BRAIN WAVES
Yaaaawn. Boring tasks are, well, boring. And you’d think that the closer you to finishing a boring task — a work meeting or a long commute, for example — the better you’d feel. But a new study finds just the opposite: Boring tasks sometimes feel worse when you're almost finished with them. In a series of experiments, people found the same dull experience, like sitting through 20 minutes of a meeting, was less annoying when the overall event was longer. In other words, they were more bored at 20 minutes if the meeting was 30 minutes long than if it were 60 minutes long. Researchers say this counterintuitive effect stems from something called “ratio sensitivity”: we mentally compare how much we’ve endured to the total length, and if we feel we’ve done a big chunk already, the task feels heavier, even if the experience itself hasn’t changed. The takeaway? Focusing on progress can make tedious moments feel worse, especially when we’re busy or hyper-aware of time.
Twinkle, twinkle. A new Yale study found that singing to babies can significantly boost their mood — and you don't need to be Beyoncé for it to work. Researchers worked with 110 families with infants under four months. Some of the parents were assigned to a group where they were given tools like karaoke videos and infant-friendly songbooks to encourage them to sing more to their babies. Over four weeks, parents who sang more often reported that their babies were in a better mood overall, not just during musical moments. The findings suggest that simple, instinctive behaviors like singing may have powerful effects on infant well-being — and by extension, even family health. Or, as the researchers put it: “Parents send babies a clear signal in their lullabies: I'm close by, I hear you, I'm looking out for you — so things can't be all that bad.”
Be careful! If you are a parent or a teacher, you're constantly wondering: how do I balance play and safety for the kids in my care? You don't want to put children in danger, but you also don't want to rob them of the joy of exploration. Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
The Price of Revenge: Revenge often feels sweet, but what price do we pay for seeking it out? Researcher James Kimmel, Jr. proposes a radical theory: our desire for vengeance operates like an addiction in the brain. This week, how “revenge addiction” plays out in our everyday lives — and on a global scale.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Darren Wayman’s Story: In 2019, Darren was about to become a first-time father, and he was terrified. Then a doctor came into the delivery room and said something that completely changed his perspective on parenthood.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a downward spiral? Where one hardship seemed to lead to a series of setbacks that set the course of your life in the wrong direction? If you have a story you’d be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, we’d love to hear it. Just record a 2–3 minute voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org with the subject line “Spirals.”
NOOKS & CRANNIES FROM REVISIONIST HISTORY
Have you ever wondered how Thomas' English Muffins get their trademark nooks and crannies? Revisionist History’s Ben Naddaff-Hafrey tackles the question in a crumbly two-part series examining not only how the beloved brand developed their signature texture, but how they came to be at the center of one of the most important trade secrecy cases you’ve likely never heard of. Ben even attempts to reverse engineer the famous muffins recipe. Listen on Revisionist History.
MIND GAMES
If 1=5
2=6
3=7
4=8
then 5=?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
What is a liquid at room temperature in its original state but solidifies when heated?
The answer: an egg
A MOMENT OF JOY
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.