Science(ish)

8: Episode 100: The Invisible Man Mar 06, 2020

Will we ever be able to turn invisible? The idea of magically disappearing has fascinated humanity for centuries. Once dismissed as impossible, a promising new wave of technologies could bring this dream one step closer to reality. Rick and Michael wrap up in bandages and plunge into HG Wells’ seminal work: The Invisible Man.

Featuring Professor Sir John Pendry

Produced by Eli Block

Sources: http://bit.ly/Scienceish_The_Invisible_Man_Sources

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7: Dark Waters Feb 28, 2020

Have we all been poisoned? PFAS chemicals are all around us and almost certainly in your blood. But just how worried should we be? Michael sits down with Mark Ruffalo and Rob Bilott to talk about the shocking true story behind Dark Waters.

Link to Rob Bilott’s excellent book: bit.ly/Rob_Bilott_Exposure

Sources: bit.ly/Scienceish_Dark_Waters_Sources

Produced by Eli BlockAssistant Producer: Holly Aquilina

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6: Robocop Feb 21, 2020

Will we inevitably all become Cyborgs? More than ever, we’re hearing from Silicon Valley types that humans are going to need to merge with machines. But just what would our augmented future look like? Rick and Michael plug in to the techno-dystopian classic Robocop to find out whether we’ll radically alter our bodies or risk being left behind.

Featuring: Professor Kevin Warwick

Produced by Eli Block and Ivor Manley

Sources: http://bit.ly/Scienceish_Robocop_Sources

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5: Silence of The Lambs Feb 14, 2020

Why aren’t there more cannibals? Through the unforgettable horror of Silence Of The Lambs, Rick and Michael discover that eating your own has all sorts of surprising evolutionary benefits. So why have humans (for the most part) given it up? Time to settle back with some fava beans and a nice Chianti… fffthff..fftsf.ffthf...

Featuring Bill Schutt - billschutt.com

Sources: http://bit.ly/Silence_Of_The_Lambs_Sources

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4: Star Wars Dec 20, 2019

Is the Force a real thing? Michael takes Rick on a mind bending tour through a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars! Crucial questions will be answered: did Luke Skywalker get his powers from a parasite? Can we use quantum entanglement to summon a lightsaber? Did George Lucas cheat on his homework? All will be revealed...

Featuring: Patrick Johnson

Sources: http://bit.ly/StarWars_Sources

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3: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Dec 13, 2019

Looking to escape to another reality? Why not try a virtual one? In this episode Rick and Michael get sucked into the world of Jumanji, as they pose the question on everybody's mind's right now, "could we ever live in a game?" Whether it's digital forest bathing, VR experiences for Cockroaches or turning ourselves into inanimate objects, no virtual stone will be left unturned. Featuring: Professor Bob Stone

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2: Game Of Thrones (Live) Dec 06, 2019

Rick and Michael go full Westeros at a special live show from the Underbelly comedy festival. So, could you really build an Ice Wall that big without using magic? Could a Dragon really fly and breathe fire? And the big one - just how bad is incest really? Come and find out!

Featuring: Prof Alan Bittles and Mike Habib

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1: Jaws Nov 29, 2019

Is there such a thing as a perfect predator? Rick and Michael kick off Season 5 with the mother of all blockbusters, Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece Jaws. From a deep dive into the evolution of predation, to a nasty encounter with Free Willy, the boys discover that when it comes to being a killer, size isn’t everything.

Featuring: Dr Lauren Sallan

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12: History of the World: Part 1 Mar 21, 2019

How much does Geography inform History? Why did humanity first emerge where it did? What influence do ancient rock formations have on U.S politics? In the final episode of the season, Rick and Michael try to answer all this and more, diving into Mel Brooks’ History of the World: Part 1.

Featuring: Lewis Dartnell

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11: Deadpool Mar 14, 2019

Will we ever be able to regrow limbs? The more we learn about the incredible regenerative abilities of salamanders and planarian worms, the closer we come to coaxing our bodies into repairing any injury. Through Marvel’s Deadpool, Rick and Michael tackle the growing field of regenerative medicine.

