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PODCAST

What The If?

Learn how to think like EINSTEIN! Every week we learn science running imaginative thought experiments. Our brilliant guests are some of the world’s greatest science fiction writers, scientists & science communicators. Leap into a journey to answer the most fascinating question in the universe: What The IF?

science & medicine history

All Episodes

00:49:07

Ultra Massive ASTEROID!

What The If? ·

2023/11/03

Hey there, science enthusiasts and curious minds! We're inviting you on a cosmic journey with us in our latest podcast episode. We're diving into the mysterious realm of asteroids and uncovering the secrets of their composition. Ever wondered how scientists figure out what these space rocks are made of without taking a trip to space? Join us as we discuss the intriguing methods used to measure the density of celestial bodies like Jupiter and asteroids, revealing their hidden natures. But that's not

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00:43:06

Ultra QUIET City!

What The If? ·

2023/10/27

Our newest listener, Suzanne, asks, "What The IF cars didn't have horns?" It's a question we all ask on those days when the traffic jam outside our window seems to have no sense of decency! Gaby, Matt and Philip imagine the world-changing ramifications of quiet cars and an even quieter planet. Utopia or Dystopia? Tune in and find out, and shhhhh.... this is a fun one! --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea

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00:43:33

BULK Over Beauty!

What The If? ·

2023/10/20

Hey there, science aficionados! It's Gaby, Matt, and Philip here. Ever wondered what would happen if nature's playbook was rewritten, where "survival of the fittest" strictly meant "survival of the strongest"? Dive into a world where raw power dictates evolution, and the scales of nature tip in favor of pure brawn. From peacocks that can flip tigers to other jaw-dropping power shifts in the animal kingdom, we explore the thrilling and often hilarious implications of a muscle-bound ecosystem. Join us

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00:39:37

Martinis On VENUS!

What The If? ·

2023/10/13

Hey there, fellow science enthusiasts! It's Philip, Gaby, and Matt, back with another electrifying episode. Thanks to a stellar challenge from our Super Iffer, Dan from Colorado, we're diving into the tantalizing question: Can we make Venus habitable? Together, we embark on an epic Venutian journey, weaving together the chemistry of sulfuric acid and table sugar, the unexpected utility of garbage, and the delightful twist of martinis. Are you ready to reimagine a planet with us? Dive in, and let's

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00:44:26

BEES Control The Weather!

What The If? ·

2023/10/06

Hey there, science enthusiasts! Gaby and Philip here, and we're about to take you on a flight of fancy you won't forget. Ever imagined a world where bees don't just buzz around but actually have the power to control the weather? 🐝⛈️ Dive into the hive with us as we ponder this extraordinary "What The IF" scenario! From sun showers to thunderous buzz-storms, let's explore the ripple effects of giving these tiny wonders such meteorological might. Prepare for a forecast you never saw

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00:42:07

Scoop Of EARTH!

What The If? ·

2023/09/29

Hold onto your seats as Philip and Matt take you on a space adventure like no other! This time, we're asking the zany question: What if we took a random scoop of Earth and sent it to another celestial body? Get ready to delve into the intricacies of the OSIRIS-REx mission to Bennu and what it might mean to do something similar—but in reverse. Trust us; you don't want to miss this cosmic rollercoaster! --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own

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00:34:58

Alien MUMMIES!

What The If? ·

2023/09/16

Hey there, science enthusiasts! It's Philip, Matt, and Gaby back at it with another riveting episode of "What The IF?". Ever imagined aliens stranded on Earth, akin to Mark Watney from "The Martian"? Dive deep with us into this whimsical scenario. What if they're just like us, on a cosmic road trip, only to face the misfortune of a "flat tire"? We'll explore the adventures, misadventures, and the sheer hilarity of extraterrestrial explorers. And of course, there are mummies! (Oh, did we mention

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00:46:48

X-Ray Vision!

What The If? ·

2023/09/08

Hey folks, it's Matt, Gaby, and Philip here with a brand new episode that's all about peering into the unseen — a deep dive into the world of X-rays! Ever wondered how those eerie skeletal images at the doctor's office come to be? We've got you covered. And we're not stopping at the medical uses; we're cranking it up a notch to explore X-ray vision as if it were a superpower. That's right, we're blending hard science with pure imagination, all while keeping the conversation as light as a photon. So

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00:45:53

MUON Madness!

What The If? ·

2023/09/01

In this week's episode, "MUON Madness!", Matt and I dive into the enigmatic world of muons. If you're scratching your head wondering what muons are, you're not alone. But by the end of this episode, you'll be as fascinated by them as we are. Muons are more than just subatomic particles; they're potential game-changers in the realm of physics. Matt breaks down why these tiny particles are drawing so much attention from the scientific community. Think of them as the unsung heroes that could unlock

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00:59:18

Human SWARM!

