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    Selects: How Perfume Works

    enJanuary 07, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Unique experiences with the Capital One Venture X Card and the new Hyundai Santa FeThe Capital One Venture X Card offers unlimited miles on everyday purchases and premium travel benefits, while the new Hyundai Santa Fe provides a spacious and capable vehicle for family adventures. Both can create lasting memories.

      Both the Capital One Venture X Card and the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe offer unique experiences. The Venture X Card allows users to earn unlimited miles on everyday purchases and enjoy premium travel benefits, transforming ordinary trips into extraordinary ones. On the other hand, the Santa Fe provides a spacious and capable vehicle for family adventures, enabling memorable weekend getaways. Meanwhile, in a lighter moment during an episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts discussed the origins of perfume names, specifically Drakkar Noir. They learned that Drakkar, meaning Viking ship, and Noir, meaning black, could be interpreted as a black yacht. This discovery led to a discussion about the evocative power of scents and the nostalgia they can evoke. Although the hosts couldn't find the specific bottle of Drakkar Noir that had been kept for decades, they acknowledged that perfumes and colognes can go bad if not stored properly. However, they also emphasized that the potency of these fragrances doesn't necessarily decrease over time. In essence, both the Capital One Venture X Card and the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe offer unique experiences that can create lasting memories, while the world of perfumes and colognes holds the power to transport us back in time through the scents we wear.

    • From covering up animal sacrifices to enhancing personal scentsPerfume evolved from a substance used to mask unpleasant smells to a product applied for attractiveness, with a history dating back to ancient civilizations. It's derived from various sources and comes in many everyday items, requiring proper storage to maintain quality.

      Perfume, which originally was used to cover up the smell of animal sacrifices, has evolved into a product used to enhance and change personal scents, often for the purpose of attracting sexual or romantic interest. Perfume can be derived from various sources, including plants and animals, and has a history dating back to ancient civilizations. The distinction between perfume and odor lies in the fact that perfume is a substance that is extracted and applied, while odor is the natural scent produced by a substance. Some early perfume ingredients came from animal scent glands, and while perfume's primary use may not always be sexual, these historical roots have influenced its association with attractiveness. Perfume is present in many everyday items, and it's important to store it properly to maintain its quality. Overall, perfume is a fascinating and historically significant product with a rich and varied history.

    • Natural wonders in perfumeryNatural wonders like squid beaks and sperm whale ambergris are used in perfumery as fixatives and essential components, while some prefer natural scents over synthetic ones.

      The natural world can be full of surprising and seemingly incongruous elements, such as a squid's hard beak or a sperm whale's production of ambergris, which is now believed to be excreted rather than vomited up. These natural wonders have found their way into various industries, including perfumery, where they serve as fixatives and other essential components. Despite the synthetic nature of most perfumes on the market, some people prefer natural scents and avoid chemical products as much as possible. The perfume industry, with its long history and unique microclimates, has played a significant role in the extraction and utilization of natural odorant molecules from plants for various uses beyond traditional perfume.

    • The history of perfume and leather productionPerfume's origins lie in masking leather scents, leading to Grasse, France as the perfume capital. Not all smell molecules have a scent, and individual variations in odorant receptors impact perception. Perfume industry aims for widely appealing scents, but some embrace unique, niche options.

      The history of perfume is deeply interconnected with the history of leather production, with the use of essential oils to mask unpleasant leather scents leading to the rise of Grasse, France, as the perfume capital of the world. Another key point is that while perfume is made up of alcohol, water, and smell molecules, not all molecules have a scent and some odorants may not be detected by everyone. Additionally, the perfume industry faces the challenge of creating scents that are pleasing to a large and diverse population, with differences in odorant receptors contributing to individual variations in scent perception. The industry generally aims to create popular, widely appealing scents to maximize sales, but some perfumers are embracing unique and niche scents that cater to specific tastes. Overall, the history and science of perfume involve a complex interplay of cultural, historical, and biological factors.

    • Marilyn Monroe's Endorsement Boosted Chanel No. 5's PopularityMarilyn Monroe's mention of Chanel No. 5 in an interview boosted its popularity in the 1950s. Perfume oils, historically used in perfumes, have varying concentrations and categorizations like floral, fruity, green, woody, amber, and musk.

