Why do we experience the unsettling "Uncanny Valley" effect?
About this episode
In November 2023, a spooky makeup trend took TikTok by storm. Users posted images of themselves with full-coverage, pale foundation for a ghostly vibe, intense grey contouring, hidden eyebrows, and pencil-altered lips. The aim behind those creative efforts was actually to resemble humanoid creatures, and elicit a particular reaction known as “uncanny valley” from viewers. And the trend garnered a lot of attention. As of November 13th, Forbes reported that the #uncannyvalley hashtag had amassed 821 million views. The funny thing is that the origins of the uncanny valley phenomenon actually have nothing to do with makeup at all. What does it mean then? Where does the 'valley' part come from? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How can you protect yourself from being mugged? How to use less water? How did Covid lead to the emergence of meta cities? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Why do we experience the unsettling "Uncanny Valley" effect? from Do you really know? gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Is holding back a sneeze dangerous? Jul 11, 2026
- How can I relax my brain while on holiday? Jul 11, 2026
- Is it bad to drink water with a meal? Jul 11, 2026
- Why is my circadian rhythm so important? Jul 10, 2026
- What do I need to know before getting laser eye surgery? Jul 10, 2026
- What is false memory syndrome? Jul 10, 2026
- Does sleeping next to someone improve sleep quality? Jul 9, 2026
- How can I overcome my fear of speaking in public? Jul 9, 2026
- Which foods mustn't you put in the microwave? Jul 9, 2026
- Why are celebrities dissolving their facial fillers? Jul 8, 2026
- What does the popcorn index teach us about the economy? Jul 8, 2026
- What are the dirtiest objects in your home? Jul 8, 2026
- Discover our podcast in French: Maintenant Vous Savez! Jul 7, 2026
- Could "mouth taping" really help me sleep better? Jul 7, 2026
- Are you an “ambivert”? Jul 7, 2026
- How can you tell if you’re stingy? Jul 7, 2026
- How can you secure your home before leaving on holiday? Jul 6, 2026
- What is class-passing? Jul 6, 2026
- What can be done about snoring? Jul 6, 2026
- What is the influence of the God complex in the workplace? Jul 5, 2026
- Should I be cleaning my belly button? Jul 5, 2026
- Could intentional lazy parenting foster your child's independence? Jul 5, 2026
- What is climate optimism? Jul 4, 2026
- Why do we get the post-sex blues? Jul 4, 2026
- How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Jul 4, 2026
- Is Britain the new place to get your wine? Jul 3, 2026
- Can plants communicate with one another? Jul 3, 2026
- What is Mukbang, the latest type of video going viral on social media? Jul 3, 2026
- What are the alternatives to air conditioning? Jul 2, 2026
- Is remote work here to stay? Jul 2, 2026