Description (podcaster-provided):
A podcast about the big numbers, the hard sums, the mathematics that defines, runs, shapes, changes, begins, ends, every things our lives and the world around us. Hosted by Colm O'Regan. An award-winning radio broadcaster, comedian, novelist and it turns out lapsed engineer who is trying to feel useful again. Each episode sheds light on a tiny corner of a giant subject with entertaining guests and accessible talk.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Mathematics • Statistics • Mathematical models • Sports stats • Voting systems • Puzzles • History of science • Criminology • Climate change • Energy • Astronomy • Neuroscience • Quantum computing • AI and algorithmsThis podcast, titled "The Function Room," delves into the pervasive influence and intriguing applications of mathematics in various facets of life. Hosted by Colm O'Regan, an award-winning radio broadcaster, comedian, novelist, and former engineer, the show offers a blend of humor, insightful questions, and accessible conversations with a diverse set of guests.
The podcast explores a wide range of topics, consistently demonstrating how mathematics underpins countless aspects of the modern world. Episodes frequently focus on the application of mathematical principles in areas such as sports statistics, voting systems, and energy modeling. The discussion often extends to subjects like algorithms, artificial intelligence, climate change, and statistical methodologies.
Several episodes feature experts from academia and industry, including mathematicians, statisticians, physicists, and engineers, who provide detailed explanations of complex concepts. In addition to technical discussions, the podcast frequently highlights the historical and philosophical aspects of mathematical theories, offering listeners a holistic view of the subject.
Interviews with professionals also reveal the intersection of mathematics with other disciplines, such as meteorology, neuroscience, and criminology. While the specifics of each episode vary, recurring themes include the practical applications of mathematical models, the importance of statistical analysis, and the role of mathematics in developing innovative technologies and solving real-world problems.
The host often references personal anecdotes and interactions with his guests to make the content more relatable, and there is a notable effort to demystify advanced topics, making them accessible to a general audience. This podcast serves as a comprehensive exploration of how mathematical thinking can provide insights into diverse fields, shaping our understanding of the world and driving advancements across multiple domains.
Episodes: |
51 Great xPectations with Paul McDonald. 2024-Aug-03 49 minutes |
50 Talking Ballots with Adrian Kavanagh 2024-Jul-14 55 minutes |
49 The Hole Shebang - Black Holes with Dr John Regan 2024-Jun-26 51 minutes |
48 Object Lesson 2024-May-28 47 minutes |
47 Body to Body to Body with Dr Matt Kenzie 2024-May-16 59 minutes |
46 Census Sensibility with Dr Jessica Coyne. 2024-Apr-17 59 minutes |
45 Empire of the Sum a history of the pocket calculator 2024-Mar-15 47 minutes |
44 (Replay) Algorithm and Blues with Cathy O'Neill 2024-Mar-07 46 minutes |
43 Potential Energy - the Mathematics of Energy Modelling 2024-Feb-29 37 minutes |
42 That's So Derivative - Mathematics at the Movies with John Fardy 2024-Feb-22 58 minutes |
41 Re: Volts with David Roberts 2024-Feb-06 71 minutes |
40 H2 Oh! with Catherine Sheridan 2024-Jan-29 45 minutes |
39 There's Been a Breakthrough with TJ Hegarty. 2024-Jan-22 43 minutes |
38 The Auld Sthretch with Éibhear Ó hAnluain 2023-Dec-13 39 minutes |
37 This Goes All The Way to the Top with David Robert Grimes 2023-Nov-29 60 minutes |
36 Murderous Math with Kjartan Poskitt 2023-Nov-22 43 minutes |
35 Riemann Reason with Dr Alex Kontorovich 2023-Nov-09 59 minutes |
34 Sea Change with Joanna Donnelly 2023-Oct-27 33 minutes |
33 Climate Worrier 2023-Oct-19 53 minutes |
32 All the Pieces Matter 2023-Oct-16 25 minutes |
31 It's in Our Nature 2023-Oct-04 52 minutes |
30 Anyone's Guess 2023-Sep-21 59 minutes |
29 The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same 2023-Sep-11 49 minutes |
28 Things Fall Apart 2023-Jul-10 42 minutes |
27 A Sense of Ounce 2023-Jul-03 51 minutes |
26 Chums' Pedigree 2023-Jun-28 40 minutes |
#25 Crime Numbers 2023-Jun-19 51 minutes |
24 Carbon of Contention 2023-Jun-09 51 minutes |
23 What the Butler Saw with John Butler 2023-May-24 58 minutes |
#22 Once Upon A Prime with Sarah Hart 2023-May-15 42 minutes |
#21 Drawing by Numbers with Ayliean MacDonald 2023-May-06 49 minutes |
Boyle Points - the story of a gas man 2023-May-01 38 minutes |
The Weather Forecast: The Original Cloud Computing 2023-Apr-22 49 minutes |
Some Idle ChatGPT 2023-Apr-14 52 minutes |
Mental Arithmetic: It's All In Your Head 2023-Apr-06 37 minutes |
All We Hear Is: Radio Pulsar 2023-Mar-30 36 minutes |
Back Once Again For The Renegade Masters Student 2023-Mar-23 59 minutes |
Where Is There a Will? 2021-Sep-22 58 minutes |
Miracle Grow 2021-Sep-08 79 minutes |
The Ps of Queues 2021-Aug-23 56 minutes |
A Chip Off The New Block 2021-Jun-28 42 minutes |
Welcome to the Fold 2021-May-14 67 minutes |
The Matrix Revised 2021-Mar-15 45 minutes |
Algorithm and Blues 2021-Feb-09 45 minutes |
The Solace of Quantum 2021-Jan-18 45 minutes |
A Sum of Funny. 2020-Dec-29 45 minutes |
The Math(s) Doesn't Care About Your Feelings 2020-Nov-21 56 minutes |
Galaxy Brain 2020-Nov-06 41 minutes |
Model Behaviour 2020-Oct-23 35 minutes |
Spilling the T. 2020-Oct-09 51 minutes |
1 They Grow Up So Fast with Kit Yates 2020-Sep-10 33 minutes |