Critical Thinking

Humans have not universally hired performers to entertain the crowd during professional sports throughout all of human history... which means that it had to start somewhere! What evolved out of this coordinated crowd engagement is a highly athletic and dangerous gymnastics competition that is thing unto itself. Did you know it was entirely male at first? We didn't. We'll talk all about the history and modern sport of cheerleading. Recommendations:Abraham: Salem’s Lot (https://www.max.com/movies/salems-lot/b1aaea47-b2e8-4418-a181-91de7102d04f)Shane: Trap (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26753003/) Holidays (11/06/24)Basketball DayButton DayInternational Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictInternational Stress Awareness DayMarooned Without a Compass DayNational Block It Out DayNational Eating Healthy DayNational Nachos DaySaxophone DayDrowsy Driving Prevention WeekGive Wildlife a Brake WeekKey Club International WeekMedical-Surgical Nurses WeekNational Diabetes Education WeekNational Cat WeekNational Pet Cancer Awareness MonthNational Hospice and Palliative Care MonthWorld Vegan MonthLinks and References: https://usacheer.org/history-of-cheerleadinghttps://www.theatreinparis.com/blog/why-are-we-clapping-a-history-of-applause#:~:text=Taking%20it%20way%20back%20to,of%20clapping%20together%20in%20admiration.https://www.scienceforums.net/topic/112634-do-cheers-really-improve-performance/https://www.cureus.com/articles/68367-the-impact-of-cheering-on-sports-performance-comparison-of-serie-a-statistics-before-and-during-covid-19#!/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9255666/https://usacheer.org/safety/researchhttps://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=3009#:~:text=Cheerleading%20has%20grown%20into%20a,%2C%20tosses%2C%20and%20gymnastic%20moves.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC155424/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8785319/#:~:text=All%2Dstar%20cheerleading%20has%20an,0.8%20per%201000%20athlete%2Dexposures.&text=Although%20all%2Dstar%20cheerleading%20is,are%20other%20types%20of%20cheerleaders.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0191886995000355#:~:text=We%20hypothesized%20that%20people%20who,that%20can%20result%20in%20highhttps://online.eou.edu/resources/article/psychology-of-competitiveness/https://side-out.org/sport-health/pom-pom-for-people-why-cheerleading-is-good-for-humanity/https://neuliferehab.com/cheerleaders-catastrophic-injuries-cheerleading-dangerous-female-sport/https://blog-staging.omnicheer.com/post/did-you-know-10-facts-about-cheerleading/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

A useful, informal template for beginning to understand human behavior is consider a couple of features of the consequences for behavior: the longterm and short term consequences, positive and negative consequences, and the relatively likelihood of those consequences. This is not a comprehensive analysis, but a great starting place. We'll teach you all about it in this discussion.Join the clerb: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://www.aubreydaniels.com/blog/the-long-and-short-of-consequencesDaniels, A. C., & Daniels, J. E. (2006). Performance management: Changing behavior that drives organizational effectiveness. Atlanta, GA: Performance Management Publications.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

