The Killing Joke

FromStuff To Blow Your Mind

Start listening View podcast show

The Killing Joke

FromStuff To Blow Your Mind

ratings:

Length:

38 minutes

Released:

Dec 6, 2012

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Modern minds likely turn to Monty Python when the notion of lethal comedy arises, but accounts of death by laughter date back to ancient times. Can a joke really kill a person? In this episode, Robert and Julie explore the dark side of laughter. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Released:

Dec 6, 2012

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Deep in the back of your mind, you’ve always had the feeling that there’s something strange about reality. There is. Join Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick as they examine neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and our transhuman future.

Skip carousel

Are we better off in the dark?: Most city dwellers are familiar with contaminated water and smoggy air -- but have you heard of light pollution? Listen in as Allison and Robert explore the effects of light pollution -- and whether humans are better off in the dark. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
The Great Space Elevator: It's no secret that space shuttles need a vast amount of fuel to escape the pull of gravity -- but are space elevators a better alternative? In this episode, Robert and Allison explore the merits of literally building an elevator from Earth into space. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
24 min listen
The Kardashev Scale: When Nicolai Kardashev began searching the universe for intelligent life, he built an energy-based scale to measure the progress of any given civilization. Tune in to discover how this scale works -- and why humanity's place on the scale may surprise you. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
21 min listen
Mining the Moon: Since helium-3 can be used to power the fusion reactors of the future, it may be one of the world's most important fuel sources. It's rare on Earth, but experts believe the moon may have an abundant supply. Tune in and learn more about moon mining. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
13 min listen
Do I live next to a Grow House?: When drug dealers want to grow marijuana without getting caught, they often set up a "grow house." These buildings look like any other building, and they often fool bystanders. Tune in and learn how to tell if your neighbors are running a grow house. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Dinner in Space!: Let's say you're an astronaut: Each day you wake up, conduct research and make adjustments to your orbit. Eventually you grab some chow -- but what kind of food do you eat, and why? Join Robert and Allison as they explore the science behind space food. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
How Fighting Asteroids Works: Asteroid impacts are inevitable. As they hurtle toward Earth, experts race against the clock to build an effective asteroid deterrent. Will they succeed in time? Learn more about asteroid fighters -- and their plans to save the world -- in this episode. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Ladies' Night on Planet Earth: James Brown said that "it's a man's world," but he may have changed his tune if he'd seen the recent studies on gender and evolution. In this podcast, Julie and Robert ask what makes a person male or female -- and why the days of males may be numbered. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
32 min listen
Book Sniffers and You: You can learn a lot from a book's smell. For example, the books of heavy smokers tend to smell of smoke. When you smell a book, you're encountering more than 200 individual components combining to produce an olfactory fingerprint. Tune in to learn more. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
12 min listen
How well do you know the T. Rex?: The Tyrannosaurus rex is one of history's most well-known, feared and misunderstood dinosaurs. Children often learn that this dinosaur was a ferocious predator ... but this might not be the whole story. Listen in and learn more in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
In Search of Offshore Oil: In an economy driven by fossil fuels, oil exploration is big business -- but how do scientists actually find oil? In this podcast, Allison and Robert break down the techniques and technologies used to find offshore oil. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
23 min listen
Evolution in Action: Charles Darwin's revolutionary study of evolution isn't even two hundred years old yet. In terms of evolutionary processes, this is a miniscule amount of time. Yet is is possible to observe evolution within our lifetimes? Tune in and find out. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Running with Parasites: Are you a fan of running outside without shoes? Many people enjoy walking barefoot, especially in warmer weather. Yet there's a dark side to the joy of a shoe-free life: parasites. Listen in and learn more about parasites in this episode. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
Weighing the Human Soul: In the early 1900s, Duncan Macdougall set out to prove the existence of the soul. By placing consumption patients on a scale as they died, he tried to find a difference between the weight of a person before and after death. Learn more in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
14 min listen
Regenerate This!: According to Richard J. Goss, "If there were no regeneration, there could be no life. If everything regenerated, then there could be no death." But how does this process work? Join Robert and Allison as they explore the science behind regeneration. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
15 min listen
Welcome to the Memory Palace: Stroll into the memory palace, an imagined location that just might expand your brain power. In this podcast, Robert and Julie discuss the Method of Loci, a mnemonic device that allows mental athletes to perform astounding acts of recall. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
28 min listen
Man Vs. Flu: Influenza is a virus that causes the flu, and it shares a long, lethal history with the human race. In this episode, Robert and Allison explore what's made the flu such a successful disease, and what you can do to avoid an infection. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
(Kick)Astrobiology: Astrobiology is a lot more than sitting around wondering what aliens look like -- instead, this discipline draws on multiple fields to study the basic building blocks of life in space or on other worlds. Join Robert and Julie as they explore astrobiology. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
19 min listen
Drilling for Offshore Oil: Last week, Robert and Allison broke down the science behind oil exploration. In the second segment of this series, the hosts explore the process of drilling for oil once a potential well is found. Tune in to learn more about drilling for oil. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
23 min listen
Has science explained life after death?: Humans have believed in the soul for millennia, and the evolution of science hasn't stopped the search for ghosts and the soul. In fact, modern scientists still search for proof of life after death. Tune in to learn more about the latest research. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Growing a Green Roof: Are you stuck in the city, sweltering under the summer heat and missing the trees and grass of the natural world? Then why not transform the nearest rooftop into a garden or a park? Tune in and learn more about green roofs in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
25 min listen
Toilets in Space: Every astronaut knows that life in space requires numerous adjustments -- after all, things just aren't the same without gravity. So how exactly does a toilet work in space? Learn more about the science behind space's supertoilets in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
22 min listen
Is math a human invention or a human discovery?: In this episode, Robert and Julie take a sweeping look at math, addressing several important questions. For example: What is math? Where does math come from? What mathematical skills are we born with and how much can we understand? by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
38 min listen
Flat Stanley Across the 11th Dimension: The world famous globetrotter Flat Stanley is used to encourage literacy in children. Since Flat Stanley is two-dimensional, he's a perfect jumping-off point for Robert and Allison's exploration of string theory and our multidimensional universe. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
21 min listen
Probing Questions About Alien Abduction: Why are so many people convinced that they were abducted by aliens? In this episode, Julie and Robert explore the history of alleged abductions, along with the scientific explanations for the experiences of the witnesses. Tune in to learn more. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
36 min listen
Evolutionary Hangover: Evolutionary Hangover: Vestigial traits are common in animals across the globe, but why? In this episode, Julie and Robert take a look at the genetic leftovers that lost their usefulness during evolution. Tune in to learn more about evolution, atavism and by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Interview: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: In this episode, Robert and Julie interview astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. What does the planet's leading science communicator have to say about the future of space travel, mind-blowing cosmology and the science in America? Listen in to find out. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
Neuromyths: What You Think You Know About Your Brain: We all know the myth that we use only 10% of our brains, but how we know it's a myth in the first place? In this episode, Robert and Julie interview neurosurgeon Dr. T. Glenn Pait and learn how neuroscience is changing the way we think about our brains. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
24 min listen
Woolly Mammoths For Sale: You haven't misread the title; rest assured that woolly mammoths are still extinct. However, there are several scientists trying revive mammoths -- and they might just succeed. Tune in to learn more about mammoth cloning. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
Noise Pollution: Pipe Down, People!: Like any other form of pollution, loud noises can seriously affect your health over time -- and that's just the beginning. As Robert and Allison break down the science behind noise, they also explain how noise pollution affects the natural world. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen

More Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Skip carousel

Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
96 min listen
From the Vault: Mutational Meltdown by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
39 min listen
The Monstrefact: The Andorians of Star Trek by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
8 min listen
Space Warfare, with Paul Szymanski by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
41 min listen
The Monstrefact Omnibus: Creatures of Myth and Legend by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
From the Vault: Thar She Blows, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
73 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 5 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
38 min listen
Animalia Stupendium: The Common Kingfisher by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
7 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 4: Mythology in Dust by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
Listener Mail: The Ripe Program by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
26 min listen
From the Vault: Before You Could Remember, Part 3 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
52 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: On the Silver Globe by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
90 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 3 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
47 min listen
The Monstrefact: The Flight of Dragons by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
4 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
41 min listen
Listener Mail: Ephemerol by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
34 min listen
From the Vault: Before You Could Remember, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
45 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Dragonslayer by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
88 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
42 min listen
Smart Talks with IBM: The Power of Collaboration: How IBM Teams Up with Microsoft by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
13 min listen
In the Name of Osiris by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
46 min listen
Listener Mail: Vale's Lonely Walk by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
28 min listen
From the Vault: Before You Could Remember, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
49 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Wolf Devil Woman by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
82 min listen
The Cult of Osiris, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
46 min listen
The Monstrefact: Marvel’s Man-Thing by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
6 min listen
The Cult of Osiris, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
Listener Mail: Realm of Refraction by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
27 min listen
$Listener Mail: Realm of Refraction$
From the Vault: The Minimal Group Paradigm by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
42 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

