Because eating it makes us happy. Seriously?Yes, seriously. How does that work?Well, when you eat chocolate, your brain releases dopamine. What's dopamine?It's a type of chemical known as a neurotransmitter, meaning it controls communication within the brain. Dopamine is stored in some of our neurons (brain cells). When something happens that we enjoy or is unexpectedly pleasant, these neurons release dopamine. This causes us to feel good and makes us want to do whatever caused the dopamine release more often. So, what does dopamine have to do with chocolate?As I stated earlier, when we eat chocolate, dopamine is released. Yeah, but why?Well, dopamine makes a connection between an action and a positive outcome, which our brain remembers so we can repeat that action more often. Now, you probably can't remember the first time you ate chocolate, but your brain remembers the dopamine released. It helps that chocolate is often associated with other positive things, particularly love (thanks, Valentine's Day). So, it's just because of the meMories we have associated with chocolate?Not entirely. In fact, a lot of it has to do with the actual eating experience. For example, one popular characteristic of chocolate is that it melts in your mouth. Research has found that our brains react to this sensation the same way they react to a passionate kiss. Additionally, the creaminess of chocolate on account of the added sugar and fat to the essential ingredient, cocoa, is appealing to our senses. See, back when we were hunter-gatherers, sugars and fats were hard to find, so, when we did find them, we were hard-wired to eat as much as possible to ensure survival. Furthermore, the only natural food that has a similar fat-to-sugar ratio to chocolate's is human breast milk, perhaps resulting in our brains recalling the security and satisfaction we felt when receiving our only nourishment as infants. Then there's no chemical in chocolate that makes it addictive?Well, there is anandamide. What's anandamide?Anandamide is a feel-good chemical found in chocolate that is naturally produced in the brain. It relaxes muscles and causes a feeling of bliss. In fact, it is similar to a chemical found in marijuana. However, there are very little amounts of anandamide in chocolate, so we can’t get a chocolate high. This doesn’t mean the anandamide has no effect on us. It does tend to relax us a little, and it’s considered to be the reason chocolate smells so good. So, why does chocolate taste so good?Chocolate tastes good because it releases dopamine in our brains to to our association of it with good memories. Additionally, it has a smooth texture, includes previously-scarce ingredients essential to survival, and smells great because on account of the anandamide. Curious? Here's some more information!
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Because we're thirsty. yeah, but why animal milk?Well, for starters, we don’t drink the milk of most animals. In fact, there are over 5,000 milk-producing mammals on Earth, including everything from camels to dolphins. So, why don't we drink camel milk?Actually, camel milk has been growing in popularity over the past few years. Most notably, the Camelatte, a common drink in Dubai, has made its way to the United Kingdom, where it has flourished. The reason Americans usually drink cow milk is rooted in the fact that they can live in a wide range of environments. Additionally, as cows have traditionally been the primary source of milk in the US, non-cow milk is almost taboo. While cows produce a whopping 83% of the world's milk, they are followed by buffaloes with 13%, goats with 2%, sheep with 1%, camels with 0.4%, and other animals (such as yaks and reindeer) making up the remaining 0.6%. Wait, Buffaloes are the second largest producer of milk?Yes. The water buffalo is the primary producer of milk in South Asia, with 95% of all water buffalo populations residing in the Asian continent. This is because buffaloes are best suited to these wet, tropical regions. what makes an animal a good milk producer anyway?Usually, these animals have docile temperaments, are easy to feed, have large utters, and lactate for long periods of time. For example, while goats are smaller, they also need to move around a lot more and do not produce as much milk, making cows a much better choice for milk production. Why do we need milk in the first place?Well, milk is naturally a very nutrient-rich liquid as it provides newborn mammals with everything they need until they are able to eat real, solid food. But, if milk is for babies, then do we really need it?Technically, no. However, milk isn’t just used for drinking. Most of the world's milk actually goes to making cheeses and butter, which have become staple ingredients in modern society. Additionally, we as a species have used domesticated cattle since about 2000 BC, so we’ve been leaning on their resources for a while. We have even adapted the ability to digest lactose to enable us to consume more milk. So, why do we drink other ANimals' milk?We drink animal milk because it is convenient, provides us with nutrients, and makes things taste really good. Curious? Here's some more information!
To celebrate somebody’s birthday! Yeah, but why do we sing? Couldn't we just eat cake and give presents?See, back in the day, there were limited sources of entertainment, so the rich turned to minstrels and troubadours. Even before them came chants and songs at times of celebration in many cultures. It’s just what we do. What are MINSTRELs and trubadours?A Medieval source of entertainment. They could be hired out or would travel around, singing songs and performing for money. ok, but why “Happy Birthday to you”?Probably because it’s someone’s birthday. I mEan, were there no alterNATIVES? THE SONG'S KINDA BORING.This I cannot refute. Unfortunately, the only person who gets top-ten hits written for their birthday is Jesus, and that’s because approximately 2.3 billion people believe he’s the Messiah. Two sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill, wrote the song for the rest of us. WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?Well, they were kindergarten teachers and wrote songs for their students. One of these songs was called “Good Morning to All.” The lyrics were simple: Good morning to you; good morning to you – good morning, good morning, good morning to all. WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH “Happy Birthday to You”?Sing “Good Morning to All” to the tune of the birthday song. GOT IT. SO WAS THE BIRTHDAY VERSION ALSO WRITTEN FOR THEIR STUDENTS?There's not really a consensus on that one. Some people think one of the sisters made it up at a party, while others think it came from the children playing around with the words. Either way, it’s short, simple, and catchy tune soon made it a hit among the populous. And now it's used by everyone?As of 2015, yes. Wait, What?Well, here's the thing. See the government has this lovely thing called copyright law, which protects people from getting their ideas stolen. Musical artists use this to ensure no one makes thousands on the song they spent a lot of time working on. Warner/Chappell, the publishing arm of Warner Music, claimed to have ownership of the song since 1988 when it bought Birch Tree Group, the publisher of the Hill sisters' book, “Song Stories for the Kindergarten.” In publishing their book, Birch Tree Group had claimed the rights to the song since 1935. That's right; these companies have been collecting money off “Happy Birthday to You” for 80 years. In 2013, a lawsuit was filled against Warner/Chappell by many artists and filmmakers who wanted the company to return the fees collected for use of the song and turn it over to the public domain so it would be free to all. Warner/Chappell lost this battle towards the end of 2015 and ended up returning $14 million in February of 2016. So, WHY DO WE SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY?We sing Happy Birthday because singing is a traditional human form of celebration, and two kindergarten teachers came up with a simple yet catchy tune that became so popular it would be used by companies in the future to rake in the big bucks. curious? Here's some more iNfo!
They’re so small and clumsy and a mess, and it’s just adorable. Wait, how does being a small clumsy mess make them adorable?Well, that’s not exactly what triggers the “Awww” response. The primary reason puppies and other animals are cute are because they have big eyes, disproportionately large heads, and round faces, features ethnologist Konrad Lorenz found to be the primary traits of cuteness. what makes those traits the defining chAracteristics of cuteness?First of all, these are by far not the only traits related to cuteness, for reasons I am now going to explain. You see, Lorenz found one animal whose offspring fit all the criteria for cuteness: the human. That’s right, puppies are cute because they look like babies. So, why are babies cute?That's the thing: they’re not. In other words, there is nothing about babies that makes them intrinsically cute. They are cute because they are our offspring. For example, if babies had fangs, vampires would be the new puppies. ok then, why are our brains wIred to think babies are cute?Have you ever been with a baby before? They spit up, and throw temper tantrums, poop their pants, and scream for hours in the middle of the night. Basically, if they weren’t cute, they wouldn’t survive. Therefore, children whose parents' brains thought they were cute were more likely to survive and then have children of their own. As time progressed, eventually the only humans left were humans who thought babies were cute (thanks, natural selection!). As such, women are more likely to find things cute since they provide the baby food food and endure immense amounts of pain to bring the baby into the world and keep it alive. Furthermore, a 2009 study studied the response of adults to three types of baby faces: untouched, made to fit Lorenz's idea of cuteness, and made to be the opposite. The changes in face were extremely subtle, and yet participants responded with stronger caretaker motivation towards the “cuter” baby faces. Wait, then why do Puppies have traits that help babies survive?Because we made them that way. The first domesticated dog was probably a result of a human finding it cute. If humans only owned dogs they found cute, then the offspring of their dogs must be cute. By only keeping cute dogs, humans essentially created the quintessential puppy. The same goes for kittens. So, we changed their genetic Sturctures so we would like looking at them more?Yep! And animals aren’t the only place this comes into play. Advertising uses this all the time. (I’m not just talking about that sad Chevy comercial that makes me tear up just thinking about it.) Think about the Volkswagen Beetle. It is literally designed to look like a chubby smiley face, and each year it gets rounder and shinier. Cabbage Patch dolls are also a prime example of cute advertising. Ever seen cute cartoons as a company's logo? Yeah, they’re just using your hormones to get you to buy their stuff. so, why are puppies so cute?Puppies are so cute because we breaded them to satisfy our ideal of cuteness, which is formed by our brain in order to keep our offspring alive. However, while our tendency to favor cute things has manipulated parents for years, keeping our species alive, it has also been hijacked by corporations to manipulate buyers. For better or for worse, there is no escape from the hormones that make us go “Awww!” curious? Here's some more information!