      The popularity of perfumes, specifically Chanel No. 5, can be influenced by cultural icons and societal norms. Chanel No. 5 was created in the 1920s but gained significant popularity in the 1950s after Marilyn Monroe mentioned it in an interview. Perfume oils, which are highly concentrated, make up a significant portion of the product, with different types having varying percentages. Historically, there were no gender differences in perfumes, but societal constructs have led to the belief that certain scents are masculine or feminine. There are various categorizations for perfumes, including floral, fruity, green, woody, amber, and even bodily smells like musk. The popularity of certain perfumes can ebb and flow based on cultural trends and societal norms.

    • Exploring Unique Scents in Perfume Industry and Kid-Safe Social MediaStay updated on industry innovations, from perfume's unpleasant top notes to kid-safe social media and advanced website design systems.

      The perfume industry uses various categories and molecules to create unique scents, some of which may contain unpleasant notes to attract customers. Musk is a well-known category, and there's even a popular perfume called "Obsession" that contains fecal notes. The top notes, which are the initial scents, can be unpleasant but wear off quickly. The main categories include oriental, amber and spice, phenolic, lactonic, and aldehydic. Another interesting topic discussed was Zigazoo, a social media network designed specifically for kids. It's a safe platform where kids can upload content, create videos, and interact with friends without any commenting, text messaging, or exposure to bots or trolls. Lastly, Squarespace's Fluid Engine was highlighted as a next-generation website design system that makes it easy for anyone to create and customize websites. It offers features like best-in-class website templates, drag-and-drop technology, and an asset library to manage content. Overall, the discussion touched upon various topics, from the perfume industry and social media to website design and hiring professionals. The key takeaway is that there's always something new and innovative happening in different industries, and it's essential to stay informed and adapt to change.

    • The Art of Creating a Symphony for the Senses with PerfumesPerfumes are blends of various scents diluted by alcohol, releasing complex top, heart, and base notes over time. Individual scent perception varies, making each fragrance experience unique.

      Perfumes are carefully designed blends of various scents, with muskrat, anal gland, and other ingredients being the base. The alcohol in perfumes serves a crucial role by diluting the concentrated scent and releasing it in a specific order, creating a symphony-like experience for the senses. Each perfume consists of top, heart, and base notes that unfold over time, allowing for a complex and evolving fragrance experience. However, the same perfume can smell differently on each person due to unique odor receptors and individual encoding of scents. Perfume creation is a delicate balancing act, with each scent coming and going at specific times, much like a symphony. Interestingly, some perfumes may include unpleasant top notes to grab attention in stores.

    • The Connection Between Scent, Brain, and IndividualityUnderstanding the connection between scent, brain, and individuality is crucial in creating an appealing perfume. Apply perfume to pulse points for optimal scent release and consider target audience's preferences.

      Our sense of smell is deeply connected to our brain and unique to each person due to individual body chemistry. The way we apply perfume can significantly impact the experience of its scent. Warm areas of the body like behind the ears and wrists, which are pulse points, are ideal for application as they provide enough heat to release the top notes without generating excessive friction or heat. The discovery that our brain may have evolved from olfactory buds further emphasizes the importance of smell. When creating a perfume, it's essential to consider who the target audience is and what scent profile will appeal to them. For instance, Tom Ford's successful perfume, Black Orchid, was inspired by the idea of capturing the scent of a man's crotch. Ultimately, the art of perfumery lies in understanding the connection between scent, brain, and individuality, and creating an experience that resonates with people.

    • From Perfume Brief to MarketA perfume's journey from a concept to a marketed product involves detailed analysis, collaboration between various experts, and the use of advanced technology.

      Creating a perfume involves a detailed and intricate process. Perfume briefs describe the desired scent and emotion, which are then sold to fragrance houses. These houses employ chemists, perfumers, and analysts who use gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze natural scents or create synthetic versions. The chemists then build synthetic molecules based on these analyses. Natural scents can be obtained through traditional methods or through headspace technology, which captures and analyzes the scent of a substance over time. All these people and processes work together to bring a perfume from concept to market.

    • Creating a perfume: Art and ScienceThe process of creating a perfume involves a complex blend of art and science, with perfume houses submitting options and brands selecting the winning formula, keeping the exact concoction a secret.

