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Why This Exists

Why This Exists

By: Alex Harper
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About this listen

 Ever stopped and thought, “Why is this so complicated?” Why This Exists breaks down one everyday product, rule, or system per episode — whether it’s overdraft fees, airline miles, gym contracts, wedding pricing, or something else you’ve definitely complained about. We explain how these systems actually came to be, who they’re designed for, and why they still work the way they do. If you've got a frustration you'd like us to unpack, please drop us a comment!Alex Harper Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why Do We Care About What Strangers Think?

    Why Do We Care About What Strangers Think?
    Jan 26 2026

    It feels irrational — until you notice how often a stranger’s glance can stick with you.
    In this episode of Why This Exists, we unpack why we care what strangers think, how this instinct evolved, and why our brains still treat social judgment like a survival threat.
    Along the way, a few surprising facts make this very human habit feel a lot more logical — and a little easier to laugh at.
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    13 mins
  • Why Is Taylor Swift Everywhere?

    Why Is Taylor Swift Everywhere?
    Jan 25 2026

    Taylor Swift didn’t just become famous — she built one of the most powerful cultural machines of the last 20 years.
    This episode looks at how her career was constructed, why her audience became so loyal, and how the system around her rewards that scale.
    The result is less pop-star mythology and more strategy, timing, and leverage.
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    13 mins
  • Why Does Wimbledon Get All This Attention?

    Why Does Wimbledon Get All This Attention?
    Jan 24 2026

    It looks like just tennis on grass — until the whole world stops to watch.
    In this episode of Why This Exists, we unpack why Wimbledon Championships became the most prestigious tournament in tennis, how its traditions stuck, and who benefits from the exclusivity.
    Along the way, a few surprising facts turn strawberries, white outfits, and rain delays into something far more meaningful.
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    13 mins
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