Trends: how do they start?

Summary

Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Trends: How Do They Start?
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Host: Molly Bloom
Co-Hosts: Harlan (from San Diego, California), Sandon, and Mark
Produced By: American Public Media

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1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with a playful interaction between the hosts, Molly, Harlan, Sandon, and Mark, who don creative "fruit pants" adorned with various dried fruit slices. This whimsical introduction sets the tone for an engaging discussion on the nature of trends and their origins.

Notable Quote:
Mark: "These are snacks for eating, not for decorating your denim." — [02:40]

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2. Understanding Trends

Molly Bloom introduces the central theme of the episode: understanding what trends are and how they emerge. She defines a trend as a style, fad, or behavior that gains popularity within a group.

Notable Quote:
Molly Bloom: "Trends can be anything from a way of dressing to an activity to a behavior or even slang." — [21:11]

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3. The Diffusion of Innovation Theory

The hosts delve into the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, a concept developed by sociologist Roger Everett in the 1960s. This theory outlines how new ideas and technologies spread within a society.

Key Components:

• Innovators: Creative individuals who initiate trends by introducing novel ideas.

  Notable Quote:
  Sandon: "Innovators are people who like to try new things. They're creative, inventive, and importantly, they're willing to take risks." — [09:53]

• Early Adopters: Influential figures who quickly embrace and promote new trends, acting as a bridge between innovators and the wider population.

  Notable Quote:
  Sandon: "Early adopters are people who have their fingers on the pulse of what's cool and new." — [10:59]

• Early Majority & Late Majority: These groups represent the larger population segments that adopt trends once they've gained widespread acceptance.

• Laggards: Individuals resistant to change who adopt trends only when they become ubiquitous.

Notable Quote:
Molly Bloom: "A successful trend moves through all those groups, from innovators to early adopters, to the early majority and late majority, and then to the laggards." — [14:25]

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4. Real-World Examples of Trends

Fruit Pants:
Mark showcases his inventive "fruit pants," a creative fusion of fashion and nourishment, illustrating the role of innovators in setting new trends.

Notable Quote:
Harlan: "Yeah, by fixing his pants with dried fruit, he tried something new." — [10:18]

Animal Trends:
The episode explores how trends aren't exclusive to humans. Examples include:

• Songbirds: Birds mimicking nest-building techniques observed in others.

  Notable Quote:
  Molly Bloom: "Some songbird species are bird fluencers. When one bird builds their nest with a certain plant or material, other birds in their community are more likely to do the same." — [25:19]

• Chimpanzees: A female chimp's quirky behavior of sticking grass in her ear becomes a trend within her group.

  Notable Quote:
  Molly Bloom: "This suggests that other species of animals copy their friends' behavior for social or cultural reasons." — [26:39]

• Orcas: An orca balancing a dead salmon on her head sparks a brief trend among her peers.

  Notable Quote:
  Harlan: "She was a true innovator. Soon, early adopters in her group started balancing dead salmon on their heads too." — [26:54]

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5. Listener Contributions: Trend Ideas

Listeners submitted a variety of creative trend ideas, demonstrating the imaginative potential of young minds. Some notable suggestions include:

• Matching Outfits for Humans and Pets:
  Harlan: "I wanted to start a trend where humans and pets wear matching ball gowns and suits." — [05:38]

• Non-Matching Socks:
  Listener Suggestion: "Everyone should wear non-matching socks. It's cool because we don't have to throw away single socks when the dryer eats them." — [22:00]

• National Donut Day:
  Listener Suggestion: "On October 2nd, it would be national donut day, and everyone would just eat donuts." — [22:00]

Notable Quote:
Molly Bloom: "Thanks to Jenna, Ellie, Julian, Cormac, Anya, Eloise and Caroline for looking into their crystal balls." — [06:43]

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6. The Social Impact of Trends

The discussion highlights both positive and negative aspects of trends:

• Positive Aspects:

  • Social Connection: Trends foster a sense of belonging and community among individuals.

    Notable Quote:
    Molly Bloom: "One idea is that they help us bond with each other as humans." — [23:16]

  • Cultural Expression: Following or deviating from trends can express personal identity.

    Notable Quote:
    Harlan: "By not following a trend, you're also saying something about yourself. You're saying you aren't a trans person." — [23:27]

• Negative Aspects:

  • Materialism: Trends can pressure individuals to purchase more items to fit in, leading to unnecessary expenses.

