Can Language Change What You Smell?
Summary
Hosts Michael Stevens and Hannah Frye explore the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, discussing how language shapes perception through examples like color naming and cultural identity. They then answer listener questions, explaining the physics of escape velocity and atmospheric drag, the ancient origins and chemical mechanism of soap, and the historical "rain follows the plow" misconception that contributed to the Dust Bowl.
Topics discussed
Intro: Cultural differences in washing dishes and smell
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: How language shapes thought
Naming things: Crayons, kittens, and obscure words
Ad break: Cancer Research UK and Carvana
Escape velocity: Throwing a rock out of Earth's gravity
The history and chemistry of soap
Rain follows the plow: The Dust Bowl and scientific theory
Outro: The scientific method and show credits
Listen ad-free on Castria