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Science Within Folklore

"Aunt Tiger" is a common Taiwanese folk story that causes terrible nightmares for children. Parents love the educational value, so they have created different versions of the bedtime stories. But since there are no tigers endemic to Taiwan, where does the story come from? Are you curious about the

07:54
Science Within Folklore: Ground Buffalo
Here in Taiwan, when someone says, "the Ground Buffalo is rolling over," it means an earthquake is happening. But why a Ground Buffalo?
08:01
Science Within Folklore: Water Ghost
During the 7th month of the lunar calendar, adults usually tell children not to go near rivers or the sea and to avoid risky, water-related activities because evil ghosts might try
06:52
Science Within Folklore: Human-faced Fish
A popular Taiwanese ghost tale in the 1990s told the story of a Taiwan tilapia that possessed the face of an old woman. A group caught, grilled, and ate the fish, but afterward, ev
07:29
Science Within Folklore: Séance
Is there a scientific explanation for a séance? Are science and séance even remotely related? Participants in a Taiwanese séance are blindfolded. Many will see small dots of light
07:14
Science Within Folklore: Shoujing
When your soul is startled, a cleansing ritual is needed to calm it. "Shoujing" is a common Taiwanese folk ritual used to relax a child after a frightening experience. Conventional
06:47
Science Within Folklore: Aunt Tiger
"Aunt Tiger" is a common Taiwanese folk story that causes terrible nightmares for children. Parents love the educational value, so they have created different versions of the bedti
06:08
Science Within Folklore: Ghost Oppression
Have you ever found yourself unable to move your limbs or speak when you wake up late at night? It feels like your body is pinned to the bed. Taiwanese people refer to this situati
06:43
Science Within Folklore: Zombie
Are zombies real? The answer might surprise you. There sure are "zombies" in nature. In this episode, we examine a zombie fungus, the cycle of how insects become zombies, and an il