THEM'S THE RULES - SoundSage

It’s wrong to make promises you don’t intend to keep, right?

This tenet of common morality is the basic premise behind “Chekhov’s Gun,” a fundamental concept of storytelling made famous by the prolific Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov.

But this rule goes way beyond the page and stage – think geopolitics, technological advancements, cowboys, and mutually assured destruction.

In this episode, Bronwen looks at human psychology (and human folly) to explain why this literary principle is something we ALL need to be taking seriously, as the survival of humanity depends upon it...

LINKSAnton Chekhov: Collection of Five Plays

“The Pistol on the Wall: How Coercive Military Intervention Limits Atrocity Prevention Policies,”Report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament

Review: Chekhov's Gun and Nietzsche's Hammer: The Biotechnological Revolution and the Sociology of Knowledge

List of Military Nuclear Accidents

@ArtyomLukin

To Intervene or Not to Intervene

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In this episode, Bronwen chats with slow-fashion enthusiast Lauren McKinney about the classic rules of curating a “capsule wardrobe.” They dig into the damaging impact cultural rules of fashion can have on identity formation and mental health and recognize the significant toll rampant consumerism is taking on our wallets and our environment.

As Bronwen reconciles with the reality of her closet, Lauren shares wisdom gleaned from her evolving relationship with sustainability, reflecting on how capsule wardrobing’s underlying framework of “less is more” can be used for the greater good.

LINKS

Lauren’s YouTube Channel

@laurenwmckinney

Postmark

Thredup

GoodwillFor DaysSigne from Use LessWe Are What we Eat by Alice WatersFOLLOW THEM'S THE RULES: || WEBSITE || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK || TWITTER ||

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How much thought have you given to your end-of-life care?

In this episode, Bronwen investigates the practicalities of the controversial advance directive known as the Do-Not-Resuscitate order. What does a DNR actually entail? Who makes the final call? What's the likelihood a life-saving method like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will actually work?

To answer these questions (plus many more), Bronwen chats with an emergency medicine physician who deals with DNRs on a regular basis. With two decades of hands-on experience, this practicing ER doc sheds light on the many nuances of end-of-life decision-making, the risks and benefits of resuscitative efforts, and the common misconceptions many of us have about DNRs.

A travel through history’s imaginative methods of resuscitation is also provided, adding context to the impressive array of medical technology we have available today.

LINKS
Reviving the Conversation around CPR/DNR
Hospital do-not-resuscitate orders: why they have failed and how to fix them
Approximately One in Three US Adults Completes Any Type of Advance Directive

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Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

In the pits of winter, millions of people hoping to leave their past failures behind them set a goal for themselves in the New Year – to be healthier and happier, to travel more and Instagram less, to spend more time with friends and family or to snag that promotion at work. But studies show only 8% of those who make New Year’s resolutions will actually be successful!

So, what gives?

Why do we make resolutions every January 1st? Why do most of us fail by February?

In this episode, Bronwen explores the ancient tradition of the New Year’s resolution, diving into the social constructions, cultural expectations, and cognitive underpinnings influencing our success.

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Rock, Paper, Scissors…shoot!

Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) is an ancient game known around the world for the unambiguous rules: rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock.

In this episode, Bronwen takes a multilevel look at this deceptively simple hand game, from a wacky, costumed subculture to the expensive world of high art, sociological commentary on sport to the dynamics maintaining nature’s biodiversity and beyond.

As always, Bronwen engages in a philosophical inquiry into the rules of RPS – beyond its easy gameplay. She considers how we readily employ RPS as a rule to settle disputes – whoever wins, gets to call the shots. We follow this rule based on the premise that as a random game of chance, it is therefore unbiased and fair. … but is it really?

Experts suggest the game can be strategized to one side’s advantage, using insights into human behavior and skills of psychological manipulation to influence a player’s likelihood of success. Can RPS be used to settle disputes more serious than who gets the last slice of pizza? Given its familiarity around the world and precedence of its use in law and order – it’s not that hard to imagine!

LINKSWorld Rock Paper Scissors AssociationFormalizing Opponent ModelingSocial Cycling and Condition Response in RPSSupport the show! FOLLOW THEM'S THE RULES: || WEBSITE || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK || TWITTER ||

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In this episode, Bronwen explores the history and cultural significance of the so-called “Rules of the Internet,” a humorous, yet dated, list of axioms, catchphrases, and memes of what the internet is and how users should behave on it.

Spawned by the infamous 4chan Image Board, these “rules” are not enforceable by any official authority. Rather, they were written as a parody, borrowing from the scientific definition of “rule” to make predictive observations about the phenomena that is our digital landscape.

Bronwen also takes a closer look at the internet’s raunchiest rule, Rule 34: If it exists, there is porn of it. No exceptions. By applying a lens of evolutionary psychology, she learns to appreciate the diversity of online pornography.