      Creating a perfume involves a complex process of identifying unique head spaces, analyzing essential oils, and undergoing numerous rounds of testing and adjustments to create a desirable scent. Perfume houses submit multiple fragrance options to brands like Polo, who then select the winning formula. The winning perfume is then produced in large quantities and released to the market, with the perfumer often keeping the exact concoction a secret. The science of scent plays a crucial role in this process, as does the appeal to the target demographic. It's a fascinating blend of art and science. Additionally, it's important to note that perfume knock-offs and clones are common in the industry, making it essential for brands to differentiate themselves through unique scents.

    • Safety and Fun in Digital World for Kids and Simple Pleasures in Perfume, Finances, and MusicFind joy and express yourself through safe digital experiences for kids, the simple pleasure of scent in perfumes, maximizing returns with automated finances, and exploring enduring music through podcasts.

      Safety and fun come hand in hand in the digital world for kids, as exemplified by the KidSafe Kappa certified Zigazoo app. Meanwhile, the world of perfume is a complex mix of personal preferences, societal influences, and age-related motivations. Young men may wear perfume to attract women, older men out of gratitude, and women in their 20s inspired by friends and media. As women age, they become more confident in their choices, basing their decisions on their personal liking. Celebrities like Beyonce and Sarah Jessica Parker have top-selling perfumes, appealing to different demographics. Ultimately, it's about finding joy and expressing oneself through the simple pleasure of scent. In the financial realm, Betterment offers an automated investing and savings app that maximizes returns while minimizing effort. Your money works hard for you, earning high yields, being diversified, and optimized for tax efficiency. This way, you can enjoy your free time and let your money hustle for you. In the realm of music, the 500 Greatest Songs podcast explores the greatest songs ever made and the factors that make them so enduring. From classic hits like Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" to modern classics like The Killers' "Mr. Brightside," these songs continue to resonate with listeners and stand the test of time.

    • Our scent preferences are largely learned through experiences and cultural associationsPreferences for certain smells are not innate but learned through experiences and cultural influences

      Our preferences for certain smells are largely learned through experiences and cultural associations, rather than being innate. For example, babies don't have an inherent preference for or against smells, and the same scent can be preferred or disliked in different cultures. This is known as the associative learning hypothesis. Even the military has struggled to create a universally hated smell for use as a stink bomb due to cultural differences in scent preferences. Rachel Hertz, a researcher in this field, has written extensively on this topic and provides compelling evidence for the learned nature of our scent preferences.

    • Our preferences and aversions to smells are shaped by both innate and learned responses.Smells can trigger both innate and learned responses, shaping our preferences and aversions. For example, natural odors like fruit scents may have survival benefits, while learned associations can impact attraction to certain scents.

      The smell of certain substances, whether it be a stink bomb or natural odors like poop or vomit, can have both an innate and learned response. From an evolutionary perspective, our ancestors may have developed a preference for certain smells, such as the scent of ripe fruit, to help them survive. Conversely, they may have avoided obnoxious smells as a way to avoid disease and bacteria. However, research suggests that associative learning also plays a role in our preferences and aversions to certain smells. For example, women have been found to rate a man's scent as the number one factor in attractiveness, possibly due to the immune system benefits of selecting a mate with a different immune system. However, the use of cologne or other artificial scents can confuse this natural drive and potentially reduce the benefits. Additionally, there is no scientific proof that specific compounds can act as aphrodisiacs or sexual attractants, as humans do not have the specialized organs found in some animals to detect pheromones. Overall, the complex relationship between our senses and the smells we encounter is shaped by both innate and learned responses.

    • Experiences with strong perfumes and Nostradamus prophecy connectionShare perfume preferences, engage with podcast, explore Zigazoo for kids, listen to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs podcast, enjoy Discover credit card benefits

      The speaker has had experiences with strong perfumes in enclosed spaces, often leading to noticeable reactions. He also shared a listener's interpretation of a Nostradamus prophecy, connecting it to the popular song "Gangnam Style" and a predicted end of the world. The speaker encouraged listeners to share their perfume preferences and invited them to engage with the podcast through various channels. Additionally, he mentioned a social media platform called Zigazoo, which is designed for kids and offers moderated content and privacy protections. Lastly, he promoted the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs podcast and highlighted Discover's credit card benefits, emphasizing their commitment to making everyone feel special.

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