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Explained

This enlightening series from Vox digs into a wide range of topics such as the rise of cryptocurrency, why diets fail, and the wild world of K-pop.
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Videos

Explained

Episodes

Explained

  1. Watch Fairy Tales. Episode 14 of Season 3.

    Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.

  2. Watch Country Music. Episode 13 of Season 3.

    Dirt roads. Pickup trucks. Hip-hop? As the borders around country music shift, who decides what defines the popular genre, and who gets to be a star?

  3. Watch Time. Episode 12 of Season 3.

    Time flies... sometimes. Its passage can seem to speed up and slow down. Why do we experience time the way we do, and how do we take back some control?

  4. Watch Dance Crazes. Episode 11 of Season 3.

    From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?

  5. Watch Plastic Surgery. Episode 10 of Season 3.

    The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.

  6. Watch Hurricanes. Episode 9 of Season 3.

    As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive. What can be done to survive and minimize the threat of these storms?

  7. Watch Apologies. Episode 8 of Season 3.

    Apologizing is tough, and in this era of public mea culpas, forgiveness isn't guaranteed. What makes for a good apology, and why does it hold such power?

  8. Watch Your Skin. Episode 7 of Season 3.

    Don’t panic, but our skin plays host to trillions of bacteria, fungi, mites and other microscopic guests. Go beyond skin-deep with our largest organ.

  9. Watch Chess. Episode 6 of Season 3.

    For centuries, chess has captured hearts and minds — and pawns — and it's more popular than ever. What makes this ever-changing board game so special?

  10. Watch The End of Oil. Episode 5 of Season 3.

    Oil led to huge advancements — and vast inequities. As the planet warms, why is it so hard to turn away from fossil fuels, and can it be done in time?

  11. Watch Dogs. Episode 4 of Season 3.

    Who's a good dog? They all are! From puppy-dog eyes to feats of heroism, see how canines evolved into humankind's best friends and sources of pure love.

  12. Watch Flags. Episode 3 of Season 3.

    A flag can unite, divide and terrorize. Explore how a piece of cloth transformed into a powerful symbol of both love and hate, freedom and oppression.

  13. Watch Royalty. Episode 2 of Season 3.

    How do monarchies survive when they no longer wield power? By presenting a royal fairy tale that may not reflect the reality of the past — or present.

  14. Watch Sugar. Episode 1 of Season 3.

    Once crucial for survival, sugar now poses a health risk. Is there a way to satisfy our primeval craving for sweetness in a healthy, balanced way?

  1. Watch Diamonds. Episode 10 of Season 2.

    A diamond is forever. But why is that? Dig into how these mined pieces of carbon became both a status symbol and a sparkly sign of everlasting love.

  2. Watch Beauty. Episode 9 of Season 2.

    Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what exactly makes things such as art and architecture aesthetically pleasing, and why do we like looking?

  3. Watch The Future of Meat. Episode 8 of Season 2.

    The planet's current rate of meat consumption is unprecedented -- and becoming unsustainable. In the future, will meat alternatives be the answer?

  4. Watch The Next Pandemic. Episode 7 of Season 2.

    In this episode from 2019, experts including Bill Gates discuss the history of pandemics, how they spread and what could be done to contain them.

  5. Watch Pirates. Episode 6 of Season 2.

    In pop culture, pirates are often depicted as booty-looting rogues, but their history is far more complicated. See how they became enemies of humanity.

  6. Watch Coding. Episode 5 of Season 2.

    Computer code now controls how we live. But how did these programming languages evolve? And how can they be used to build a new and better world?

  7. Watch Athleisure. Episode 4 of Season 2.

    It began with bloomers. Then came spandex. Now we sport leggings and other activewear everywhere. How did comfy, casual clothing go mainstream?

  8. Watch Animal Intelligence. Episode 3 of Season 2.

    What goes on inside an animal's mind? Figuring out how they think and feel might just be the key to understanding our own place in the world.

  9. Watch Billionaires. Episode 2 of Season 2.

    There are more billionaires than ever. But how does this vast accumulation of wealth affect the world? Mark Cuban and Bernie Sanders offer insights.

