Short Wave - Why Do We Laugh?

Laughter: We do it spontaneously, we do it forcefully, we do it with each other and by ourselves. But why did we evolve to giggle in the first place?

Emily and Regina explore the evolutionary underpinnings of laughter — from chimpanzees to modern-day humans — and the ways it unites us.

Keep laughing with us on Twitter — we're at @NPRShortWave — or email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

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NPR's Book of the Day - In ‘You Gotta Be You,’ Brandon Kyle Goodman says we should embrace who we are

This conversation between NPR's Ailsa Chang and actor Brandon Kyle Goodman looks at authentic relationships and the performance of queerness. Goodman is Black, non-binary, and grew up in a religious household. Among humorous stories of love – and self-love – their new book You Gotta Be You: How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are touches on dating, white privilege, and dating those with white privilege. Goodman's origin story helps readers understand what it means to fully love oneself.

It Could Happen Here - Squatting with Andrew

Andrew joins us to chat about the history of squatting and its place in creating a more equitable world.

 

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Focus on Africa - Both sides in Ethiopia conflict accused of crimes on civilians

Atrocities continue in northern Ethiopia - both sides accused of crimes against civilians.

Also, the first known ebola death in Kampala during the current outbreak: We speak to an expert about what the authorities should be doing to control it.

And we hear from a young Focus on Africa listener - aged 12 - who's creating computer games.

Those stories and much more in this podcast presented by Hassan Arouni.

The Gist - Everything About The Economy Ever, Pithily Explained

J. Bradford DeLong is here to deliver on the title of his impressive tome Slouching Towards Utopia: An Economic History Of The Twentieth Century. It Starts with 1870 and ends the year Law & Order was cancelled (it came back … the economy didn’t). Plus, the case for the nation’s defense budget being largely, mostly, mainly worth it. And the non-offensive parts of the LA City Council tapes are pretty instructive as to how politics everywhere really works.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

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Planet Money - Two Indicators: back to school

It's fall, so on this episode, we're taking you back to school. First, what sorority rush can teach us about a particular kind of market. Then, how two economists fixed the way macroeconomics was taught in high schools. It's econ, inside and outside the classroom.

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Serious Inquiries Only - SIO342: New Study on Sedentary Lifestyle and Health

So many of us in this day and age are stuck at our desks, or at our homes, or both, and not getting enough movement. It doesn't take a certified science thingy person to know that's probably not great. But how bad is it? And what levels of exercise or movement make a difference? Find out!

Links:

Farrahi et al. (2022) Joint Profiles of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity in Adults and their Associations with Cardiometabolic Health, Matthews et al. (2021) Sedentary Behavior in US Adults: Fall 2019, Matthews et al. (2008) Amount of Time Spent in Sedentary Behaviors in the US, 2003-2004, Evenson et al. (2015) Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns Using Accelerometry from a National Sample of US Adults, Pomeroy (Feb. 2022) Does Sex Count As Exercise? , METs for Common Recreational Activities, METs for 800+ Activities

Federalist Radio Hour - Headline Round-Up: From Dossier To Ukraine To Ye

On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, Federalist Staff Writer Evita Duffy Alfonso joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to discuss big headlines like the FBI's attempt to pay $1 million to Christopher Steele in exchange for the dossier used to fuel the Russia collusion hoax, what's going on with the Russia-Ukraine war, why Kanye West is back in the news, and much more.

Consider This from NPR - #Dementia TikTok Is A Vibrant, Supportive Community

There are more than 16 million people in the U.S. that are caring for someone with Alzheimer's and related dementias. More than two-thirds of them are women.

Caregiving can be emotionally and physically draining, as well as isolating. There are not a lot of resources available for caregivers and many are not paid.

For six years, Jacquleyn Revere took care of her mom who had dementia and posted about the highs and lows on her TikTok account.

Revere gained thousands of viewers and followers who could relate to her. Many of whom were also caregiving for a loved one with dementia.

Michigan Public Radio reporter Kate Wells shares Revere's story and how a niche corner of TikTok became a place of community and support.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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