The Science of Everything Podcast
Episodes
Episode 67: An Overview of Language Part 2
23 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Concluding the brief exploration of language begun last time, this episode examines semantics, including the distinction between sense and reference a...
Episode 66: An Overview of Language Part 1
29 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In this first of a two-part episode, I discuss the phenomenon of language. Here we consider phonetics, how sounds are produced and articulated, phonol...
Episode 65: Money, Inflation, and Interest Rates
30 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to the concept of money, including its uses, purpose, and a brief account of its history. I discuss the notion of money as a medium of...
Episode 64: Knowledge Representation
26 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A look at how we understand and think about semantic knowledge. I discuss semantic and propositional networks, the spreading activation model, present...
Episode 63: The Nervous System
29 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the structure and function of the nervous system, including a discussion of the autonomic and somatic divisions of the peripheral nervo...
Episode 62: Organic Chemistry Demystified
31 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of organic chemistry, beginning with a discussion of the nature of organic compounds, the history of vitalism and its influence on the dev...
Episode 61: Magnetism
27 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the basic concepts of magnetism, including magnetic fields, magnetic poles, and electromagnets. I also discuss the ultimate subatomic ...
Episode 60: Memory Encoding and Recall
16 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An analysis of memory, including a discussion of the different types of memory, the capacity of short term memory, how environment and depth of proces...
Episode 59: Smell
18 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A analysis of the sense of smell, beginning with the nose, the olfactory epithelium and the different types of receptor proteins, and progressing thro...
Episode 58: Taste
27 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of how our sense of taste works, including an overview of the basic anatomy of the tongue and relevant brain circuits, a discussion of ...
Episode 57: Electric Current and Circuits
30 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We begin with a discussion of basic electrical phenomena such as current, voltage, resistance and power, before applying these ideas to the analysis...
Episode 56: The Gains from Trade
26 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the notion of trade and exchange, including the purpose of these activities, the gains from trade, and the role of comparative advan...
Episode 55: Sex and Gender Part 2
23 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing on from the previous episode, I discuss some of the biological determinants of gender differences, including hormonal effects on interests ...
Episode 54: Sex and Gender Part 1
20 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this first of our two part series on sex and gender, I discuss the scientific evidence regarding some of the major behavioral and social difference...
Episode 53: Sound and Music
10 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We begin with a discussion of the essential nature of sound as pressure waves in air, discussing matters such as the speed of sound, harmonic frequenc...
Episode 52: Applications of Optics
28 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We begin by discussing some of the basic principles of image formation in lenses and mirrors, including reflection in flat mirrors and curved mirrors,...
Episode 51: Acids and Bases
23 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of acids and basis, including a definition and description of the concepts of acidity and basicity, a look at the relationship between th...
Episode 50: Science Myths and Misconceptions
09 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode we examine a number of popular myths, misconceptions, and faulty understandings that are widely held about various scientific ...
Episode 49: Market Structure
20 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the effect of market outcomes on firm behavior, consumer welfare, and market outcomes. I examine perfect competition, monopoly, oligop...
Episode 48: Theory of the Firm
09 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the nature of the firm, the different types of firms, and the reasons for the existence of firms. This leads to an overview of the obj...
Episode 47: Vision Part 3
07 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In part 3 of our journey through the visual system, we discuss the structure and function of the Primary Visual Cortex, including an analysis of occul...
Episode 46: Vision Part 2
23 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Resuming from where we left off last time, we continue our journey through the visual system by explaining the structure and function of the bipolar a...
Episode 45: Vision Part 1
10 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We commence our grand journey to understand the visual system by examining the eye, its anatomical structure and physiological properties. I discuss i...
Episode 44: Cell Division
12 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the cell cycle and cell division, beginning with an overview of chromosomes and chromosome structure, and then proceeding through a d...
Episode 43: Electric Forces and Fields
30 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the basics of electric charges, electric fields, and electric potential energy. I also discuss how objects become charged, how charged ...
Episode 42: Gases and Gas Laws
28 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the properties and behaviour of gases, focusing on the kinetic theory of gases and the ideal gas law. I also discuss the thermodynamic...
Episode 41: Flotation and Fluid Mechanics
25 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the behaviour of fluids, including an overview of the concepts of fluid pressure and Pascal’s Principle. I also discuss Archimedes’...
Episode 40: Gun Control
18 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A science-based discussion of the issue of gun control in the United States. After reviewing some basic statistics about crime and gun ownership, I ex...
Episode 39: Sovereignty and the State
06 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the state as understood in political science, including a discussion of the meaning of terms like ‘state’, ‘country’ and ‘nat...
Episode 38: Neurons and Synapses
29 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the neuron, the fundamental cell of the brain and the nervous system, including an overview of its morphology and physiology. I also d...
Episode 37: Oxidation and Reduction
22 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of oxidation, reduction, and redox reactions, including a discussion of the definitions of these basic concepts, and an explanation of how...
Episode 36: Consumer Choice Theory
12 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the theory of consumer choice in economics, including an outline of consumer preferences and the axiomatic assumptions economists make...
Episode 35: DNA Structure and Function Part 2
03 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing on from episode 34, I discuss in detail the processes of DNA replication, transcription from DNA to RNA, and the translation of RNA to prot...