Featuring: Prof Michael Levin

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10: Inside Out Mar 08, 2019

Personality testing is a multi-billion dollar industry. But how reliable are assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator? Can we really find out which Lord of the Rings character Michael is? Rounding off our animated classics trilogy of animated classics, the lads jump into Pixar’s Inside Out.

Featuring: Dr Merve Emre

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9: Antz Feb 28, 2019

Does nature prefer hierarchy? When we look out into nature, we see hierarchical systems everywhere. Is it inevitable that humans follow suit? The lads dive into the 1998 animation Antz to find out why these systems evolved and more importantly, how wrong Jordan Peterson actually is.

Featuring: Prof Adam Hart

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8: WALL-E Feb 22, 2019

Every year we produce over 2 billion tonnes of waste. That figure is only going up. Never before has the question been more pressing: what should we do with all our stuff? From atop a giant pile of broken printers, Rick and Michael discuss Pixar’s 2008 masterpiece WALL-E.

Featuring: Prof Margaret Bates

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7: Geostorm Feb 14, 2019

What if we could control the weather? Inspired by the futuristic disaster film Geostorm, the boys delve into the contentious field of geoengineering. Can or should we tinker with the Earth’s climate to mitigate the risks of runaway climate change? What if we have no other choice?

Featuring: Prof David Keith

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6: Icarus Feb 07, 2019

When Bryan Fogel’s 2017 docu-thriller Icarus exposed Russia's Olympic doping programme, it sent shockwaves through the sports community. This week the boys explore the long and bizarre history of doping in sport and the perpetual arms race between the dopers looking for a little extra boost and the scientists trying to catch them.

Featuring: Professor Chris Cooper

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5: Dante's Peak Jan 31, 2019

Without volcanoes there would be no life on Earth. But just how afraid of supervolcanoes - like the one in Yellowstone National Park - should we be? Inspired by 90s disaster movie Dante’s Peak, the boys explore just how bad it could get for humanity and, of course, for Pierce Brosnan.

Featuring: Dr Michael Poland

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4: Westworld Dec 20, 2018

What better way to kick off Christmas than a deep dive into the ethics of sex robots? Exploring the science and pitfalls of dystopian drama Westworld, the boys sit down with renowned computer scientist Kate Devlin to discuss her new book ‘Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots.’

Featuring: Kate Devlin

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3: Blindness Dec 14, 2018

Could we be on the cusp of eradicating vision loss? Through the 2008 epidemic thriller ‘Blindness’, the boys explore the mind-boggling complexity of the eye and the conditions that led to its evolution in the animal kingdom. With tens of millions of people around the world affected by vision loss, a wave of promising new technologies has raised hopes of restoring sight to those left in the dark.

Featuring: Samantha De Silva

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2: Moonraker Dec 06, 2018

With the declaration of Trump’s ‘Space Force’, the domain of space is ever closer to becoming a new and potentially terrifying theatre of war. Through the Roger Moore classic Moonraker, the boys examine our reliance on vulnerable satellites and the ramifications of asteroid mining, whilst enjoying a martini or two.

Featuring: Joan Johnson-Freese.

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1: Fight Club Nov 29, 2018

To kick off Series 4, Michael asked Rick to hit him as hard as he can… with knowledge! Through the Brad Pitt/Ed Norton classic Fight Club, the boys dive headfirst into the uncomfortable world of pain research. From the world’s most painful ailments, to the fascinating history of pain relief and the devastating impact of chronic conditions, we explore what makes pain so vital to the human journey.

Featuring: Professor Irene Tracey

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33: Is LIGO right? Nov 02, 2018

The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics went to ‘a discovery that shook the world’, gravitational waves. These were detected by the LIGO experiment, a century after Einstein first predicted them. But behind the celebration, another story has been brewing which calls into question the science beneath the headlines. Might LIGO have got it wrong? Enter Science(ish)’s very own Dr Michael Brooks.

