THE WHY
A fortnightly email where Dan answers your curly questions about peculiar human behaviours.
The Why #76: Why do I feel compelled to check out the menu before I go to a new restaurant?
It seems we’ve been on a one-way mission to remove any mystery from our lives.
The Why #75: Why do unfinished DIY projects do my head in?
I’d also be annoyed about semi-trimmed hedges, half built cubby houses and unfinished fences.
The Why #74: Why is car insurance a no-brainer while health insurance is so-so?
How is it that safeguarding a metal box outranks safeguarding our bodies and minds (AKA the thing that operates the metal box)?
The Why #73: Why do people on Marketplace expect me to pay so much for their junk?
Don’t waste your time asking for a small discount in light of that unfortunate stain…
The Why #72: Why do people assume I agree with their ridiculous opinions?
Do you and I just have faces that scream ‘tell me your ideas because we’ll probably agree’? Or is it actually everybody else who’s seemingly lost the plot?
The Why #71: Why did I just pay $18 for chutney at a Farmers Market?
Is it simply the wholesome vibes, complete with faint wafts of manure coaxing us to spend?
The Why #69: Why do barbeque Dads and TikTok Teens love New Balance?
The iconic ‘N’ started showing up everywhere; from backyard family get-togethers at midday, to the hottest night spots after midnight.
The Why #68: Why did my terrible return flight taint my whole holiday?
Let me guess… the redeye back from Bali has got you feeling more exhausted than before you left?
The Why #67: Why does it feel like everyone is in Europe right now?
Because they are Charlie, at least according to Insta.
The Why #66: Why does it always feel like my presentation was a disaster?
The question is, was it really THAT bad, or is there something bigger at play?
The Why #65: “Why do people leave their valuables on the beach when they swim?”
What is it about the beach that makes us abandon our sensibilities (and deep-seeded trust issues)?
The Why #64: Why on earth would anyone pay for a brand’s ‘Mystery Box’?
I take it Marcus, that you’re not a gambling man.
The Why #63: Why are there so many self-help books and podcasts?
Whether you’ve been scouring the shelves for a new book or scrolling through podcast recommendation lists looking for a fix, it’s hard to escape the self-help avalanche.
The Why #62: Why does every home reno go over time and over budget?
In reality, we’re doomed before we even begin.
The Why #61: Why do I over pack every time I go on a holiday?
Just to end up wear the same damn linen shorts, day in and day out.
The Why #60: Why do we hate flying when it’s actually a modern miracle?
If our dear cave ancestors could see us now, they’d wonder how it all went so wrong!
The Why #59: Why do we sweat over rubbish like MAFS when there are bigger issues happening in the world?
I truly believe that that one guy with the bad tattoos and the woman with the weird smile are made for one another.
The Why #58: Why did you write a book?
A book? Me? I really wasn't going to bring it up, but since you've asked, let me explain.
The Why #57: Why does everyone keep saying that ChatGPT is the start of the AI apocolypse?
If there’s one thing we love, it’s an incoming apocalypse.If I was writing this email in 1436, it’d be all about the printing press.