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We all know the rhyme: finders keepers, losers weepers. It ruled the playground, granting us permission to take ownership of lost property without having to deal with moral consequences. But this unwritten rule isn’t just a childhood relic—society historically has maintained its philosophy across every sector, including the legislation, technology, and the military. In this episode, Bronwen digs into the hypocrisies surrounding “finders keepers,” shedding light on the inherent conflict presented between morality, legality, and practicality. From the invisible world of data to the vast infinitude of space, “finders keepers” is a rule that will continue to have a major impact on your life.

Key Points From This Episode:

An overview of the logic behind “finders keepers, losers weepers.”
The first known record of the rule.
What the Bible says about found property.
Why America is so fond of finders keepers, and the hypocrisy this entails.
What the Homestead Act was and how it relied on finders keepers logic.
Rules on possession and how finders keepers can work against you.
How snipers in the US Army misused finders keepers in Iraq.
What Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is.
The three motivators of ethical behavior.
Why we feel extra guilt around money.
The distinctions between lost, mislaid, and abandoned property.
How to determine “superior claim” to something found.
Is the claim of “finders keepers” viable in court?
The definition of common law.
What to do if you find if you find an item of value, according to Oregon state law.
The legal, moral, and ethical challenges of finders keepers.
What is meant by “best effort?”
The history behind the law of estray, and what to do if you find a lost pet.
English property law in Parker v. British Airways Board.
What rules apply to shipwrecks and “treasure trove” property?
Why you should (or should not) watch the documentary, Finders Keepers.
A consideration of morality, in context.
the difference between law, ethics, and morality.
The implications of teaching our kids “finders keepers, losers weepers.”
How big data relies upon a finders keepers ethic to justify its business.
Finders keepers and the Space Act, and its geopolitical threat

LINKS

TIME Article: The Law of Finders-Keepers

Big data: Finders keepers, losers weepers

2015 Space Act

Scientific American article

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We owe the humble pirate a depth of gratitude.

Sure, they terrorized the seas for hundreds of years—pillaging, plundering, raping, torturing, and murdering—but violent legacy aside, they gave us the foundation for democracy!

In this episode, Bronwen uses historical record to contextualize pirate code, breaking down the complicated economic situations of the 17th and 18th century to find newfound empathy for these “ruthless barbarians.”

Despite their lengthy criminal rap sheets, pirates were victims, too. With crews largely formed of refugee sailors fleeing abusive autocratic rule, these men sought to build egalitarian societies with institutional mechanisms to protect individual freedom and prevent leader predation—over a hundred years before America’s Declaration of Independence.

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To mask, or not to mask, that is the question...

In this episode, Bronwen tries to understand the reasons why people refuse to follow preventative measures to contain the coronavirus. By channeling her unconditional positive regard for the human condition, she looks at the situation from the "other side's" point of view. This takes her into an exploration of "rules philosophy," allowing her to ask:

How do we choose which rules to follow?
Why do we choose to follow them? Break them?
What are we to do when there are two opposing figures of authority issuing different rules?

Bronwen approaches the mask and social distancing dilemma from as many perspectives as possible in a single episode -- human nature, social psychology, constitutional scholarship, moral philosophy, and integrated threat theory -- and comes to a surprising conclusion.

Key Points from this Episode:

What the most basic definition of a rule is and different reasons we follow them.
The two phases to using rules.
Why rules need to be flexible, but not too flexible.
The cultural influence of collectivism vs. individualism in following or not following mask mandates.
How perceiving the virus s a realistic or symbolic threat influences our willingness to follow public health guidelines.
Why social distancing hits us in our humanity.
The conditions upon which individual liberties are guaranteed by the US Constitution and why the First Amendment doesn’t offer protection from mask mandates.
The ruling in Jacobson v. Massachusetts and what four standards it set that must be met for governmental health measure to permissible restrict individual rights.
The instinct of psychological reactance and how it informs our reactions to criticism.
The fears dividing society any the risk too much fear poses to social cohesion.
How politics became the most important factor in predicting whether or not we follow the rules.
The commonalities of human nature and how our instinct to survive made us all react rationally to our perceived threats, regardless of science.
The charged subtext of mask enforcement.
What the “broken window theory is” and how its hypothesis is helpful in understanding why former rule followers are now becoming rule breakers.
Why we are seeing more American flags everywhere.
The difference between morality and ethics.
What “negative liberty” is and what role it plays in our federal government.
The definition of “rule consequentialism” and what flavor of this theory we see in America.
What the predominant theory of morality is and how both sides of the political divide are acting accordance with it, despite different perspectives.
How the Milgram Experiment can shed light on how Donald Trump became president of the USA.
The dangers of moral hypocrisy.
Realistic steps we can all take to mitigate the volatility in the mask debate.

LINKS

Threat Perception Study from UNC FOLLOW THEM'S THE RULES: || WEBSITE || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK || TWITTER ||

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What are the do’s and don’ts of proper warfare?

