THEM'S THE RULES
39 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago -Them’s the Rules is a society and culture podcast trying to wrap its head around the perplexities of human behavior, one rule at a time. Laced with existential mirth, each episode explores the historical, cultural, and philosophical context of a different rule or system of rules, from our social institutions to our New Year’s resolutions and everything in-between. By exposing the universal fault lines that run beneath everything we do, Them’s the Rules offers a new way of engaging in conversations around culture, politics, and society.
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Episodes
Chekhov's Gun: Nuke it Out
April 14, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBIt’s wrong to make promises you don’t intend to keep, right? This tenet of common morality is the basic premise behind “Chekhov’s Gun,” a fundamental concept of storytelling made famous by the prolific Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov. But this rule goes way beyond the page and stage – think geopolitics, technological advancements, cowboys, and mutually assured destruction. In this episode, Bronwen looks at human psychology (and human folly) to explain why this literary principle is so...
Capsule Wardrobing: La Vie en Clothes
March 22, 2022 13:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIn this episode, Bronwen chats with slow-fashion enthusiast Lauren McKinney about the classic rules of curating a “capsule wardrobe.” They dig into the damaging impact cultural rules of fashion can have on identity formation and mental health and recognize the significant toll rampant consumerism is taking on our wallets and our environment. As Bronwen reconciles with the reality of her closet, Lauren shares wisdom gleaned from her evolving relationship with sustainability, reflecting on...
Do-Not-Resuscitate: A Matter of Life and Breath
March 08, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBHow much thought have you given to your end-of-life care? In this episode, Bronwen investigates the practicalities of the controversial advance directive known as the Do-Not-Resuscitate order. What does a DNR actually entail? Who makes the final call? What's the likelihood a life-saving method like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will actually work? To answer these questions (plus many more), Bronwen chats with an emergency medicine physician who deals with DNRs on a regular basis. ...
New Year's Resolutions: In One Year and Out the Other
January 19, 2022 16:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBDid you make a New Year’s resolution? In the pits of winter, millions of people hoping to leave their past failures behind them set a goal for themselves in the New Year – to be healthier and happier, to travel more and Instagram less, to spend more time with friends and family or to snag that promotion at work. But studies show only 8% of those who make New Year’s resolutions will actually be successful! So, what gives? Why do we make resolutions every January 1st? Why do most of us fai...
Rock, Paper, Scissors: I've Got Throws in Different Area Codes
December 21, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBRock, Paper, Scissors…shoot! Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) is an ancient game known around the world for the unambiguous rules: rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock. In this episode, Bronwen takes a multilevel look at this deceptively simple hand game, from a wacky, costumed subculture to the expensive world of high art, sociological commentary on sport to the dynamics maintaining nature’s biodiversity and beyond. As always, Bronwen engages in a philosophical inq...
Rock, Paper, Scissors: I've Got Throws in Different Area Codes
December 21, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBRock, Paper, Scissors…shoot! Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) is an ancient game known around the world for the unambiguous rules: rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock. In this episode, Bronwen takes a multilevel look at this deceptively simple hand game, from a wacky, costumed subculture to the expensive world of high art, sociological commentary on sport to the dynamics maintaining nature’s biodiversity and beyond. As always, Bronwen engages in a philosophical inq...
Rules of the Internet: Porn of Plenty
November 09, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBIn this episode, Bronwen explores the history and cultural significance of the so-called “Rules of the Internet,” a humorous, yet dated, list of axioms, catchphrases, and memes of what the internet is and how users should behave on it. Spawned by the infamous 4chan Image Board, these “rules” are not enforceable by any official authority. Rather, they were written as a parody, borrowing from the scientific definition of “rule” to make predictive observations about the phenomena that is our ...
Finders Keepers: The Claim Game
October 12, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBWe all know the rhyme: finders keepers, losers weepers. It ruled the playground, granting us permission to take ownership of lost property without having to deal with moral consequences. But this unwritten rule isn’t just a childhood relic—society historically has maintained its philosophy across every sector, including the legislation, technology, and the military. In this episode, Bronwen digs into the hypocrisies surrounding “finders keepers,” shedding light on the inherent conflict prese...
Pirate Code and Democracy: It Takes a Pillage
September 14, 2021 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWe owe the humble pirate a depth of gratitude. Sure, they terrorized the seas for hundreds of years—pillaging, plundering, raping, torturing, and murdering—but violent legacy aside, they gave us the foundation for democracy! In this episode, Bronwen uses historical record to contextualize pirate code, breaking down the complicated economic situations of the 17th and 18th century to find newfound empathy for these “ruthless barbarians.” Despite their lengthy criminal rap sheets, pirate...