Episode 34: DNA Structure and Function Part 1
30 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In part 1 of this two-part episode, I discuss the double helix shape of DNA, the structure of nucleotides, base-paring between nitrogenous bases, the...
Episode 33: Disturbing Social Psychology Experiments
22 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of three of the most chilling experiments in the field of social psychology: the Ash Conformity Experiment, the Stanford Prison Experimen...
Episode 32: Light and Optics
14 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the nature of light and its interactions with matter, including a journey through the history of our understanding of light from Newto...
Episode 31: Solutions and Mixtures
31 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An analysis of liquids and their behaviour when mixed with other substances, incorporating a look at solutions, mixtures, colloids and suspensions. Sp...
Episode 30: Systems of Government
24 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the various forms of government that have existed throughout history and across the world, including a discussion of anarchy, democracy...
Episode 29: Operant Conditioning
25 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing on from episode 28 on Classical Conditioning, in this episode I discuss another form of learning called Operant Conditioning, including the...
Episode 28: Classical Conditioning
07 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of classical conditioning, including an analysis of its key components of the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and responses, the ac...
Episode 27: Intermolecular Bonds and Phase Transitions
28 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An explanation of the forces and mechanisms of intermolecular bonding, including dispersion forces, dipole-dipole bonding and hydrogen bonds, with an ...
Episode 26: Human Organ Systems
21 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A brief overview of all the human organ systems, including their major components and functions. Also includes an examination of how the organ systems...
Episode 25: Organs, Tissues and Systems
10 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the various levels of biological organisation, from the atomic and molecular level through cells, tissues, organs, and up to population...
Episode 24: Vibrations and Waves
29 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the basic principles of wave phenomena, including a definition of waves, a discussion of wave mediums, wavelength, frequency and amplit...
Episode 23: Chemical Reactions
22 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to chemical reactions, including an overview of chemical equations, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and reversible reactions. Also inc...
Episode 22: Our Place in the Cosmos
30 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A journey through Earth’s location in the universe, including a discussion of the Earth-moon system, the sun and planets of the solar system, nearby...
Episode 21: Introduction to Evolution
12 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to the basic concepts of biological evolution, including an overview of Charles Darwin’s contributions, a discussion of heredity, a ...
Episode 20: The Reliability of Memory
29 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An analysis of the various biases that effect the accuracy of human memory, including a discussion of spatial memory distortions, the impact of schema...
Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics
20 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of biochemistry, covering the basic properties, structure and functions of nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Also include...
Episode 19: Market Failure
15 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the principal circumstances in which markets do not produce an optimal outcome. After formally defining market failure, I discuss the ...
Episode 17: Energy, Work and Momentum
02 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the basic concepts of linear momentum, angular momentum, work and energy. Includes a discussion of the conservation of momentum, why th...
Episode 16: Profits and Competition
05 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the importance of the profit motive and freedom of competition in the efficient operation of a market economy. Includes an overview of...
Episode 15: Chemical Bonding
18 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of how atoms bond together to form different chemical substances, including a discussion of the tree main types of bonds (covalent, ionic,...
Episode 14: Principles of Quantum Mechanics
07 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to the key principles of quantum mechanics, beginning with an examination of the quantum-mechanical description of the behaviour of el...
Episode 13: Newtonian Mechanics
20 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to basic Newtonian Physics, including a discussion of forces, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s three laws of motion, and some co...
Episode 12: The Price System
06 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An examination of how the price system works, including an introduction to supply and demand theory, and the concepts of clearing the market and surpl...
Episode 11: The Origin of the Universe
09 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the chaotic inflationary theory for the origin of the universe, including a discussion of the inflaton field, quantum fluctuations, spo...
Episode 10: The Cell
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the structure and function of cells, as well as their discovery, size, and classifications. Organelles discussed include the nucleus, p...
Episode 9: Matter and Molecules
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to the nature, phases, and atomic composition of matter, along with a look at elements, ions, isotopes and the periodic table. The epi...
Episode 8: The Atom
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An examination of the atom, beginning with the origin of the concept in ancient Greece, and its subsequent development as a truly scientific idea in t...
Episode 7: The Introspection Illusion
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
A look into the fascinating psychological phenomenon of the introspection illusion. We explore the research behind this phenomenon, and the many impli...
Episode 6: Thermodynamics
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to the principles of thermodynamics, including a look at temperature and heat, the laws of thermodynamics, perpetual motion, methods o...
Episode 4: The Origin of Life
20 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of current theories about how life arose from non-living matter, including an overview of the conditions on early earth, definitions of li...
Episode 3: Organic Agriculture Part 2
24 Jul 2010
Contributed by Lukas
An examination of the perceived advantages of organic food in terms of safety, nutrition and taste, followed by a comparison of the costs and yield ef...
Episode 2: Organic Agriculture Part 1
18 Jul 2010
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of the history of organic agriculture, the philosophy behind it, and the main methods used. Also includes a look at the environmental ben...
Episode 1: Explaining Gravity
11 Jul 2010
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of gravity, beginning with a history of the concept from the ancient Greeks though to Newton. Also includes an explain Newton’s univers...