Featuring: Dr Andrew Jackson

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32: First Man Oct 19, 2018

Just 66 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight, humans somehow managed to put a man on the moon. How did this happen? In this bonus episode, the boys mark the release of the film First Man by delving into the perilous science behind the original moon shot. From conspiracies to canine cosmonauts, Science(ish) brings it all down to Earth for you - and with unique insight from the behind the camera.

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31: Pi Sep 13, 2018

Do some numbers have special significance? Inspired by Darren Aronofsky’s film Pi, Rick and Michael explore the greatest numbers known to humankind. From the mercurial zero which medieval Italy declared “illegal”, to the golden ratio that can explain something as abstract as beauty, this episode charts why humans have fallen so deeply in love with mathematics.

Featuring: Prof Ian Stewart

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30: Doctor Strange Sep 07, 2018

Can meditation change your brain? Rick and Michael take a moment to reconnect with their breath and journey into the mystical science behind the film Doctor Strange. Exploring how monks use meditation to stave off hypothermia and send their gamma brain waves off the charts, this episode brings you the neuroscience behind the western world’s latest obsession: mindfulness.

Featuring: Dr Danny Penman

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29: Frankenstein Aug 30, 2018

Could we create Frankenstein’s monster? The boys celebrate the 200th year anniversary of Mary Shelley’s genre-defining novel with a deep-dive into the underbelly of science: from grave-robbing and re-animating the dead, to the cutting edge of synthetic biology, this episode tackles the fundamental ethical conundrum at the heart of science fiction’s most famous book.

Featuring: Dr Kathryn Harkup

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28: Rounders Aug 23, 2018

Can science beat the casino? Through the Matt Damon-Ed Norton classic Rounders, the boys explore how mathematicians have tried to conquer the world of gambling. From gaming the national lottery to blackjack and roulette, there’s more to probability theory than predicting the weather - in this episode it’s all about the cold hard cash.

Featuring: Prof Adam Kucharski

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27: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Aug 16, 2018

What if our universe is just a giant computer? In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy the Earth is just a computer calculating the meaning of life, and in this episode the boys tackle one of the boldest claims of modern science: that everything we think, feel, and touch is simply the product of some fundamental computer code running in the background. Buckle your ears in, it’s time to peek behind the curtain.

Featuring: Prof Juergen Schmidhuber

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26: The Dead Zone Aug 09, 2018

Are we any good at predicting the future? Through David Cronenberg’s film The Dead Zone, the boys explore the fiendishly difficult science of foretelling the course of history. Why do the professional pundits get it wrong so often? Might you have what it takes to become a ‘Superforecaster’? And the biggest question of all: what exactly would baby-girl-Stalin have done?

Featuring: Prof Phil Tetlock

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25: Nightmare on Elm Street Aug 02, 2018

‘Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep...’ These iconic words from the 80s classic A Nightmare on Elm Street have got the boys thinking: from sleep paralysis to insomnia to narcolepsy, what’s actually happening when sleep goes wrong? Are we all living through a sleep-loss epidemic? And why has Brooksy suddenly decided to take up the didgeridoo? All will be revealed in this week’s bedtime episode of Science(ish).

Featuring: Dr Henry Nicholls

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24: Knight Rider Jul 26, 2018

With the utopian vision of a driverless world hitting the headlines, the boys cut through the hype by exploring the science of fully autonomous vehicles through the TV series Knight Rider. Will we really be better off without humans behind the wheel? And most importantly: would you rather your driverless car knocked down an elderly couple or three jay-waking criminals? Decision time...

Featuring: Prof Paul Newman

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23: Get Out Jul 19, 2018

Does hypnosis work? Science(ish) explores the mend-bending neuroscience behind the Oscar-winning film Get Out. If you think your brain perceives reality in an fixed way, it’s time you opened the door to the world of hypnotic suggestion, trance-inducing handshakes, and intoxicating placebo alcohol... Your brain will never be the same again.