  10. Watch Cults. Episode 1 of Season 2.

    How do cults lure people in and exert control? Learn a cult’s telltale signs, and how loneliness and life online makes indoctrination easier than ever.

  1. Watch Music. Episode 20 of Season 1.

    When does sound become music? Why are humans so uniquely able to master musicality? Researchers talk rhythm, octaves and the magic of song and dance.

  2. Watch The World's Water Crisis. Episode 19 of Season 1.

    The global water crisis is at an inflection point. How do we price our most valuable resource, while also ensuring access to it as a human right?

  3. Watch Why Women Are Paid Less. Episode 18 of Season 1.

    Hillary Clinton and Anne-Marie Slaughter discuss the cultural norms at the center of the worldwide gender pay gap, including the "motherhood penalty."

  4. Watch Political Correctness. Episode 17 of Season 1.

    Political correctness can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between inclusivity and free speech. Experts discuss the concepts behind the fraught term.

  5. Watch The Female Orgasm. Episode 16 of Season 1.

    The female orgasm is more elusive when a man is involved. Discover the reasons why -- and how women are embracing hands-on solutions.

  6. Watch Can We Live Forever?. Episode 15 of Season 1.

    Can we uncover the secrets to extending the human lifespan? Experts discuss how developments in science -- even the French lilac -- hold some clues.

  7. Watch Astrology. Episode 14 of Season 1.

    Do zodiac signs prescribe your fate? Or do horoscopes' accuracy lie in the placebo effect? Take a look at the science, history and lure of astrology.

  8. Watch Tattoo. Episode 13 of Season 1.

    They've been used to command respect, punish criminals and mark achievements. Tattooists speak about the origins of tattoo traditions and rituals.

  9. Watch Weed. Episode 12 of Season 1.

    Marijuana experts discuss the rise of potent "sexually frustrated" cannabis plants, the quest for consistency in weed strains and the history of hemp.

  10. Watch Cricket. Episode 11 of Season 1.

    Cricket experts look at how the confusing sport became so popular and discuss its evolution in becoming more accessible, entertaining and profitable.

  11. Watch !. Episode 10 of Season 1.

    Do we overuse exclamation points!? Linguists and copy editors look at how the punctuation has adapted across history, literature and internet-speak.

  12. Watch Extraterrestrial Life. Episode 9 of Season 1.

    Despite decades of searching, we have yet to discover extraterrestrial life. Scientists discuss the reasons, including: Are aliens just too snobby?

  13. Watch eSports. Episode 8 of Season 1.

    Is fake violence a sport? Fans, shoutcasters and eSports icons break down today's video games and the explosive popularity of competitive gaming.

  14. Watch The Stock Market. Episode 7 of Season 1.

    Does the stock market accurately reflect the status of the economy? Finance specialists discuss market history, valuations and CEO incentives.

  15. Watch Why Diets Fail. Episode 6 of Season 1.

    Atkins. Paleo. Keto. Do any work in the long term? Experts look at marketing, food environments and genes to explain why diets are often unsuccessful.

  16. Watch Cryptocurrency. Episode 5 of Season 1.

    Cryptocurrency has made people billionaires, but is digital cash the next revolution? Learn about this anonymous currency and why it's so coveted.

  17. Watch K-Pop. Episode 4 of Season 1.

    Elaborate music videos, adoring fans, killer choreography. Learn about the global music phenomenon from South Korea that goes beyond "Gangnam Style."

  18. Watch Monogamy. Episode 3 of Season 1.

    What do biology, human history and the promiscuity of bonobos reveal about monogamy? Experts and everyday couples weigh in on shifting cultural norms.

  19. Watch Designer DNA. Episode 2 of Season 1.

    Scientific feat or terrifying social experiment? Specialists in the field discuss the high stakes and ethical controversies of gene editing.

  20. Watch The Racial Wealth Gap. Episode 1 of Season 1.

    Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.

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Genres
Science & Nature TV, Science & Nature Docs, Docuseries, Social & Cultural Docs
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Investigative

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