    Notable Quote:
    Molly Bloom: "They can make you feel like you need to buy more things to fit in. And that can be expensive." — [24:04]

  • Exclusivity: Not everyone can participate in every trend, leading to feelings of exclusion.

    Notable Quote:
    Molly Bloom: "A lot of people can feel left out of trends, and being left out is a major bummer." — [24:18]

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7. Mystery Sound Segment

In an interactive segment, Harlan guesses a mystery sound, showcasing the show's engaging format.

Notable Interaction:

Harlan: "I think it's like a balloon, like being rubbed together or like with their hand going like that around it." — [16:17]
Molly Bloom: "That was the sound of me rubbing my fingers on a balloon." — [31:50]

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8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up by reiterating the importance of trends in fostering social bonds and acknowledges the role of innovators and early adopters in shaping what becomes mainstream. The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on their own positions within the trend adoption cycle and to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of following trends.

Notable Quote:
Molly Bloom: "It's hard to say why something is seen as cool or trendy, but we know trends are important for humans." — [29:31]

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9. Credits and Acknowledgments

The episode concludes with credits, thanking contributors, fact-checkers, and the executive production team. Listeners are encouraged to support the show by signing up for the newsletter and submitting their own questions and ideas.

Notable Quote:
Molly Bloom: "Again, that's brainson.org okay, Harlan, are you ready to hear that mystery sound again?" — [30:48]

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Key Takeaways

• Trends are societal phenomena that can influence fashion, behavior, and cultural norms.
• The Diffusion of Innovation Theory provides a framework for understanding how trends spread from innovators to the broader population.
• Social Connections are strengthened through shared trends, but they can also lead to pressures and exclusion.
• Animals exhibit trend-following behaviors, indicating that the propensity to adopt trends may have deep evolutionary roots.
• Listener Engagement plays a crucial role in making the podcast interactive and reflective of the audience's interests and creativity.

This episode of Brains On! offers a comprehensive exploration of trends, blending scientific theories with relatable examples and interactive segments to educate and entertain its young audience.

Transcript

[Molly Bloom]

Molly here. Imagine this. A friend comes over and you greet them in your slick new Brain Zone shirt. They check out your rad Brainzon wall poster. And when you go to draw together, they pick a color from your cool new Brainzn pencil pouch. It could all come true if you win our giveaway right now. When parents sign up for our newsletter, they'll be entered for a chance to win a Brainzon shirt, poster and pencil pouch. Go to brainson.org newsletter to sign up and parents, we made this newsletter with you in mind. We cover topics, how to talk to kids about crushes or how to make friends as adults. Plus, we'll share parenting tips and cool facts. Get on the list now by going to brainson.org newsletter. That's brainson.org newsletter. Everyone signed up for the newsletter will be in the drawings for the giveaway. Again, that's brainson.org newsletter.

[Harlan]

You're listening to Brainz on, where we're serious about being curious. Brains on is supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

[Mark]

Hey, Molly. Hey, Harlan.

[Harlan]

Hi, Mark.

[Mark]

Want to try some dried guava?

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, sure. That sounds. Whoa. Nice pants, Mark.

[Mark]

What? These? Oh, thanks. As you know, I've been learning to dry fruit and I think I finally got it down. Check it out. I made rubbery apples, chewy cherries, not worthy nectarines plast.

[Harlan]

Amazing. Is that papaya on your pants?

[Mark]

What? Oh, yeah, yeah. While I was tinkering in the kitchen, I accidentally tore a hole in the knee of my pants. So I hot glued some dried fruit slices to fix it. So which leathery fruit snack do you want to try first?

[Harlan]

Whoa. The strawberries on your shins are so iconic.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, and are those blueberries on the butt? Turn around again and let me see.

[Mark]

Yeah, yeah. Strawberries on the shins, blueberries on the butt, mangoes on the cuffs. Look, I tore up my pants real good. Chopping and slicing and shredding all this fruit. I didn't have time to put on new ones, so I just patched them with whatever was around, which happened to be dried fruit. I don't see why this is such a big deal.

[Harlan]

Can I have some of those dried kiwis?

[Mark]

Of course. Finally. I was hoping you'd try some.

[Harlan]

Look, I stapled kiwis on my cargo pants. Now I'm wearing fruit pants too.

[Molly Bloom]

So cool. Do me next. I want those dried orange slices on my sweats.

[Mark]

You're all missing the point. These are snacks for eating, not for decorating your denim.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, good idea, Mark. Let's Put some jackfruit on our jeans.

[Harlan]

We're gonna look so good.

