#533 | The Science of Leap Years

In 1961, psychologist Stanley Milgram tested how far ordinary Americans would go when an authority figure told them to hurt someone. His disturbing experiment revealed the power of obedience and raised frightening questions about how easily good people can do terrible things. Ado ...  Show more

Charles Dickens made the Victorian workhouse famous, but the reality behind Oliver Twist was even worse than fiction. This episode tells how workhouses treated Britain’s poorest people, and how pensions and the welfare state finally replaced them. Oliver Twist and the image of hu ...  Show more

Let's be honest: leap year sounds pretty nuts when you explain it. We have the regular 365-day year three times in a row, but every fourth year we add one extra day in February. (With... several other notable caveats.) Join Ben, Noel and Max as they figure out where leap year cam ...  Show more

In this episode, you’ll learn how months like July and August got their names and why our calendar still follows ancient rules. We also touch on other calendars from Japan to India. Each fascinating fact will help improve your English and boost your understanding of history."A ca ...  Show more

Today, you’ll learn about the reason and the history of leap year, how scientists could tailor microgreens to your own personal dietary needs, and a lesson in getting teens to listen to your advice. Leap Year “Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?” by Harry Bake ...  Show more

Everything is completely insane, so, in other words, it's business as usual. Everyone seems to feel certain that we're in for a year of madness, and it's hard to disagree. But it's also hard to remember that human life is always madness, playing out against the backdr ...