Why does this thing exist? (Podcast)

Mar 04 2025 140 ep. 46 mins 35
Why does this thing exist? (Podcast) artwork

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. 
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Episode 139: “The Screaming Dog”

Mar 04 2025 39 mins  
In this episode, Dean tries to remind Simon about a book they read as children but it just upsets him and then they have a look at a Japanese company that’s purchasing peoples' faces. Finally, the Random Wikipedia Article section floats in like a Dignitas pillow and gently smothers the episode to death.  Cover to “The Woolpack” by Cynthia Harnett - https://imgu

Episode 138: “Neuroscientist and Friends” (with Carys Eleri)

Feb 25 2025 56 mins  
In this episode, TV’s Carys Eleri visits Dean and Simon to learn about Joe Pesci’s singing sideline and a mysterious smelling machine. Pleased with her findings, she expresses her gratitude to the gentlemen by showing them a useless wristwatch. Then, everyone celebrates another successful episode by looking at an article on Wikipedia.  Joe Pesci sings “Take your lov

Episode 137: “I can smell the memory of a horse”

Feb 18 2025 33 mins  
In this episode, Dean asks Simon why a horse appeared and then they have a look at someone else’s photos, rudely put up for sale. Finally, self-awareness and hypocrisy bring the episode to an untimely end.  Photo of a lost horse - https://imgur.com/0CNT9lA   Photos for sale on eBay -  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276769518573?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=

Episode 136: "A face with a balloon drawn on"

Feb 11 2025 45 mins  
In this episode, Dean and Simon discuss a rude and unused piece of spy-wear and have a look at a cracking pair of eBay listings. They finish off by sort of discussing a Wikipedia article about a short story but mostly just do some dreadful impressions and talk about animals coming to kill them.Radio Balls (NSFW) - https://imgur.com/aCYDzGb Stephen Hawking Coin – https://www.ebay.

Episode 135: “A slug, a cow, a rabbit and a train.”

Feb 04 2025 45 mins  
In this episode Dean and Simon take a look at the international cut of a flop film, an abandoned hat and a Wikipedia article about a wrestler that gives them a CTE.  The Magic Roundabout (2005) -  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339334/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk   Doogal (2006) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0763304/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk    A photo of a hat - ht

Episode 134: “The Fish Adventure”

Jan 28 2025 40 mins  
In this episode, Dean and Simon find out about a machine that helps you take you pet fish for a walk and fantasise about being among the fishes. Then, in section two, they have a look at a modern video review of a local restaurant. Finally, they learn about an Eastern European artist and besmirch a comedian.Article about a mobile fish tank – https://www.techeblog.com/custom-fish-

Episode 133: "Accidental Movie Episode"

Jan 21 2025 46 mins  
In this episode, it's tangents galore as Dean and Simon struggle to talk about two film related items. First off, Dean asks Simon why Robbie Williams is a chimp now and then Simon makes Dean remember Forrest Gump. And Changing Rooms? They finish off by briefly looking at some computer software.  Better Man trailer - https://youtu.be/neyfwa4GrVA?si=uuG8zcxTS834kDim &n

Episode 132: “A full three tube meal”

Jan 14 2025 43 mins  
In this episode, Dean and Simon talk about a computer game that blends housework with space warfare and a retro-modern method of consuming cheeseburgers. They finish off by ranking the cheese producing nations. There’s strong vein of space/cheese running through this episode somehow.   Powerwash SImulator Warhammer 40,000 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r

Episode 131: “Nine pence a tooth”

Jan 07 2025 40 mins  
In this episode, Dean goes to the wrong place for fashion insights and then Simon shows him a big box of loose teeth. Typical sort of stuff. They finish off by coming up with ways to widen participation in olympic sports.  Large Lot 600 Vintage Single Denture False Teeth Tooth Post Fixings Crafts Props - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356246283319?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkr

Episode 130: “Our intention is to never disappoint”

Dec 31 2024 37 mins  
In this episode, Dean and Simon look at a couple of systems for sweetening your hand-held meats and then discover a themed hotel while researching the emu vigilantes of an English coastal town. They finish off by finding out about a Japanese comic book.  Jimmy Dean’s blueberry pancake sausage on a stick - https://www.jimmydean.com/products/pancakes-and-sausage/on-a-stic