Instant Genius

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Why we form one-sided 'parasocial' relationships with celebrities

It is easy to feel like we know celebrities, and even love them. But these people don’t know who we are, so is it healthy? We spoke to Karen Shackleford, a media psychologist to better understand the one-sided world of parasocial relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  Free will is an illusion. Here’s why

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  What is toxic positivity, and how can you avoid it?

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  Life as a brain surgeon

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  The healing power of nature

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  How science is helping us restore the Earth’s atmosphere

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  Why you're probably not getting enough fibre – and how to fix it

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  Surprising facts about weird animal abilities

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  How thinking more radically can help us see the bigger picture

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  Why your plants are more intelligent than you think

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  How science can help us predict the future

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  Superhumans and the end of ageing: Renowned futurist Ray Kurzweil's vision…

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  How fungi is vital to life on Earth

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  Peak Performance: Have we reached peak human athletics performance?

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  Peak Performance: How to recover faster and come back stronger

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  Peak Performance: The secret tricks athletes use to strengthen their willp…