What are ghosts? Why are ghosts? How are ghosts? Pretend, for fun, and they aren't, in that order. Ghosts exist in the space of low resolution and little information. We ask the hard questions about the plausibility of ghosts as well as explore Haunted Person Syndrome (HPS). Are you haunted by a ghost? Tell us all about it!RecommendationsAbraham:  Till Death (https://www.netflix.com/title/81075469)Shane: Mortal Kombat 1: Chaos Reigns Expansion (https://www.mortalkombat.com/en-us/khaos-reigns)10/30/24 HolidaysHappy Halloween! (tomorrow)National Wicked DayNational Text your Ex DayNational Publicist DayNational Candy Corn DayNational Checklist DayCreate a Great Funeral DayHaunted Refrigerator NightMine Rescue DayPomegranate FestivalBat Appreciate WeekHenry Winkler bdayLGBTQ+ History MonthLinks and References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9067702/https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2022/06/18/new-psychological-research-says-paranormal-experiences-are-the-norm-not-the-exception/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20141030-the-truth-about-the-paranormalhttps://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/paranormalhttps://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2023/10/conversation-are-ghosts-real.phphttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-life-changes/202211/the-psychological-ghosts-haunt-ushttps://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.790073https://northcarolinaghosts.com/resources/brief-history-of-ghosts/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4400922-americans-ghosts-aliens-devil-survey/#:~:text=Among%20those%20surveyed%2C%2056.9%20percent,say%20they%20believe%20in%20God.https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/ghost.htmhttps://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-66135-001https://theness.com/neurologicablog/ghosts-are-not-real/https://www.amnh.org/explore/science-topics/microbiome-health/meet-your-microbiome#:~:text=Given%20that%20fact%2C%20it%20shouldn,in%20our%20bodies%20are%20bacterial.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Our last and least mini of the Halloween season: The fear of small things! We'll cap off our series of minis with our smallest episode. We'll talk about the diagnostic criteria and features of this as well as recommendations for treatment. Join the club! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22427-microphobiahttps://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/microphobiaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

What makes people prone to believing in cryptids and why do some cryptids seem more plausible than others? We explore the various culture, language, and characteritics of cryptid lore and why some cryptids seem plausible. Behind every good lie is a nugget of truth, and we find the nuggets here. RecommendationsAbraham: John Wick: Chapter 4 (https://johnwick.movie/)Shane: Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere (https://open.spotify.com/album/7hriIeLMviZKpNfcXgpsd8?si=QhmHBFBHTZ2CPAHomYmpjA)Holidays 10/23/24Event Organizers DayMedical Assistances Recognition DayNational Canning DayNational Paralegal DayNational Mole DayNational Boston Cream Pie DayInternational Snow Leopard DayNational iPod DayNational Croc DayTV Talk Show Host DayTruffle Days in CroatiaFree Speech WeekHappy Bday Emilia Clark, Ryan Reynolds, Margaret Qualley, Johnny Carson, and Amandla StenbergLinks and References: https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2021/01/23/the-beginnings-of-cryptozoology/https://cryptozoologymuseum.com/what-is-cryptozoology/https://www.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/a-cultural-phenomenonhttps://smv.org/learn/blog/how-many-species-are-left-be-discovered/#:~:text=About%2018%2C000%20new%20species%20are,pretty%20remarkable%20new%20discoveries%20already.Fun note: The error page on this link says “this page was lost…to science!”https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/motivate/202102/you-are-more-gullible-you-think Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