Just like hosting a formal dinner party, hostile conflict must be proper, well-planned, and scrupulously compliant with customary codes of behavior.

In this episode, Bronwen is joined by Major General (R) Allen Harrell to discuss the strict rules of the battlefield—and the challenges presented by modern warfare. With historical analysis and anecdotal evidence, they tackle the rules that help nations balance military interests with the moral values of civilized persons, examine the breaking point between necessary and unnecessary suffering, and discuss the principles behind (and the consequences of violating) the law of war.

Key Points From This Episode:

Hear about how the “law of war” came into being.
What important role The Hague Conventions played in establishing modern warfare.
The five principles of the law of war and how they are practically applied combat
How targets of military value are determined and what types of properties are off limits.
The reason behind the “shock and awe” campaign in Iraq.
The difference between jus in bello and jus ad bellum.
How the US military practices the Golden Rule in combat.
The necessary steps taken prior to employing a weapon system.
JAG officers: who are they and what do they do?
The gray area of “military necessity.”
Why modern warfare makes it harder to distinguish a combatant from a noncombatant, and how the US Army decides when to attack.
What actions a soldier’s right to self-defense allows and prohibits.
How the laws of war were upheld in the Nuremberg trials and why the Nazi Generals’ arguments of defense were destroyed.
The ways in which a soldier can intervene if given an illegal order.
What the implications of dishonorable discharge are on a former solider’s life.
Why you’re wrong about the Vietnam War.
How the press amplified the psychological trauma experienced by returning veterans.
The protected rights of a prisoner of war and how they are different from detainees.
What procedure soldiers follow when an enemy is captured.
How proportionality is determined, and what to do about collateral damage.
The four elements of national power.

**Major General (Retired) Allen Harrell is a retired member of the U.S. Army. The contents of the podcast are based on his own personal experiences and the views expressed are not intended to reflect the official position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army.

LINKS

Conduct in CombatLaw Reports of Trials of War Criminals

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How will sheepdogs save the world?

In this episode, Bronwen explores the pastoral pastime of sheepdog trials (think Babe**) and inadvertently stumbles into the complicated world of "swarm robotics."

Long baffled by the sheepdog’s amazing ability to herd large flocks of unwilling sheep, scientists have finally discovered the "two rules" the sheepdog follows in this impressive, and age-old, practice of shepherding. Engineers, biologists, and physicists are now utilizing a model of this behavior to create very complex systems of organized robots.

But, don’t worry---these robots aren’t being designed to replace the dynamic duo of dog and shepherd; instead, researchers expect them to play a much larger and more significant role in society!

#robotuprising**

Key Points From This Episode:

The ancient roots of shepherding, and why the practice still continues today.
What type of dog makes the best sheepdog.
Why the sheep flock together.
Where in Ireland a tourist can go to see a sheepdog trials demonstration.
What the basic skills of a sheepdog are, and why they aren’t so “basic.”
What makes the Border Collie so unique and effective in herding sheep.
Why science wants to replicate the relationships between sheepdog and shepherd, and how they have failed to do so.
What the differences between sheepdogs and cattle dogs are, and why it matters.
A groundbreaking study that finally identified the two behavioral rules the sheepdog follows.
What those two deceptively simple rules are.
What movement rules the sheep follow, and why neurobiologists are excited.
What an algorithm is.
What “selfish herd theory” is, and how it is relevant to human populations.
The impressive intelligence of the average sheep.
What a biological swarm is, and how engineers are using this to program robots.
How the shepherding algorithm will be used to address the major problems facing us today.
What rules are set by the International Sheep Dog Society, and how they are ready-made for translation to artificial intelligence.
Why human stampedes are one of Bronwen’s top three scariest ways to die.

LINKS

Solving the shepherding problem: heuristics for herding autonomous, interacting agents

Aerial views of sheepherding

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When is it “appropriate” to move out of your parents’ house? Are you “behind” in life if you haven’t gotten married by the time you hit thirty? Why is it so hard to balance career and family, and what does it say about us if we can’t?

In Part 2 of Clock-Blocked, Bronwen continues to examine how social rules are impacted by cultural orientation to time. Tackling a variety of time-related issues, like birthday depression, social clocks, motherhood, and how silence can be a useful “tool” to manipulate time in conversations, Bronwen points out how dangerous certain social rules can be to our collective mental health.

Elicia and Rayan offer further insight into the cultural differences between France and America, how to manage a transatlantic relationship, and what, if not “money,” time is in France.

Key Points From This Episode:

What are the “birthday blues,” and why they are so common in Western society.
What the symptoms of birthday depression are.
How future-orientation takes the fun out of growing older.
Why birthdays have different significance as we grow older, and how our temporal orientations shift by age.
What some important milestones on the American social clock are.
Attitudes toward aging and their impact on health and wellbeing.
The threat to mental health presented by the pressure to conform to social clocks.
Changes in marriage trends across the decades.
Who Edward Hall was.
What the definition of “chronemics” is.
Why the tempo of life is different in industrialized countries.
How the pace of life is determined by economic health, geographical location, and temperature.
What the AAQ is and why it is important for evaluating mental health in older adults.
Why America is afraid of aging.
What the difference is between a birth cohort and a generation.
The different meanings of silence and why it makes us so uncomfortable.
Insight into why and how we “wait.”

