The Take: Big Ideas Explained in Under 5 Minutes

Latest Episodes:

Who was the ancient warrior Queen Boudica? Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

After her epic battle with the ancient Romans, Boudica was described as an aggrieved wife, mother, queen, freedom fighter, rebel and religious hero. Brandeis Assistant professor of classical studies Caitlin Gillespie sorts fact from fiction.

What are intersectionality, privilege and positionality? Oct 08, 2019

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Brandeis vice president for diversity Mark Brimhall-Vargas explains these controversial topics in under 5 minutes.

The fate of the universe rests on the Hubble constant, so why can't we figure out its value? Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

Brandeis assistant professor of physics Marcelle Soares-Santos explains why the constant is so difficult to calculate and how her new approach might finally get it right.

Business Mergers: Are they good or bad? May 24, 2019

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Brandeis International Business School professor Ben Gomes-Casseres explains why some companies are growing bigger while others are decentralizing.

Robot eels, muscle shirts and other ways active matter will revolutionize the future Jan 18, 2019

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Brandeis physicist Seth Fraden explains what active matter is and how it can be used to create machines and materials that behave like living organisms.

A truly mind-blowing theory in physics: The universe is a hologram Nov 08, 2018

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Brandeis University's Matthew Headrick explains why scientists believe reality is two-dimensional surface projecting a 3D image.