The Science of Everything Podcast
By James Fodor
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Podcast Description
The Science of Everything podcast examines the scientific evidence for and explanations of a wide variety of phenomena from the natural and social sciences.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
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1 |
Episode 32: Light and Optics | A discussion of the nature of light and its interactions with matter, including a journey through the history of our understanding of light from Newton’s corpuscular theory through early wave theory and up to the modern wave-particle duality understanding. Following this is an analysis of the various ways light interacts with matter, including absorption, reflection, transmission, refraction, dispersion, and transparency | 4/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Episode 31: Solutions and Mixtures | An analysis of liquids and their behaviour when mixed with other substances, incorporating a look at solutions, mixtures, colloids and suspensions. Special emphasis is placed on solutions, with a more detailed discussion of solubility, saturation, molarity and bubble formation. | 4/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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3 |
Episode 30: Systems of Government | An overview of the various forms of government that have existed throughout history and across the world, including a discussion of anarchy, democracy, monarchy, autocracy, and various forms of oligarchy, giving some key characteristics and important examples of each. Also includes an introduction to the principles of classification and political comparison. | 2/24/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Episode 29: Operant Conditioning | Continuing on from episode 28 on Classical Conditioning, in this episode I discuss another form of learning called Operant Conditioning, including the concepts of reinforcers, punishers, shaping, and schedules of reinforcement. I then apply Operant Conditioning theory to understand phenomena such as animal training and how punishments can be effectively used. The episode concludes with a brief look at a third form of learning, Observational Learning. | 1/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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5 |
Episode 28: Classical Conditioning | A discussion of classical conditioning, including an analysis of its key components of the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and responses, the acquisition process, extinction, recovery, generalization, and discrimination. I also discuss some applications of classical conditioning to understand a wide variety of behaviors, including taste aversion, drug tolerance, sexual fetishes, and emotional responses. | 1/7/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Episode 27: Intermolecular Bonds and Phase Transitions | Building upon episode 15 on Chemical Bonding, I explain the forces and mechanisms of intermolecular bonding, including dispersion forces, dipole-dipole bonding and hydrogen bonds, with an application of these mechanisms in analysing surface tension. This is followed by a discussion of how phase transitions occur, focusing on evaporation, condensation, boiling and melting. | 12/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Episode 26: Human Organ Systems | Continuing on from episode 25, this episode gives a brief overview of all the human organ systems, including their major components and functions. Also includes an examination of how the organ systems work together to promote the proper functioning of the organism. | 12/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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8 |
Episode 25: Organs, Tissues and Systems | An overview of the various levels of biological organisation, from the atomic and molecular level through cells, tissues, organs, and up to populations and ecosystems. Also includes a more detailed examination of the structure and function of the four main types of human tissue, including epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissues. | 12/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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9 |
Episode 24: Vibrations and Waves | An overview of the basic principles of wave phenomena, including a definition of waves, a discussion of wave mediums, wavelength, frequency and amplitude. I also discuss a variety of interesting wave behaviours including interference, polarization, resonance, reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction and standing waves. This episode will form the foundation for later discussion of sound and light. | 11/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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10 |
Episode 23: Chemical Reactions | An introduction to chemical reactions, including an overview of chemical equations, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and reversible reactions. Also includes a discussion of collision theory to explain how and why chemical reactions occur. | 9/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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11 |
Episode 22: Our Place in the Cosmos | A journey through Earth’s location in the universe, including a discussion of the Earth-moon system, the sun and planets of the solar system, nearby stars, the Milky Way Galaxy, the Local Group, clusters and superclusters, the large-scale structure of the universe, and speculations as to what may lie beyond | 7/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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12 |
Episode 21: Introduction to Evolution | An introduction to the basic concepts of biological evolution, including an overview of Charles Darwin’s contributions, a discussion of heredity, a summary of all the major evolutionary mechanisms, and a review of all the major lines of evidence supporting evolutionary theory | 7/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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13 |
Episode 20: The Reliability of Memory | An analysis of the various biases that effect the accuracy of human memory, including a discussion of spatial memory distortions, the impact of schema on memory, source monitoring failure, and the misinformation effect. I also discuss the interesting research regarding false memories, eyewitness memory, and flashbulb memories. | 6/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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14 |
Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics | An overview of biochemistry, covering the basic properties, structure and functions of nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Also includes a discussion of the nature of organic molecules and the importance of carbon in living organisms. | 6/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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15 |
Episode 19: Market Failure | This episode follows on from episodes 12 and 16 about the operation of markets, this time outlining some of the situations when markets do not produce an optimal outcome. After formally defining market failure, I discuss the ‘big four’ market failures of market power, externalities, public goods and asymmetric information. I conclude with a brief look at transaction costs | 6/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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16 |
Episode 17: Energy, Work and Momentum | An overview of the basic concepts of linear momentum, angular momentum, work and energy. Includes a discussion of the conservation of momentum, why the concept is needed, and some applications of the concept to collisions and rotating objects. The nature of energy is also discussed, along with the different forms of energy, and how the concepts of energy and work are related. | 4/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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17 |