[Molly Bloom]

You're listening to Brains on from APM Studios. I'm your host, Molly Bloom, and my co host today is Harlan from San Diego, California. Hi, Harlan.

[Harlan]

Hi. Molly and I are both wearing fruit pants today. Mine are cherry covered chinos and I.

[Molly Bloom]

Have bell bottoms bedazzled with blackberries. They look great and I always have a snack handy.

[Harlan]

Fruit pants are so in right now. Very in vogue. That's a French term meaning hip and.

[Molly Bloom]

Trendy, which is great because trendy is the topic du jour. That's French for of the day. Oh, speaking of fruit pants, I made these for you.

[Harlan]

Persimmon parachute pants. Thanks, Molly.

[Molly Bloom]

Just a little something I whipped up in LA Garage. That's French for the garage. Anyway, like I said, today we're talking trends and answering a question from you, Harlan.

[Harlan]

My question is, how do trends start?

[Molly Bloom]

So how would you describe a trend?

[Harlan]

I would describe it as one person does it and then more and more people do it.

[Molly Bloom]

Very good description. So there are a couple definitions of the word trend, but today we're talking about a style, a fad, or some behavior that gets popular among a group of people. So, Harlan, what made you think of this question?

[Harlan]

I was scrolling on Instagram with my mom and my mom was like, ooh, these ruffled socks are a trend. I was like, ooh, what does a trend mean? And she's like, well, we could ask Brains On. I was like, okay, nice.

[Molly Bloom]

Ruffled socks started this whole episode. So what are some trends that you've seen at your school?

[Harlan]

Probably the baggy pants.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes. Do you like to wear baggy pants too?

[Harlan]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

They're comfy, right?

[Harlan]

Yeah, they're like really comfortable.

[Molly Bloom]

So are there any trends that you used to be into that maybe you're not anymore?

[Harlan]

I used to need all the stuffies in the world.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, yes. And are there any trends that have happened at your school that you're not a fan of that you're like, no, no, no, I'm not gonna do that.

[Harlan]

The tight shirts.

[Molly Bloom]

Ah, yes. So the look that a lot of people are wearing is a tight shirt with baggy pants.

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

And so the tight shirt is not for you.

[Harlan]

No.

[Molly Bloom]

So what do you wear instead of a tight shirt?

[Harlan]

I wear baggy shirt. Baggy pants or baggy shirt and then tight leggings.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. So you're like, as long as the shirt is baggy, you're a happy camper.

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Well, listeners, we asked you to tell us what you thought would make a good trend. And here are some answers you sent in.

[Harlan]

I think that my trend would be everyone would wear their blankets on as clothes and like, clip them together. And I wanted to start a trend where you humans and pets wear matching ball gowns and suits. And my trend would be if people started listening to music backwards. A trend I would like to start is everybody wearing one mitten and one glove. Hey, I think a cool trend would be buying pants that are too small for you, but then in between the legs, you just cut a small hole for your head and then you put it on like a crop top. I think the trend for 2025 should be making stuffies out of recycled trash. What I think a trend will be in the future is people carrying squishies around. So they would do a makeover on a squishy, but they would make it their personality and they would carry their personality squishy anywhere.

[Molly Bloom]

I love all of those. Thanks to Jenna, Ellie, Julian, Cormac, Anya, Eloise and Caroline for looking into their crystal balls. Well, the fun thing about trends is that they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

[Harlan]

Yeah, there are big trends, like whether it's into part your hair on the side or in the middle, or things.

[Molly Bloom]

Like fidget spinners, friendship bracelets, what kind.

[Harlan]

Of jeans you wear.

[Molly Bloom]

These are all big trends that lots of people around the country will know about. There are also small trends like the ones that happen in just your school.

[Harlan]

Like if your friends start giving high fives with the back of your hand and it spreads to your whole grade.

[Molly Bloom]

Backhand high five. Wow. That is surprisingly satisfying.

[Harlan]

But no matter the size of the trend, they usually spread in a similar way.

[Sandon]

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

[Molly Bloom]

Stand in. You didn't even hear what we said. How do you know it's wrong?

[Sandon]

What? No, I meant the decor in here. Ugh. If I'm going to explain how trends spread, I cannot do it in a room with. What is that? Beige wallpaper? A team fix this.

[Molly Bloom]

Wait, that desk is important.

[Harlan]

Do we really need that many couch pillows?

[Sandon]

That's good. Yes. Yes. Mud it. Mud it. Love it. Gonna marry it. Wait, excuse me. Is that a peach fuzz pink throw blanket? Don't you dare. I am not letting last year's pantone color of the year in this place. It's this year's color. Mocha mousse brown or it's nothing. Ah, now that is much better. There. Now I can talk. Hi, Molly. Hi, Harlan. Backwards five.

[Harlan]

You know it? Sandon.

[Molly Bloom]

Wow. Okay, it does look pretty good in here.

[Sandon]

Now, obviously now, trends usually get popular in a certain way. In the 1960s, there was a sociologist named Roger Everett. A sociologist is someone who studies how humans behave in groups. Roger was interested in how new ideas and new technologies spread, and he noticed a pattern. Eventually, he came up with a theory or an idea of how trends spread. It's called the Diffusion of Innovation theory.

[Harlan]

Oh, I read about this when I was getting ready to co host this episode. Diffusion means to spread, and innovation is something new.

[Molly Bloom]

Ah, so the Diffusion of Innovation theory is an idea about how new things spread.

[Sandon]

Exactly. Now, the thing about trends is there's no real science to starting them. Lots of businesses and creators have tried to make things go viral, but usually it just falls flat. There has to be a spark, a certain je ne sais quoi.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, that's French for I don't know what.

[Sandon]

Yeah, I don't know what that's French for either. I just know without it, a fad is a flop. But according to the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, there's a certain kind of person who usually starts a trend.

[Harlan]

Oh, right. They're called innovators.

[Sandon]

Innovators are people who like to try new things. They're creative, inventive, and importantly, they're willing to take risks. Often these are artists or fashion designers, but they can also be just a really creative kid who thinks differently. So when Mark invented fruit pants, he was sort of acting like an innovator, even though it was kind of by accident.

[Harlan]

Yeah, by fixing his pants with dried fruit, he tried something new.

[Sandon]

Yep. It took creativity and it was risky.

[Harlan]

Right, because it might have looked silly instead of super stylish.

[Sandon]

Uh, that's as correct as pairing chunky loafers with frilly socks.

[Molly Bloom]

That means.

[Harlan]

It means very correct.

[Sandon]

But it's not enough for an innovator to come up with an idea for a new trend. The trend also needs to catch on. Which brings us to the next step of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Next, an idea is picked up by a group called the Early Adopters.

[Harlan]

Early adopters are people who have their fingers on the pulse of what's cool and new.

[Sandon]

Right. They don't invent new trends, but they're quick to jump on them. And they're good at sensing which trends have staying power and. And which will quickly fizzle out. That's why lots of other people often take their advice from early adopters about what's cool.

[Molly Bloom]

Sounds like an influencer on social media.

[Sandon]

Very much like that. Influencers can make a career out of sharing the right trends at the Right Time.

[Molly Bloom]

Hey, fashion fam.

[Sandon]

Myles here. I just had to hype my latest find.

[Harlan]

Two words. Fruit pants.

[Sandon]

Yeah, they're pants with fruit slices.

[Molly Bloom]

So fun.

[Sandon]

They go with any outfit, and people.

[Molly Bloom]

Will literally light up when they see these puppies on you. I just got a pair.

[Sandon]

I mean, I got a pair with a pair.

[Molly Bloom]

I mean, I got a pair of pants with a pear fruit on it.

[Sandon]

You know what I mean?

[Molly Bloom]

Best part, a pair of pear pants.

[Harlan]

Pairs with practically anything.

[Molly Bloom]

Ooh, I want a pair of pretty pear pants.

[Sandon]

So these early adopters are key in helping trends catch on. But they have to be pretty good about knowing what to hype or people will stop trusting their taste. The next group to pick up the new thing is called the early majority.

[Harlan]

A majority is like the biggest part of a population, so it means most.

[Sandon]

People, unlike the others, this is a big group, the early majority. They're not really leaders or trendsetters, but they're a little quicker than most to pick up on a new idea. And according to this theory, you know, they usually want to know more about a trend before they jump on it. So maybe they get on board after seeing something on the news. A new trend is taking the world by storm. Fruit pans. You've seen them on the runways of Paris and Milan, and now they're even in school lunchrooms and on playgrounds. In fact, I'm wearing some right now. Check out my key lime khakis. So fun, so fashionable, so fruitastic. Coming up, vegetable vests. Are they the next big thing?

[Molly Bloom]

Huh? So they might ask questions like, do fruit pants really hold up or are they gonna fall apart? What happens if they get wet from rain? Will my fruit pants attract fruit bats?

[Sandon]

All great questions. Now, when the early majority gets on board, then, you know, you have a bona fide trend on your hands. Then after the early majority, you get the late majority.

[Harlan]

Oh, yeah. These are people who are pretty skeptical of new things. They usually don't jump on trends until most people are already doing it, right.

[Sandon]

Generally, the late majority aren't convinced until something is pretty mainstream. At this point, most people are taking part in the trend, and it might lose its appeal to tastemakers. Then finally, the last group to join are called laggards. Laggards are a smaller group, kind of like the opposite of early adopters.

[Harlan]

They don't really like change. They don't chase what's cool or in at the moment, which kind of makes.

[Sandon]

Them cool in their own way. Because, like innovators, laggards don't care as much about what people think of them.

[Molly Bloom]

So a successful trend moves through all those groups, from innovators to early adopters, to the early majority and late majority, and then finally to the laggards. But at that point, is it still considered a trend?

[Sandon]

Huh, good question. You know, I would think at that point it just kind of becomes part of life. Like blue jeans, smartphones, and regular front facing high fives.

[Harlan]

I think the backwards ones will catch on too.

[Molly Bloom]

Me too. They're just so fun. Well, Sandon, thanks for explaining the diffusion of innovation theory.

[Sandon]

No problem. Now, if you'll excuse me, I cannot possibly stay in this out of date studio one second longer.

[Molly Bloom]

But Sandin, you just redecorated it yourself.

[Sandon]

Yeah, like five minutes ago. Keep up, Molly. All of this is out of date now. Well, it's been fun for you. Bye.

[Molly Bloom]

So, Harlan, did that theory about how trends spread seem right to you?

[Harlan]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

So where do you think you usually fall in that cycle? So just to remind ourselves, there's the innovators, the early adopters, the early majority, the late majority, and the laggards.

[Harlan]

Probably the early adopters.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. So you, like, see it and you're like, that seems super cool.

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Speaking of trendy, always in fashion, forever my passion, it's time for the.

[Sandon]

Mystery sound.

[Molly Bloom]

Harlan, are you ready to guess a mystery sound? Yes. Okay. Oh, okay. Harlan, what do you think?

[Harlan]

I think it's like a balloon, like being rubbed together or like with their hand going like that around it.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. Yeah. The moment you heard that, you were like, oh, I know what this is.

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Do you like to play with balloons and stuff?

[Harlan]

Well, yeah, I like. I bought some yesterday.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh my gosh. So it's like fresh in your mind.

[Harlan]

Yeah. And like, I blew one up and then I put it on my brother's head and I just rolled it on his head and his hair went up. It was really funny.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, my gosh. I love doing that with balloons. Okay, so we're going to hear it again, see if you want to stick with your guess and then hear the answer right after the credits.

[Harlan]

So stick around.

[Molly Bloom]

We're working on an episode about a time millions of years ago when birds and dinosaurs lived side by side. And we were wondering if you could bring a living, breathing dinosaur to show and tell. What kind would you bring and why? A gentle triceratops for all your friends to pet. A velociraptor to play hide and seek with on the playground. Harlan, what about you? What dinosaur would you bring to show and tell?

[Harlan]

I would bring a verontosaurus because it could, like, put its head down and I could sit on it and then it could bring its head up and then I could slide down it.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh my gosh. So fun. Yeah, those brontosaurus are the ones with the really long necks, right?

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. Yeah, they're super cool. Good choice, Harlan. Well, listeners, we want to know about what kind of dinosaur you would bring to show and tell and why. So please record your answer and send it to [e-mail] contact while you're there, send us your mystery sounds, drawings and.

[Harlan]

Questions like this one. How do scientists know how old fossils are?

[Molly Bloom]

You can find answers to questions like these on the Moment of Podcast a short dose of facts and fun every weekday. Find Moment of and [e-mail] and keep listening.

[Mark]

Brains on Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Brains on, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.

[Harlan]

It's alien laundry day.

[Molly Bloom]

While I wash my nose mufflers and.

[Harlan]

Tummy Togas, I'll listen to a new podcast.

[Molly Bloom]

How about Forever Ago, my favorite history podcast?

[Sandon]

Whoa.

[Harlan]

I was not expecting that to work or for it to sound this good.

[Molly Bloom]

That's the DJ Dolo technique. When I say pizza, you say bagel. Pizza. Zorp signal down.

[Harlan]

Stay right there.

[Sandon]

Tummy Togas.

[Molly Bloom]

Must find Forever Ago. Now.

[Mark]

Listen to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts.

[Molly Bloom]

Today's episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Who taught you about money? Was it your parents? Your school? Let's be honest, most of us learned about saving and budgeting way later than we should have. But here's the good news. You can give your kids a head start with Greenlight. We talk to kids on this show all the time. And when you talk to kids, you realize that they know so much more than you might give them credit for, and they're able to understand things that are pretty complex and amazing. So even if you think it's not time to start talking to your kids about personal finance, well, it actually is. My daughter's been asking me a lot of questions lately about credit cards, spending money, saving, and Greenlight is an awesome tool to help answer her questions. Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families that lets kids learn how to save, invest, and spend wisely. Start your risk free Greenlight trial [e-mail] brainson that's greenlight.com brainson to get started greenlight.com brainson the soul to Story podcast.

[Mark]

Is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But now we have a story about a school district where things are going very right.

[Molly Bloom]

Let me make sure my friends are sitting crisscross applesauce, hands in their lap.

[Harlan]

I've never had a child that couldn't read.

[Mark]

How did they do it? When I tell some of my other colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do, and.

[Molly Bloom]

They would say, you kidding me?

[Mark]

New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast apprains on.

[Harlan]

You're listening to Brains on. I'm Harlan.

[Molly Bloom]

And I'm Molly.

[Harlan]

And today we're talking trends.

[Molly Bloom]

Trends can be anything from a way of dressing to an activity to a behavior or even slang.

[Harlan]

We just talked about one idea of how trends spread.

[Molly Bloom]

They usually start with a group of creative people called innovators. Then they're picked up by early adopters who are kind of like influencers or trendsetters. Finally, they spread to the rest of the population. So Harlan, if you could start a trend, what would it be?

[Harlan]

Everybody has puppies.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh yes, I am all for that trend. So we all just have puppies all the time because they're the best thing ever.

[Harlan]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Ugh. Great trend, Harlan. I am on board. Let's check back in with our listeners about more trends and hear what trends they'd like to see sweep the nation.

[Harlan]

My idea for a trend would be a on one day of every year, her businesses would have their products cost something that isn't money, such as bananas. I think the next trend should be wearing capes. The trend I would like to start is on October 2nd. It would be national donut day. And on the day everyone would just eat donuts. The trend that I would like to start is dressed like the weather. We think everyone should start wearing non matching socks. We think it's cool because we don't have to throw away single socks when dryer eat them. And my trend is that everyone can wear their pajamas everywhere. And I think that everyone should have a pet that could keep you company when you live alone.

[Molly Bloom]

Meow.

[Harlan]

Meow.

[Molly Bloom]

Thanks to trendsetters Augustus, Ivy, Mia, Jubilee, Chloe and Lewis, Ananya and Fiona. But you might be wondering, why do we have trends in the first place? One idea is that they help us bond with each other as humans. This is called social connection.

[Harlan]

When we follow a trend, we join a group of people who are into that same thing.

[Molly Bloom]

Like how some Taylor Swift fans wear friendship bracelets to let other swifties know they're one of them.

[Harlan]

This helps them all feel like they're in a group or a community.

[Molly Bloom]

Some scientists think that this willingness to follow trends helped early humans form tighter communities, which helped them survive better through tough times.

[Harlan]

And get this, by not following a trend, you're also saying something about yourself. You're saying you aren't a trans person.

[Molly Bloom]

That might help you make friends with other people who scoff at trends. And you and those people might form your own anti trend friend group. More social connections.

[Harlan]

So trends can be good, but let's be honest, they can be bad too.

[Molly Bloom]

Right? They can make you feel like you need to buy more things to fit in. And that can be expensive.

[Harlan]

And it's wasteful to always get lots of new things like clothes or toys. It's better for the planet when you use less stuff instead.

[Molly Bloom]

Plus, a lot of people can feel left out of trends, and being left out is a major bummer. Have you ever felt left out of a trend, Harlan?

[Harlan]

Yes. One of my friends had a super cool stuffy that I wanted and I couldn't get it because my mom told me that I had too many stuffies already. And I was like, I'll get rid of one. She's like, no, thank you for getting rid of mono.

[Molly Bloom]

I totally hear that. Oh, that's really frustrating. Yeah, I mean, we can't always get the new things that we want, right?

[Harlan]

Yeah, like, I'm always like, I want, I want it though.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah, I know. It's frustrating to want something and not be able to get it for. Maybe you don't have room, maybe you don't have money. Maybe you just don't want to buy any more things. So trends have an upside and a downside. And get this, they also have an animal side. We actually see trend followers in nature too, like with birds.

