logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
12m 45s

All Tied Up: The Study of Knots

NPR
About this episode
Climbing enthusiast and producer Thomas Lu has long wondered what makes knots such a powerful tool. Today, Thomas digs into the research with the help of Matt Berry, Quality Assurance Manager at the outdoor gear company Black Diamond Equipment, and researcher Vishal Patil.

Reach the show by emailing shortwave@npr.org.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Today
Inside Colombia's big quake – and why more could be coming
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Columbia was devastating. Host Regina Barber talks to earthquake geologist Rodrigo Alejandro Leon Loya about the tectonic plates that caused the quake and what it was like 150 miles from the epicenter. Interested in more science in the new ... Show More
12m 12s
Yesterday
How to see the year's best meteor shower tonight
Right now the best shooting star show of the year is happening: the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. People have been viewing this annual event pretty much as long as we’ve been recording history. But what are we really looking at when we gaze up to see these faint streaks of l ... Show More
12m 28s
Aug 12
Can you spot AI-written stories? Listen and find out
Can you tell the difference between a human-written short story and an AI-generated one? Most people can’t. In a series of experiments led by a team at Villanova University, researchers found two things: First, most people said they preferred human written stories, but couldn’t t ... Show More
12m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
The Monstrefact: Of Knots and Monsters
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the relationship between knots and monsters… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
3m 39s
Jul 2019
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Twine
<p>Vivian Le is on a mission that requires equal parts science, philosophy, and daring, in search of something that’s been hotly contested for decades: the world's largest ball of twine.</p> <p><a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=29133&post_type=episode" target="_blank">Go ... Show More
41m 28s
May 2024
Highlight: Will Bosi climbing sport 9c or Adam Ondra bouldering 9A first?
In this podcast highlight, Tom Randall and Will Bosi discuss various aspects of Will's climbing projects, aiming to understand the mental process of walking away from a project. They also touch on Will's future plans for 2024 and whether Will will try a 9c route any time soon.Lis ... Show More
8m 25s
May 2020
Invention Playlist 4: Barbed Wire
You may very well encounter barbed wire everyday -- and, in all likelihood, you see THROUGH this flesh-ripping barrier. Where did this invention come from? How did it change the world? Robert and Joe discuss “the devil’s rope” in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
50m 13s
Feb 2024
Cosmic Queries – Becoming Entangled
<p>How do particles get entangled? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice, answer grab-bag questions about harnessing Hawking Radiation, bad places to construct wormholes, and whether running or walking in the rain makes you wetter. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen ... Show More
45m 28s
Oct 2025
The Rage in the Cage
Can you tickle your way to victory in an MMA fight? An investigation into a sports scandal with journalist Pablo Torre. See videos mentioned in this episode. Check out Pablo Torre Finds Out on Youtube or Spotify. Support Search Engine! Comment on this episode. 
52m 5s
Sep 2020
Make Me Care
After months of research, In Deep reporters and editors have become fascinated with water infrastructure. But can they convince a Gen Zer to care? In this episode, Todd Melby, Annie Baxter and Dan Ackerman go head to head to persuade Erianna Jiles that she should care about water ... Show More
18m 49s
Feb 2020
Firestarter
How were matches invented? From toxic chemicals to pee science, we learn about matches. And a fictional character stops by to irritate our host. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
48m 12s
Oct 2024
What is space?
Daniel and Kelly wrestle with the the fabric of the Universe itself. What is it, what can it do and why do we have it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
54m 13s
Dec 2024
Tighten Those Bolts!
On the Monday December 9, 2024 edition of The Armstrong & Getty Show... Jack does some light research on the origins of phrase! Stupid Should Hurt: https://www.armstrongandgetty.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
8m 27s