Featuring: Prof Amir Raz

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22: Enigma Jul 12, 2018

Can we create an unbreakable code? Through the film Enigma, Science(ish) delves into the murky history of cryptography and the hunt for the perfect cipher. Our modern world so fundamentally relies on secure digital communication and yet current ‘state-of-the-art’ encryption is actually breakable. Will the code-makers ever beat the code-breakers for good? Enter quantum physics...

Featuring: Prof Artur Ekert

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21: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Jul 05, 2018

Inspired by the latest blockbuster Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, the boys explore the alarming science of extinction. Humans may have conquered the planet, but have we also triggered the “6th Mass Extinction Event”? With the future of life on Earth in our great ape hands, Science(ish) tackles one of the biggest questions we face: how far should we intervene in the ebb and flow of other species?

Featuring: Dr James Borrell

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20: Still Alice Jun 29, 2018

Could we ever cure dementia? Science(ish) takes on one of the biggest public health challenges of the 21st century: unravelling the science of Alzheimer’s disease. From chance discoveries to next generation brain imaging, the search for a cure is now beginning to gather momentum - an achievement that would change the lives of millions around the world.

Featuring: Prof John Hardy

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19: Ice Age Jun 21, 2018

Is there another ice age coming? And if so, when? Delving into the science behind the animated film Ice Age, Rick and Michael explore the most fundamental question that we all ponder while eating our breakfast cereal: could we survive the next ice age?

Featuring: Prof Siwan Davies

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18: Good Will Hunting Jun 14, 2018

It’s the question all Science(ish) listeners have asked themselves: what’s makes me a genius? With the all-time classic Good Will Hunting, Rick and Michael explore the neuroscience of truly exceptional intelligence and creativity. Is genius innate or can it be fostered? And most importantly: is Michael’s brain over the hill?

Featuring: Prof Rex Jung

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17: Chain Reaction Jun 07, 2018

If Keanu Reeves can create a revolutionary new energy source in the film Chain Reaction, then why can’t we do the same in real life? Rick and Michael tackle the challenge of getting nuclear fusion - the ‘Holy Grail of Energy’ - to work on Earth. From superheated plasma to doughnut-shaped magnetic fields, will fusion always be the energy of the future? Or could it actually save us all?

Featuring: Prof Steve Cowley

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16: Demolition man May 31, 2018

Coming straight from the very 90s classic Demolition Man, Rick and Michael tackle the science of freezing yourself in time: from human cryogenics to anti-freeze frogs who scoff in the face of winter, might we all be signing up to be frozen in the future?

Featuring: Dr Greg Fahy

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15: Rick and Morty May 24, 2018

Rick and Michael delve into the world of the animated sitcom which (very nearly) bears their name: Rick and Morty. It’s time for quantum theory, parallel realities, and the end of physics as we know it in this extra-special LIVE episode. Haven’t you always wondered if there really is another 'you' out there?

Featuring: Prof Brian Greene

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14: Seven Pounds May 17, 2018

Donating a kidney to a total stranger you’ll never meet sounds crazy - but then why do hundreds of people voluntarily do it every year? This week Rick and Michael tackle the neuroscience of empathy with the film Seven Pounds. Is there really no such thing as a selfless good deed? And of course: how big is your amygdala?

Featuring: Prof Abigail Marsh

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13: Contagion May 10, 2018

Science(ish) marks the 100-year anniversary of the devastating Spanish Flu outbreak by exploring the real threat behind the film Contagion: How vulnerable are we to the next deadly pandemic? Are we ready for it? And will you stop touching your face so bloody much after listening to this episode?

Featuring: Dr Jonathan Quick

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12: Altered Carbon May 03, 2018

Inspired by Netflix series Altered Carbon, Rick and Michael tackle the science behind Silicon Valley’s ultimate wet dream: uploading our minds to a computer. Isn’t it time you moved beyond your pathetic human biology and treated yourself to an upgrade?

