Why do we stare at fire and other existential questions

It’s that time again when we open our mailbag to answer your (oh-so-delightful) questions. This time, we deliberate over what seagulls are doing so far from the sea, the reason that staring at fire is so compelling, why dogs kick up dirt after they poo, and other timeless inquiries.

Submit your own question (the weirder the better) on Instagram, via email at outsidein@nhpr.org, or by calling our Outside/Inbox hotline: 1-844-GO-OTTER. 

Question 1: Would ice age humans still think of ice as ‘cold?’

Question 2: Why do we like to stare at fire?

Question 3: Why do dogs scratch the ground after pooping?

Question 4: Shouldn’t seagulls be at sea? 

Question 5: Do animals get seasonal allergies?

Featuring: Rebecca Wragg Sykes, Susana Martinez-Conde, Frances Burton, Daniel Fessler, Kari Mcclanahan, Sarah Courchesne, Elia Tait Wojno, and Norma White-Weithers

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Campfire. Credit: Pasi Mämmelä (CC BY 2.0)

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CREDITS

Host: Nate Hegyi

Reported and produced by: Taylor Quimby & Felix Poon

Mixers: Taylor Quimby & Felix Poon

Editing by Taylor Quimby, Justine Paradis, and Rebecca Lavoie

Rebecca Lavoie is our Executive Producer

Music for this episode by Blue Dot Sessions, Felix Johansson Carne, Stationary Sign, Jules Gaia, Yomoti, and Flouw. 

Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

If you’ve got a question for the Outside/In[box] hotline, give us a call! We’re always looking for rabbit holes to dive down into. Leave us a voicemail at: 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837). Don’t forget to leave a number so we can call you back.

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