Profoundly Pointless

Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens

Why do we cuss? And what happens when we do. Psychologist and Curse Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens has spent decades trying to answer those two questions. Dr. Stephens says that while there are many reason why we cuss, such as anger and trying to fit in, when we curse, our body and mind go through significant changes. Changes that can dull pain and even make us stronger. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the unique psychology behind cussing, the power of different curse words and why our brains treat curse words differently than other words. 00:00 Introducing Dr. Richard Stephens 01:11 Why We Cuss 02:30 What Happens When We Cuss 03:57 Cussing and Pain Management 05:31 Cussing Makes Us Stronger 08:09 The Strongest Cuss Words 09:45 Why Some People Cuss More 12:19 Cussing and Honesty 16:39 The Best Cuss Word Contact the Show Dr. Richard Stephens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber

Every word and every language has an origin story. What originally started out as a way to describe a specific type of tree, is now what we call a book. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how languages change with Research Linguist Dr. Daniel Hieber. We talk how new languages are created, why the meaning of words changes and the chaos unleashed by the Great Vowell Shift. 00:00 Introducing Dr. Daniel Hieber 01:07 How We Learn Language 05:51 The Very First Language 08:44 Words that Don't Change 12:11 How Long it Takes for Languages to Change 14:57 The Great Vowel Shift 19:18 The Hardest and Easiest Languages to Learn 20:43 The Most Unique Language 23:41 The Best Curse Word 26: 29 Language Misconceptions Contact the Show Dr. Daniel Hieber Website Dr. Daniel Hieber Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben

Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben has found over $4.5 million dollars worth of buried treasure, now he's on the hunt for more. But what does it take to be one of the world's best treasure hunters? In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we go inside the search for buried treasure. We talk finding sunken ship wrecks, black market treasure dealers and the secret to finding buried treasure. Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Meats. Contact the Show Brent Brisben Website 1715 Treasure Fleet 00:00 Introducing Brent Brisben 01:09 How Treasure Hunters Search for Buried Treasure 03:09 The Most I Ever Found 04:35 Can You Keep Buried Treasure 06:37 The Treasure Hunting Industry 08:13 Black Market Treasure Hunting 12:57 The Cost of Treasure Hunting 15:17 The Biggest Treasure Ever Found 19:14 Pointless 39:11 Candle of the Month 47:47 Top 5 Meats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt

Designing and piloting a drone show is no easy task. It takes hundreds of hours of preparation to control thousands of drones that all need to move in pattern so precise, it comes down to the centimeter. Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt has worked on some of the world’s biggest drone shows. We talk how drone shows are designed, spending million of dollars on drones and what it takes to create a hologram in the sky. Then, in the Pointless part of the show, it’s Sparklers and Black Cats vs. Bottle Rockets and Roman Candles as we countdown the Top 5 Types of Fireworks. 00:00 Introducing Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt 01:04 Designing a Drone Show 02:56 A Very Special Type of Drone 06:56 When Something Goes Wrong 10:49 The Future of Drone Shows 15:15 Pointless 39:12 The Top 5 Types of Fireworks Contact the Show Aerial Illuminations Website Aerial Illuminations YouTube Aerial Illuminations Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss

The fireworks explode in an instant of blinding light and thunderous sound. But designing a fireworks show takes months of preparation and years of training. From the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show to Burning Man, Pyrotechnician Steven Yoss has been behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest fireworks shows. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the art of designing fireworks shows, the science of making fireworks and what happens when things go wrong. Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Actors and Actresses You Know but Can’t Name. 00:00 Introducing Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss 0:59 Designing Fireworks Shows 04:32 How Fireworks are Made 07:41 Fireworks Dangers 09:37 The Best and Worst Fireworks 11:51 Fireworks Colors 13:51 Fireworks Injuries 15:51 The Best Fireworks Shows 19:49 The Future of Fireworks Shows 20:51 Pointless 46:51 Top 5 Actors You Know But Can’t Name Contact the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices