x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

00:34:58

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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,

en

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

en

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,

en

01:17:34

Blade Runner REPLICANTS

What The If? ·

2023/06/30

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

en

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

en

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

en

00:53:34

ICE Insanity!

What The If? ·

2023/06/09

We salute our newest Patreon members. Thank you: Connie, Martin, and Dan! --- Welcome to an icy exploration of reality on this episode of "What The IF?" Dive headfirst into a brain-freezing alternate universe, as Philip, Freya, Gabby, and Matt grapple with an extraordinary question, submitted by our Super Iffer listener, Martin from Frankfurt: What the if... water did not have its highest density at plus four degrees Celsius? The team embarks on an adventure that treads the fine line between

en

00:54:37

MYST Linking Books to OTHER WORLDS

What The If? ·

2023/06/02

Hey there IF-ers, this is Philip and Matt coming at you with another mind-bending episode of "What The IF?" Dan, our listener and a super cool Patreon supporter, dropped a doozy of a concept on us. He got us thinking - what if we could craft whole worlds and eras with just a pen and some magical toad ink? Just like in the legendary video game, Myst. As you can imagine, this sparked a rollicking discussion full of laughter and quirky tangents. As we journeyed through this imagined multiverse, we

en

00:56:48

REMOTE Control BRAINS!

What The If? ·

2023/05/26

Ever pondered what it would be like if you could control anything with your brain, like a universal remote control? Buckle up, because on this episode of "What The If?", we're plunging headfirst into that uncanny realm! Our daring duo, Philip and Gaby, give a whole new meaning to "mind over matter," as they explore whether your brain could be the ultimate gadget. From bridging the gap for individuals with severed spinal cords, enabling them to regain control over their bodies, to musing about

en

01:43:32

ADA Lovelace - PROGRAMMER #1

What The If? ·

2023/05/22

Get ready to hitch a ride in our time machine because this episode of "What The IF?" takes you all the way back to the 19th century, to have a virtual teatime chat with Lady Ada Lovelace herself. In this special 'computer time travel' edition, host Philip Shane leverages the magical AI abilities of ChatGPT to bring Ada to the mic, all the way from London (and the 1800s!). And boy, is she ready to party like it's 1843, complete with top hats, tea cakes, and trailblazing discussions on early

en

01:12:25

Mr. SPOCK In The House!

What The If? ·

2023/05/12

Are you ready to boldly go where no podcast has gone before? Grab your hazmat suit, don your protective goggles, and prepare to take a thrilling leap into the world of "What The IF?" In this episode, we're thrilled to have the legendary Mr. Spock beaming directly into our podcast studio from the USS Enterprise! Ever wondered what it would be like to be half-human, half-Vulcan? To harness the power of logic and emotion in equal measure? To be able to perform the Vulcan salute at parties, and live

en

00:50:31

BATS - With Emily Driscoll!

What The If? ·

2023/05/05

Get ready to spread your wings and BE a BAT! We welcome Science Journalist and Video Producer Emily DRISCOLL as we explore the fascinating world of echolocation and the incredible adaptations that make BATS such unique creatures. Discover how humans can learn to use echolocation and the challenges they face, and find out why bats sleep upside down and how they're able to take off so easily. You'll also hear about the incredible story of a critically endangered bat species in India and the amazing

en

380 results

Similar Podcasts

科学史评话最新专辑

科学史评话

Hablando con Científicos - Cienciaes.com

cienciaes.com

天方烨谈

基因频道

The Permaculture Podcast

Scott Mann

汪诘：科学有故事（主打）

科学有故事