The fear of long words has 36 letters, making it one of the longest words in the English language: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Also called simply sesquippedaliophobia. Who has this and how prevalent is this fear? Not very many and not very. Also, it is unofficial. Let's listen to two guys struggle to talk through this. Pronounciation guide: hi·puh·paa·tuh·muhn·strow·suh·skwipt·a·lee·ow·fow·bee·uhJoin our exclusive club! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://www.verywellmind.com/hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia-2671752#:~:text=Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia%20is%20the%20fear%20of,common%20words%20of%20moderate%20length.https://www.healthline.com/health/hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiahttps://www.verywellhealth.com/hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia-5207091https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiahttps://www.sciencefocus.com/science/what-is-hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiahttps://dictionary.apa.org/specific-phobiaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Is it possible to die of fright? Turns out, yes, sort of. How this works is interesting in its own right, but the "why" invites a fascinating inquiry. We explain the biological science behind how this might work and the psychology of why it would work that way. Hopefully we don't scare you too much!RecommendationsAbraham: Rolling Realms (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/rolling-realms/)Shane: Chat Pile - Cool World (https://open.spotify.com/album/3k7GhMNdQ0KXGkC84qVRf2?si=lpJK-jtwTT-szI3G8MfDGg)Holidays 10/16/24:Department Store DayNational Missouri DayHagfish DayDictionary DayGlobal Cat dayGlobal Dignity DayGlobal Ethics DayLove Your Body DayNational Boss DayNational Cut Up Your Credit Card DayDictionary DayNational Feral Cat DayNational Take Your Parents to Lunch DayThank Your Cleaner DayUnity DayWorld Anesthesia DayWorld Food DayWorld Spine DayEarth Science WeekMediation WeekMeditation WeekPet Peeve WeekTim Robbins bday and Angela Lansbury’s bdayLinks and References: https://www.dulyhealthandcare.com/health-topic/can-you-really-be-scared-to-death#:~:text=Broken%20heart%20syndrome%20may%20actually,cardiomyopathy%20or%20broken%20heart%20syndromehttps://www.britannica.com/story/can-you-really-be-scared-to-deathhttps://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/10/31/can-you-really-be-scared-to-deathhttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/its-true-we-can-be-scared-to-deathhttps://www.npr.org/2012/10/26/163712863/scared-to-death-literallyhttps://today.tamu.edu/2016/10/28/can-you-literally-be-scared-to-death/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scared-to-death-heart-attack/https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/09/scared-to-death/541350/https://www.calgarywildlife.org/post/scared-to-death#:~:text=Scared%20to%20death%2C%20at%20times,damage%20that%20is%20often%20fatal.https://www.publicopiniononline.com/story/life/2017/12/29/ask-shelter-rabbits-can-scared-death-literally/990559001/https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/210829Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Phobophobia is fear of fear. This is so esoteric, it has to be an episode that we'd cover! This is not unlike generalized anxiety disorder. Also, we manage to fit in a reference to the Green Lantern... somewhow.Join our group of supporters! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22520-phobophobia-fear-of-fearhttps://www.healthline.com/health/phobophobiaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Halloween-month 2024 continues! Sort of a misinterpretation of Navajo traditions, Skinwalkers are similar to the cocept of werewolves or other animal-transformation mythologies. We will celebrate the fantastical and spooky elements of this lesser known tradition in honor of the month of creepy stuff. RecommendationsAbraham: Lahaina Fire Recovery Donation (https://lahaina.givingcircles.io/)Shane: 11/22/63 by Stephen King (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10644930-11-22-63)Holidays: (10/9/2024)Bullying Prevention DayCurious Events DayEmergency Nurses DayFire Prevention DayInternational Beer and Pizza DayInternational Day for Natural Disaster ReductionInternational Top Spinning DayLeif Erikson DayMoldy Cheese DayNational Nanotechnology DayNational Pet Obesity Awareness DayNational Sneakers DayStem Cell Awareness DaySubmarine Hoagie Hero Grinder DayAnimal Welfare WeekCephalopod Awareness DaysFall Astronomy WeekGreat Books WeekInternational Post Card WeekMental Illness Awareness WeekMystery Series WeekLinks and References: https://nativeappropriations.com/https://navajopeople.org/navajo-legends.htmhttps://nativepartnership.org/nrf/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3bm3BhDJARIsAKnHoVV6iYaeOeycl-crLJYePemzvjBx_-j_lnfZlbW3oYhr1LBphVGizsEaAjahEALw_wcBhttps://skeptoid.com/episodes/4321?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3bm3BhDJARIsAKnHoVVDUAg-Zw7VT1bhLbnlxirxpph3y30gY3vvn5-pYB-DNzicwgRUdjsaAkw4EALw_wcBhttps://history.denverlibrary.org/news/skinwalkers-wendigos-and-witchery-wayBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

For Halloween month this year we are focusing on specific phobias for our minis. This week's selection is on the fear of clowns. What is it? Why is it? We will dig into the this in a quick 15-minute format, enjoy!Join the WWDWWD club at patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21835-coulrophobia-fear-of-clownshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9931735/https://www.clownantics.com/blogs/clownantics-blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-clown-makeup?srsltid=AfmBOori3w-T7Wmy1Wf7TiKW0INjvZ-7Xsb4y48SX4s-FBRR4jnivjz_Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.