Podcast Summary: "How the LIKE Button Changed the World & Weird Things Your Body Does"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Something You Should Know
• Host: Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
• Episode Title: How the LIKE Button Changed the World & Weird Things Your Body Does
• Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Something You Should Know, host Mike Carruthers delves into two intriguing topics: the profound impact of the "Like" button on our digital and social landscapes, and the fascinating, often overlooked functions of the human body. Through engaging interviews with experts Martin Reeves and Cutter Wood, listeners gain valuable insights into both the digital revolution shaped by a simple icon and the complex operations within their own bodies.

Part 1: How the LIKE Button Changed the World

Guest: Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of The Button that Changed the World

Origins and Evolution of the Like Button

The episode begins with Martin Reeves exploring the unexpected origins of the Like button. Contrary to popular belief, the Like button wasn't initially devised by Facebook. Reeves explains:

“[06:20] Martin Reeves: ...the guy that I co-authored the book with, Bob Goodson, he was the first employee of Yelp and he's one of the contenders.”

This revelation underscores the serendipitous nature of innovation, where solving one problem can inadvertently create another on a much larger scale.

The Business Revolution

Reeves elaborates on how the Like button transformed social media into a lucrative business model. By providing instant feedback, it enabled platforms like Facebook to offer advertisers granular data on user engagement, thereby revolutionizing digital marketing:

“[08:14] Martin Reeves: ...it enabled social media to become a business because by being a feedback loop from users, it could enable Facebook to say to advertisers, hey, we can tell you which part of your advertising is working and which part isn't.”

Psychological Impact and Brain Chemistry

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the psychological effects of the Like button. Reeves shares fascinating insights into how clicking the Like button triggers dopamine release in the brain's reward centers, akin to the feelings experienced when receiving genuine social approval:

“[12:21] Martin Reeves: ...when you click the picture of the like button, it creates dopamine release. And it's the same dopamine release as actually being liked.”

He further explains the evolutionary underpinnings of this behavior:

“[20:27] Martin Reeves: ...we have a preference for mild hierarchy. ...we look at the like count and we like liked people because we become included in a group of people that are liked and we hope to be liked ourselves.”

Unintended Consequences

Reeves does not shy away from addressing the darker side of this innovation. The Like button has contributed to addictive behaviors, especially among young users, leading to issues like anxiety and depression stemming from social comparison:

“[22:25] Martin Reeves: ...one of the unintended side effects of social media is that it has an addictive quality. ...there is a pathology of especially young teenage girls that are quite distressed by the social comparative aspect of liking and being liked.”

Conclusion on the Like Button's Legacy

Reeves concludes by reflecting on the multifaceted impact of the Like button, highlighting its role as a microcosm of technological innovation and its broader implications on human behavior and societal structures.

“[26:00] Martin Reeves: ...if you focus on this very small humble icon, you can actually see a number of things. You can see the evolution of gestural language, you can see human sociality, you can see how human brain science works, you can see how social and serendipitous innovation works.”

Part 2: Weird Things Your Body Does

Guest: Cutter Wood, Author of Earthly Journeys Through Our Body's Emissions, Excretions, and Disintegrations

The Marvel of Breathing

Cutter Wood begins by highlighting the complexity of the respiratory system. He emphasizes the efficiency of our lungs in oxygenating blood:

“[31:18] Cutter Wood: ...with every one of those 20,000 breaths, you're spreading a soda can or two of blood across an area or soda can or two of air across an area about the size of a tennis court. It's really just this miraculous ability that happens every single time you breathe.”

He also touches on the connection between breathing and brain function, explaining how conscious breathing can influence mental states:

“[31:18] Cutter Wood: ...the speed of your breath affects those rhythms, you know? So if your brain is behaving in a way you don't want to, if your thoughts are racing, you can essentially kind of hack into your brain with your breathing and willfully exert some control over that process.”

Fascinating Hair Biology

Wood delves into the genetics and evolutionary aspects of hair color, revealing surprising facts about common perceptions:

“[33:19] Cutter Wood: ...blonde hair actually came from over towards Mongolia and Russia, around Lake Baikal, and it was only brought to Europe maybe 17,000 years ago with this mass migration of people.”

