The Gist

Awk-ward!

Why does awkwardness make us so uncomfortable?

Chris Johnson of the Houston Astros attempts a high-five with teammate Jose Altuve on Sept. 22, 2011 in Houston.

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Listen to Episode 763 of Slate’s The Gist:

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You’re awkward, but maybe not in the way you think. Psychologist Ty Tashiro explains the hallmarks of social awkwardness, why we’re sensitive to it, and why it’s not such a bad thing. Tashiro is the author of Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome.

In the Spiel, more on Donald Trump’s dear leader Cabinet meeting.

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