From the Vault: The 2019 Ig Nobel Prizes

FromStuff To Blow Your Mind

Start listening View podcast show

From the Vault: The 2019 Ig Nobel Prizes

FromStuff To Blow Your Mind

ratings:

Length:

42 minutes

Released:

Nov 7, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Yes, it’s time once more for us to cover the Ig Nobel prizes. This year on Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe consider cubical wombat poop, truly dirty money, diaper-changing robots and much more. (Originally published 11/7/2019)
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Released:

Nov 7, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Deep in the back of your mind, you’ve always had the feeling that there’s something strange about reality. There is. Join Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick as they examine neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and our transhuman future.

Skip carousel

Weighing the Human Soul: In the early 1900s, Duncan Macdougall set out to prove the existence of the soul. By placing consumption patients on a scale as they died, he tried to find a difference between the weight of a person before and after death. Learn more in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
14 min listen
In Search of Offshore Oil: In an economy driven by fossil fuels, oil exploration is big business -- but how do scientists actually find oil? In this podcast, Allison and Robert break down the techniques and technologies used to find offshore oil. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
23 min listen
Book Sniffers and You: You can learn a lot from a book's smell. For example, the books of heavy smokers tend to smell of smoke. When you smell a book, you're encountering more than 200 individual components combining to produce an olfactory fingerprint. Tune in to learn more. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
12 min listen
Mining the Moon: Since helium-3 can be used to power the fusion reactors of the future, it may be one of the world's most important fuel sources. It's rare on Earth, but experts believe the moon may have an abundant supply. Tune in and learn more about moon mining. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
13 min listen
How Fighting Asteroids Works: Asteroid impacts are inevitable. As they hurtle toward Earth, experts race against the clock to build an effective asteroid deterrent. Will they succeed in time? Learn more about asteroid fighters -- and their plans to save the world -- in this episode. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Growing a Green Roof: Are you stuck in the city, sweltering under the summer heat and missing the trees and grass of the natural world? Then why not transform the nearest rooftop into a garden or a park? Tune in and learn more about green roofs in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
25 min listen
Regenerate This!: According to Richard J. Goss, "If there were no regeneration, there could be no life. If everything regenerated, then there could be no death." But how does this process work? Join Robert and Allison as they explore the science behind regeneration. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
15 min listen
Interview: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: In this episode, Robert and Julie interview astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. What does the planet's leading science communicator have to say about the future of space travel, mind-blowing cosmology and the science in America? Listen in to find out. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
Are we better off in the dark?: Most city dwellers are familiar with contaminated water and smoggy air -- but have you heard of light pollution? Listen in as Allison and Robert explore the effects of light pollution -- and whether humans are better off in the dark. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Do I live next to a Grow House?: When drug dealers want to grow marijuana without getting caught, they often set up a "grow house." These buildings look like any other building, and they often fool bystanders. Tune in and learn how to tell if your neighbors are running a grow house. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
Dinner in Space!: Let's say you're an astronaut: Each day you wake up, conduct research and make adjustments to your orbit. Eventually you grab some chow -- but what kind of food do you eat, and why? Join Robert and Allison as they explore the science behind space food. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
Toilets in Space: Every astronaut knows that life in space requires numerous adjustments -- after all, things just aren't the same without gravity. So how exactly does a toilet work in space? Learn more about the science behind space's supertoilets in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
22 min listen
Running with Parasites: Are you a fan of running outside without shoes? Many people enjoy walking barefoot, especially in warmer weather. Yet there's a dark side to the joy of a shoe-free life: parasites. Listen in and learn more about parasites in this episode. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
Evolution in Action: Charles Darwin's revolutionary study of evolution isn't even two hundred years old yet. In terms of evolutionary processes, this is a miniscule amount of time. Yet is is possible to observe evolution within our lifetimes? Tune in and find out. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