LINKS
Envy on Facebook Study

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Are you always working “against the clock?”

**Do you prefer to “go with the flow?”

Every society around the world has a unique perception of time — in some, “time is money,” life moves fast, and productivity is given priority over leisure. In others, time has no value beyond the present moment, so you should seize the day and enjoy it!

Cultural orientation to the past, present, or future informs the way a society structures and organizes itself, laying the groundwork for the social rules that individual members follow to maintain order. The differences between cultures can make our transactions — social, economic, political, and personal — A LOT more complicated.

Bronwen is joined by Elicia and Rayan, a married couple from two very different cultures, to examine how the rules of human interaction are impacted by these cross-cultural conundrums of time.**

(Part one of two!)

Key Points From This Episode:

How time is perceived differently in every culture around the world.
What social rules are and how they are constructed in any given culture.
What “primary socialization” is and why it is important in our maturation.
Bronwen attempts to conceptualize the abstract notion of time, but leaves the physics to the pros.
There is no global standard for what constitutes a week!
The differences between the three major time orientation: past, present, and future.
The Piraha tribe and how certain native tribes don’t even have a past tense in their language.
How America’s individualism impacts the collective use of time, with attention to how the comparative lack of social protection encourages hustle and bustle.
How the American dream is the perfect example of the future-orientation to time.
Why France is able to relax and “chill’ without worrying as much about the future.
Why transactions across cultures are made difficult
The differences between polychronic and monochronic time systems and the people who utilize them.
The infrastructure of America and how it reflects the need to prioritize productivity.
How the industrial revolution synchronized American culture and turned time into a precious commodity.
Eli shares how the American culture and orientation toward productivity caused a lot of stress and anxiety.
The art of conversation in France.
What the differences are between “clock” and “social” time.
Opposing perceptions (and moral implications) of “idle time” in France and America.
How Sundays in France are sacred, plus how that strengthens the family.
What is really meant by “time is money,” and how it is damaging to our psyche.
The differences between work and leisure balance in America.
What the implications of “the right to disconnect” are in French culture and how it wouldn’t fly in America.
How French legislation works to protect the private life while also promoting worker efficiency.
What the relative importance of punctuality is in France and America.

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The Golden Rule is widely accepted as the standard for ethical conduct. In Western society, it is often linked to Christianity, but its principle of treating one another with kindness is a tenet found in every religion and culture around the world. You’ve probably heard, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or “Do not do unto others as you don't want them to do unto you.” These two versions may seem like they’re saying the same thing, but the subtle difference in wording reveals two very opposite lines of philosophy. The Golden Rule is an easy way to teach kids right from wrong, but when broken down to its core components, it reveals itself to be an impractical and impossible rule to follow. Still, this principle of treating others as you would like to be treated has made its mark upon history and social justice, such as in President John F. Kennedy’s speech to the American public following the desegregation of the University of Alabama. While the Golden Rule continues to influence domestic and foreign politics, it has created an ethical dilemma of how to balance economics, autonomy, and collective good during the global coronavirus pandemic.

Key Points from This Episode:

Living in an apartment building comes with certain sacrifices and the expectation of common courtesy.
How the Golden Rule is found in nearly all religions and cultures all over the world.
Why Bronwen thinks it isn’t so “golden” after all.
How all societies had to face issues that challenge both ethnocentrism and egocentrism.
The ways in which the Golden Rule is used for social control.
The subtle differences in the Golden Rule significantly change its meaning and use.
How different versions of the rule can be used to teach morality to children.
The loophole in the rule that could promote violence.
How hard it is for us to know what we really want or need, and how our tendency to want what is bad for us makes application of the Golden Rule even harder.
Why Freud dislikes the Golden Rule
Why we should never make assumptions about others’ needs and wants.
How despite the Golden Rule appearing in international treaties, religious and ethnic conflicts still exist .
How Kant’s “categorical imperative” improves upon the Golden Rule.
How empathy can help and hurt our survival.
What a harm-based morality is.
The working definition of “heuristics,” or, “a rule of thumb,” and how the Golden Rule oversimplifies complex problems.
JFK and other pivotal moments in history that called upon the Golden Rule.
How Utilitarianism offers a practical guideline for morality, but still has a fatal flaw.