Episode 16: Profits and Competition | A discussion of the importance of the profit motive and freedom of competition in the efficient operation of a market economy. Includes an overview of the uniformity of profit principle, and an examination of how competition serves as both an opportunity and a disciplining agent for entrepreneurs and firms, thus promoting useful innovations while weeding out bad ideas. | 3/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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18 |
Episode 15: Chemical Bonding | An overview of how atoms bond together to form different chemical substances, including a discussion of the tree main types of bonds (covalent, ionic and metallic), and the relationship of these bonding types to the concept of electronegativity. I also discuss the difference between polar and non-polar bonds, and conclude with some interesting applications of bonding theory to understanding the properties of materials. | 2/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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19 |
Episode 14: Principles of Quantum Mechanics | Continuing on from episode eight ‘The Atom’, I examine the quantum-mechanical description of the behaviour of electrons around atomic nuclei. This is followed by an overview of some of the other major principles of quantum theory, including the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, the Pauli Exclusion Principle, Quantum Tunnelling and Entanglement. The episode concludes with a discussion of alternative interpretations of these quantum phenomena | 2/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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20 |
Episode 13: Newtonian Mechanics | An introduction to basic Newtonian Physics, including a discussion of forces, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s three laws of motion, and some common misconceptions about forces. I also discuss circular motion, and conclude with a brief look at the physics of walking and driving a car | 1/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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21 |
Episode 12: The Price System | An examination of how the price system works, including an introduction to supply and demand theory, and the concepts of clearing the market and surplus maximisation. We also look at how the price system promotes efficiency helps to regulate economic activity. Also includes a discussion of how prices store and communicate economic information. | 1/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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22 |
Episode 11: The Origin of the Universe | An overview of the chaotic inflationary theory for the origin of the universe, including a discussion of the inflaton field, quantum fluctuations, spontaneous symmetry breaking, and the zero net energy of the universe. Also includes a discussion of the Multiverse and the fine-tuning paradox. | 12/9/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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23 |
Episode 10: The Cell | An overview of the structure and function of cells, as well as their discovery, size, and classifications. Organelles discussed include the nucleus, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria. Also includes with a brief discussion of the unique properties of plant cells. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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24 |
Episode 9: Matter and Molecules | An introduction to the nature, phases, and atomic composition of matter, along with a look at elements, ions, isotopes and the periodic table. The episode concludes with an explanation of molecules, including elemental, ionic and macromolecules. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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25 |
Episode 8: The Atom | An examination of the atom, beginning with the origin of the concept in ancient Greece, and its subsequent development as a truly scientific idea in the 19th century. I explain the various important contributions made to the field by Thomson, Rutherford, Planck, Einstein and de Broglie, and the resultant evolution of our models of the atom. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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26 |
Episode 7: The Introspection Illusion | A look into the fascinating psychological phenomenon of the introspection illusion. We explore the research behind this phenomenon, and the many implications that it has for human behaviour, including such startling conclusions as people are much more biased, much less observant and much more malleable than they think. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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27 |
Episode 6: Thermodynamics | An introduction to the principles of thermodynamics, including a look at temperature and heat, the laws of thermodynamics, perpetual motion, methods of transferring energy, and the phenomenon of entropy. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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28 |
Episode 5: Corporate Conspiracies | An analysis of corporate conspiracy theories, including the alleged suppression of the cure for cancer and sabotage of the electric car. Using economic analysis and game theory, I outline the true incentives and constraints facing the firms in these industries, and explain why any such conspiracies would be enormously difficult to pull off. | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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29 |
Episode 4: The Origin of Life | An overview of current theories about how life arose from non-living matter, including an overview of the conditions on early earth, definitions of life, the source of organic monomers, the mechanisms of polymerisation of these monomers, and the possible means by which the first proto-cell developed. | 11/20/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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30 |
Episode 3: Organic Agriculture Part 2 | An examination of the perceived advantages of organic food in terms of safety, nutrition and taste, followed by a comparison of the costs and yield efficiencies of conventional versus organic farming techniques. | 7/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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31 |
Episode 2: Organic Agriculture Part 1 | A discussion of the history of organic agriculture, the philosophy behind it, and the main methods used. Also includes a look at the environmental benefits of organic farming, including the effects on erosion, water pollution and biodiversity. | 7/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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32 |
Episode 1: Explaining Gravity | A discussion of gravity, beginning with a history of the concept from the ancient Greeks though to Newton. Also includes an explain Newton’s universal law of gravitation, how orbits work, how astronauts experience gravity in space, and how gravity causes the tides. | 7/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 32 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Great Show! Thanks, and please keep them coming!
Very easy to follow and understand. He is a great science communicator. These are a must-listen!
Fast and Hard Science
May need to listen a few times through if you are preoccupied while listening, BUT he presents very concise cliff notes of everything you never knew you wanted to know. Or everything you should have learned in school but forgot.
One of the best
Just by the nature of the topics presented, you often cannot be even slightly distracted whilst listening or you'll need to pause or rewind. But it's absolutely worth the solitude for a listen. Each episode is a clear, thorough rundown that's presented in a linear and structured manner. It's a great podcast and I always look forward to the next.
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