[Harlan]

Over the past hundred years, scientists have studied how birds build nests and they.

[Molly Bloom]

Noticed something chirp worthy. Turns out some songbird species are bird fluencers. When one bird builds their nest with a certain plant or material, other birds in their community are more likely to do the same.

[Mark]

Hey there. I'm Wendy, the trendy tufted titmouse. I just found this darling ball of.

[Molly Bloom]

Yarn in the dump. It's neon yellow and totally hunter chic.

[Mark]

So I wove it into my nest.

[Molly Bloom]

Wendy, you've got such an eye. We're gonna put that yarn in our nest too. Yeah, I want my nest to be just like yours. You're too sweet.

[Mark]

I guess that old saying is true.

[Molly Bloom]

Birds of a feather flat together.

[Harlan]

But it's not just birds. Chimps are Also Trend Conscious.

[Molly Bloom]

About 15 years ago, some scientists started noticing a funny fad among a group of chimpanzees living in a sanctuary park in Zambia. In southern Africa, a female chimp named.

[Harlan]

Jilly started sticking a piece of grass in her ear. The next year, all the chimps were doing it.

[Molly Bloom]

Sticking a blade of grass in their ears wasn't useful behavior for the chimps. It was just kinda entertaining or fashionable. This suggests that other species of animals copy their friends behavior for social or cultural reasons.

[Harlan]

Like orca whales.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh yeah. Orcas are famous for setting and following Trends. Back in 1987 when mullets and acid washed jeans were all the rage, a female orca off the coast of Washington state started a sweet trend.

[Harlan]

She swam around with a dead salmon balanced on her head.

[Molly Bloom]

Catfish on her head, floppy and cold. Feeling fly, Feeling bold. This fish is fashion gold. She was a true innovator. Soon, early adopters in her group started balancing dead salmon on their heads too.

[Harlan]

And then orcas and other groups started doing it.

[Molly Bloom]

Ooh, nice salmon cap, Bronson.

[Sandon]

You too, Gale.

[Mark]

Isn't this whole dead salmon headgear thing a whale of a trend?

[Molly Bloom]

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the orcas stopped doing it.

[Harlan]

The trend was over.

[Molly Bloom]

And scientists weren't sure why it caught on in the first place. Maybe it was a form of communication or a way of attracting a mate.

[Harlan]

Or the orcas were just fooling around.

[Molly Bloom]

Then just last year, a photographer took a picture of an orca off the coast of Washington state wearing a dead salmon on its head. And the photo drew a lot of attention.

[Harlan]

People wanted to know, is the dead salmon trend back so far?

[Molly Bloom]

It doesn't look like it. There isn't any other evidence that other orcas are doing it too. But maybe in a few months it'll catch on.

[Harlan]

You never know.

[Molly Bloom]

But we do know all sorts of animals follow trends. From songbirds to orcas to. To humans.

[Mark]

They're a hit. I'm a genius.

[Harlan]

Mark, you're back.

[Mark]

Yes. And guess what? My dried fruit is selling like wild.

[Molly Bloom]

Really? That's great.

[Mark]

Yeah, I mean sales were a little slow at first, but then I started throwing in a free pair of fruit pants with every order and suddenly sales took off. People are saying things like these fit perfectly and they go with everything in my closet.

[Harlan]

Don't you think they're talking about the fruit pants, Mark?

[Mark]

What? No, they mean the dried fruit fits in their mouth and goes with everything in their food closet. AKA their pantry, obviously. Now if you'll excuse me, I have about 100 more orders to pack up.

[Molly Bloom]

Yippee.

[Harlan]

Treads can be big or small, but they usually spread the same way.

[Molly Bloom]

Creative people called innovators come up with.

[Harlan]

Something new, then early adopters or influencers pick it up and spread it to other people.

[Molly Bloom]

It's hard to say why something is seen as cool or trendy, but we know trends are important for humans.

[Harlan]

They can help us form bonds and tighten our relationships. Even some animals follow trends.

[Molly Bloom]

That's it for this episode of Brains On.

[Harlan]

This episode was written by sand and Tottenham and Rosie Dupont and it was edited by Shayla Farzon.

[Molly Bloom]

Fact checking by Rebecca Rand. We had engineering help from Lena Alvarez and Derek Ramirez with sound design and original theme music by Mark Sanchez.

