*By Alisha Haridasani*
It’s the most divisive question since the blue and black dress (or was it white and gold?!): Do you hear Yanny or Laurel?
Technically, the answer is "Laurel." But some people swear it's "Yanny."
The question, which is ripping the internet apart, revolves around an audio clip [reportedly](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/science/yanny-laurel.html) posted on Reddit by a student who found it on a vocabulary website when researching a school project under the word "laurel." The clip went viral, leaving many listeners questioning what they heard ー and maybe their sanity.
The discrepancy in what people hear could be due to circumstance, said Brad Story, professor of speech, language, and hearing at the University of Arizona.
“It really is going to depend on the information that you have in terms of your bias toward listening to it at that moment in time," said Story. "That’s what we call ‘top-down information’ ー trying to make sense of any kind of pattern that's present.”
The two words share very similar acoustic characteristics that your brain could selectively hear it one way or the other, he said.
The bass, frequency, and volume of the audio clip can also influence what someone hears. Some people posted videos on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JFLivesay/status/996585941241401346) where the audio levels were adjusted, changing how the clip could be heard.
So, whatever the *technical* answer to the question is, in reality, it can be both.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/yanny-vs-laurel).
NASA is partnering with an unlikely organization for one of its newest experiments ー The Michael J. Fox Foundation. NASA is planning on growing crystals out of the proteins that are likely connected to Parkinson's disease. Sarah Lewin, associate editor at Space.com, told Cheddar that growing the crystals in space will give scientists more information on the proteins and hopefully lead to a breakthrough in curing Parkinson's.
The burgeoning sport of drone racing is about to go autonomous. The professional Drone Racing League is preparing to launch a circuit for A.I. drones to compete against one another ー and, eventually, against human-controlled drones. Nicholas Horbaczewski, the founder and CEO of the DRL, previewed the new circuit in an interview on Cheddar Wednesday.
Tony Steuer, author of "Get Ready!,' spoke with Cheddar about his best tips on making a financial first-aid kit in the case of emergencies.
A new dog owner can expect to spend more than $14,000 over the course of their pet's life ー and that's just for routine care. Kelsey Sheehy, a staff writer for NerdWallet, broke down the high cost of owning a pet in an interview on Cheddar Wednesday.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.
The California wildfires continue to devastate neighborhoods and towns in its path, and many celebrities have been the victim of these relentless fires. Elizabeth Wagmeister, co-host Page Six TV and Senior Correspondent at Variety, joined Cheddar to discuss how celebrities have been reacting and how individuals are giving back.
Six months after giving birth to a baby boy, former American Idol Jordin Sparks is re-introducing fitness into her daily routine. The "No Air" singer shared her tips with Cheddar on Tuesday for getting motivated to get in shape post-baby.
When Stephanie Cartin and Courtney Spritzer co-founded Socialfly in 2011 as an agency for the social media age, Instagram was in its infancy. Today, Instagram is joining the burgeoning field of social commerce, which is changing the way people shop online. But there's a lot to know before you jump in. Cartin told Cheddar what she tells her clients who are looking to build an e-commerce store using Instagram.
E-cigarette maker Juul announced new concessions to limit rampant teen vaping on Tuesday ー including pulling certain products from stores and abandoning social media feeds ー in the face of increasing pressure from the FDA and anti-smoking groups.
Trendy beverage maker Dirty Lemon may have halted production of its CBD-infused drink due to legal concerns, but CEO Zak Normandin insisted the company isn't otherwise slowing down or playing it safe. Rather, it is working to expand the brand's physical presence and develop new products.
