Why Pain Isn't What You Think It Is & The Disappearing Joys of Everyday Life

People often assume that someone with brown eyes appears more trustworthy than someone with blue eyes. Research suggests there may be something to that belief—but not for the reason most people think. In fact, eye color may have very little to do with it. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3541379/ Pain seems simple. You get hurt, you feel pain. Problem solved. Except it isn't that simple at all. Why can two people experience the same injury yet report very different levels of pain? How can amputees feel excruciating pain in a limb that no longer exists? Scientists now understand that pain is not merely a signal sent from the body to the brain. Instead, pain is a complex experience shaped by biology, psychology, memory, expectations, emotions, and environment. Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a leading pain expert on the faculty at UCSF School of Medicine, joins me to explain what modern science has discovered about pain, why many traditional assumptions about it are wrong, and how understanding pain differently may help people suffer less. She is author of Tell Me Where It Hurts: The New Science of Pain and How to Heal (https://amzn.to/4afunMR). Life has become incredibly convenient. We no longer unfold paper maps, collect ticket stubs, browse record stores, save newspaper clippings, or carry around many of the physical objects that once filled everyday life. Digital technology has made countless tasks faster and easier—but has something been lost along the way? Ian Bogost believes the answer is yes. He argues that many of the small physical experiences we've eliminated weren't just clutter or inefficiency. They added texture, meaning, memory, and satisfaction to life. In our conversation, he explains how the disappearance of these seemingly insignificant things may be quietly changing our relationship with the world and what we can do to reclaim some of what we've lost. Ian is a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life (https://amzn.to/3SDVFXf). You've probably heard the travel hack: search for airline tickets too many times and the price will go up. That's why some people clear their browser history, use incognito mode, or switch devices before booking a flight. But does any of that actually work? The answer may surprise you. https://nypost.com/2025/06/03/lifestyle/will-clearing-your-search-history-make-flight-prices-cheaper-experts-reveal-the-surprising-truth/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.  RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices