Motivation is complicated. Psychologists define motivation as the desire or impetus to initiate and maintain a particular behavior. But sometimes, no matter how passionate you are about a goal or hobby, finding the motivation to actually do it can be difficult. Why is motivation so fickle? Explore intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and dig into how these forces contribute to our drive. Directed by Magali García.

From its earliest incarnations, poker has always been a contest of guile, guts, and gambling. The game first emerged around 1800 in the melting pot of New Orleans, and soon spread up the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri rivers. So, how did this simple game of the American South skyrocket in popularity? James McManus shares how the card game became an international affair. Lesson by James McManus, directed by Chintis Lundgren.

In the 1930’s, a grand panda drama unfolded at the Chicago Zoo. Zookeepers procured a female panda named Mei Mei, and they were determined to find her a mate. They found a prospective suitor named Mei Lan, and the public eagerly awaited the patter of tiny panda paws. But the wait dragged on... and on. Why weren’t the bears breeding? Lucy Cooke shares common misperceptions about pandas. Lesson by Lucy Cooke, directed by Keegan Thornhill.

Rice contributes over 20% of the calories consumed by humans each year. Korean bibimbap, Nigerian jollof, Indian biryani, Spanish paella, and countless other culinary masterpieces all begin with rice. So how did this humble grain end up in so many cuisines? Carolyn Beans investigates the global expansion of this beloved crop and the unintended consequences of its popularity. Lesson by Carolyn Beans, directed by Na Na Na Studio.

Surveying his vast domain, Poseidon considers retirement. What if someone else donned the coral crown so he could spend his immortality harmonizing with whales and cozying up to hydrothermal vents? Poseidon decides he needs to prioritize himself for once. So, he summons his accountant and asks: how much could he sell the ocean for? Astrid J. Hsu conducts a financial analysis of our oceans’ worth. Lesson by Astrid J. Hsu, directed by Igor Coric, Artrake Studio.

Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned for almost 70 years in the 13th century BCE. He presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity, power, and wealth. But was he a model leader or a shameless egomaniac and master of propaganda? Jessica Tomkins puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Ramesses the Great. Lesson by Jessica Tomkins, directed by Brett Underhill, PorkchopBob Studio.

The question of whether or not humans are inherently selfish is one of philosophy’s oldest debates. The idea that we only act out of self-interest is an extreme stance that few philosophers would endorse. However, the idea that all humans have a deep selfish streak is something many philosophers would agree with. So, are we innately selfish? Mark Hopwood explores this classic conundrum. Lesson by Mark Hopwood, directed by Avi Ofer.

You might not guess it, but Alcon blue butterflies are just one of over 200 parasitic butterfly species, all of which target ants. And their offspring live highly unusual lives, tricking their way into ant colonies using mimicry. So, how do these butterflies do it— and why? Francesa Barbero explores the strategies caterpillars use to survive among ants on their journey to become butterflies. Lesson by Francesca Barbero, directed by Raghav Arumugam, Jagriti Khirwar.

Dodos are commonly considered brainless, blundering birds that were poorly adapted and doomed to die off, making their human-mediated extinction effortless and inevitable. But that’s not the case. So, what were dodos actually like? And what really caused their downfall? Leon Claessens uncovers the truth about these misunderstood and maligned creatures. Lesson by Leon Claessens, directed by Denys Spolitak.

Alcohol has been shown to have strange and selective effects on the brain. Many intoxicated people can perform complex tasks like holding a detailed conversation or navigating a walk home. Yet for those experiencing a blackout, the memory of these events is quickly forgotten. So, how does alcohol cause these memory lapses? Shannon Odell explores how ethanol interrupts the brain’s processes. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Anton Bogaty.

