Explained (2018)

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

Last episode

Fairy Tales
Oct 15, 2021

Seasons

Sep 26, 2019

1. Cults

How do cults lure people in and exert control? Learn a cult’s telltale signs, and how loneliness and life online makes indoctrination easier than ever.

Oct 03, 2019

2. Billionaires

There are more billionaires than ever. But how does this vast accumulation of wealth affect the world? Mark Cuban and Bernie Sanders offer insights.

Oct 10, 2019

3. Animal Intelligence

What goes on inside an animal's mind? Figuring out how they think and feel might just be the key to understanding our own place in the world.

Oct 17, 2019

4. Athleisure

It began with bloomers. Then came spandex. Now we sport leggings and other activewear everywhere. How did comfy, casual clothing go mainstream?

Oct 24, 2019

5. Coding

Computer code now controls how we live. But how did these programming languages evolve? And how can they be used to build a new and better world?

Oct 31, 2019

6. Pirates

In pop culture, pirates are often depicted as booty-looting rogues, but their history is far more complicated. See how they became enemies of humanity.

Nov 07, 2019

7. The Next Pandemic

If you're not worried about a looming global pandemic, you probably should be. Are we prepared for an outbreak? Bill Gates and other experts weigh in.

Nov 14, 2019

8. The Future of Meat

The planet's current rate of meat consumption is unprecedented -- and becoming unsustainable. In the future, will meat alternatives be the answer?

Nov 21, 2019

9. Beauty

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what exactly makes things such as art and architecture aesthetically pleasing, and why do we like looking?

Nov 28, 2019

10. Diamonds

A diamond is forever. But why is that? Dig into how these mined pieces of carbon became both a status symbol and a sparkly sign of everlasting love.