麻豆社

Given Names

Everyone has one, but what do names say about us?

• 17 mins

Family Names

Could your last name determine your career? Mike Williams explains

• 17 mins

Dance

Why does movement move us?

• 17 mins

Envy

What is envy and why can it be dangerously destructive or make us strive for success?

• 17 mins

Boredom

Why do we get bored and what does it say about how we engage with the world around us?

• 17 mins

Racism

Why are people racist and judged by the colour of their skin?

• 17 mins

Horoscopes

Why do we read horoscopes?

• 17 mins

Luck

Does luck exist and does believing in luck help or hinder us in life?

• 17 mins

The Kiss

Why do humans kiss?

• 17 mins

Sticky Songs

What makes snippets of popular songs go round and round in our heads?

• 17 mins

Symmetry

Why does symmetry exist and why do we see such beauty in it?

• 17 mins

Competition

Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?

• 17 mins

Diplomacy

How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words

• 17 mins

The Fool

Mike Williams asks why the fool or jester has been an important figure in many cultures

• 17 mins

Why Eye Contact is Important

Why is making eye contact so important?

• 17 mins

Accents

What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?

• 17 mins

World War One: Patriotism

The power of patriotism from WW1 to today and truths and myths of the modern nation state

• 49 mins

World War One: National Pride

Why are we so drawn to symbols of statehood, and how can leaders use that loyalty?

• 17 mins

Coincidence

What is coincidence and why do we attach meaning to it?

• 17 mins

The Apology

Why do we say sorry 鈥� and what do we really mean by it?

• 17 mins

The Moon

Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?

• 17 mins

The Walk

Why do we go on long walks? Mike Williams finds out

• 17 mins

The Pilgrimage

Why do we go on pilgrimages?

• 17 mins

Chastity

Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?

• 17 mins

Ghosts

Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?

• 17 mins

Gossip

Why do we like to gossip 鈥� and is it good for us?

• 17 mins

Gardens

Why do people have gardens and do gardening?

• 17 mins

The 100th Programme: The Life of Why

Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor

• 17 mins

Protest

What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?

• 17 mins

Risking Life For Strangers

Would you risk your life for a stranger?

• 17 mins