History 101 : Season 2

Once a secret military program, GPS now guides our daily lives, from providing directions to finding friends. But what do we trade for this convenience?

MP3s

22 min

MP3s transformed how we listen to music — and spawned digital piracy. Streaming helped the industry recover, but how can artists get their fair share?

Credit Cards

21 min

Credit cards changed the global economy and attitudes about personal spending, but record levels of consumer debt beg the question: Just who's in charge?

Psychedelics

24 min

Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic drugs could treat brain injuries and psychological problems. But can we get past their controversial history?

Bottled Water

22 min

Bottled water is a big business, selling itself as a tastier and healthier alternative to the tap variety. Is there truth behind the claims?

Dating Apps

23 min

Thanks to dating apps, finding love is easier than ever. But are we now so focused on playing the game that we're missing out on real connection?

Lasers

23 min

They're used for everything from entertainment to medicine — and now for weapons straight out of science fiction. Have lasers become too hot to handle?

Home Workouts

22 min

The home fitness revolution has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry. Are home workouts a healthy habit... or just hype?

IVF

24 min

A groundbreaking medical reproductive procedure has made parenthood possible for millions around the world... but at what cost?

High Fructose Corn Syrup

23 min

Sweet deal or bitter pill? High fructose corn syrup rose up to dominate supermarket shelves, but what is it doing to our health?