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Something You Should Know

What Algorithms Really Know About You & The Awesome Power of Doing Nothing

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCastMedia

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

4.54.3K Ratings

🗓️ 14 August 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What if starting your meal with a mediocre appetizer could actually make the main course taste better? In this surprising opening segment, we dive into the psychology of taste and explore clever, science-backed tricks to make your food taste better — using your brain, not just your palate. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3139067/ We’re all being influenced by algorithms every day — from what we watch and buy to what we believe. But what exactly is an algorithm, how does it work, and can you fight back against its invisible influence? Math professor and author Noah Giansiracusa breaks it all down and shares practical ways to take back control from the algorithms quietly shaping your life. Noah is an associate professor of mathematics at Bentley University whose work has appeared in Scientific American, Time, Wired, Slate, and the Washington Post. He is author of the book Robin Hood Math: Take Control of the Algorithms That Run Your Life (https://amzn.to/3U66fnt). Hard work gets all the glory — but rest may be just as essential. Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli reveals how letting your brain idle can improve creativity, memory, and emotional health. Joseph is the author of the book The Brain at Rest (https://amzn.to/458OlWb). This conversation might just convince you that doing nothing is actually one of the healthiest things you can do. Think you lose most of your body heat through your head? Believe urine is sterile? Think again. In this quick and eye-opening segment, we bust some of the most common — and most stubborn — myths about your body that many people still believe. https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19547125/lies-about-your-body/?cid=isynd_PV_0615 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! SHOPIFY: Shopify is the commerce platform for millions of businesses around the world! To start selling today, sign up for your $1 per month trial at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Keep it classic and cool with long lasting staples from Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! HERS: Whether you want to lose weight, grow thicker, fuller hair, or find relief for anxiety, Hers has you covered. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forhers.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You know, a lot of the guests who appear on something you should know have their own TED Talk.

0:05.4

And did you know that TED has a podcast that drops a new TED Talk every day?

0:11.1

If you love hearing fascinating stories, insights about human behavior, and mind-blowing concepts that

0:18.3

weren't even on your radar before, I recommend you check out

0:21.9

TED Talks daily. You'll hear hot takes and deep dives from the world's leading thinkers, and learn

0:28.6

answers to questions like, how do I stop caring about what other people think, or is my partner

0:34.7

the one? Do aliens actually exist?

0:38.9

Don't miss out on your daily dose of inspiration.

0:42.1

Listen to TED Talks Daily wherever you get your podcast.

0:47.9

Today on something you should know, how to season your food with sound, so it tastes even better.

0:55.0

Then we know companies use algorithms to collect data about you, but how does it work?

1:01.0

Because it sure can feel creepy.

1:03.0

Well, I was saying something on the phone and then went on TikTok and I saw a video

1:08.0

that was about the exact same topic. Does that mean TikTok is listening to my phone?

1:12.1

And all I can answer is, I don't know.

1:14.1

Technologically, that is absolutely possible, but we don't know which companies do it, when.

1:18.6

Also, some interesting myths about the human body.

1:22.6

And hard work.

1:23.6

You need it to succeed, but doing nothing and resting is also important. When we rest,

1:30.8

we now know that our brain activates a network, and that network has been shown now to improve

1:36.7

your intelligence, creativity, memory, problem solving abilities, and so much more. All this today aren't something you should know.

1:47.1

Hi there, Fred Greenhalj here, director of audio dramas like DC high-volume Batman and Star Trek Con.

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