The Why Factor Podcast
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions
Episodes to download
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Why are Open Plan Offices the Norm?
Fri 15 Feb 2013
Why has the open plan office become the norm in many places, despite the distractions?
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Black
Fri 8 Feb 2013
Mike Williams peers into the world of black and asks why it has so many different meanings
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The Heel
Fri 11 Jan 2013
Where did the fascination with elevated footwear come from and what do they tell us?
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Manners
Fri 28 Dec 2012
The strange customs and conduct that make up ‘good manners’. Where do they come from?
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Fear - Episode 1
Sat 1 Dec 2012
What is fear? Are our fears universal and how do we go about facing our fears?
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Coming of Age
Fri 9 Nov 2012
Why do different cultures mark the advent of adulthood at different ages?
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The Handshake
Fri 2 Nov 2012
Millions of us use this gesture but where does this everyday ritual come from?
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The Shaved Head
Fri 26 Oct 2012
Why do we care so much about the hair on our heads? Join Mike Williams to find out why.
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Why do we laugh?
Fri 19 Oct 2012
What is it that actually triggers our laughter, do all of us find the same things funny?
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Why do we smoke?
Fri 5 Oct 2012
In this week's programme Mike Williams looks at why people start smoking.
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Why do we Behave so Oddly Inside Elevators?
Fri 28 Sep 2012
This week, the lift. Why do we behave so oddly inside them?
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Why do we wear ties?
Fri 21 Sep 2012
Why do we do the things we do? This week, Mike Williams asks why we wear neckties.
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Why do we have tattoos?
Fri 14 Sep 2012
Mike Williams on where tattoos come from and what they say about us.
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Why do we look the way we do?
Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?
