Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Are you tired of hearing about coronavirus? Has lockdown left you worn out? Then perhaps it’s time to escape. Join Rowan Hooper and the team at New Scientist in this covid-free space, as they discuss all that’s right with the world - the stories that remind us of how wonderful this planet really is. Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Science escapism • Physics and cosmology (speed of light, dark matter, neutrinos, infinity) • Biology and animal behavior (bats, dolphins, beetles, bees) • Sound, music, perception • Space and moons • Psychology of flow and metacognition • Scientific history and discovery (elements, overlooked pioneers)This podcast is a covid-free science escape that highlights phenomena and ideas meant to rekindle curiosity about the natural world and human ingenuity. Across the episodes, the hosts use broad themes—such as understanding, perception, sound, speed, mass, warmth, flow, and “the unseen”—to connect everyday experiences with deeper scientific principles.
A recurring focus is how humans sense and interpret reality, from hearing (including binaural effects, ultrasonic and infrasonic animal communication, and audio illusions) to metacognition and the limits of perception at very small scales. The show also revisits classic and modern scientific concepts in physics and mathematics, touching on topics like the speed of light, dark matter, neutrinos, escape velocity, infinity thought experiments, and how measurement standards are defined.
Nature and animal biology are frequent entry points for explaining science: examples include bats’ echolocation, peregrine falcons’ high-speed dives, bees generating heat, lichen symbioses, spider silk strength, and unusual insect adaptations. Space and planetary science appear as well, using familiar destinations in the solar system to discuss geology and the search for life.
Alongside concepts and discoveries, the podcast includes elements of scientific history and culture, spotlighting overlooked contributors and tracing discoveries to specific places and laboratories, including sites linked to chemical elements and technological advances. Overall, it blends narrative explanation, striking examples, and sound-rich moments to explore science from the microscopic to the cosmic.