[Harlan]

We had production help from the rest of the Brainz Universe team.

[Molly Bloom]

Molly Bloom, Rachel Breese, Anna Goldfield, Nico Gonzalez Whistler, Ruby Guthrie, Lauren Humpert, Joshua Ray, Charlotte Traver, Anna Weigel and Aron Woldeselassi. Beth Pearlman is our executive producer and the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandrakavati and Joanne Griffith. Special thanks to Lindsey Jones, Maya, Donna and Malia.

[Harlan]

Brainson is a non profit public radio program.

[Molly Bloom]

There are lots of ways to support the show. Head to brainson.org to sign up for the Brains on Universe newsletter for bonus extra activities, reading recommendations and more.

[Harlan]

While you're there, you can send us mystery sounds, drawings and questions.

[Molly Bloom]

Again, that's brainson.org okay, Harlan, are you ready to hear that mystery sound again?

[Harlan]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Okay. Last time you're like, I know what this is. Do you still feel confident?

[Harlan]

I think it's that, but also I feel like it's like maybe like somebody farting in the microphone.

[Molly Bloom]

It could also be that.

[Harlan]

And then like a girl going.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes. I often record myself farting in front of crows. I love it. Okay, so either balloons or me particularly farting in front of a crow. Okay. Are you ready for the answer?

[Harlan]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Okay, here it is.

[Harlan]

Hi, my name is Eve and that was the sound of me rubbing my fingers on a balloon. I knew it.

[Molly Bloom]

You did it. You were 100% correct and you knew it right away. That was very impressive. I think we need to give a shout out to your brother. Yeah, shout out to your brother for letting you rub a balloon on his head. Amazing. Excellent ears, Harlan. Now it's time for the Brains honor roll. These are the incredible kids who keep this show going with their questions, ideas, mystery sounds, drawings and high fives. Audrey from Covington, Kentucky. Brooks and Chase from Mequon, Wisconsin. Ada from Bost, Hannah, Eleanor and Stella from Castle Rock, Colorado Nathan from Calgary Lucas from Pittsburgh Elliott from Seattle Ada from Beverly, Massachusetts Jack from Melbourne, Australia Aria and Ellie from Downington, Pennsylvania Benjamin and Noah from Winter Haven, Florida Ione from Liverpool, England Michal and Nishama from Potomac, Maryland Reese from Downers Grove, Illinois Emma from Canada Evan from Reading, Connecticut Hadar and Neta from Israel Theo from Bridgewater Township, New Jersey Quetzal from Los Angeles Artemis from Asheville, North Carolina Eloise and Margo from Amy, Iowa Rowan and Desi from San Francisco Lizzie from Yale, Michigan Castor from Vancouver Mackenzie from Corpus Christi, Texas Ellison from Noonan, Georgia Jet, Bowie & Shepard from Columbia, Missouri Thomas, Caleb & Bradley from Fort Worth, Texas Juniper from Philadelphia Ava from Singapore Ariana from Maumelle, Arkansas Clover from Altadena, California Beckham from Cochrane, Alberta Cora from Houston Sophie from Glen Ridge, New Jersey Hazy from Asheville, North Carolina Basil from Nodi, Oregon Calvin from Hillsboro, North Carolina Gabby from Boston Zanna from St. Petersburg, Florida Lennox from Columbus, Ohio Charlie from Mahopic, New York Henry from Lake Bluff, Illinois Gaines from College Station, Texas Natalie from Waterloo, Ontario Sid from San Francisco Olivia from Bangkok Avi and Olive from Gilbert, Arizona Johnny from Redmond, Washington Everett Forrest and Rosemary from Newmarket, Alabama Joanna from Gordon, Georgia Beau from Columbus, Georgia Cora from Minneapolis Emma, Benjamin and Vivian from Crown, Maryland Jane and Lucy from Ruidoso, New Mexico Kinsley and Barron from Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey and Isabelle from Torrance, California. This is the last episode of this season. We'll be back with brand new episodes on May 6th. Until then, you can check out Forever Ago Smashboom Best and Moment of wherever you listen to Brains on or at our website.

[Harlan]

Thanks for listening.

[Mark]

The Soul to Story podcast is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But now we have a story about a school district where things are going very right.

[Molly Bloom]

Let me make sure my friends are sitting crisscross applesauce, hands in their lap.

[Harlan]

I've never had a child that couldn't read.

[Mark]

How did they do it? When I tell some of my other colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do and they would say, you kidding me? New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast. Apparently.