Deep inside the Sumatran rainforest, a carrion fly descends, guided by the scent of its favorite place to lay eggs: rotting animal carcasses. But when it lands, it isn’t on liquifying flesh, but instead on the world’s biggest, and perhaps strangest, flower— Rafflesia arnoldii. So, how does this giant flower grow? Daniel Nickrent explores the parasitic tendencies of the foul-smelling plant. Lesson by Daniel Nickrent, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio.

In 1947, India achieved independence from British rule — but this freedom came at a tremendous cost. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was eager to usher his country towards a brighter, united future. And one of the projects that would prove most essential to realizing this vision was the construction of Chandigarh. Vikramāditya Prakāsh details the creation of the futurist city. Lesson by Vikramāditya Prakāsh, directed by Jeff Le Bars, Jet Propulsion.

Long ago, the ancestral gods of Fiji settled on the Pacific archipelago. They eventually metamorphosed into various forms, with the god Dakuwaqa transforming into a shark. But he was unsatisfied. He became proud and greedy and wanted to establish himself as the mightiest god, and dominate all of Fiji’s islands. Raiana McKinney and Esther Wozniak share the tale of Dakuwaqa’s quest for power. Lesson by Raiana McKinney and Esther Wozniak, directed by KERO Animation.

In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer was standing near a RADAR device that produced high-intensity microwaves and noticed that his candy bar had melted. He then exposed popcorn kernels to the magnetron device, and sure enough, they popped. Soon after, the first microwave oven became available, using the very same technology. So, how does it work? Aaron Slepkov explores the science of microwave ovens. Lesson by Aaron Slepkov, directed by Yuriy Polyashko, Darvideo Animation Studio.

Suffering illness and despair, Chief Handsome Lake prepared for death. Then, he had a vision. He was walking through a planted field and heard a woman call out. She told him that the recent devastation had left her and her sisters with little hope for the future and asked if they could join him on his journey toward death. Who were these women? Rebecca Webster shares the tale of the Three Sisters. Lesson by Rebecca Webster, directed by Luisa Holanda.

In 1624, Mughal Emperor Jahangir received word of yet another defeat at the hands of his greatest enemy: Malik Ambar. Jahangir was so obsessed with defeating his rival, he commissioned a painting of himself shooting an arrow at Ambar’s skull. So, who was this brilliant tactician? And how did he come into power? Stephanie Honchell Smith shares Ambar's rise from enslaved youth to kingmaker. Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Layron DeJarnette, Gumboyo.

Today is the annual wizard tournament featuring competitors from three schools, and you’re in charge. The wizards have entered the maze and compete in your chosen events in utmost secrecy; only you and they see what happens. But a dark wizard appears and casts a forgetting curse— throwing the results into question. Can you figure out who won the tournament? Alex Rosenthal shows how. Lesson by Alex Rosenthal, directed by Igor Coric, Artrake Studio.

On November 30th, 1935, dozens of writers passed away. They came from different backgrounds, espoused divergent beliefs, and wrote in a variety of styles. Yet almost 30,000 pages of their work was stashed in a trunk in an apartment in Lisbon, Portugal. So, what mysterious string tied all these writers together? Ilan Stavans explores the enigmatic life of Fernando Pessoa and his many identities. Lesson by Ilan Stavans, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet.

One day around 850 CE, a goatherd observed that his goats started acting abnormally after nibbling on some berries. The herder tried them himself, and soon enough, he was just as hyper. As the story goes, this was humanity’s first run-in with coffee. So, how did coffee go from humble plant to one of the world's most consumed beverages? Jonathan Morris traces the history of this energizing elixir. Lesson by Jonathan Morris, directed by Harry Tennant.

Anger is a complicated emotion. It can feel reasonable and righteous or impulsive and uncontrollable. Anger can be an important part of letting us know when something immoral is happening, but finding the right response to those psychological alarm bells can be tricky. So, is it ever right to be angry? And if so, when? Delaney Thull takes a philosophical look at this powerful emotion. Lesson by Delaney Thull, directed by Cara Watson.

