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PODCAST

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast)

Why Does This Thing Exist? (Podcast)

It’s the podcast where neuroscientist and author, Dr Dean Burnett (The Idiot Brain, Psycho-logical) and his oldest friend in the world, Simon Feeley (some guff on BBC radios 4 and Wales, years ago) present each other with things, things they find confusing and perplexing, and have a little chat about them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

comedy

All Episodes

1:00:06

Episode 87: “You are a snitzer-snotz baby”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/03/06

In this episode, comedian Rob Hughes joins Dean and Simon to discuss Home Alone 4, a confusing sign from a listener’s workplace, auto-tune and a Gaelic Goalkeeper.Lots of valuable questions asked and answered this week.Home Alone 4 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329200/Sign in a workplace - https://imgur.com/mP13IS5Wikipedia – David Clarke - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clarke_(Gaelic_footballer) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

50:54

Episode 86: “Can your car do this?”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/02/28

In this episode, Simon defends Dean from a baying mob and as a reward Dean makes him talk about Elon Musk and his cybertruck. Then, Simon brings the recent Shein exploration to an end by showing Dean another plastic depiction of a creature defecating. Finally, for the first time in 86 episodes, Wikipedia delivers a topic that Dean has studied in depth, so he grasps the opportunity with both hands and talks at length about the monkey from Cannonball Run 2.Cybertruck -

en

44:46

Episode 85: “Good evening, Lady Aga Khan”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/02/21

In this episode, Dean and Simon watch a long-forgotten panel show from the early 90s, assess a porcine garden ornament and read at an interesting article about a book that chronicles the adventures of a regal mouse.P’s and Q’s - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73vi0_B4sBM&ab_channel=ChrisVHS891 pc Pig Design Garden Ornament -

en

39:55

Episode 84: “Serve an orange Simon”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/02/14

In this episode, an overly caffeinated Dean zooms in to tell a ratty Simon about a product to help people safely clean their plants. Then, Simon tells him about the latest breakthrough in chicken safety paraphernalia. They finish off by discussing a type of flower which might be related to a previous guest. Accidental botany/safety episode? Yeah, why not.Leaf cleaning tongs - https://www.prezzybox.com/leaf-cleaning-tongs.aspxChicken crash helmets - https://shorturl.at/jqSY5Wikipedia - Rubus steelei

en

42:24

Episode 83: "Fuzzy astro vibes"

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/02/07

In this episode, Dean learns about the rise and fall of the Deal or No Deal fruit machine, the best machines in Cardiff and how to gamble responsibly and then Simon takes him to a Chinese junk shop to look at a curiously named soft toy. They finish off the episode by arguing about money.Deal or No Deal Bandit - https://imgur.com/QIK6aJy Cute and ugly plus doll tilts its head to kill the little duck - https://imgur.com/GpG102m Wikipedia - Portrait of François Buron -

en

49:37

Episode 82: “Moussaka with Edward”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/01/31

In this episode, Dean tells Simon about a lost literary classic and a potential revenue stream and then Simon brings out the cheese. They move on to discuss the Dutch version of Big Brother and its many tremendous lawsuits before they take to the streets and bring Air Fryer Month to its conclusion with another bout of ‘Investigative Journalism’.Photo of Tiramisu Wensleydale - https://imgur.com/V6nBImI Wikipedia – Big Brother (Dutch TV Series) -

en

35:36

Episode 81: “The insight to words ratio is off”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/01/24

In this episode, Dean gets offered a set of dodgems for free so he tells Simon about it and then Simon shows Dean a Chinese train that goes through a block of flats in China.They finish off the episode by learning about how a quotes are being misattributed to Winston Churchill. Something for everyone there then.Dodgems for sale -https://imgur.com/SkjcrxE Chinese train -https://mashable.com/article/chongqing-train-building and https://youtu.be/GnQLNqCqLXA?si=mmgPKchmRoz4V-d-Wikipedia – Churchillian

en

38:14

Episode 80: “Wire up the toilet”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/01/17

In this episode, Dean gives a valuable update on his crisps investigation and then shows Simon a video of a terrifying toilet. In part two, Simon tells Dean about a toilet themed restaurant. It's an accidental toilet special, listener! Also, they have a look at an article about an actor/stuntman.Spooky toilet upgrade -https://www.facebook.com/100070363171353/videos/988388469091159/Toilet themed restaurant -https://www.cktravels.com/modern-toilet-restaurant-taipei/Wikipedia – Tony Epper

en

40:54

Episode 79: “Air B&B for Draculas”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/01/10

In this episode, Dean and Simon stumble upon the special theme for the month and then make a load of promises that they are bound to ‘forget about’. Dean shows Simon something unusual for sale on Facebook Marketplace and then they speculate about the content of a musical event that's happened in Cardiff. They finish off by having a look at a long-dead group of fish. Detours galore.Coffin for sale -https://imgur.com/enLjf6d Jurassic Park in Concert Poster -https://imgur.com/AU1S8UL Wikipedia -

en

47:54

Episode 78: "Throbbing Spreadsheet - The Second...

