Why Crowds Change Who You Are & The Mystery of How Life First Began- SYSK Choice

17 Oct 2026 · 48 min · Episode 1427

Episode Why Crowds Change Who You Are & The Mystery of How Life First Began- SYSK Choice

0:00 47:39

Most of us know that driving faster burns more gas. But just how much does slowing down actually save you? The difference is bigger than you might think. And if you drive around with a bike rack attached to your car, even when there’s no bike on it, you’ll definitely want to hear this. https://abc7.com/archive/9151803/

There is something powerful about being part of a crowd. At a concert or sporting event, thousands of strangers can suddenly feel connected, sharing an energy and sense of belonging that is hard to create anywhere else. But crowds can also have a darker side. How does a peaceful gathering turn into an angry or even violent mob? And does being in a crowd really cause people to behave in ways they never would on their own? Dan Hancox has studied the fascinating science and history of crowds and explains what really happens to us when we become part of one. He is author of Multitudes: How Crowds Made the Modern World (https://amzn.to/40axzVW).

Every living thing comes from something else that was alive. Plants come from other plants, animals from other animals, and you came from your parents. So where did the very first life come from? And if life managed to emerge here on Earth, why haven't we found evidence of it anywhere else? Astrophysicist Mario Livio explores what scientists know about the origin of life, what conditions made Earth so hospitable, and whether we really might be alone in the universe. Mario worked with the Hubble Space Telescope and is the author of seven books. His latest, co-authored with Jack Szostak, is Is Earth Exceptional?: The Quest for Cosmic Life (https://amzn.to/4dSpSGY).

If you use Venmo, you may be sharing more information about your transactions than you realize. Depending on your privacy settings, other people may be able to see details about who you are paying. Consumer Reports says there are good reasons you might not want that information publicly visible. Listen as I explain the potential problem and how to change your Venmo settings to make your transactions more private. https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-make-your-venmo-information-private-a6507250342/

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