Listen "Why Big Numbers Break Our Brains"
Episode Synopsis
In celebration of our 1000th episode, we're wrapping our heads around big numbers. Educational neuroscientist Elizabeth Toomarian talks about why humans' evolutionarily-old brains are so bad at comprehending large quantities–like the national debt and the size of the universe–and how to better equip ourselves to understand important issues like our finances and the impacts of climate change.Interested in other ways our brains make sense of the world? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
More episodes of the podcast Short Wave
Hot galaxies alert!
09/01/2026
Micro forests: an emerging climate hero?
07/01/2026
Did Earth’s Water Come From Space?
05/01/2026
The trouble of zero
02/01/2026
Climate Anxiety Is Altering Family Planning
30/12/2025
Why Drones Are Catching Whale Breaths
26/12/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.