In the mid-18th century, England was crazy for ketchup. The sauce was a staple, but this ketchup wasn’t the ubiquitous red goop you’re familiar with today. In fact, it was a sweet and savory brown sauce that didn’t even have tomatoes in it. So where did this early ketchup come from, and how did it become the dip we know and love? Dan Kwartler traces the condiment's history. Lesson by Dan Kwartler, directed by Denys Spolitak.

For centuries, scholars puzzled over the hieroglyphs they found carved onto ancient Egyptian ruins, tablets, and papyri. But in 1799, a unique discovery would finally help unlock their meaning. It was a stone inscribed with three different texts: Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Demotic Egyptian, and Ancient Greek. Franziska Naether shares how scholars decoded the ancient message of the Rosetta Stone. Lesson by Franziska Naether, directed by Tim Rauch.

As of 2021, more than 36 million people were estimated to be experiencing substance use disorder. This condition spans a spectrum of patterned drug use that causes issues in a person’s life, with substance addiction at the more severe end. Why are some people more susceptible to addiction, and why can it be so difficult to treat? Judy Grisel takes a look at how addictive drugs affect the body. Lesson by Judy Grisel, directed by Gabriella Marsh.

The breathtaking geological formations of Cappadocia are one of the most astonishing landscapes on Earth. Also known as “fairy chimneys,” this impressive terrain hides an equally remarkable feat of pre-modern engineering: a network of extensive underground cities stretching deep below the surface. Who inhabited these cities, and why? Veronica Kalas uncovers the secrets of this buried history. Lesson by Veronica Kalas, directed by Serin İnan, Tolga Yıldız, Kozmonot Animation Studio.

Mestra, princess of Thessaly, was far from home. She had watched her father, King Erysichthon, plunge into a ruin of his own making. Now, to save himself, he’d sold his own daughter to the highest bidder. But Mestra refused to accept this fate and began to plan her escape. Iseult Gillespie shares the Greek myth of Mestra's bid for freedom. Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency.

While we’re already feeling the devastating effects of human-caused climate change, governments continue to fall short on making and executing emissions pledges that would help thwart further warming. So, what will our world look like in the next 30 to 80 years, if we continue on the current path? Shannon Odell offers a glimpse at Earth's possible future. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Sofia Pashaei.

Grooming paraphernalia has been found in numerous archeological sites, many of which have included earwax removal tools. And earwax evacuation remains a popular hygienic habit today. But what is earwax? And are the efforts to eliminate it actually good for us? Henry C. Ou explores the important role earwax plays in our health. Lesson by Henry C. Ou, directed by Yuriy Polyashko, Max Zaglotskyi, Darvideo Animation Studio.

An undulating sky melds into the landscape, two silhouettes move along a balustraded walkway, and a ghostly figure’s features extend in agony. Since Norwegian artist Edvard Munch created "The Scream" in 1893, it’s become one of the world’s most famous artworks. But why has its cry traveled so far and endured so long? Noah Charney shares the inspiration behind the dramatic and haunting masterpiece. Lesson by Noah Charney, directed by Martina Meštrović.

Asano Naganori, lord of Akō domain, fixed his gaze on Kira Yoshinaka, a senior master of ceremony. Asano extended his short sword, charged through the castle, and struck Kira. While the wound wasn’t fatal, its consequences would be. What brought about this violent quarrel? And what would come of Asano and his samurai? Adam Clulow shares the legend of the 47 Rōnin and their quest for revenge. Lesson by Adam Clulow, directed by Arvind Singh Jeena, Anantha Krishnan, Totem Creative.

Corruption is often defined as misuse of a position of power for personal gain. And while corruption in politics is nothing new, it isn’t limited to the political sphere; it can happen in schools, sports, businesses, or religious institutions. So, what exactly is corruption, and what can we do to combat it? Stephanie Honchell Smith explores the importance of transparency in building public trust. Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Jeff Le Bars, JetPropulsion.space.