The Magic of Comedy

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The Magic of Comedy
Dick Cavett
A detailed black and white illustration of a toad on a green background, with the word "Car" written below it.
3mins
The Well
Even AI is self-censoring. Here’s why that matters.
Jacob Mchangama
Close-up of a sepia-toned drawing showing a person with crossed arms, wearing a robe with highlights, against a background with a partial view of a stone wall.
2mins
The Well
This research team studies gratitude. Here’s what they’ve found.
Sarah Schnitker
A human hand is positioned palm up below a floating anatomical model of a human brain against a plain light blue background.
3mins
Perception Box
How humans create reality through language and beliefs
Agustín Fuentes, Daniel Dennett & Ethan Kross
Unlikely Collaborators
Painting depicting a man with a crown of thorns, arms outstretched on a wooden cross, with a sign above his head that reads "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.
2mins
The Well
How censorship turns ordinary men into martyrs
Jacob Mchangama
A digital illustration of a human brain next to a crescent moon on a dark background.
3mins
Perception Box
How REM sleep unlocks human function
Patrick McNamara, Shelby Harris & Dave Asprey
Unlikely Collaborators
The word "ALONE" in large white letters on a purple background, with a sad person's face visible inside the letter "O.
2mins
The Well
So you spend a lot of time alone. Here’s why that’s not a bad thing.
Ethan Kross
Abstract image split in two: the top half shows blue neural-like network lines, while the bottom half displays orange flames and sparks against a dark background.
7mins
Perception Box
Experts from 4 different fields define consciousness
Christof Koch, Deepak Chopra, Sam Harris & Daniel Dennett
Unlikely Collaborators
A close-up of two hands carving a feathered arrow shaft with a knife against a dark background.
2mins
The Well
The case for canceling censorship
Jacob Mchangama
Three semi-transparent human brains, side by side, over a gradient background transitioning from red to blue, with rounded corners.
2mins
Perception Box
Stress is inevitable, but suffering isn’t. 3 experts explain.
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, Kelly McGonigal & Jon Kabat-Zinn
Unlikely Collaborators
A woman in a black dress lies on a green sofa, holding a closed book in one hand, resting with her eyes closed.
2mins
The Well
How to wait well, according to neuroscience and psychology
Sarah Schnitker
Split image: Left side shows a silhouette of a person with hands on hips against a starry sky; right side shows an older man in a yellow jacket against a plain white background.
6mins
Perception Box
One neuroscientist’s deep dive into perception and reality
Christof Koch
Unlikely Collaborators
Close-up split image showing the left half of a human eye and the right half of a purple flower, highlighting the detail and texture of both subjects.
3mins
Perception Box
Fearing death keeps us from living. 3 experts explain.
Tyler Volk, Dr. Bruce Greyson & BJ Miller
Unlikely Collaborators
Close-up of a classical painting showing a woman in a white headscarf looking upward with her lips pressed together; background is dark.
6mins
The Well
True free speech, explained in 6 minutes
Jacob Mchangama
Close-up of a person's face with brown eyes and freckles, next to an abstract blue and white pattern resembling tree branches and lightning.
7mins
Perception Box
How our expectations shape what we see, hear, and feel
Paul Ekman, Lisa Feldman Barrett & Esther Perel
Unlikely Collaborators
A painted woman's face is seen upside down on the left, looking at a large gray rock on the right, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
2mins
The Well
When does self-discipline become virtue?
Sarah Schnitker
A person with long blonde hair wearing a beanie and plaid jacket looks upward outdoors; a transparent geometric square overlay is centered on the image.
2mins
Perception Box
3 experts explain how to escape the happiness paradox
Robert Waldinger, Tal Ben-Shahar & Peter Baumann
Unlikely Collaborators
A person in classical attire holds a laurel wreath and a palm branch against a blue sky background.
6mins
The Well
Is virtue worth pursuing? A psychologist explains
Sarah Schnitker
A digital illustration of a human brain with glowing neon lines and a translucent geometric cube overlay at the center.
3mins
Perception Box
The science of spirituality, and how it can change your brain
Lisa Miller, Reza Aslan & Rob Bell
Unlikely Collaborators
A painting of a woman crying.
2mins
The Well
Debunking “living in the moment” and other bad emotional advice
Ethan Kross
Close-up view of mushroom gills with overlaid chemical structure diagrams, including molecular formulas and lines, set against a blue-tinted background.
5mins
Perception Box
3 experts reveal how psychedelics can expand the walls of perception
Jamie Wheal, James Fadiman & Matthew W. Johnson
Unlikely Collaborators
A vintage, hexagonal brooch featuring a realistic painted human eye in the center, surrounded by a metallic frame.
2mins
The Well
The case for useless knowledge
Betül Kaçar 
Close-up of a person's eyes looking up, with white abstract doodles and lines superimposed over their forehead, symbolizing thoughts or imagination.
2mins
Perception Box
How to expand your influence, according to 2 experts 
Robert Greene & Dan Shapiro
Unlikely Collaborators
Illustration of a brain with highlighted regions overlaid on a close-up image of blue synapses and neurons, representing neural communication.
2mins
Perception Box
How and why your memories shift over time, explained by neuroscience 
André Fenton & Lisa Genova
Unlikely Collaborators
A split image showing the left half of a woman's face and the right half as a digital brain with neural connections and data waves.
7mins
Perception Box
Trauma, healing, and your nervous system explained
Wendy Suzuki, James Doty & Bessel van der Kolk
Unlikely Collaborators
Vintage illustration of a human head in profile with labeled sections of the brain, representing different personality traits and mental faculties.
3mins
The Well
This one essential trait begins shaping us seconds after birth
Ethan Kross

Both Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett started out as young magicians and maintained the craft throughout their careers. So which late-night legend was better?

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