Is the bird flu the next pandemic?

This winter we’ve seen a severe outbreak of the bird flu, or avian flu. How much should we worry about that? I’ve tried to figure out what’s going on, and, well, let me just say I’ve learned a lot of really scary things that I don’t want to withhold from you. What’s the bird flu? Is it dangerous to humans? And if so, what can we do? That’s what we’ll talk about today.



Transcript, links to references, and discussion on Patreon.

D-wave claims quantum advantage, superconductor claim does not reproduce, a skeptical take on e-fuels & more science news from this week

Today we’ll talk about traces of your DNA in the air, a new telescope that will track down gravitational wave sources, a new quantum advantage claim, e-Fuels, a superconductor experiment that failed to replicate, nuclear fusion investments, image reconstruction from surfaces, EU regulations for artificial intelligence, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, links to references, and discussion on Patreon.

Why is everyone suddenly neurodivergent?

What exactly is autism? How is it different than Asperger's syndrome? What is internalized ableism and what is neurodiversity? Am I autistic? This is what we'll talk about today.



Transcript, links to references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News May 17

Today we talk about quantum computing, mother trees, diamonds, microscopy with entangled photons, a supernova that we saw 5 times, a telescope made of fluid, better glasses, a new alien search initiative, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

The Origin of Life: How much do we know?

What do we know about the origins of life? From the formation of the solar system to microbes evolving into bipedal mammals with opposable thumbs, today we will look over the four major theories about how life began.



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Science News May 10

Today we talk about Schrödinger’s cat, mind reading with artificial intelligence, a new theory for the origin of life, how many arms the Milky Way has, a design for a new space station, a 3D printed building, 3D ink that conducts electricity, a security system that uses light flashes, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

What's next for AI?

For this video we have looked at what AI applications are currently under development and add some wild speculation about where things will be going in the near future. We want to hear your speculations, too, so let us know in the comments.



Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News May 3: Wave-like Dark Matter?

Today we talk about wave-like dark matter, wires that learn, the core of planet mars, why quasars ignite, a superconducting highway, fabric that changes shape and colour, chemistry on a quantum computer, the Brazil nut effect, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Is being trans a social fad among teenagers?

Should transgender teens transition? This rather personal question occupies a prominent place in the American culture war. One the one side you have people claiming that it’s a socially contagious fad among the brainwashed woke who want to mutilate your innocent children. On the other side there are those saying that it’s saving the lives of minorities who’ve been forced to stay in the closet for too long. And then there are normal people, like you and I, who think both sides are crazy and could someone please summarise the facts in simple words, which is what I’m here for.



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Science News April 26: This could explain why the sun's corona is so hot

Today we talk about magnetic resonance imaging at record resolution, why the sun’s corona is so hot, nanoscale devices that can be reconfigured, an artificial tree that produces hydrogen from sunlight, a quantum light source on a chip, a sensor for plant health, aliens, quantum standards, and of course the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Realistic Expectations for Quantum Computing

Quantum computing has attracted a lot of attention and much of what you read in the headlines is overhyped. But underneath the hype there's real promise. In this video I go through the applications of quantum computing that we can realistically expect -- if they ever get the devices to work...



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Science News April 19: AI Rediscovers Einstein's Time-Dilation, Solar Flares in the Lab, A Strange Star, and More

In this week's science news we talk about artificial intelligence that rediscovered Kepler’s laws, solar flares in the laboratory, nano-surgery with tiny magnets, a candidate for a strange star, what the new JUICE spacecraft will look for, how much air pollution is avoided by nuclear power, a software that creates 3d models from 2d drawings, an estimate for how much rare earth metals the energy transition will need, and of course the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

We Could Beam Solar Energy Down From Space. But Should We?

Solar power is a nice idea. Except for the issue with the clouds. And the nights. So, how about we instead put solar panels up in space and then beam the energy down? This futuristic idea is known as “Space Based Solar Power”. It’s been around since the 1960s, but in recent years several nations have launched projects to make it reality. I think they’re not kidding. Space-Based Solar Power is about to become a real thing. But how is it supposed to work? Is it a good idea to beam energy down from space? What are the pros and cons? That’s what we’ll talk about today.



Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News April 12: An Exoplanet with Magnetic Field, A New Isotope of Uranium, Quantum Spectroscopy, And More

Today we’ll talk about magnetic fields on exoplanets, a new isotope of uranium, mysterious chemicals in the atmosphere, spectroscopy with quantum effects, a new way to measure brain activity, a longevity forecast, AI glasses that can read lips, better holograms, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

I think faster than light travel is possible. Here's why.

If you've been following my channel for a really long time, you might remember that some years ago I made a video about whether faster-than-light travel is possible. I was trying to explain why the arguments saying it's impossible are inconclusive and we shouldn't throw out the possibility too quickly, but I'm afraid I didn't make my case very well. This video is a second attempt. Hopefully this time it'll come across more clearly!



Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News April 5

Today we’ll talk about water on the moon, space skin, quantum light, how crystals grow, mind-controlled robots, blood as fuel, nano-ink, a new projection for population growth, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Addicted to social media -- Is this even possible?

I recently learned there’s a new trend on social media: monk mode. It means cutting out distractions and going into self-isolation to become more productive. It’s supposedly based on science and particularly concerned with avoiding social media, because that’s addictive. But can social media really be addictive? Does the monk mode work? And what’s the science behind it? In this video, we'll sort it out.



Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News March 29: ATLAS Checks W-Boson Anomaly, New Explanation for 'Oumuamua, Hydrogen Airplane Test Flight & More!

Today we’ll talk a new explanation for the interstellar object Oumuamua, what’s up with the W-boson anomaly, two new institutes founded by NASA, an airplane powered by hydrogen, a gigapixel 3D microscope, vaccinations without the needles, concrete that talks, nano-labels, and of course the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Collective Stupidity

When we come together in groups we can be so much more than the sum of the parts. But sometimes groups are just much more stupid. Collective stupidity is the flipside of collective intelligence, and we see it a lot on social media. Why are groups sometimes collectively stupid and sometimes not? What can we do to be more intelligent in groups? In this video I explain the most important points.



Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.

Science News March 22

Today we’ll talk about a new comet, drone deliveries, how the hydrogen economy could actually make global warming worse, a better way to control spin qubits, modular robots that could work on the moon, soft crystals, how to turn a phone into a fluorescent microscope, and of course, the telephone will ring.

Transcript, references, and discussion on Patreon.