Explained

Season 32018

This documentary series, made in partnership with Vox, explain some of the world's current trends, from politics, to science to pop culture.

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20 Episodes

E01 The Racial Wealth Gap

Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.

May 23, 2018

E02 Designer DNA

Scientific feat or terrifying social experiment? Specialists in the field discuss the high stakes and ethical controversies of gene editing.

May 23, 2018

E03 Monogamy

What do biology, human history and the promiscuity of bonobos reveal about monogamy? Experts and everyday couples weigh in on shifting cultural norms.

May 23, 2018

E04 K-Pop

Elaborate music videos, adoring fans, killer choreography. Learn about the global music phenomenon from South Korea that goes beyond "Gangnam Style."

May 30, 2018

E05 Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has made people billionaires, but is digital cash the next revolution? Learn about this anonymous currency and how it's coveted.

June 6, 2018

E06 Why Diets Fail

Atkins. Paleo. Keto. Do any work in the long term? Experts look at marketing, food environments and genes to explain why diets are often unsuccessful.

June 13, 2018

E07 The Stock Market

Does the stock market accurately reflect the status of the economy? Finance specialists discuss market history, valuations and CEO incentives.

June 20, 2018

E08 eSports

Is fake violence a sport? Fans, shoutcasters, and eSports icons break down today's video games and the explosive popularity of competitive gaming.

June 27, 2018

E09 Extraterrestrial Life

Despite decades of searching, we have yet to discover extraterrestrial life. Scientists discuss the reasons, including: Are aliens just too snobby?

July 4, 2018

E10 !

Do we overuse exclamation points!? Linguists and copy editors look at how the punctuation has adapted across history, literature and internet-speak.

July 11, 2018

E11 Cricket

Cricket experts look at how the confusing sport became so popular and discuss its evolution in becoming more accessible entertaining and profitable.

July 18, 2018

E12 Weed

Marijuana experts discuss the rise of potent "sexually frustrated" cannabis plants, the quests for consistency in weed strains and the history of hemp.

July 25, 2018

E13 Tattoo

They've been used to command respect, punish criminals and mark achievements. Tattooists speak about the origins of tattoo traditions and rituals.

August 1, 2018

E14 Astrology

Do zodiac signs prescribe your fate? Or do horoscopes' accuracy lie in the placebo effect? Take a look at the science, history and lure of astrology.

August 8, 2018

E15 Can We Live Forever ?

Can we uncover the secrets to extending the human lifespan? Experts discuss how developments in science -- even the French lilac -- hold some clues.

August 15, 2018

E16 The Female Orgasm

The female orgasm is more elusive when a man is involved. Discover the reasons why and how women are embracing hands on solutions.

August 22, 2018

E17 Political Correctness

Political correctness can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between inclusivity and free speech. Experts discuss the concepts behind the fraught term.

August 29, 2018

E18 Why Women Are Paid Less

Hillary Clinton and Anne-Marie Slaughter discuss the cultural norms at the center of the worldwide gender pay gap, including the "motherhood penalty."

September 5, 2018

E19 The World's Water Crisis

The global water crisis is at an inflection point. How do we price our most valuable resource, while also ensuring access to it as a human right?

September 12, 2018

E20 Music

When does sound become music? Why are humans so uniquely able to master musicality? Researchers talk rhythm, octaves and the magic of song and dance.

September 19, 2018

Explained

E01 The Racial Wealth Gap

E02 Designer DNA

E03 Monogamy

E04 K-Pop

E05 Cryptocurrency

E06 Why Diets Fail

E07 The Stock Market

E08 eSports

E09 Extraterrestrial Life

E10 !

E11 Cricket

E12 Weed

E13 Tattoo

E14 Astrology

E15 Can We Live Forever ?

E16 The Female Orgasm

E17 Political Correctness

E18 Why Women Are Paid Less

E19 The World's Water Crisis

E20 Music

Dark Net

Ryan's Mystery Playdate: Level Up

How to Fix a Drug Scandal

The Traffickers

Detroiters

Fosse/Verdon

Malibu Rescue: The Series

One Strange Rock

How It's Made

Asobi Asobase - workshop of fun -

My Brilliant Friend

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer

The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez

Unbelievable

Hanna

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Mad Men

The Glory

Community

E01 The Racial Wealth Gap

E02 Designer DNA

E03 Monogamy

E04 K-Pop

E05 Cryptocurrency

E06 Why Diets Fail

E07 The Stock Market

E08 eSports

E09 Extraterrestrial Life

E10 !

E11 Cricket

E12 Weed

E13 Tattoo

E14 Astrology

E15 Can We Live Forever ?

E16 The Female Orgasm

E17 Political Correctness

E18 Why Women Are Paid Less

E19 The World's Water Crisis

E20 Music