals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe! NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, this… is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?
0:04.8	So we started the business two years ago.
0:07.2	We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.
0:12.5	But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.
0:18.0	Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash hellovette.
0:28.2	Today on something you should know, must you sign a legal document in blue or black ink?
0:34.9	Then are we alone in the universe?
0:37.4	Are there aliens out there? It's a question
0:40.3	humans are obsessed with.
0:42.3	There's no culture that doesn't do it. So I really do think that that indicates that we have
0:46.3	always had this premonition that we're not alone in the universe and that we kind of enact that
0:51.3	by looking to the stars and telling interesting stories about what might be there.
0:55.0	Also, everyone crosses their legs, but should you, could it do harm?
1:00.0	And loneliness. It's on the rise. Social connection is declining, and it's a big problem.
1:06.0	There was a time not so long ago. Our social connections were much, much higher,
1:10.0	much more likely to spend time with friends,
1:12.7	much more likely to have six or more friends, much more likely to not have no friends.
1:17.8	And what got in the way was technology, first television and now phones.
1:22.6	All this today on Something You Should Know.
1:27.1	I want to tell you about a great new podcast I think you'll like. I'm loving it.
1:32.0	So what happens when our passions become obsessions?
1:36.3	Well, on David Green is obsessed, one of America's most familiar voices and longtime co-host of NPR's Morning Edition seeks out obsessives of all kinds while
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