Déjà Vu, Counting Birds & The Scent of Fear

Your brain glitches, pigeons outsmarting toddlers, and why terror has a smell—three bizarre facts you didn’t know you needed today!

Max Whitt
February 22, 2025

Why does déjà vu feel like a glitch in the matrix? Can birds actually count? And why does fear have a scent? Buckle up—this one’s a ride.

Ever had that eerie feeling that you’ve been in a moment before, even though you know you haven’t? That’s déjà vu—a brain glitch so weird that even scientists can’t fully explain it.
One theory? Your brain processes a new experience twice by accident—once quickly and then again a split-second later—making it feel like a memory. Another idea is that déjà vu happens when your brain recognizes something familiar but can’t quite place it, like mistaking a stranger for an old friend.
So, next time it happens, don’t panic—you haven’t time-traveled (probably).
🔹 Takeaway: Your brain is just a highly sophisticated (and occasionally buggy) piece of software.

If you ever thought birds were all fluff and no brains, think again—some species can actually count.
Studies show that crows, parrots, and even pigeons can understand basic math concepts, distinguish different quantities, and sometimes even outperform toddlers in number-based tasks. In fact, crows can recognize numbers up to five and use this skill to decide how much effort to put into searching for food.
So, while you’re struggling with mental math, just remember—there’s a pigeon out there that might be better at it than you.
🔹 Takeaway: Next time you see a bird staring at you, assume it’s calculating something.

Turns out, you can quite literally smell fear.
Scientists discovered that when humans feel intense fear, their bodies release specific chemical compounds through sweat. When someone else smells these “fear signals,” their own brain activates a fear response, sometimes making them more anxious without even realizing why.
This is why, in horror movies, when one person freaks out, the whole group follows—it’s basic biology.
🔹 Takeaway: If you ever feel nervous for no reason, blame someone else’s sweat.

From brain glitches to math-savvy birds and fear you can sniff out, today’s facts prove that science is both weird and wonderful.

Stay curious, stay skeptical, and if you ever feel a sudden wave of anxiety in a crowd—maybe move upwind.

Yours in delightful discovery,

— Max Whitt🎩🌀🐦😱