He also discusses the unique aspects of red hair, including its historical prevalence and the biological implications:

“[35:11] Cutter Wood: ...people with red hair are much more sensitive to ultraviolet rays... they actually process pain differently.”

The Importance of Mucus

Contrary to common disdain, Wood explains the critical functions of mucus in the human body:

“[36:53] Cutter Wood: ...mucus is actually the soil that the microbiome grows in. This is where it lives, this is where it grows. It is actually actively fed by your mucus.”

He highlights mucus's role in maintaining the microbiome and protecting against infections:

“[40:26] Cutter Wood: ...the National Institute of Health, they estimate that 80% of all internal infections are related to dysfunction of your mucus.”

Urine as a Diagnostic Tool

Wood underscores the significance of urine in medical diagnostics, tracing its historical and contemporary uses:

“[41:37] Cutter Wood: ...urine is a pretty amazing one. It can tell all kinds of things... if your urine is purple, right, it means you have porphyria... if it's green or blue, that might indicate an issue with some antidepressants.”

He shares a poignant anecdote about the use of horse urine in medication production, highlighting ethical considerations:

“[43:21] Cutter Wood: ...hundreds of thousands of horses were raised solely for their urine, just to produce the medication Premarin...”

The Complexity of Tears

Wood explores the different types of tears and their psychological implications:

“[44:11] Cutter Wood: ...humans, and only humans, have this third kind of tier, emotional tears, really.”

He discusses how tears regulate emotional states and reflect deep psychological functions:

“[45:45] Cutter Wood: ...tears do have this emotionally regulatory effect... they keep you in a safe range.”

Vomiting: A Last Resort and a Social Reflection

In a candid segment, Wood shares his personal experience with vomiting through participation in an ayahuasca ceremony. He reflects on the emotional and social aspects tied to this involuntary expulsion:

“[47:35] Cutter Wood: ...this is their option of last resort. So you have people who are struggling with addiction... looking for relief.”

He emphasizes the profound human experiences encountered during such vulnerable moments, linking them to broader societal issues.

Conclusion on Bodily Functions

Wood wraps up by reaffirming the essential and multifaceted roles that these often-overlooked bodily functions play in maintaining health and facilitating complex social interactions.

“[50:44] Mike Carruthers: ...Cutter Wood, thank you for being here.”

Practical Advice: Shoe Repair Insights

Towards the end of the episode, Mike Carruthers shares practical advice sourced from Business Insider regarding shoe maintenance:

“Mike Carruthers: ...according to Business Insider, here's the rule. If the upper part of your shoe dries out or starts cracking, then it's not worth repairing. But if the uppers are fine, the bottoms can always be fixed.”

He explains the importance of assessing shoe damage correctly to decide between repair and replacement, emphasizing the value of quality repair shops.

Closing Remarks

Mike Carruthers concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to share the podcast with others who might find the insights valuable. He reinforces the episode’s dual focus on the digital influence of the Like button and the intricate workings of the human body, leaving listeners with a wealth of knowledge to ponder.

Notable Quotes:

• Martin Reeves [06:20]: "The guy that I co-authored the book with, Bob Goodson, he was the first employee of Yelp and he's one of the contenders."
• Martin Reeves [12:21]: "When you click the picture and the piece of code of the like button, it creates dopamine release in the part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens."
• Cutter Wood [31:18]: "Your body has to do this spectacular thing. It's trying to get in as much oxygen as possible as quickly as possible..."
• Cutter Wood [36:53]: "Mucus is actually the soil that the microbiome grows in."
• Cutter Wood [40:26]: "The National Institute of Health, they estimate that 80% of all internal infections are related to dysfunction of your mucus."

This episode of Something You Should Know masterfully intertwines the exploration of a ubiquitous digital tool with the marvels of human biology, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of both realms. Whether you're intrigued by the subtle yet powerful influence of a Like button or the complex operations of your own body, this episode delivers enlightening perspectives backed by expert insights.