LINKS

The Golden Rule and Society

Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents

JFK’s Report to the People

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Have you ever had the experience where the worst possible thing happened at the worst possible moment and tried to find some solace in the words 'Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong?'. In today’s episode, our host Bronwen discusses Murphy’s Law, one of the most well-known and oft-quoted eponymous universal truths in popular culture. We explore the various origins of its central thesis and how it was popularized in the 1950s during a press conference. We examine how the Law’s prominence continued to be fueled by its inclusion in works such as The Making of a Scientist, and Men, Rockets and Space Rats, and how the release of the book Murphy's Law and Other Reasons Why Things Go Wrong, which included various laws and aphorisms, was particularly successful at popularizing the expression on a global scale. Later we reflect on how Murphy’s law is intertwined with the concept of fatalism and why it has survived and thrived for decades in the public imagination. For all this and more, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

What research into the topic of Murphy’s Law revealed to Bronwen.
Bronwen lists eponymous laws like Fulton’s law and Parkinson’s law.
Many of these adages like ‘Work expands to time allowed’ are considered universal truths but aren’t commonly known to have official names.
Eponymous laws like Occham’s razor that many of us are familiar with.
The most well-known of these laws is Murphy’s Law ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.’
We explore the origins of Murphy’s Law and the figure it’s attributed to.
The various high-stakes technical activities that the concept of Murphy’s Law originated in like sailing, mountaineering, and engineering.
The story of Dr. Stapp and how his commitment drastically improved car safety.
How the term Murphy’s Law was popularized at a press conference by Dr. Stapp.
George Nichols disputes over the origin of Murphy’s Law.
The various offshoots of Murphy’s Law like ‘nothing is as easy as it looks.'
How these various offshoots apply to specific scenarios in life like relationships and productivity.
Murphy’s frustration with the colloquial application of Murphy’s Law in everyday scenarios.
Why Murphy’s law continues to remain a popular part of our collective knowledge.
How Murphy’s Law relates to fatalism.
Why Murphy’s law is correct and why it can’t be proven.

LINKS

The Making of a Scientist

Men, Rockets and Space Rats

Murphy's Law and Other Reasons Why Things Go Wrong

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Murphy's Law and Other Reasons Why Things Go Wrong

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One of the most controversial topics over the past few years has been immigration. The U.S immigration system is riddled with complexities, biases, blind spots, confusing criteria, and conflicts of morality. Rather than just sharing dull facts and figures, which don’t shed any light on the lived experience of what it is like to navigate this overwhelming system, we thought it best to humanize the topic. As an immigrant himself, today’s guest, Javier S., has in-depth knowledge on what it takes to immigrate to the United States. In this episode, we hear about Javier’s journey, the different times he has lived in the U.S, and the various visas he has held. Each visa comes with strict criteria, and many have limits, which Javier has experienced all too well. We also talk about hiring a lawyer to help you with your immigration process, the uncertainties that immigrants faced during the Trump era, and the intersection of immigration and identity. Tune in to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

What research into the topic of immigration revealed to Bronwen.
Insights into a very recent change in the “immigration rulebook.”
Javier’s take on the label “illegal alien” and why it is such a complicated term.
The story of how Javier came to the U.S. and the complexity of gaining citizenship.
Some of the notable immigration policies that have been implemented since the U.S independence from Britain.
A look at the H1B Visa Javier got when he came back to the U.S and the caveats that come with it.
Some of the limitations that come with the U.S student visa.
Facts and figures about the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The difference between family and work-based immigration.
The long wait times that are synonymous with family-based sponsorship visas.
Details about the O-1 visa and the criteria.
Why the visa process is so dehumanizing, according to Javier.
What the term ‘anchor baby’ means, and the U.S’s unique birthright citizenship process.
Although the U.S immigration system is tough, it is still easier than in a lot of other countries.
The uncertainties that immigrants faced during the Trump administration.
There are so many subjectivities in the immigration process.
Why Javier decided to hire a lawyer to guide him through the immigration process.
The crossroads Javier faced deciding to pursue his relationship or his visa.
Immigration also calls your identity into question.
It is so important to humanize the issues in the immigration system going forward.

LINKSUS Visa Bulletin

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Today, we are talking feng shui and its perplexing rulebook of metaphysical measurements, methods, and machinations. Based on Western tendencies to commodify objects, practices, and philosophies from other cultures, we’re all pretty misinformed about what feng shui actually is. The internet, with its DIYs and clickbait, spins this ancient Chinese practice as either magic or superstition, which it is not, or a kind of interior design, which it also is not. In this episode, Bronwen dives into what feng shui actually means, how to maximize your access to beneficial chi and disperse negative chi in your home, and the basics of some of the various traditional schools of feng shui and how the western world has appropriated and bastardized elements of this ancient spiritual practice.

