<p>CrowdScience listener Azeddine from Algeria has had bad handwriting since he was a child. In fact, it was so untidy that, when he later became a chemistry lecturer, his university students complained that they could not read his lecture notes. That was when he decided he had to do something about it.
And it got him wondering… why do some of us have ver ... Show More
Yesterday
What keeps the universe in balance?
CrowdScience listener Ndanusa in Ghana, is gazing up at the stars, and wondering. Big philosophical questions, like… what keeps our universe in balance? From our perspective here on earth, the universe seems like a vast, harmonious system, perpetuating eternally without change. B ... Show More
31m 5s
Feb 27
How can we save the Great Barrier Reef?
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth, and it’s home to over 600 species of coral – marine animals that are most closely related to jellyfish. But the coral is under threat, with climate change, ocean acidification and m ... Show More
26m 28s
Feb 20
Why don't more animals have opposable thumbs?
On a recent kayaking trip, CrowdScience listener Lanier sliced through his right thumb, putting it out of action for a while. This made life difficult, as he couldn’t button his shirt, tie his shoelaces or type efficiently on his smartphone. Missing the use of his thumb made him ... Show More
26m 28s
Oct 2024
Subatomic Writing: Six Fundamental Lessons to Make Language Matter
Subatomic Writing: Six Fundamental Lessons to Make Language Matter (Johns Hopkins UP, 2023), by Johns Hopkins University instructor Jamie Zvirzdin, is a guide for writing about science—from the subatomic level up!
Subatomic Writing teaches that the building blocks of language ar ... Show More
58m 34s
Oct 2025
Why Q needs U and how hieroglyphics created our alphabet, with Danny Bate
<p>1125. This week, we talk with linguist and author Danny Bate about his book, "Why Q Needs U." We look at the ancient origins of our alphabet, tracing its conceptual leap from Egyptian hieroglyphs to symbols that represent sounds. Danny explains the "acrophonic principle" (one ... Show More
37m 49s
Nov 2020
106: Brain Wash by David & Austin Perlmutter
Today’s authors argue that our modern culture is rewiring our brains and damaging our health. But today’s book promises to give us the tools we need to think more clearly, make better decisions, strengthen bonds with others, and develop healthier habits. Join Joe & Mike as they a ... Show More
1h 45m
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p>Evidence from the guy who pioneered the science.</p> <p><br /></p> <p><a href= "https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/ ... Show More