COVID Rulebreakers: Masking for a Friend
August 31, 2021 06:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBTo mask, or not to mask, that is the question... In this episode, Bronwen tries to understand the reasons why people refuse to follow preventative measures to contain the coronavirus. By channeling her unconditional positive regard for the human condition, she looks at the situation from the "other side's" point of view. This takes her into an exploration of "rules philosophy," allowing her to ask: How do we choose which rules to follow? Why do we choose to follow them? Break them? Wha...
Warzone Etiquette: Please and Tank You
August 17, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBWhat are the do’s and don’ts of proper warfare? Just like hosting a formal dinner party, hostile conflict must be proper, well-planned, and scrupulously compliant with customary codes of behavior. In this episode, Bronwen is joined by Major General (R) Allen Harrell to discuss the strict rules of the battlefield—and the challenges presented by modern warfare. With historical analysis and anecdotal evidence, they tackle the rules that help nations balance military interests with the mor...
War Zone Etiquette: Please and Tank You
August 17, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBWhat are the do’s and don’ts of proper warfare? Just like hosting a formal dinner party, hostile conflict must be proper, well-planned, and scrupulously compliant with customary codes of behavior. In this episode, Bronwen is joined by Major General (R) Allen Harrell to discuss the strict rules of the battlefield—and the challenges presented by modern warfare. With historical analysis and anecdotal evidence, they tackle the rules that help nations balance military interests with the mor...
Sheepdogs and Robots: Sheep Thrillz
August 03, 2021 14:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBHow will sheepdogs save the world? In this episode, Bronwen explores the pastoral pastime of sheepdog trials (think Babe) and inadvertently stumbles into the complicated world of "swarm robotics." Long baffled by the sheepdog’s amazing ability to herd large flocks of unwilling sheep, scientists have finally discovered the "two rules" the sheepdog follows in this impressive, and age-old, practice of shepherding. Engineers, biologists, and physicists are now utilizing a model of this beh...
Cultural Orientation to Time: Clock-Blocked (Pt. 2)
July 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBWhen is it “appropriate” to move out of your parents’ house? Are you “behind” in life if you haven’t gotten married by the time you hit thirty? Why is it so hard to balance career and family, and what does it say about us if we can’t? In Part 2 of Clock-Blocked, Bronwen continues to examine how social rules are impacted by cultural orientation to time. Tackling a variety of time-related issues, like birthday depression, social clocks, motherhood, and how silence can be a useful “tool” to m...
Cultural Orientation to Time: Clock-Blocked (Pt. 1)
July 13, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBAre you always working “against the clock?” Do you prefer to “go with the flow?” Every society around the world has a unique perception of time — in some, “time is money,” life moves fast, and productivity is given priority over leisure. In others, time has no value beyond the present moment, so you should seize the day and enjoy it! Cultural orientation to the past, present, or future informs the way a society structures and organizes itself, laying the groundwork for the social rules...
The Golden Rule: The Flaw of Reciprocity
June 29, 2021 06:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBThe Golden Rule is widely accepted as the standard for ethical conduct. In Western society, it is often linked to Christianity, but its principle of treating one another with kindness is a tenet found in every religion and culture around the world. You’ve probably heard, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or “Do not do unto others as you don't want them to do unto you.” These two versions may seem like they’re saying the same thing, but the subtle difference in wording rev...
The Golden Rule
June 29, 2021 06:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBThe Golden Rule is widely accepted as the standard for ethical conduct. In Western society, it is often linked to Christianity, but its principle of treating one another with kindness is a tenet found in every religion and culture around the world. You’ve probably heard, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or “Do not do unto others as you don't want them to do unto you.” These two versions may seem like they’re saying the same thing, but the subtle difference in wording rev...
Murphy's Law
June 07, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBHave you ever had the experience where the worst possible thing happened at the worst possible moment and tried to find some solace in the words 'Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong?'. In today’s episode, our host Bronwen discusses Murphy’s Law, one of the most well-known and oft-quoted eponymous universal truths in popular culture. We explore the various origins of its central thesis and how it was popularized in the 1950s during a press conference. We examine how the Law’s prominen...
Murphy's Law: The Luck Stops Here
June 07, 2021 06:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBHave you ever had the experience where the worst possible thing happened at the worst possible moment and tried to find some solace in the words 'Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong?'. In today’s episode, our host Bronwen discusses Murphy’s Law, one of the most well-known and oft-quoted eponymous universal truths in popular culture. We explore the various origins of its central thesis and how it was popularized in the 1950s during a press conference. We examine how the Law’s prominen...