18 min listen
How well do you know the T. Rex?: The Tyrannosaurus rex is one of history's most well-known, feared and misunderstood dinosaurs. Children often learn that this dinosaur was a ferocious predator ... but this might not be the whole story. Listen in and learn more in this podcast. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
16 min listen
Noise Pollution: Pipe Down, People!: Like any other form of pollution, loud noises can seriously affect your health over time -- and that's just the beginning. As Robert and Allison break down the science behind noise, they also explain how noise pollution affects the natural world. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
The Great Space Elevator: It's no secret that space shuttles need a vast amount of fuel to escape the pull of gravity -- but are space elevators a better alternative? In this episode, Robert and Allison explore the merits of literally building an elevator from Earth into space. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
24 min listen
Has science explained life after death?: Humans have believed in the soul for millennia, and the evolution of science hasn't stopped the search for ghosts and the soul. In fact, modern scientists still search for proof of life after death. Tune in to learn more about the latest research. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Why Your Brain Likes Conspiracy: The human brain strives to organize and classify sensory information. But what happens when new information conflicts with pre-existing data? Tune in as Julie and guest host Ben explore the fascinating phenomenon known as cognitive dissonance. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Drilling for Offshore Oil: Last week, Robert and Allison broke down the science behind oil exploration. In the second segment of this series, the hosts explore the process of drilling for oil once a potential well is found. Tune in to learn more about drilling for oil. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
23 min listen
Living With Robots: Worst Roomates Ever: The robot invasion of our homes has begun, and the future is bright with robotic caregivers. But how to we plan to keep this cohabitation from feeling creepy? In this episode, Julie and Robert discuss "robot skin," thought-anticipating machines and more. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
32 min listen
Personhood: The Animal and Robot Edition: What exactly is personhood? Over time, the term "person" has evolved to include numerous concepts. In this episode, Julie and Robert explore the nature of personhood and sticky concept of consciousness as applied to animals and robots. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
25 min listen
Woolly Mammoths For Sale: You haven't misread the title; rest assured that woolly mammoths are still extinct. However, there are several scientists trying revive mammoths -- and they might just succeed. Tune in to learn more about mammoth cloning. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
The Kardashev Scale: When Nicolai Kardashev began searching the universe for intelligent life, he built an energy-based scale to measure the progress of any given civilization. Tune in to discover how this scale works -- and why humanity's place on the scale may surprise you. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
21 min listen
Evolutionary Hangover: Evolutionary Hangover: Vestigial traits are common in animals across the globe, but why? In this episode, Julie and Robert take a look at the genetic leftovers that lost their usefulness during evolution. Tune in to learn more about evolution, atavism and by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Brood 13: Emergence of the Cicadas: It might sound like the title of a horror movie, but make no mistake: Brood 13 is real. In this episode, Robert and Julie explore the bizarre life of the periodical cicada, insects that emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years. Tune in to learn more. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
23 min listen
Welcome to the Memory Palace: Stroll into the memory palace, an imagined location that just might expand your brain power. In this podcast, Robert and Julie discuss the Method of Loci, a mnemonic device that allows mental athletes to perform astounding acts of recall. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
28 min listen
Stendhal Syndrome: Kicked in the Brain by Art: Imagine a work of art so beautiful that it causes heart palpitations and hallucinations. This Stuff to Blow Your Mind episode dives into the surreal world of Stendhal syndrome. What's the science behind this psychosomatic illness? Tune in to find out. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
31 min listen
The Quest for Cyberimmortality: Is it possible that human evolution is on the verge of transcending its organic roots? And, if it is possible, how could it actually occur? Join Robert and Julie as they explore the mind-blowing concept of cyberimmortality. by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
33 min listen
Is math a human invention or a human discovery?: In this episode, Robert and Julie take a sweeping look at math, addressing several important questions. For example: What is math? Where does math come from? What mathematical skills are we born with and how much can we understand? by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
38 min listen

More Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Skip carousel

From the Vault: A Game of Telephone, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
63 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Psycho Beach Party by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
84 min listen
Meteoric Metal and Alien Iron, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
49 min listen
The Monstrefact: The Tribbles of Star Trek by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
5 min listen
Meteoric Metal and Alien Iron, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
55 min listen
Listener Mail: Dirge for the Assassins by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
22 min listen
From the Vault: Thar She Blows, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
54 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
96 min listen
From the Vault: Mutational Meltdown by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
39 min listen
The Monstrefact: The Andorians of Star Trek by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
8 min listen
Space Warfare, with Paul Szymanski by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
41 min listen
The Monstrefact Omnibus: Creatures of Myth and Legend by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
29 min listen
From the Vault: Thar She Blows, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
73 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 5 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
38 min listen
Animalia Stupendium: The Common Kingfisher by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
7 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 4: Mythology in Dust by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
Listener Mail: The Ripe Program by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
26 min listen
From the Vault: Before You Could Remember, Part 3 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
52 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: On the Silver Globe by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
90 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 3 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
47 min listen
The Monstrefact: The Flight of Dragons by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
4 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
41 min listen
Listener Mail: Ephemerol by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
34 min listen
From the Vault: Before You Could Remember, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
45 min listen
Weirdhouse Cinema: Dragonslayer by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
88 min listen
The Very Dust, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
42 min listen
Smart Talks with IBM: The Power of Collaboration: How IBM Teams Up with Microsoft by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
13 min listen
In the Name of Osiris by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
46 min listen
Listener Mail: Vale's Lonely Walk by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
28 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

The 2019 Ig Nobel Prizes by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
43 min listen
The Invention of the Spoon, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
The Invention of the Spoon, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
50 min listen
From the Vault: The Interior World by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
47 min listen
Invention Classic: Chewing Gum by Invention
64 min listen
Toys, Part 2 by Invention
51 min listen
Toys, Part 3 by Invention
74 min listen
Toys, Part 1 by Invention
54 min listen
Soap by Invention
68 min listen
Toy Guns by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
57 min listen
From the Vault: Toy Guns by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
57 min listen
304: My Lucky Night with Robert Maschio by Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald
91 min listen
From the Vault: Mushroom Foraging, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
42 min listen
Bubble Wrap by Invention
48 min listen
From the Vault: The Bone Palace, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
58 min listen
From the Vault: The Invention of Soap by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
66 min listen
From the Vault: The Bone Palace, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
40 min listen
From the Vault: Holiday Inventions by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
62 min listen
Weekly Marketing and Advertising News, June 17, 2022: R.I.P. Internet Explorer: Welcome back to another episode of The Radcast! In this news episode, Host Ryan Alford and Co-Host Christina Yasi talk about Timbaland and Chobani entering the Metaverse, and TikTok's rising stats! by Right About Now with Ryan Alford
37 min listen
Scissors by Invention
46 min listen
The Interior World by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
46 min listen
The Invention of the Chainsaw, Part 2 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
48 min listen
The Invention of the Chainsaw, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
50 min listen
Orcs in the Deep by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
77 min listen
From the Vault: Mushroom Foraging, Part 1 by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
48 min listen
601: My Mirror Image by Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald
88 min listen
9 Absurd Inventions You (Probably) Won't See on Shark Tank: This episode Will, Gabe and Mango raid the US Patent office to find some of the weirdest, funniest, and most confusing inventions of all time. Plus, the trio discusses the easiest way to scam $6 off of us. by Part-Time Genius
18 min listen
#92 - Andrew Tobias - “There Are Just A Few Things You Really Need to Know About Investing, and They Don't Ever Change": EP.92 - Andrew Tobias by The Meb Faber Show
54 min listen
From the Vault: Invention of the Bed by Stuff To Blow Your Mind
52 min listen
Invention Classic: The Museum by Invention
67 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

From the Vault: The 2019 Ig Nobel Prizes

From the Vault: The 2019 Ig Nobel Prizes

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Related podcast episodes