Key Points From This Episode:

Feng shui, meaning ‘wind’ and ‘water’, conveys a sense of invisible, flowing energy.
How feng shui has been used in architecture for thousands of years in China.
Learn about good chi and bad chi using the well-known yin yang symbol.
Some of the things that can cause negative chi in your home, including geopathic stress.
How to maximize your access to beneficial chi and disperse negative chi using feng shui.
The basics of some of the various schools of feng shui, starting with the compass school.
Find out how Donald Trump, of all people, first brought feng shui to the US.
How the western interior design world appropriated and bastardized feng shui practice.
Why decluttering and feng shui are not synonymous.
Modern interpretations, like “wallet feng shui” or “fashion feng shui”, that have nothing to do with the traditional practice of feng shui.
Bronwen shares a tip: be wary of useless commercial feng shui items.
The five natural elements that feng shui relies on; fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.
How the bagua energy map helps you enhance favorable flows of chi in your home.
The symbolic significance of the bedroom, office, and kitchen in your home.
How furniture with rounded edges can help with the flow of chi in your home.
The importance of keeping areas of work and rest separate, being intentional about color palette, and keeping your windows uncovered.
Feng shui rules for your kitchen, which is said to represent health, wealth, and abundance.
How a wrongly positioned toilet can cause infertility and other feng shui rules for bathrooms.
Why your front door and your back door should never be aligned.
Learn about auspicious directions according to what is know as your kua number.
How to deflect bad chi using mirrors, sound, and the presence of living things.
Find out how feng shui consultant Kartar Diamond uses feng shui to predict crime.
The surprising fact that feng shui has been outlawed in China since the mid-20th century.
Why feng shui might be more beneficial than ever during the pandemic, when the concept of ‘home’ has faced a crisis of identity.

LINKS

Feng Shui Nexus

Traditional Feng Shui Solutions by Kartar Diamond

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Coming at you from the forward operating base that is her home office, Bronwen is joined today by the highly decorated Major General Allen Harrell. Now retired, he is an experienced commander, officer of intelligence, skilled infantryman, field artillerist, disposer of explosive ordinances, trained parachutist, and US Army Ranger School alum or, as Bronwen knows him best, her Uncle Allen. In the US Army, following the rules can be a matter of life and death, though some may strike the average civilian as downright arbitrary. The rules and regulations that soldiers follow are laid out in more than 100,000 Army documents that include everything from how to organize a pickup game of basketball to how to stay alive. Join us for a surface-scratching chat on a few rules of military life, including why soldiers should never walk on the grass, the origins of the buzz cut, and who the Jody is in what is known as a “Jody call,” as well as the requirement to follow orders cheerfully, why Allen ate rather than drank his coffee rations at Ranger School, and whether or not there is such a thing a silent Velcro. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Find out what the term “self-licking ice cream cone” means.
An introduction to Allen Harrell and his career trajectory in the military.
Allen explains the significance of the salute; rendering mutual respect between soldiers.
Why soldiers shouldn’t walk while talking on a cellphone and never walk on the grass.
Some unique punishments doled out by superior officers for small infractions.
Hear about some of the ways that Allen has pranked rookie officers.
The origins of the buzz cut and other military appearance regulations.
Why the Army is so strict with uniformity in what outwardly appear to be minor details.
How this uniformity has carried over into Allen’s daily life now that he is retired.
Learn what a “Jody call” is and what the character of Jody represents.
Discover the different types of bugle calls on an Army base.
Behaving in a manner unbecoming of “an officer and a gentlemen” according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Allen explains why the soldier’s handbook necessitates following orders “cheerfully.”
Why Allen ate his coffee rations while he was at the US Army Ranger School.
Hear about the first time he jumped out of a helicopter.
Rule number one in the 28 Rules of Ranging: don’t forget nothing!
Where the element of surprise fits into MOOSEMUSS, a military acronym for the nine principles of war.
Allen responds to some fascinating trivia, including whether or not silent Velcro exists.
Why a chihuahua will not follow Allen’s orders.

LINKS

Allen Harrell on LinkedIn

US Army Rangers

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The “five-second rule” of food hygiene states that any food dropped on the floor is still safe to eat, provided that it is picked up within five seconds. Maybe you’re thinking that this common piece of playground wisdom is just a silly line of inquiry, but food safety is a major health burden in the United States. And this is a rule that people actually follow so, from a public health standpoint, it is important to know whether or not it holds any truth! In today’s episode, dedicated to all her fellow germaphobes out there, Bronwen looks at what the science has to say on the matter, whether the length of time, the wetness of the foodstuff dropped, and the nature of the floor surface influence the outcome, and contemplates what this rule says about our human nature. Tune in for a slightly icky but thoroughly illuminating investigation into the five-second rule and find out why you should definitely think twice before eating off the floor!

Key Points From This Episode:

Hear the statistics about food-borne illness in the US, according the the CDC.
The difference between harmful bacteria and good bacteria
Some fast, fun, and freaky facts about bacteria, including how much bacteria is on your desk.
The relationship between saying “five-second rule” out loud and its effectiveness.
The origins of the rule, which trace back to Genghis Khan in the 14th century.
How the much-loved Julia Child perpetuated the idea that food that looks okay is okay to eat.
What science has to say about the five-second rule, according to a U. of Illinois study.
A study by Clemson University that concluded that length of time does, in fact, matter.
The Connecticut College finding that the five-second rule was more like the 30-second rule.
How a Rutgers University study debunked the five-second rule, also highlighting the relevance of the structure of the floor surface.
What influences the microbiological composition of your floors
What food psychologist, Thomas Shipley, has to say about your ability to assess food risk.
Find out why it’s known as the five-second rule, not the seven or 15-second rule.
Discover why beer pong is so disgusting, thanks to the authors of Did You Just Eat That?
Why the five-second rule isn’t bound by the constraints of practicality or public interest.
What it has to say about human desire and the reckless pursuit of something forbidden.
Examining the five-second rule through the lens of the law of scarcity and human psychology.

LINKS

‘If You Drop It, Should You Eat It? Scientists Weigh In on the 5-Second Rule’

‘Residence time and food contact time effects on transfer of Salmonella Typhimurium from tile, wood and carpet: testing the five-second rule’

‘Longer Contact Times Increase Cross-Contamination of Enterobacter aerogenes from Surfaces to Food’

Did You Just Eat That?

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As open conversations around the topic of mental health become less stigmatized, it is also important to hear therapists’ points of view. In today’s episode, Madeline, Bronwen’s close friend who happens to be a therapist-in-training, joins us to talk about ethics and therapy. We hear about how Madeline’s own experience being in a treatment facility for an eating disorder inspired her to become a therapist. We then get into some of the ethics in the space, like having dual relationships, confidentiality, and boundaries. While some of these areas, like confidentiality, have more concrete rules than others, there are still so many gray areas that can be subjectively interpreted. Madeline talks about the value of having an experienced supervisor and mentors to help you navigate these ethical conundrums. Our conversation also covers topics like boundaries, physical touch, along with guidelines on what to do if you are starting therapy. This was a great conversation that only scratched the surface of this fascinating topic, so tune in to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

Elements of Madeline’s treatment experience which led her to become a therapist herself.
Madeline's experience giving online therapy, and the challenges, particularly with eating disorders.
The fear that many therapists feel around the myriad of rules and ethics in the field.
What a dual relationship is and why it is a big no-no in therapy.
How therapists, who are in rural areas with high chances of dual relationships, can deal with this issue.
Some of the things that therapists are not supposed to do.
While confidentiality is central to therapy, there are some instances when it has to be broken.
The importance of having a supervisor or mentor to navigate the ethical challenges.
A look at the Tarasoff Case and the implications of this ruling.
What boundaries mean in the context of therapy.
Sometimes, the relationship with the therapist, rather than the intervention, is what sparks change.
It is important to understand that all clients are different and have different needs.
The rules around physical touch in therapeutic relationships and the importance of consent.
Touch can be healing for people with trauma.
Physical touch is also very culturally specific and related to the context.
Pointers around what you should and should not do when you go to a therapist.
The different levels of ethics in therapy and how they apply to clients not being able to pay.
Differentiating between abandonment and termination.

LINKS

The Body Keeps Score

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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

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**Don’t talk to strangers.
Don’t walk alone at night.
Don’t accept rides from people you don’t know.

Even if we follow these rules of personal safety, we are all still susceptible to abduction. In this episode, Bronwen looks at “rules” to follow domestically and abroad to avoid being kidnapped—and the “rules” of survival if you still are.**

Key Points From This Episode:

Hear about Reddit and how it works.
Kidnapping is a bigger issue than most of us probably realize; some statistics to illustrate the problem.
Some of the different types of kidnapping and their related motivations.
Child abduction: one of the most common types of kidnapping, motivations, and tips on avoiding it.
Different types of kidnapping that can happen when you travel abroad.
What kidnap for ransom is, where it’s most common, and the motivations behind it.
A good example of why you should never cry wolf.
Tiger kidnapping; the two-part crime that was popularized in Northern Ireland.
Insights into kidnap & ransom insurance and how it works.
Where express kidnapping is most common, the underlying motivations, and how to avoid it.
Why political and ideological kidnapping is one of the most dangerous kinds of kidnapping.
What virtual kidnapping, a relatively new type of kidnapping, is.
A look into bride kidnapping and what it entails.
Top tips on how to ensure you are safe when you are traveling abroad.
Society is quick to blame the victim, particularly if you are a woman.
Some tips on how to survive a kidnapping, if it ever happens to you.
How to practice screaming, a good tactic to scare your would-be kidnappers.
What parents can teach their children to make sure they understand kidnapping.
Other rules and pro tips that will help you if you have been kidnapped.

LINKS

reddit

Evil Genius

‘What happened to Sarah Everard?’