US Immigration
May 31, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBOne of the most controversial topics over the past few years has been immigration. The U.S immigration system is riddled with complexities, biases, blind spots, confusing criteria, and conflicts of morality. Rather than just sharing dull facts and figures, which don’t shed any light on the lived experience of what it is like to navigate this overwhelming system, we thought it best to humanize the topic. As an immigrant himself, today’s guest, Javier S., has in-depth knowledge on what it take...
US Immigration: Law & Border
May 31, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBOne of the most controversial topics over the past few years has been immigration. The U.S immigration system is riddled with complexities, biases, blind spots, confusing criteria, and conflicts of morality. Rather than just sharing dull facts and figures, which don’t shed any light on the lived experience of what it is like to navigate this overwhelming system, we thought it best to humanize the topic. As an immigrant himself, today’s guest, Javier S., has in-depth knowledge on what it take...
US Immigration: Law and Border
May 31, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBOne of the most controversial topics over the past few years has been immigration. The U.S immigration system is riddled with complexities, biases, blind spots, confusing criteria, and conflicts of morality. Rather than just sharing dull facts and figures, which don’t shed any light on the lived experience of what it is like to navigate this overwhelming system, we thought it best to humanize the topic. As an immigrant himself, today’s guest, Javier S., has in-depth knowledge on what it take...
Feng Shui
May 24, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBToday, we are talking feng shui and its perplexing rulebook of metaphysical measurements, methods, and machinations. Is feng shui just a fancy Chinese system used by western hipsters to make you feel dumb? No, but you would be forgiven for thinking that. Based on western tendencies to commodify objects, practices, and philosophies from other cultures and misuse or misrepresent their purpose, we’re all pretty misinformed about what feng shui actually is. The internet, with its DIYs and clickb...
Feng Shui: I Just Don't Know What to Do With My Shelf
May 24, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBToday, we are talking feng shui and its perplexing rulebook of metaphysical measurements, methods, and machinations. Based on Western tendencies to commodify objects, practices, and philosophies from other cultures, we’re all pretty misinformed about what feng shui actually is. The internet, with its DIYs and clickbait, spins this ancient Chinese practice as either magic or superstition, which it is not, or a kind of interior design, which it also is not. In this episode, Bronwen dives into...
Feng Shui: I Just Don't Know What to Do With My Shelf
May 24, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBToday, we are talking feng shui and its perplexing rulebook of metaphysical measurements, methods, and machinations. Based on Western tendencies to commodify objects, practices, and philosophies from other cultures, we’re all pretty misinformed about what feng shui actually is. The internet, with its DIYs and clickbait, spins this ancient Chinese practice as either magic or superstition, which it is not, or a kind of interior design, which it also is not. In this episode, Bronwen dives into...
Life in the US Army: Re-load and Re-tire
May 17, 2021 06:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBComing at you from the forward operating base that is her home office, Bronwen is joined today by the highly decorated Major General Allen Harrell. Now retired, he is an experienced commander, officer of intelligence, skilled infantryman, field artillerist, disposer of explosive ordinances, trained parachutist, and US Army Ranger School alum or, as Bronwen knows him best, her Uncle Allen. In the US Army, following the rules can be a matter of life and death, though some may strike the averag...
Life in the US Army
May 17, 2021 06:00 - 39 minutes - 26.8 MBComing at you from the forward operating base that is her home office, Bronwen is joined today by the highly decorated Major General Allen Harrell. Now retired, he is an experienced commander, officer of intelligence, skilled infantryman, field artillerist, disposer of explosive ordinances, trained parachutist, and US Army Ranger School alum or, as Bronwen knows him best, her Uncle Allen. In the US Army, following the rules can be a matter of life and death, though some may strike the averag...
The Five-Second Rule
May 09, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBThe “five-second rule” of food hygiene states that any food dropped on the floor is still safe to eat, provided that it is picked up within five seconds. Maybe you’re thinking that this common piece of playground wisdom is just a silly line of inquiry, but food safety is a major health burden in the United States. And this is a rule that people actually follow so, from a public health standpoint, it is important to know whether or not it holds any truth! In today’s episode, dedicated to all ...
The Five-Second Rule: Germs of Endearment
May 09, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBThe “five-second rule” of food hygiene states that any food dropped on the floor is still safe to eat, provided that it is picked up within five seconds. Maybe you’re thinking that this common piece of playground wisdom is just a silly line of inquiry, but food safety is a major health burden in the United States. And this is a rule that people actually follow so, from a public health standpoint, it is important to know whether or not it holds any truth! In today’s episode, dedicated to all ...
Ethical Therapy
May 03, 2021 06:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBAs open conversations around the topic of mental health become less stigmatized, it is also important to hear therapists’ points of view. In today’s episode, Madeline, Bronwen’s close friend who happens to be a therapist-in-training, joins us to talk about ethics and therapy. We hear about how Madeline’s own experience being in a treatment facility for an eating disorder inspired her to become a therapist. We then get into some of the ethics in the space, like having dual relationships, conf...
Therapy: When I Get That Feeling, I Want Ethical Healing
May 03, 2021 06:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBAs open conversations around the topic of mental health become less stigmatized, it is also important to hear therapists’ points of view. In today’s episode, Madeline, Bronwen’s close friend who happens to be a therapist-in-training, joins us to talk about ethics and therapy. We hear about how Madeline’s own experience being in a treatment facility for an eating disorder inspired her to become a therapist. We then get into some of the ethics in the space, like having dual relationships, conf...
Avoiding Kidnap: The Zip-Ties That Bind
April 26, 2021 06:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBDon’t talk to strangers. Don’t walk alone at night. Don’t accept rides from people you don’t know. Even if we follow these rules of personal safety, we are all still susceptible to abduction. In this episode, Bronwen looks at “rules” to follow domestically and abroad to avoid being kidnapped—and the “rules” of survival if you still are. Key Points From This Episode: Hear about Reddit and how it works. Kidnapping is a bigger issue than most of us probabl...
Avoiding Kidnap
April 26, 2021 06:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBAlthough none of us want to think about being kidnapped, it is a more common crime than many people realize. So, what can you do if you get kidnapped? In today’s episode, Bronwen shares some top tips on how you can be as safe as possible, along with how you can return safely if you have been kidnapped. Before this, however, we hear about the different types of kidnapping and the related motivations. In certain situations, like when you are traveling, you might be more susceptible to being ki...
Weather Warfare: Two’s Company, Three’s a Cloud
April 19, 2021 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBWeather modification might sound like a superpower a fictitious character may wield, but that is far from the case. Altering the weather is very much a human activity that has been used in a variety of ways. In today’s episode, we dive into weather modification and warfare, a topic Bronwen came across through lucky happenstance and fiber optic internet. We hear about The Geneva Conventions and the specific article that stipulates conditions around weather modification. The U.S. used weather ...
Weather Modification and Warfare
April 19, 2021 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBWeather modification might sound like a superpower a fictitious character may wield, but that is far from the case. Altering the weather is very much a human activity that has been used in a variety of ways. In today’s episode, we dive into weather modification and warfare, a topic Bronwen came across through lucky happenstance and fiber optic internet. We hear about The Geneva Conventions and the specific article that stipulates conditions around weather modification. The U.S. used weather ...
Phatic Communication
April 12, 2021 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBThe majority of conversations in Western culture start with, “Hello, how are you?” which is more often than not followed by, “Fine thanks and you?” Did you know that this pleasantry we so regularly exchange is called a phatic expression? These expressions are unwritten rules in our society which make social interactions easier, maintain communication, and actually serve to uphold our social reality. Although they are seemingly innocuous strings of words, phatic expressions can become points...
Meaningless Greetings: As a Matter of Phatic
April 12, 2021 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBDoes your Starbucks barista really care when she asks, "Hi, how are you today?" Do you really mean it when you say, "I'm fine." ? In this episode, Bronwen explores sidewalk psychology and the unwritten rules of meaningless conversation, also known as "phatic expressions." These seemingly innocuous strings of words make our social interactions easier, but with their wide variation across cultures, generations, and societies worldwide, they can also become points of contention. If yo...
Twitter Diplomacy (and Pumping Gas in Oregon)
April 09, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBWelcome to the first episode of Them’s the Rules, a show that reasons you have to know the rules in order to break them. In this episode, Bronwen sheds light on Oregon’s very specific gas pumping laws. As one of only two states in the country that does not allow people to pump their own gas, Oregonians are in a very unique position. We hear about some of the reasons behind the law and find out the reaction when these laws have been altered. Bronwen also talks about twiplomacy, explaining wha...
Twitter Diplomacy: Twiplomatic Immunity
April 09, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBWelcome to the first episode of Them’s the Rules, a show that reasons you have to know the rules in order to break them. In this episode, Bronwen sheds light on Oregon’s very specific gas pumping laws. As one of only two states in the country that does not allow people to pump their own gas, Oregonians are in a very unique position. We hear about some of the reasons behind the law and find out the reaction when these laws have been altered. Bronwen also talks about twiplomacy, explaining wha...