Why does this thing exist? (Podcast)

Why Does This Thing Exist? (Podcast)
  • 5.0 (8)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

It’s the podcast where neuroscientist and author, Dr Dean Burnett (The Idiot Brain, Psycho-logical) and his oldest friend in the world, Simon Feeley (some guff on BBC radios 4 and Wales, years ago) present each other with things, things they find confusing and perplexing, and have a little chat about them.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Episode 147: "Maximum Break" (with Dave Steele and Michael McCann)

    29/04/2025

    Episode 147: "Maximum Break" (with Dave Steele and Michael McCann)

    In this episode, Dean and Simon bring in the receivers (Dave and Michael) to wind down WDTTE(P) enterprises and give the podcast the sendoff it deserves. Topics covered include: Cronenbergian phone accessories, detectives, teeth-tooth-teethbrushes, poo knifes, honeymoon romance, the chewiest things, Rodney, the Lynchian career of Jane Lynch and more.    Umbilical cable for iPhone - https://www.etsy.com/listing/123441193/umbilical-cable-for-iphone?msockid=24ee4423ce8a664a391b50f7cf6a6717     Teeth toothbrush - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1234410061/teeth-tooth-brush-novelty-gag-gift-pun?msockid=24ee4423ce8a664a391b50f7cf6a6717     Pwp knife - https://www.amazon.com/Jsuslife-Durable-Toilet-Handle-Christmas/dp/B0CFZTRYJ9   Wikipedia - List of Jane Lynch performances - -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jane_Lynch_performances   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m
  2. Episode 146: “Ice melts and rocks exist”

    22/04/2025

    Episode 146: “Ice melts and rocks exist”

    In this episode, Dean and Simon get flummoxed by a popular video about some rocks getting defrosted. Following that, they take a good look at a cursed object. They finish off by tuning in to some facts about old-timey radio.     Diet Enak’s Mencairkan batu es - https://www.facebook.com/reel/2649552068574584     My Last Tooth ceramic trinket - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286463473472     Wikipedia – 1938 in British Radio - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1938_in_British_radio   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  3. Episode 145: “Are you an egg man?” (with Michael McCann)

    15/04/2025

    Episode 145: “Are you an egg man?” (with Michael McCann)

    In this episode, Michael returns to receive an update on Dean’s dogging investigation and then the three of them look at Japanese answers to the question “Why DOESN’T This Thing Exist?”. Following that, Simon’s cedes control of his section to allow Michael to speak on his interests and then everyone discusses an article about grenades.    Photos Dean took While walking a dog -  https://imgur.com/QFkk1rM  https://imgur.com/TIGQQHp  https://imgur.com/1E9X1jE  https://imgur.com/xrnHZp7    Chindogu - https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/1jhkx2z/chindogu_is_a_japanese_concept_where_inventors/     V Highlighter - https://theperfectv.com/products/shades-of-luminizer    Video on Denver Airport - https://youtu.be/NN8DO-Xv9wA?feature=shared     Wikipedia – Number 6 Hand Grenade - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._6_grenade  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  4. Episode 144: “Beak on the box”

    08/04/2025

    Episode 144: “Beak on the box”

    In this episode, Dean complains about recipes and Simon talks about his charity work. Then, Simon tells Dean about a new shop he’s been to and the interesting thing he bought, and they slander a cereal. They finish off by discovering some breaking news in a Wikipedia article.    Roti recipe - https://www.cookwithmanali.com/roti-recipe/     Kellogg's Frosties Shower Gel - https://bubbletcosmetics.com/collections/kelloggs-shower-gels     Wikipedia- Assetto Corsa EVO - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assetto_Corsa_EVO     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  5. Episode 143: “Nobel, no charisma, no chance”

    01/04/2025

    Episode 143: “Nobel, no charisma, no chance”

    In this episode, Dean and Simon read a comic that’s supposed to help people stop drinking and then they have a look at dirty-dog toothbrush accessory. They finish off by having a go at some Australian children and their efforts to communicate science.    Captain Alcohol - https://captainalcoholcomic.com/     Dog Pooping Toothpaste Topper - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1552788872/dog-pooping-toothpaste-topper-comes-with?ref=shop_home_feat_2&logging_key=f0ab90686f6637f7dbcf6e9a80db27b73bbac6d5%3A1552788872     Wikipedia – Sleek Geek Week - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleek_Geek_Week  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  6. Episode 142: “The bad beef years are coming”

    26/03/2025

    Episode 142: “The bad beef years are coming”

    In this episode Simon and Dean look at a romantic meat product and then share their feelings on a recent news item from the skies. They finish off by celebrating some of cold-science's top achievers.    Meat Rose - https://imgur.com/ddeDbym    Article about a couple that had to sit next to a corpse on a long flight - https://news.sky.com/story/couple-forced-to-sit-next-to-dead-body-for-hours-on-qatar-airways-flight-13317026    Wikipedia - Kamerlingh Onnes Award - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamerlingh_Onnes_Award  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  7. Episode 141: “A man of the soil”

    19/03/2025

    Episode 141: “A man of the soil”

    In this episode, Dean and Simon’s attempts to learn about agriculture and plumbing are foiled and then they revisit Wolverhampton’s powerful past.    Farming hack video - https://www.facebook.com/YellowBee101/videos/a-handy-hack-for-farmers-/2045837919203825/     Hippo water saver eBay listing - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276838892825?itmmeta=01JKBVS5M6761YG4NNTC4W98PK&hash=item4074e24519:g:XEMAAOSwSR1nkP8M&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4CodCO1vSDjg2xNOt8By6oD6JK3WL5UbDjOgIbBzhpvkmdTsRFQ5oaK3ShoVhWvlhvV0624D7H8%2B6T1UWAetabair4xMBAJOQcgADCIn08h2Ynq4LQcOMXbiDq%2F50EwvpdHvbgIT4vFfqkqyhFKT%2FlZr4WGnSYJ47TvRMBx%2FL2EILg474x4nMAZ%2Fbe9Aa%2FjEkUzz0mSULA4bJmt4buLZdylWtMx9CknbafWtaAGPqm2s5dGmsySziFl3YVg79r9qghVr%2B0IvLaHNRRruvq4jJe7youEc5jpfqw9XIkOfCR2u%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6Da5PuaZQ     An Aladdin's cave on eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?item=276838892825&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211&_ssn=sapcotejumblesale      Video about installing hippo bags - https://youtu.be/YhvndIcQ0L8?si=Pb6JpBfOz-Psu1Tf     Wikipedia – Wolverhampton Power Station - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverhampton_Power_Station      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  8. Episode 140: “A Full Three”

    12/03/2025

    Episode 140: “A Full Three”

    In this episode, Dean and Simon try to figure out what a TV Disney+ show might be about, get down and gritty at American Event, and praise Jesus.    Will Trent - https://imgur.com/16QCthH      Rolling in the Grits – Small Town Big Deal - https://youtu.be/bvrTfkY6xNw?si=M_nJZJwswMSJPfuQ     Wikipedia – McVegan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McVegan   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

It’s the podcast where neuroscientist and author, Dr Dean Burnett (The Idiot Brain, Psycho-logical) and his oldest friend in the world, Simon Feeley (some guff on BBC radios 4 and Wales, years ago) present each other with things, things they find confusing and perplexing, and have a little chat about them.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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