Opposites Don’t Attract, Liking What’s Nearby, Last Name History

Learn about why opposites don’t really attract; the “propinquity effect”; and when and why we started using last names.

February 11, 2022

Opposites Don’t Attract by Kelsey Donk

We Like What’s Physically Close to Us by Mae Rice

The History of Last Names by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Gregory)

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Up

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Opposites Don’t Attract, We Like What’s Physically Close to Us, and the History of Last Names

Learn about why opposites don’t really attract; the “propinquity effect” and how physical distance affects the way we feel about other people; and the history of when and why we started using last names.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Do Opposites Really Attract?

Learn about why opposites don’t really attract; the “propinquity effect” and how physical distance affects the way we feel about other people; and the history of when and why we started using last names.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: What Makes Your Brain Happy — and Why You Should Do the Opposite

What your brain wants and what your brain needs aren't always the same. In fact, the shortcuts our brains take can lead to biases and distortions that make us our own worst enemy. Science writer David DiSalvo, author of "What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite," discusses our brain's shortcomings and how we can identify and conquer them.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Mass Hysteria, Why You Say “Like,” Beauty’s Moral Value

Learn about the harmful effects of the “mass hysteria” label; why you say “like”; and the link between beauty and moral worth.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: No One Born Blind Has Had Schizophrenia, Bacteria Engineered to Protect Honeybees, and The Surprising Way WWI Helmets Beat Modern Ones

Learn about a medical mystery involving blindness and schizophrenia; a new bacteria scientists developed to help protect honeybees; and the surprising strength of helmets used in World War I.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Tracking and Adventuring 101 (w/ Forrest Galante) and Plagiarizing Without Realizing It

Forrest Galante, host of “Extinct or Alive” on Animal Planet, explains how to become an adventurer, survive extreme conditions, and find extinct animals. Then, you’ll learn about how “cryptomnesia” can make you plagiarize without realizing it.

Turn Anxiety into Productivity and Grapefruit Juice vs. Meds

Dr. Wendy Suzuki explains how to use anxiety to your advantage. Plus: why grapefruit juice and some medicines don’t mix.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: String Theory Primer, Night Owl and Morning Person Science, and All-Nighter Study Habits

Learn what makes someone a night owl or a morning person; get a quick primer on string theory; and discover whether you should pull an all-nighter studying for a test.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Some Viruses Do You Good

Learn about how blind and low-vision gamers have an edge when it comes to certain games, with Cornell University Professor Andrew Campana. Then, learn how some viruses actually protect their hosts; and the shocking solution to the Monty Hall Problem, an infamous brain teaser that may leave you questioning your math skills.

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Why Rainy Days Make You Sleepy, A Fix for AI’s Energy Appetite, and Solving Geology’s Mystery of the “Great Unconformity”

Learn about why rainy days make you sleepy; why the “Great Unconformity” is one of the biggest mysteries in geology; and the problematic amount of energy it takes to power AI — along with a potential solution. Plus: how do you pronounce "Colorado," anyway?