Why? with Emma Kennedy

Latest Episodes:

Is time real? Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Time seems pretty reliable in our everyday lives – but is it as dependable as we think? According to Einstein, both gravity and speed can warp time. Some think time is just a product of our consciousness. Is it even real… whatever “real” is?

Sam Baron, Professor of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University and co-author of Out Of Time, tells Anna Machin how we all have our own ‘clock’ which doesn’t tick at the same pace as anyone else’s… and whether time is just a construct after all.

Guest: Professor Sam Baron

Every Monday and Thursday WHY? takes you on an adventure to the edge of knowledge, asking the questions that puzzle and perplex us, from the inner workings of the universe to the far reaches of our dreams. Follow on your favourite app so you never miss an edition.

WHY? is written and presented by Anna Machin. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Music by DJ Food. Exec Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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Are we already receiving messages from aliens? Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Who hasn’t looked up at the stars at some point and thought maybe there are other intelligent creatures out there? Astronomers scan the cosmos and they’ve found plenty of intriguing but inconclusive signals so far. Are they no more than magnetic waves from far off dead planets, or something more?

Dr. Franck Marchis, Senior Planetary Astronomer at the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), tells Luke Turner about the groundbreaking research the institute is doing and how you can play your part in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Guest: Dr Franck Marchis

Resources: SETI, A Sign In Space

WHY? is written and presented by Luke Turner. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Music by DJ Food. Exec Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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How has our biology shaped world history? Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

While the human race’s ploughs, tunnels and cities have rewritten the face of the planet, an even more fundamental force has been shaping our story: the single-minded focus of our DNA. Research scientist and author of Being Human Professor Lewis Dartnell tells Olly Mann how the hidden flaws and idiosyncrasies of our own bodies produced some of human civilisation’s most influential phenomena – from royalty to the Mafia.

Guest: Professor Lewis Dartnell, author of Being Human; How our biology shaped world history

Every Monday and Thursday WHY? takes you on an adventure to the edge of knowledge, asking the questions that puzzle and perplex us, from the inner workings of the universe to the far reaches of our dreams. Follow on your favourite app so you never miss an edition.

WHY? is written and presented by Olly Mann. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Music by DJ Food. Exec Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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Why do we remember things that never happened? Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Memory is critical to human function. We simply can’t do anything without it. Yet most of us have memories of events that never occurred. How can that be? Where do these false memories come from and what do they mean? Psychologist Dr Sarita Robinson walks Emma Kennedy down the avenues of the mind to find answers to this strange and disturbing phenomenon. If we can’t trust our own memory, can we trust ourselves?

Guest: Dr Sarita Robinson

WHY? is written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Music by DJ Food. Exec Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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Is it wrong to have sex with Robots? Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

We’re a sex-obsessed species, and now we’re building humanoid sex robots. But is there something psychologically, physically and even morally wrong in knocking boots with our metal-and-plastic creations? Dr. Kate Devlin, an expert in artificial intelligence and author of Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots tells Anna Machin about the ethical ups and downs (ahem) of turning one’s desire away from ‘alive’ partners and towards artificial intelligence. Is it wrong? Who are we hurting? Who’s benefiting? It may not be who you think.

Guest: Dr. Kate Devlin is author of Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots

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