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2024/01/03

In this episode, Dave returns to assess Dean and Simon's performance over the past year. Which celebrities with maladies do your hosts aspire to be like? What words do they use more often than others? How much of the podcast is actually legible? Are they muppet patter thieves? These questions, and more, answered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

1:03:28

Episode 77: “Christmas Special 2: Christmas Roadshow”...

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/12/27

In this episode, Dean and Simon take to the road to do some Xmas drop-ins on a smattering of the year’s guests. First, they call in on Liam Schewitz to find out about how reviewing a Pork advert from the 80s has had an impact on his life and to get his opinion on some of the meat products that have been covered on the podcast since his last appearance. Then they head off to meet with Dan Thomas and Sarah Breese to taste test some items that Sarah has tracked down and they finish off by calling round

en

41:45

Episode 76: “Mousey goodness”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/12/20

In this episode, Dean and Simon watch the trailer for the new Spider-Man-adjacent film that’s coming out soon and then debate the merits of mouldingturkey mince into the shape of a carrot and dying it orange. They finish off for the week by going through a long list of rodents.Madame Web trailer - https://youtu.be/s_76M4c4LTo?si=3Ogitd2TBsxrGBeeWhy Arby’s is testing meat products that look like big carrots - https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/26/business/arbys-fake-meat-carrot-trnd/index.html Wikipedia

en

39:41

Episode 75: "Pumpkin Spice Imperium"

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/12/13

In this episode, Dean shows Simon a clip from an old film that paints a famous comedian in a new light and then they take to the road to do some investigative journalism. They finally return to the studio to finish off the episode by reviewing an article about a nondescript building in America.Jim Davidson Hello - https://youtu.be/X6WiiXUR3xM?si=PL3z1pYMiUFi219dPumpkin Spice Car Wash Info - https://imocarwash.com/gb/pumpkin-spice-triple-foam/Wikipedia - Customs House (Nashville, Tennessee) -

en

43:55

Episode 74: “Release the Bishop”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/12/06

In this episode, Dean tells Simon about an educational TV series with an unlikely host and then they ponder why a promotional photograph for a long-forgotten piece of Saturday evening crud-TV ended up onsale in Iceland. The finish off with another fantastic/shambolic Random Wikipedia Article section.Harold Bishop article - https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/celebrity-news/neighbours-harold-bishop-teach-teenagers-5056113 Dale Winton photo -

en

53:17

Episode 73: “The imaginative world of twins”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/11/29

In this episode, illness has descended upon your hosts but they struggle on bravely. Dean shows Simon some images from a book designed to teach children to stand up for themselves and then Simon invites Dean to a twin themed restaurant. They finish off by falling in love with a photograph of a bird.Images from ‘The Zipper’ - https://imgur.com/WHcwzJC Video of Twin Stars Diner, Moscow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-24514947 Wikipedia – Egg Tooth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tooth

en

34:26

Episode 72: "I don't like a wet slimer"

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/11/22

In this episode, Dean gets infuriated with a children's television programme again, Simon discovers Lovecraftian clothing for children and then they contact an "Irishman" for financial advice.City of Friends opening theme - https://youtu.be/b8JLGM2xfSw?si=gOKo9Nh8l95445LxOctopus costume - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004301754454.html?pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%21 Wikipedia - String of cash coins (currency unit) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_of_cash_coins_(currency_unit) Hosted on Acast

en

51:04

Episode 71: "A beautiful bollard"

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/11/15

In this episode, Dean and Simon ponder why a bollard has a dinosaur's head on it, take to the air to look at some massive adverts and then mess about on the river.Dean’s Excellent Dinosaur Photograph - https://i.imgur.com/F9vA0Bl.jpg Mapvertising article - https://lenpenzo.com/blog/id15798-giant-advertisements-that-can-be-seen-from-high-in-the-sky.html?expand_article=1 Wikipedia –Emmanuel Boat Club- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Boat_Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

en

59:46

Episode 70: “Chewy drink/Slippery drink" (with Sarah...

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/11/08

In this episode, comedy performer and producer Sarah Breese (http://www.sarahbreese.com) joins Dean and Simon to talk about elevator music, beverages, cursed vegetables, beverages again, redubbed films and ART.Simon’s potato -https://i.imgur.com/Nv0pOxH.jpg Wikipedia – Still life with flowers on a marble slab - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_life_with_flowers_on_a_marble_slab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

43:12

Episode 69: “Car door binbag”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/11/01

In this episode, Dean gives an update on his crisps investigation and then he and Simon have a look at a new addition to the Robocop cannon. They follow that up with adiscussion about camping and finish off withan old-fashioned meltdown during the Random Wikipedia Article section.Robocop's desk - https://i.imgur.com/OByVbcy.png Car tent - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XX3H5XL?tag=097-uk-21&ascsubtag=default&geniuslink=true Wikipedia – Faces in the Fog -

en

37:15

Episode 68: “Follow the crisp literature”

Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) ·

2023/10/24

In this episode, Dean and Simon fail to be impressed by someone cleaning a rug, take a crispy trip down memory lane and name an activity they think is better than skiing. What a lovely, gentle episode. Well done everyone.Someone power washing a filthy rug -https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxAffxAs6zo/?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D A very expensive bag of crisps -

en

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