Featuring: Dr Randal Koene

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11: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Apr 26, 2018

Could we reverse ageing and live forever? Science(ish) confronts our own mortality and explores the growing field of research which is bringing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button closer to reality. Might immortality be possible? And what would you be willing to do to get it... faecal transplant, anyone?

Featuring: Dr Aubrey de Grey

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10: The Machine Stops Apr 19, 2018

Inspired by the 109-year-old novel ‘The Machine Stops’ which remarkably predicted the internet as we know it today, Rick and Michael explore whether someone could ever switch our machine off - and if the internet might someday ‘wake up’?

Featuring: Prof Milton Mueller

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9: Dr Strangelove Apr 12, 2018

With the Doomsday Clock now at two minutes to midnight, the boys go nuclear and explore the legendary political satire Dr. Strangelove. Could Trump fire off a nuke like he fires off a tweet? And how close are we to complete annihilation? The questions are big, the answers are bigger.

Featuring: Prof Peter Feaver

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8: The Cell Apr 05, 2018

Through the sci-fi horror ‘The Cell’, Rick and Michael delve into the murky ‘grey zone of consciousness’ which separates life from death. Their quest: to discover if we could communicate with someone in a coma.

Featuring: Prof Adrian Owen

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7: The Day of the Triffids Mar 29, 2018

A treat for all the vegans out there. Rick and Michael tackle John Wyndham’s ‘The Day of the Triffids’, exploring whether plants can think, feel, and learn. And of course, the most fundamental question of all: who’s the real master of the earth - humans or wheat?

Featuring: Prof. Monica Gagliano

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6: Hackers Mar 22, 2018

With the help of a real-life hacker, Rick and Michael go worldwide(web) by asking 'how vulnerable are we to hackers?'. We're talking Stuxnet, the internet of things, and baby monitors that talk back.

Featuring: Jake Davis (formerly; Topiary of Anonymous)

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5: Limitless Mar 15, 2018

Michael decides it’s time to get cerebral and opts for Neil Burger’s ‘Limitless’. We’re talking brain myths, we’re talking nootropics, and of course, we’re talking/taking modafinil.

Featuring: Professor Barbara Sahakian

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4: Flatliners Mar 08, 2018

The boys go deadly serious with 1990 sci-fi classic ‘Flatliners’. Brain death, consciousness, and everything in between.

Featuring: Professor Leslie Whetstine

Produced By: Max Sanderson

Sound Designer: Ivor Manley

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3: Children of Men Mar 01, 2018

Michael continues the dystopia with Alfonso Cuarón’s fertility thriller ‘Children of Men’ by asking ‘could humans go infertile?’ (Includes hints of a mid-life crisis from a certain Rick Edwards - not to be missed).

Featuring: Professor Shanna Swan

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2: Never Let Me Go Feb 22, 2018

After 3 years of asking, Rick finally gets his dream episode with Kazuo Ishiguro’s ‘Never Let Me Go’ (apparently; also a film). Ghost hearts, chimeras, and sentient pigs - what more could you want?

Featuring: Dr Jun Wu

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1: Arrival Feb 15, 2018

The boys start the new series with a bang. And a new format. One question, one scientist, plenty of relatively well-informed chat. To kick off, Rick and Michael go extra-terrestrial with 2016’s linguistic thriller ‘Arrival’. We’re talking a hundred words for snow, we’re talking babies on an island, and we’re talking (not so) Universal Grammar.

Featuring: Dr Jessica Coon

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Science(ish) Season Three Trailer Feb 01, 2018

Science(ish) is back! As of Thursday 15th February 2018, Rick Edwards and Dr Michael Brooks will be beaming into your ears every week and tackling the biggest scientific questions behind popular fiction. From holding conversations with aliens, to whether humans are going infertile - the new season of Science(ish) is about to arrive... and with a brand new format waiting for you all!