The Death of TV Satire? by Politics Without The Boring Bits
52 min listen
From the Vault: The Minotaur, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
67 min listen
From the Vault: The Minotaur, Part 3 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
61 min listen
Episode 104 Bavember Part 2 "Blood and Black Lace", "Planet of the Vampires" and "Kill, Baby, Kill" by “The HorrorCast” Intelligent Horror Movie Discussion
120 min listen
Shaun of the Dead by Every Day
39 min listen
S14E13 - "Life Sucks" – Scary Stories Told in the Dark by Otis Jiry's Scary Stories Told in the Dark: A Horror Anthology Series
62 min listen
Episode 105 Bavember Part 3 "A Bay of Blood", "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" and "5 Dolls for an August Moon" by “The HorrorCast” Intelligent Horror Movie Discussion
117 min listen
The Killer's Mask by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
65 min listen
Hammersmith Ghost: How to Murder a Poltergeist by After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
32 min listen
114. Realism in Comics by Around Comics - Comic Books, TV, Movies & More
77 min listen
The Horror Cast Episode 77 Hammer Horror Part V The Vampire Lovers and Twins of Evil by “The HorrorCast” Intelligent Horror Movie Discussion
89 min listen
THE DEATH OF HOUDINI: WHO IS TO BLAME? by The Alarmist
59 min listen
UFOs, Time Travel & the Ghost Realm!: 173 CCNT “UFOs, Time Travel & the Ghost Realm!” - 01.24.2020 On this episode, , , , and . Go listen to ! And check out our where one day, we will Twitch! by Canary Cry News Talk
33 min listen
Urvi and Jonathan: Urvi Majumdar and Jonathan Schuster go head to head in a brutal showdown. There can only be one winner. Hosted by Tom Whitty and Ben Russell. Support us at our Patreon where you can see videos of the performances in this episode. by Time To Die
36 min listen
Ep. #234 - The Accountant: Nothing accounts for this film by The Flop House
111 min listen
Episode 127 Drive-in "The Black Sleep" , "Panic in Year Zero" , "The Thing with Two Heads" by “The HorrorCast” Intelligent Horror Movie Discussion
120 min listen
Ghostbusters 2 is Awful! - Talking About Tapes (#19): Newt and Tony review Ghostbusters 2 and talk about why it is so Awful. In this Podcast / Movie Review of Ghostbusters 2. They will touch on the things that make Ghostbusters 2 awful like Bill Murray's lack of charisma, a poorly rehashed script, and... by Hack The Movies
100 min listen
Episode 154 Drive-in "The Monster that Challenged the World" (1957), "The Alligator People" (1959), "The Brain that Wouldn't die" (1962) by “The HorrorCast” Intelligent Horror Movie Discussion
115 min listen
Sisters (with Mary Jo Pehl): Writer, actor, comedian and all-round wonderful human being Mary Jo Pehl joins us as we try to untangle the twisted tale of Brian De Palma's Sisters (1972). Starring Margot Kidder (of Superman and The Amityville Horror fame) in the dual roles of demu... by Movie Oubliette
58 min listen
Upload (Season 2) by Today's Episode
28 min listen
Can We Take A Joke? by Honestly Unorthodox. with Kayla Perry
58 min listen
Foster Gamble by The Gray Area
98 min listen
Ep 35: HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: On a lonely wind swept night, three podcasters step onto the empty grounds of an abandoned hospital, looking for adventure, but what they found, was tragedy. The three were never heard from again, leaving behind only a solitary, haunting podcast recording, this is their story. If you have any information to their whereabouts please email askletsfightaboss@gmail.com Dont breath spoiler skip: 1:05:20 by Let's Fight a Boss
101 min listen
Win or Die Part II: Game of Death (2020) by Nightmare on Film Street - A Horror Movie Podcast
43 min listen
Major Spoilers Podcast #887: Torpedo by Major Spoilers Comic Book Podcast
65 min listen
The Critshow: Spout Lore: Spout Lore by The Critshow
63 min listen
Colin Jost on comedy’s role in 2020 and leaving SNL by The Deciding Decade with Pete Buttigieg
35 min listen
I Was Eaten by a Giant Spider: The spiders that occur in nature are not a creeping menace -- rather, they are a true invisible ally of humankind. But if one were to grow to 1950s sci-fi proportions, even the arachnophiliacs among us would have to admit we had a problem on our hands. Ho by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
68 min listen
Freaky Friday: Episode 30 by Sinisterhood
53 min listen
S17 Ep113: Supernatural News/Parashare: UFO, AI, & Mothman, Oh My! Edition with BCB & Mandy Leon by Darkness Radio
130 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

The Killing Joke

The Killing Joke

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Related podcast episodes