Well, typically because we’re sad, although it can also be because we’re laughing so hard. Ok, but like, how have we deVELOPED CRYING?According to an Inuit legend, it’s because Man didn’t catch a seal while hunting one day. THAT'S COOL, BUT HOW DOES CRYING WORK?Tears are stored in the tear glands (lacrimal glands) and are brought to and from the surface of the eye through the tear ducts. Leftover tears are then stored in the tear sac (lacrimal sac). However, these don’t only work when we’re crying. In fact, they are what keep our eyes clean and offer protection from the elements. That’s why your eyes start to water when campfire smoke gets a little to close, or when allergies inflame the eyes. Wait, IF WE HAVE TEAR DUCTS TO DRAIN OUR EYES, WHY DO TEARS COME OUT WHEN WE CRY?Just like a regular drainage system, too much water leads to flooding. SO, WHEN WE CRY, WE BASICALLY ARE MAKING TO MANY TEARS FOR OUR DUCTS TO HANDLE?Correct. WHY DO WE MAKE SO MANY TEARS WHEN WE'RE EMOTIONAL?Let's take it back a few years. Say, to when you were a baby. Although you never produced enough tears to really cry, your caretakers will assure you that didn’t stop you from screaming your head off. Researchers speculate that this is the same distress cry many animals make when they are injured or in danger. By screaming, the baby is trying to alert someone of its presence and need for something. BUT I'M NOT A BABY ANYMORE. HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?As we mature, crying goes from a way to alert those in charge of our well-being of our problems to a way of conveying distress to the community without alerting predators. This is further evidence of our social nature. In fact, a 2008 study showed that crying was more likely to be cathartic when met with social support as opposed to trying to hold tears back. However, the purpose of tears may be more than just social cues, as an earlier study of crying in adults shows. Participants were more likely to cry in private settings, and more adults cried about emotional injuries rather than physical dangers. Jay Efran, former professor of psychology at Temple University, believes a possible explanation of this is his “two-stage theory of tears.” He notes that we often cry after traumatic events, not during them when we are in need of emotional support. (For example, think of someone whose dog ran away. They don’t cry when they’re looking for the dog, but, once the dog runs up to the, they begin to bawl.) Does the brain signal these things?Honestly, we know very little about how or why the brain responds to strong emotions with tears. However, one thing we do know is that holding back tears can have negative consequences, particularly for men. So, why do we cry?We cry to protect our eyes from irritation, signal emotional distress, or as a way to relieve emotional stress. Or because we couldn’t catch that darn seal. curious? Here's some more reading!
