They surround us. They live in us. They are bacteria. Some cause diseases, others produce cheese. Yet, the majority of bacteria on our planet have not been identified. On this program, Jeffrey McLean discusses the genomic sequencing of this dark matter of life.
Cracking cheese, Gromit! … 
Ken Weiss has some of the most controversial samples in all of anthropology. Collected from the Yanomami by James Neel and Napolean Chagnon more than forty years ago, the samples have, for more than ten years, produced nothing but headaches for Dr. Weiss. On this episode, Dr. Weiss joined us to discuss the controversy surrounding these samples and to describe the enormous difficulty associated with returning these samples to the Yanomami.
Get him some Advil…
The rapid increases in the processing power of computers is heralding a brave new world where jobs will be completely automated. But, what will the economy of a future dominated by computers and robots be like? On this program, Kevin Drum discussed the economics of a robotic future.
Hasta la vista, baby…
The universe is a very large place and it often helps to have a guide. On this episode, Megan Watzke discussed a guide to the cosmos.
Mostly harmless?
Dinosaurs! Who doesn’t love them? But the dinosaurs of our childhood – the giant Brontosaurus, the spiky Stegosaurus, and the Godzilla-like Tyrannosaurus rex – have changed so much over the years. The Brontosaurus, for example, never actually existed, and T. Rex might have had feathers! On this episode, science writer Brian Switek discussed his new book, “My Beloved Brontosaurus: On the Road with Old Bones, New Science, and Our Favorite Dinosaurs.”
What about Barney?
Posted in episodes | Tags: Brian Switek, brontosaurus, dinosaurs, groks, paleontology, science
The natural disasters that small islands face are regarded as the canary in a coal mine on the issue of global climate change. Yet, progress towards international action moves at a glacial pace. On this program, John Hay discussed the importance small island countries and the respective roles of developed and developing countries.
No man is an island…
Posted in episodes | Tags: adaptation, climate change, ipcc, Resilience, small islands, uncertainty, UNFCC
Who doesn’t want to live a longer, healthier life? But what is the science behind the many different health fads, and what can a laboratory worm, the nematode, teach us about longevity? On this episode, Professor Ted Anton joins us to discuss his book, “The Longevity Seekers: Science, Business, and the Fountain of Youth.”
Where’s Ponce de Leon?
The alimentary canal is a structure that most would rather not explore to deeply, metaphorically or literally. On this program, Mary Roach discussed her adventures through the alimentary canal.
Gulp…
‘Based on a true story’ isn’t a phrase that only applies to books and movies. It also applies to our conceptions of the past. We’re constantly compelled to fit what we know, or think we know, about the past into some kind of narrative. Unfortunately, both those facts and that narrative are sometimes wrong. On this episode, Dr. Marlene Zuk joins us to discuss her book, Paleofantasies: What Evolution Really Tells Us About Sex, Diet, and How We Live.
It’s like Argo…
Posted in episodes | Tags: basic research, basic science, Brennan, crickets, diet, Ducks, evolution, groks, Marlene Zuk, paleo, paleofantasy, Patricia Brennan, persistence running, running, science, sex, technology, Zuk
Social networks can drive mass sharing of videos and unusual memes. But is it also a good way to mobilize masses of people from around the globe for a common cause? On this program, Alex Rutherford talks about his team’s study on locating balloons through the DARPA Network Challenge using social networks.
Welcome to the Social…
Posted in episodes | Tags: connectors, DARPA, six degrees, SNS, social
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