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Science(ish) Christmas Special, Series 2 Episode 8 Dec 21, 2017

Rick and Michael decide to get nostalgic with a festive wrap of Season 2 by revisiting their favourite questions. We're talking fringe theories, we're talking spider goats, and we're talking simulated universes. Happy Christmas everyone!

https://radiowolfgang.com/s/scienceish

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Gattaca – Live from The Wigtown Book Festival, Series 2 Episode 7 Oct 06, 2017

To celebrate the release of the Science(ish) book, Rick and Michael travel to the Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland to record a special live episode on dystopian classic 'Gattaca'. Are we more than our genes? Can they predict our future? And should we use genetic technology to create the perfect human?

This episode features; Professor Steven Rose and Professor Peter Singer.

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Armageddon, Series 2 Episode 6 Jul 26, 2017

Rick and Michael cast their eyes to space and go asteroid-hunting as per Michael Bay’s 1998 disaster classic ‘Armageddon’. How can we spot ‘em? How can we destroy ‘em? And how can an army of painter-decorators potentially save the day?

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Series 2 Episode 5 Jul 14, 2017

Rick and Michael take a trip down memory lane, as told through the romantic science fiction comedy-drama (yes; that’s a thing) ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. What is a memory? How reliable are they? Can we selectively erase them? And, of course, when will Michael stop telling his Alan Alda story?!

Featuring: Dr Catherine Loveday, Dr Julia Shaw, Dr Steve Ramirez, and Professor Joseph Le Doux.

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The Fly, Series 2 Episode 4 May 17, 2017

The Brooks-Edwards hybrid delves into the world of chimeras, as seen in David Cronenberg’s classic ‘The Fly’. We’re talking teleportation. We’re talking spider-goats. We’re talking the “Brundlefly.” Be afraid, be very afraid.

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Perfume, Series 2 Episode 3 Apr 24, 2017

Rick and Michael delve into the world of olfaction, as seen through the lens of Patrick Süskind’s psychopathic thriller ‘Perfume’. How do we smell? How can it affect us? And is Lynx Africa the world’s most perfect scent?

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Special(ish) 023 – Big Data Brother Apr 21, 2017

Co-founder of The Open Data Institute, Sir Nigel Shadbolt, elaborates on the themes explored in the latest Scienceish,1984:

How easy has surveillance become in an age of Big Data and – counter intuitive as it may seem - is making our data public the best thing for us?

https://www.radiowolfgang.com/s/scienceish

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1984, Series 2 Episode 2 Mar 17, 2017

Rick and Michael delve into the 1949 classic in search of answers. Are humans fatally vulnerable to authority? Does our behaviour change when we think we’re being watched? And are we currently living in 1984? Uplifting stuff.

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The Matrix, Series 2 Episode 1 Feb 14, 2017

Taking a trip down a Matrix-inspired rabbit hole, the boys ponder the potential for ‘bullet time’, the science behind becoming an instant Kung Fu expert, and whether our universe is, in fact, a computer simulation. Standard.

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Scienceish Season Two Trailer Feb 07, 2017

Scienceish is BACK! On VALENTINE'S DAY! With that classic love story...THE MATRIX. Listen to the trailer now.

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Special(ish) 022 – The Red Planet Nov 30, 2016

Dr Joe Michalski talks us through the terrain of Mars. Michalski specialises in the mineralogical and geomorphic studies of the Red Planet. Turns out we've got more in common with the martians than we thought.

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Special(ish) 021 – Mauna Loa Nov 22, 2016

Dr Sheyna Gifford has just emerged from Earth's longest NASA-sponsored simulated Mars mission. As chief medic for MARS 500, she lived for a year in a dome on Hawaiian mountain Mauna Loa. Here Gifford muses over the mission.

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017 – The Martian Nov 15, 2016

The boys are back in the studio to tackle Ridley Scott’s blockbuster ‘The Martian’. With a manned mission to Mars on the cards, some of the big cosmic questions need answering: How are we going to get there? Will we survive?

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016 – Her Oct 25, 2016

Live from the British Science Festival, Rick and Michael unpack Spike Jonze’s computer love story “Her”. Featuring the disembodied voices of author and psychotherapist Dr Aaron Balick and web psychologist Nathalie Nahai.

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Special(ish) 019 – Flight to Mars Oct 18, 2016

In anticipation of our forthcoming Science(ish) episode, we sonically explore one man’s survival on the red planet in this musical edition of Special(ish).

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Special(ish) 018 – Harmon-E Oct 05, 2016

In this episode, eHarmony’s data scientist Jon Morra discusses the ways in which machine learning and data science are applied to help connect people for successful long term relationships.

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Special(ish) 017 – The Uncanny Sep 21, 2016

Is flesh and blood still necessary to be considered alive? Writer and psychotherapist Dr Aaron Balick and web psychologist Nathalie Nahai draw on Freud’s definition of 'The Uncanny’ to ponder the future of human level AI.

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015 – Big Data Sep 13, 2016

Science(ish) goes live as part of Science Museum Lates. In this special podcast recording, Rick and Michael delve into the blockbuster data movies Her, Ex Machina and Enemy of the State live on stage with some special guests.

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Special(ish) 016 – Finding Your Voice Sep 08, 2016

In advance of our next Science(ish) on ‘Her’, a film starring Scarlett Johansson’s disembodied voice, we speak to leading speech therapist Christella Antoni. Here Antoni explains the process of male-to-female voice modification.

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Special(ish) 015 – Back to Reality Aug 31, 2016

How realistic is the classroom staple Lord of the Flies? Would children really devolve from civilised schoolboys to murderous prepubescents in a matter of days? We talk to teachers and students past and present for their views.

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014 – Lord Of The Flies Aug 24, 2016

In this episode Rick and Michael dissect the 1954 novel Lord of the Flies by Nobel Prize-winning English author William Golding.

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Special(ish) 014 – Piggy in the Middle Aug 21, 2016

From test tube babies on Bear Grylls' 'The Island' to a violent end for poor little piggy, Rick and Michael offer an especially scientific (and potentially unethical) preview of our next Science(ish) episode, Lord of the Flies.

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Special(ish) 013 – King of the Swingers Aug 03, 2016

If you thought we were the only species capable of infidelity, think again. In this episode of Special(ish), Rick and Michael explore the cunning world of animal deception with help from primatologist, Dr. Kit Opie.

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013 – The Abyss Jul 27, 2016

Rick & Michael delve into the underwater world of James Cameron’s 'The Abyss'. Ignoring, as Michael puts it “those silly wet aliens” this episode explores the limits of the human body, liquid breathing & what lurks in the deep.

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Special(ish) 012 – Stuck in the Mud Jul 20, 2016

In 1990 Professor Cindy Lee Van Dover became the first woman to pilot deep-ocean submersible Alvin. In anticipation of Science(ish) episode 'The Abyss’, Cindy recalls a particularly sticky dive involving Alvin and the seabed.

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Special(ish) 011 – The Deep Jul 13, 2016

In this Specialish, world scuba diving record holder Verna Du Preez describes her experiences of the deep and talks about just how difficult it is to ascend. Dr Oliver Firth offers insight into the extreme physiology of diving.

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012 – Alien Jul 06, 2016

The boys return to the outer expanses of the universe. This time, they’re not after black holes but ET, as depicted in Ridley Scott’s classic ‘Alien’. Are we alone? What will ‘it’ look like? And are ‘they’ already amongst us?

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Special(ish) 010 – The Great Escape Jul 03, 2016

Rick and Michael deliver some strong science chat about Inky the escaping octopus, a slippery little fella who managed to slide out of his tank and make a break for the pacific ocean. But what does this mean for evolution?

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Special(ish) 009 – Here Be Dragons Jun 22, 2016

Throughout the centuries, stories of monsters and mythic creatures have remained a constant narrative presence. But what role have they played? And is the search for ET just the latest chapter in this ever-evolving tale?

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Special(ish) 008 – Dark Night Jun 15, 2016

Chris French, a professor of psychology who specialises in paranormal belief and ostensibly paranormal experiences, takes us through the terrifying ordeal of sleep paralysis and its surprising link to alien abduction.

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Special(ish) 007 – Area 51 Jun 08, 2016

At the southern tip of the Nevada Desert lies an area shrouded in mystery. With aliens, spaceships, and mind control, all said to be part of its history – Area 51 is a melting pot of conspiracy.

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011 – Minority Report Jun 02, 2016

Michael and Rick gaze into the criminal crystal ball, as per Spielberg’s 2002 thriller Minority Report. Can we predict a criminal? Should we pre-convict them? And is the Universe pre-determined? Standard.

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Special(ish) 006 – A Criminal Mind May 25, 2016

Neuroscientist Jim Fallon spent years searching for patterns in the brain scans that he saw. But it wasn’t until he turned to the scans of his own brain that he stumbled upon his biggest discovery yet.

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Special(ish) 005 – Pale Blue Dot May 18, 2016

Milan Kundera once wrote; “While pondering the infinity of the stars, we ignore the infinity of our father.” We asked experts from our Interstellar episode if they agree.

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010 – Interstellar May 13, 2016

The boys go intergalactic with Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. We’re talking gravity, we’re talking black holes, and we’re talking the theory of how every single thing in our universe came into existence. No biggie.

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Special(ish) 004 – Life on Mars May 04, 2016

In anticipation of the next episode of Science(ish), we hear how the search for other habitable planets has well and truly begun.

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Special(ish) 003 – A Head Above Apr 26, 2016

Transhumanist and neurosurgeon Dr Sergio Canavero shares his big plans for 2017, which include a sharp knife, some polyethylene glycol, and a pair of human heads.

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009 – Planet of the Apes Apr 19, 2016

The boys go back to basics with an exploration of the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes. How did we humans end up on top? Could the apes ever take over? And of course will dolphins ever have hands?

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Special(ish) 002 – Rise of the Machines Apr 13, 2016

Following AlphaGo’s trouncing of the World ‘Go’ champion, we’ve pulled some unheard material from our Ex-Machina episode about the potential impacts of the ever-extending arm of AI, as told by contributor Jeremy Howard.

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Special(ish) 001 – Sticks & Stones Apr 06, 2016

The very first instalment of our Special(ish) sees the boys dwell on some recent field research that blurs the line between animal and human. A sign of things to come in the next episode of Science(ish), Planet of the Apes.

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008 – The Circle Mar 15, 2016

What’s the Internet doing to us? Are we being controlled by our office spaces? How transparent is online transparency? Michael, Rick and web psychologist Nathalie Nahai dissect Dave Eggars’ dystopian masterpiece The Circle.

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007 – Ex Machina Feb 16, 2016

Dr Michael Brooks and Rick Edwards delve into the murky world of Artificial Intelligence as depicted in Alex Garland's masterpiece Ex Machina.

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006 – The Time Machine Feb 08, 2016

Dr Michael ‘Morlock’ Brooks and Rick ‘Eloi’ Edwards transcend time and explore the future of humanity.

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005 – Comics Jan 29, 2016

Tackling all things super - the boys delve into the world of comics, superheroes and villains. Along the way, they take a look at the weird and wonderful history of animals in warfare, the power of poisonous plants, and reveal that we're a lot closer to invisibility than most might think. Sniffer bees, thinking plants, and robbing banks – it’s all in day’s work for Captain Camden and Dr Bad Jokes.

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004 – The Day After Tomorrow Dec 30, 2015

Dr Michael Brooks and Rick Edwards take on a world covered in ice – as depicted in The Day After Tomorrow – both literally and metaphorically. Along the way, they talk climate change, climate skeptics and, of course, salmon bacon.

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003 – Jurassic Park Dec 03, 2015

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a T-Rex? No! It’s a woolly mammoth. And it’s back from the dead. Maybe. Soon. Michael and Rick are on the case.

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002 – Brave New World Dec 03, 2015

Brace yourself for stories about cloning, aggressive ice hockey players, happy buildings… oh, and the ethics of using genetics to create a content underclass.

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