Drama as in play rehearsal, or drama as in “an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events”? The second one.Well, our relationship with drama is a tricky one. Namely, we don’t like being involved in it, but, at the same time, we just can’t seem to stay away from it. Now, if you just said to yourself, “That’s not me,” yes, it is you. You’re not special; you’re just in denial. how do you know?Since you are reading this blog, it can safely be assumed that you have read at least one book in your life. You probably have a favorite movie or TV show, too. Not to mention, you have probably seen some sort of ballet, musical, or play performance in your lifetime. And what makes these forms of entertainment entertaining? Conflict. And how do you make conflict interesting? Drama. So every form of poPULAR ENTERTAINMENT IS BASED ON DRAMA?In a nutshell, yes. Scroll back up to the definition for proof. What show or book or play doesn’t have exciting, emotional, or unexpected events? It’s what drives the story forward. News outlets cater what topics they cover to it, and even children's entertainment is full of it. Try telling me that Llama, Llama Red Pajama isn’t dramatic. ok, but what abouT Real-life drama?Real-life drama holds real-life consequences. For example, continual involvement in drama frequently has been linked to depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders due to stress. While most of us aren’t involved in such intense drama, we still like to talk about it. What do you mean?Gossip: that which both creates and fuels drama. You’ve done it, I’ve done it, we’ve all done it. yeah, but why?There are lots of reasons we choose to indirectly get involved in drama. Focusing on other people's problems can distract us from our own chaotic lives. In addition, some of it is rubbernecking, or morbid curiosity. Anger addiction, caused by the rush of adrenaline, release of stored up feelings, and sense of control associated with anger, also comes into play in these situations. Sharing our anger with somebody else just feels good, and we don’t mind exaggerating the story a little, creating rumors. In fact, according to an article in Men's Health (because men gossip, too), negative gossip about others actually boosts our self esteem momentarily. Finally, there is the social aspect of it. After all, no one wants to be the only one out of the loop on Taylor Swift's feuds with Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian. What about positive gossip?Here's the thing about humans: we're hardwired to focus on the negative. It helped us survive once upon a time, being able to differ friend from foe, and good berries from poisonous ones. However, this leads us to focus on negative gossip much more than positive. According to a study that aimed to study visual reactions to positive, negative, and neutral gossip, negative gossip dominated participants' visual consciousness. So, sorry, positive gossip doesn’t really spread. So, why is drama so mUch fun?Drama is fun because it gives us a good story, distracts us from our lives, satisfies a curiosity, allows us to let out anger, and keeps us in the know, while also allowing us to figure out who is trustworthy. curioUs? Here's some more reading!
Because “Mother” and “Father” are a mouthful. I mean, why don't we call them by their given names?It's a sign of respect. Children are expected to refer to teachers and other adults with their respective titles (i.e. Ms. Smith or Uncle Joe). Even adults use a title of some sort when addressing those who have more knowledge or authority than them, especially if they are unacquainted. Calling them by just their name implies that you are their equal, that you have the same amount of power as they do. In the parent-child situation, this dynamic is a result of the fact that they literally gave you life, cleaned your dirty diapers, and dealt with every strange phase you’ve been through. Why not use Ms. Or Mr.?Um, because that’s impersonal. Are you seriously going to refer to the people who gave you life the same way you’d refer to your middle school math teacher? Of course not! While your pre-algebra teacher may have been great, they were not your mom or dad. They did not change your dirty diapers; they just taught you how to solve for x. I’m not discrediting math teachers; I’m just saying parents are a little more important. The titles “mom” and “dad” refer to their jobs, the way we call government officials “Senator Jones” or “Secretary O'Leary”. Their title refers to the importance of their role as our parent. Ok, so why don't i call my mom “mother Sally” or “Mom Jackson”?Really, it’s a nickname. When babies first make sounds, they can barely say “mama”, let alone a name like “Stephanie”. After, I don’t know, five years or so of calling our parents “mom”and “dad”, it kind of sticks. It is so ingrained in our minds, that learning that our parents really have names blows our tiny brains. But, “mom” and “dad”? They couldn't have thought of any other names?As stated before, it’s what babies say. The most common first sounds of infants that aren’t blood-curdling screams are words like “mama”, “baba”, and “papa”. Therefore, the origin of the names didn’t come from the parents, but from the children. Why don't “dad” and “papa” sound at all like “father”?Let me start by saying that, while this is true in English, it doesn’t apply to all languages. For example, “father” is “padre” in Spanish and Italian, “baba” in Albanian and Swahili, “ama” in Filipino, and “dad” in Welsh, all of which sound at lest somewhat close to a baby's first sounds. Anyways, the English word for “father” is based on the Old English “fæder”, which came from an Indo-European root shared by Latin “pater” and Greek “patēr”, both of which sound a lot more like “papa” than “father”. Then how come “mom” is pretty much the same all over the world when “dad” has so much VARIATION?Honestly, it’s because of the sounds babies make when their breastfeeding. When feeding, babies often nestle into their mother and sort of feel around for food, making a “ma” sound. It can be equated to the chirps of a chick who wants mom to regurgitate worms into its beak. Since this sound is universal among all human babies, it is believed that this is the common root origin of the word “mama”. So, WHY DO WE CALL OUR PARENTS “MOM” AND “DAD”?We call our parents “mom” and “dad” because those are the nicknames we gave them out of respect and intimacy before we were even aware that names are a thing. CurIous? HERE'S SOME MORE INFORMATION!
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