The idea that the larger the brain, the higher the intelligence is an old one, but it's pretty much utterly false. Modern investigation into how the brain works suggests there's a lot more to take into account when comparing brain biology to intellect.
AI Summary
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating and surprisingly complex world of brain size and intelligence. They explore whether having a bigger brain actually makes you smarter, examining everything from genetic factors that control brain growth to controversial studies comparing men's and women's brains. The hosts navigate through conflicting research, debunk some popular myths, and discuss intriguing theories like the "tethering hypothesis" that might explain how human intelligence evolved.
Beetlejuice
1988
1h 32m
★ 7.4
"You don't look like the African safari guy from Beetlejuice — Josh uses a character from Beetlejuice to contrast with the appearance of people with microcephaly, explaining they don't look proportionally small like that character."
— Josh
"He says we're huge nerds and Dr. Who fans. So that was lost on me. — Chuck reads a listener email where someone mentions being Doctor Who fans, though Chuck admits he doesn't understand the reference."
— Chuck
"you remember like the movie Freaks — Josh references the movie Freaks when discussing microcephaly and how people with the condition appear to have normal-sized features but smaller heads and brains."
— Josh
Idiocracy
2006
1h 24m
★ 6.4
"There's probably been no other movie that's made more of a legitimate appearance in our episodes than that movie. Idiocracy. — Chuck notes how frequently they reference the movie Idiocracy in their podcast episodes when discussing societal intelligence topics."
— Chuck
Silicon Valley
2014
★ 8.1
"Do you watch Silicon Valley? I haven't. It's good. — Josh asks Chuck if he watches the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley, praising it as a good show that satirizes the tech industry."
— Josh
The Natural
1984
2h 17m
★ 6.9
"Like Robert Redford. Exactly. Yeah. Man, he really gave those lights a wallop. Yeah. He's the natural. — Josh and Chuck discuss how some people seem naturally talented at baseball due to genetics, using Robert Redford's character from The Natural as an example."
— Josh
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