The Science of Morbid Curiosity & The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCastMedia

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

4.6 • 4K Ratings

🗓️ 20 October 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When you want to reach out to someone — to ask them on a date, invite them to an event, or simply connect — what’s the best way to do it? Text? Email? A phone call? Research shows one option is far more effective, and it’s not what most people assume. Listen as I reveal what science says is the best way to reach out. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/should_you_call_or_text_science_weighs_in?utm Why do people slow down to gawk at car crashes, binge true crime podcasts, or line up for horror movies? Humans are naturally drawn to the morbid, and science suggests there may be real benefits to that curiosity. My guest Coltan Scrivner is a leading expert on morbid curiosity and frightening entertainment and he is here to explain why we are drawn to things that disgust us and why we can’t look away when we see them. He’s the author of Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can't Look Away (https://amzn.to/46FKyQQ), and his insights will change how you see your own curiosity. We call solar, wind, and battery power “clean energy” — but behind the label lies a far dirtier truth. Mining the lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper needed to power the green revolution comes at a steep cost to the planet. Ernest Scheyder, senior correspondent for Reuters and author of The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives (https://amzn.to/42rZtNw), pulls back the curtain on the hidden side of alternative energy. Friendship is essential at every age, but science shows teenage friendships may carry benefits that last a lifetime. Teens who build strong connections not only grow up to be more socially connected adults but also enjoy an important — and surprising — boost to long-term health. Listen as I explain this fascinating link. https://www.medicaldaily.com/adult-will-your-health-remain-strong-look-back-your-teens-and-friends-you-had-answer-350664 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! DELL: Your new Dell PC with Intel Core Ultra helps you handle a lot when your holiday to-dos get to be…a lot. Upgrade today by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://Dell.com/Deals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUINCE: Layer up this fall with pieces that feel as good as they look! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! ON POINT: We love the On Point podcast! Listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wbur.org/radio/programs/onpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Since you're a listener to something you should know, you are, by definition, the curious type.
0:06.6	You like to discover new ways to improve your life.
0:10.0	And if I've got that about right, there is another podcast I want you to check out called
0:14.7	The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey.
0:18.0	It's a podcast that can help you think sharper, feel better, maybe even live longer.
0:23.2	Dave Asprey is a best-selling author. He's the guy who created the biohacking movement.
0:28.8	And his podcast explores how to optimize human performance and longevity. He talks with top
0:35.4	experts about cognitive enhancers, the right way to use nicotine, and how
0:40.7	psychedelics are being used to rewire the brain. You'll also learn the science behind things like
0:46.4	fasting, cold plunges, saunas, and how blue light from your screens might actually be draining
0:52.8	your energy. Dave asked great questions,
0:55.6	and every episode gives you something that you can apply right away. So if you're ready to start
1:01.3	taking control of your biology, search for the Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey, wherever you get
1:07.7	your podcasts. Today on something you should know, when you really want to connect with someone, what's best,
1:16.8	email, text, or phone.
1:19.2	Then, we're all morbidly curious.
1:22.3	Serial killers, death, and horror all fascinate us, but in different ways.
1:32.3	When I look at overall morbid curiosity, I don't see a lot of difference between, say, men and women. When you look at the subcategories, you do find that women tend to be a little more curious
1:37.3	about the minds of dangerous people, and men tend to be a little more curious about the act of violence itself.
1:43.3	Also, why teenagers who have friends get benefits for a lifetime and clean green energy,
1:50.0	what could be wrong with that? But there is a dark side.
1:54.0	Yeah, there's this general assumption that oil and gas companies are bad, and therefore the inverse green energy must be clean.
	...

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