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Weather modification might sound like a superpower a fictitious character may wield, but that is far from the case. Altering the weather is very much a human activity that has been used in a variety of ways. In today’s episode, we dive into weather modification and warfare, a topic Bronwen came across through lucky happenstance and fiber optic internet. We hear about The Geneva Conventions and the specific article that stipulates conditions around weather modification. The U.S. used weather modification during the Vietnam War, and we find out more about this and the surrounding debates. The weather has been controlled for other reasons, and Bronwen shedS light on some of the legislation in the U.S that outlines this act. These alterations or manipulations are incredibly contentious, and there are people with very strong opinions on both sides. Tune in to hear about what some of these are!

Key Points From This Episode:

An overview of The Geneva Conventions.
Honing in on Article 35 of The Geneva Conventions and the rules it’s comprised of.
The definition of weather modification and some of the most common forms it takes.
Protocols that protect the weather during times of warfare.
Weather modification was used by the U.S during the Vietnam War through Operation Popeye.
Insights into how Operation Popeye worked and how it used cloud seeding.
Debates around Operation Popeye; what those who were for and against it said.
A brief history of the act of enhancing precipitation starting from the 1830s.
When it became clear that there was a need for comprehensive weather modification rules.
Some questions related to cloud ownership.
Details into some of the lawsuits that led to the U.S. creating modification rules.
A look at the consequences of weather misconduct.
Weather is not just a local phenomenon; it’s an interrelated system that affects everyone.
Insights into Colorado's Weather Modification Program, the first of its kind in the U.S.
China's cloud seeding experiment and the damage it caused.
What rain theft is and examples of how and where it has happened.
A fascinating study that looked at the role that weather plays in warfare as a force multiplier.

LINKS

'Rainmaking Is A Weapon Used by the U.S'

James Espy

Weather Modification Association

Weather as a Force Multiplier: Owning the Weather in 2025

Chemtrails: Aerosol and Electromagnetic Weapons in the Age of Nuclear War

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Does your Starbucks barista really **care when she asks, "Hi, how are you today?"

Do you really mean it when you say, "I'm fine." ?

In this episode, Bronwen explores sidewalk psychology and the unwritten rules of meaningless conversation, also known as "phatic expressions." These seemingly innocuous strings of words make our social interactions easier, but with their wide variation across cultures, generations, and societies worldwide, they can also become points of contention.
If you (like many others) think that the French are rude, you may just not understand “bonjour culture." Interrupting is not a universally impolite action, and some people consider, “No problem,” a dismissive statement. You’ll also hear about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our interactions, how computer scientists are using these rules of phatic communication to program robots with more human qualities, and how deviating from the script of polite exchanges can unravel the constructs of our social reality.**

Key Points From This Episode:

Sidewalk psychology differs from state to state, and country and country.
Adjusting to a move away from Southern hospitality.
Possible factors which influence what is known as the “Seattle Freeze.”
How Nordic communities view small talk.
The experience of saying goodbye in the Midwest.
Power that lies in eye-contact, or a lack thereof.
What we can quickly learn from following the unwritten rule of greeting.
The definition of phatic expression.
Examples of phatic expressions which we commonly use.
Benefits of phatic expressions.
How rules around phatic expressions have changed over time.
Making use of phatic expressions through social media.
What social reality is, and how it is upheld by phatic expressions.
Types of phatic expressions that exist in other cultures.
Ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered our use of phatic expressions.
The artifice of hiring people as greeters.
Other unwritten rules which govern our interactions with people, and how these are being transferred to robots.

LINKS

The Bonjour Effect

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Welcome to the first episode of Them’s the Rules, a show that reasons you have to know the rules in order to break them. In this episode, Bronwen sheds light on Oregon’s very specific gas pumping laws. As one of only two states in the country that does not allow people to pump their own gas, Oregonians are in a very unique position. We hear about some of the reasons behind the law and find out the reaction when these laws have been altered. Bronwen also talks about twiplomacy, explaining what the concept is and how it affects all of us, even if we are not Twitter users. We find out about some of the rules around world leaders using Twitter and some proposed amendments that are in the pipeline. Tune in to hear this and more!.

Key Points From This Episode:

Details into Oregon’s gas-pumping rule and the reasoning behind it.
Seventeen reasons the state of Oregon has cited as to why Oregonians shouldn’t pump their own gas.
What the legal ramifications for pumping your own gas in Oregon are.
The reactions to the law that allowed those in rural Oregon to pump their own gas.
An unspoken rule about tipping Oregon fuel pump attendants.
The review Twitter is currently undertaking regarding world leaders using the platform.
Debates around political leaders on social media and different thinking on the topic.
Twiplomacy: what it is, what the drivers are, and where it’s headed.
When the current Twitter rules for world leaders were implemented and what does and doesn’t violate them.
If you have an opinion about world leaders on Twitter, share it!
Why banning Donald Trump was not a violation of the First Amendment.
What the new rule will aim to do and how it will be enforced.
The criteria laid out around whether a tweet is of public interest.
When the survey on Twitter was available.

LINKS

Twiplomacy FOLLOW THEM'S THE RULES: || WEBSITE || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK || TWITTER ||

THEM'S THE RULES: Recent Episodes

Bronwen Clark