logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2011
28m 21s

The Origins of Life

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Robin Ince and Brian Cox are joined inside the Infinite Monkey Cage by rationalist comedian and musician Tim Minchin, science broadcaster and biologist Adam Rutherford and biochemist Professor Nick Lane to discuss the science of creation and the latest theories about the origins of life.

Producer: Alexandra Feachem Presenters: Robin Ince and Brian Cox.

Up next
Oct 29
Ghosts - Isy Suttie, Laurence Rickard, Ciarán O'Keeffe and Chris French
Things that go bump in the night meet the cold light of science as Jessica Fostekew and Prof Adam Rutherford investigate why ghosts continue to haunt our imaginations. Joining them for some spooky science are psychologists Chris French and Ciaran O'Keeffe, comedian Isy Suttie and ... Show More
42m 58s
Oct 22
Nothing Really Matters - Hugh Dennis, Ria Lina, Harry Cliff and Yvette Fuentes
Jessica Fostekew and Adam Rutherford tackle one of the biggest and strangest questions in science: what is nothing? Starting with the earliest philosophers and journeying through to today's cutting-edge experiments, they ask whether true nothingness can ever exist.Joining them to ... Show More
42m 14s
Oct 15
The First Britons - Tim Minchin, Prof Chris Stringer and Dr Selina Brace
The Infinite Monkey Cage returns for a brand-new series, with Professor Adam Rutherford and comedian Jessica Fostekew swinging into the cage as guest presenters. In this first episode, they find out who were the very first people to land on the British Isles… if they even were Is ... Show More
42m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2018
The Infinite Monkey Cage
A special edition of the science and comedy podcast hosted by Brian Cox and Robin Ince. 
18m 56s
Mar 2020
Science Shambles Tech Run
Welcome to a live QnA edition of our Science Shambles podcast. Please keep in mind that today is a tech run for the show so there may be a few little glitches here and there, bear with us! Science Shambles is hosted by comedian Robin Ince and physicist Dr Helen Czerski. Guests on ... Show More
1h 13m
Jan 2019
Fighting, Philosophy, and the Primal Mind, with Joe Rogan
<p>Neil deGrasse Tyson gets inside the cage with Joe Rogan to explore the physics of fighting, mental and physical health, and the mysteries of the universe. Featuring comic co-host Sasheer Zamata, author and scholar Jonathan Gottschall, comedian Chuck Nice, and sport psychologis ... Show More
49m 44s
Jul 2025
Embracing Neurodiversity w/ Robin Ince
This week, Scott sits down with English comedian, author, and BBC radio host Robin Ince. Known for co-presenting The Infinite Monkey Cage alongside physicist Brian Cox, Robin brings his signature wit and wisdom to a deeply personal and socially relevant conversation. The episode ... Show More
57m 16s
Oct 2024
The Origins of Life with Sara Imari Walker
<p>What is life? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice tackle assembly theory, artificial life, and the origin of lifeforms in the universe as we revise the definition of life with astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Imari Walker.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can ... Show More
54m 8s
May 2022
Cosmic Queries – Multiverses & Wormholes with Brian Cox
<p>What properties are fundamental to the universe? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into multiverses, inflation theory, wormholes, and quantum entanglement with particle physicist Brian Cox.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watc ... Show More
45m 19s
Jun 2019
Ricky Gervais
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode, Lawrence talks with actor, writer and comedian, Ricky Gervais about the science of comedy, the comedy of religion, and the religion of free speech. He also gets a mind-bending, personal science lesson from Lawrence.</span></p> < ... Show More
1h 32m
Aug 2025
Evil Animals, Series 1: Trailer
Join comedian Russell Kane for Evil Animals. The feral sibling of Evil Genius.Russell is joined by special guests: comedian Laura Smyth, zoologist Jules Howard, comedian Ola Labib and Principal Curator of Diptera at the Natural History Museum, Erica McAlister.Hosted by Russell Ka ... Show More
2m 10s
Jun 2024
Darwin’s Daring Idea with Richard Dawkins
<p>Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with evolutionary biologist and author of <i>The Genetic Book of the Dead</i> Richard Dawkins to talk about evolution, whether we were “designed,” how we are living reflections of our ancestors, and much much more.  </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons ... Show More
56m 41s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami