Does nostalgia make you dissatisfied with the things that you own? Do you wish that things should be made like they were in the old days? Before answering that question, take a look at the following video. Which car are you safer in: a 1959 Chevy or a 2009 Chevy?
Jordan Brady (Image credit: Luke Reznor) As part of our global expedition exploring what makes things funny, we’re grilling humorists about the science behind scoring laughs. (Previously published on Wired.com) You’ve likely spotted Jordan Brady in small roles on television shows like Baywatch, Dream On, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Who’s the Boss? Or […]
I visited Erasmus University as part of my sabbatical. While there, I interviewed some of the faculty about their research. Here is the first interview, where I asked Marketing Professor Stefano Putoni about his research on gender identity. The question: Does the color pink hurt anti-cancer campaigns? (Apologies for my loud voice.) Stefano’s research highlights […]
On occasion, I will post a research idea that I don’t have time to pursue. Here is the first. I was recently visiting my friend, Marcel Zeelenberg (a man who knows how to live). He showed me this optical illusion: Marcel was quite pleased and thought the image was funny. I believe that optical illusions […]
You have heard the stories about viral videos that receive millions of views. One part of those stories, however, is not true. Things don’t go viral the way that viruses that do. .…………………………..Not the way it happens Academics, business people, and the man on the street commonly believe that interesting information will spread like a […]
A big week for football. Earlier this season, I wrote about why I stopped caring about football. The post got a lot of positive and negative responses. One of my colleagues argued against my reasons, but he raised another interesting one: The real reason not to watch football is that it is our generation’s boxing. […]
Inspired by a post on must reads for books on the psychology of choice, here is my list of popular press books related to my research interests in judgment, emotion, and choice: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Danny Kahneman. The most academic book in the group. Also, the most precise. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. […]
Nick Justicz wrote a guest blog post for me a few months ago (see Humor and The Pianist). He did such a good job, I invited him to do another. Tell me what you think. Should the invitations continue? ———————————————————————– “That’s like, almost not cool” an onlooker exclaims (with nervous laughter). Indeed, a widely-viewed YouTube […]