What The If? ·

2023/08/25

Hey there, science enthusiasts! It's Philip here. Remember to don your goggles, hazmat suits, and an open mind as Gaby Paniccia and I dive deep into one of the wildest "What The IF?" scenarios yet. Ever imagined a world where humans act like locusts? Yep, we're talking about full-blown human swarms! Whether you've found yourself amidst a swarm, led one, or even (dare I say) started one, join us for a thrilling exploration of this bizarre parallel universe. From Taylor Swift's super-fans to the

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00:59:24

Recording BRAINS!

What The If? ·

2023/08/18

Hello, fellow science enthusiasts! It's Philip here, inviting you to dive into the latest episode of "What The IF?" with Gaby and me. This week, we stumbled upon an enthralling piece from the New York Times that tickled our curiosity and set the stage for our latest "IF." What's the "IF," you ask? Well, every week we pick one aspect of the universe, give it a little twist, and let our imaginations run wild as we explore the boundless consequences that unfold. In this episode, we're "Recording

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00:54:10

Space JUNK!

What The If? ·

2023/08/11

Hey there, fellow Iffers! It's Philip here, and do I have a treat for you. Dive into our latest episode, "Space JUNK!", an electrifying rollercoaster of discoveries and discussions that might just be a tad messier than usual. But as Matt rightly asks, how different is that from our regular antics, right? Well, this episode is special. Not just because we dive deep into the vast expanse of space and the intriguing debris that dances within it, but also because this thrilling topic was suggested by

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00:46:48

FROZEN Time Travel!

What The If? ·

2023/08/04

In this episode of "What The IF?", we, Matt, Gaby, and Philip, start by musing about a hypothetical meal with a young, pre-beard Abraham Lincoln. We then explore the implications of the recent scientific discovery of worms resuscitated after being frozen for 46,000 years in Siberian permafrost. We dissect this extraordinary survival mechanism and examine its potential application to humans. The conversation culminates in an unusual scenario: walking into a Ben and Jerry's and requesting to be frozen

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00:54:42

Space Vacuum MONSTERS!

What The If? ·

2023/07/28

Today’s cover art is by our Super IFFer listener, Josh Haberman! It’s inspired by our episode “Underwater Civilizations” and he says, it’s inspired by something Gaby said in the show. Josh explains: “I think the description was along the lines of "We're setting up on a beach and marching out of the water are heavy metal merpeople blitzed out in whalebone armor with breathing bladders over their heads". I used jellyfish as the breathing bladders though I don't know if that would work science wise

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00:54:53

Underwater CIVILIZATION

What The If? ·

2023/07/21

Welcome to the latest episode of "What The IF?" titled "Underwater Civilization". Join hosts Philip, Gaby, an insightful virologist from Rockefeller University, and Matt, a historian of science from New York University, as they embark on a fascinating journey through an alternate universe. This episode poses the thought-provoking question: "What if humans had evolved tool use while still living in the ocean?" Our hosts dive into the depths of this hypothetical scenario, exploring the scientific,

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00:50:10

Radical SENSATIONS!

What The If? ·

2023/07/14

Hold onto your headphones, folks! In this eye-opening episode of "What The If?", our intrepid podcasters, Philip, Matt, and Gaby, contemplate an unfathomable query from our Super Iffer listener and Patreon supporter Dan: What would happen to humanity if we developed without the sense of sight? Diving into uncharted territory, they'll tackle everything from biology to sociology, evolution to epistemology. They'll explore a realm where the remaining senses - smell, sound, and touch - are heightened

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00:44:45

LIFE from Phosphorous!

What The If? ·

2023/07/07

In this exciting episode of "What The If?" Philip, Matt, and Gaby delve into a cosmic "What If?" scenario that's full of scientific discoveries and hilarious tangents. Imagine a universe filled with phosphorus! As much as you want, wherever you swing your arms. Our intrepid explorers uncover the surprisingly central role of phosphorus in our daily lives, making up about 1% of our bodies and playing a crucial role in everything from DNA to cell membranes. They explore the wacky world of phosphorus,

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01:17:34

Blade Runner REPLICANTS

What The If? ·

2023/06/30

Blade Runner REPLICANTS by Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia

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00:54:09

Living FOREVER!

What The If? ·

2023/06/23

On this riveting episode of "What The IF?", join hosts Philip and Gaby as they strap on their metaphorical goggles and gear to deep dive into the captivating question, "What the, if humans lived forever?" Sparkling with humor and brimming with curiosities, this episode takes an unexpected route through vampire TV shows and timeless Simpson episodes to delve into the implications of immortality. Gaby, the resident biologist, demystifies the concept of immortality, explaining the difference between

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01:19:32

Meet The Star Trek COMPUTER!

What The If? ·

2023/06/16

🚀 Blast off to the 23rd Century in this hilarious and thought-provoking episode of "What The IF?" Join your host, Philip, as he chats with an unexpected guest straight from the Starship Enterprise: the ship's Computer herself! 💻 Take a deep dive into the quirky world of Star Trek and unravel the enigmatic personality behind the Enterprise's AI. Learn about her mysterious origin story - a puzzle as complex as a quantum calculation wrapped up in a futuristic alloy casing. This isn't your typical

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