A Little Bit Of Science

A Little Bit Of Science

From tales of historical idiocracy and scientific genius to weird and wacky cultural phenomena, Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant are here to take you on a wild conversational journey, deep diving into the crevices of science, history and culture that you never knew existed. 

  1. Immortal Oligarchs, AI Love Affairs, and Headless Animal Survivors

    1D AGO

    Immortal Oligarchs, AI Love Affairs, and Headless Animal Survivors

    This week's science stories reveal disturbing trends in human intelligence and technology that could reshape society in uncomfortable ways. The Flynn Effect, which saw global IQ scores steadily rising for over a century, has suddenly plateaued and may be reversing - meaning our species might have hit peak intelligence and is now sliding backwards. Meanwhile, AI companies are capitalising on human loneliness by selling virtual girlfriends that promise "non-judgmental love" for a monthly subscription fee, raising serious questions about whether we're filling genuine connection needs or creating a generation incapable of real relationships. The intersection of technology and inequality takes a dark turn with Russian immortality research that could extend human lifespans indefinitely - but likely only for those who can afford it. This prospect of immortal billionaires ruling over mortal peasants represents the ultimate dystopian future, where death becomes a luxury only poor people experience. Adding to the apocalyptic themes, climate change could potentially trigger a fungal pandemic similar to "The Last of Us," where parasitic fungi hijack human brains and turn people into spore-spreading zombies. Perhaps most bizarrely, nature continues to defy our understanding of basic biology with animals that can survive decapitation and keep functioning mostly normally. Cockroaches, praying mantises and even chickens have proven that losing your head isn't necessarily fatal, treating decapitation as merely an inconvenience rather than a death sentence. These stories collectively paint a picture of a world where human intelligence is declining, artificial relationships are replacing real ones, death is becoming optional for the wealthy, fungal apocalypses loom on the horizon, and some creatures have evolved beyond the need for heads - making 2025 feel like the opening chapter of several dystopian novels rolled into one.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 02:56 AI Love Affairs: A New Era of Relationships 11:00 China's Military Parade and Global Politics 13:36 Russia’s Pursuit of Immortality Technology 16:40 The Flynn Effect Explained 26:01 The Plateau of Human Intelligence 26:11 Studies on IQ Trends 29:22 Fungal Zombie Apocalypse 35:47 Headless Survivors in the Animal Kingdom 44:22 Conclusion SOURCES: Most Men Would Marry Their AI Girlfriends If It Were Legal 'Mike the Headless Chicken': who was he and how long did he live without a head? Discover 10 animals that can survive without their heads Hot mic catches Putin and Xi discussing organ transplants and immortality Who wants to live forever? Inside the Russian authorities’ plan to develop anti-aging technology One Century of Global IQ Gains: A Formal Meta-Analysis of the Flynn Effect (1909–2013) Google Scholar Is Doomed See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  2. Raw Milk Reality Check, Proton Beam to the Face, AI Animal Translators and The Enhanced Games

    SEP 10

    Raw Milk Reality Check, Proton Beam to the Face, AI Animal Translators and The Enhanced Games

    If you’ve got a raw milk enthusiast friend, they might be conveniently forgetting that grandma used to boil her "fresh" milk to avoid dying from bacteria poisoning.  Mind you, it wasn’t all safe in the good old days. In 1978, a Soviet scientist stuck his head in a particle accelerator and got blasted with a proton beam 600 times the lethal dose (and somehow survived). He might be a good candidate for the upcoming Enhanced Games, a sporting competition that openly encourages athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs.  Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Well, AI might finally let us chat with animals, but do we really want to hear what they have to say? CHAPTERS:   00:00 Who is Sponsoring the Enhanced Games 02:06 Raw Milk Myths Debunked 05:03 Historical Practices of Milk Boiling 08:10 The Proton Beam Incident 14:20 Interspecies Communication Challenge 24:42 Anthropomorphism and Animal Emotions 25:08 The Ethics of Translating Animal Communication 27:55 Enhanced Games Events and Controversies 30:51 Debate on Performance Enhancing Drugs 38:54 Risks and Consequences of Steroid Use 42:19 The Future of Enhanced Games and Athlete Compensation 42:57 Science Says Pay Me More SOURCES: $10m prize launched for team that can truly talk to the animals Dolphin whistle decoders win $100,000 interspecies communication prize Steroids? Sure! Doping? Bring it on! 'Enhanced Games' push to be the Olympics* — with drugs   The Definitive, Insane, Swimsuit-Bursting Story of the Steroid Olympics Learn about the risks of performance-enhancing drugs A Soviet Physicist Once Survived A Proton Beam Through The Head – This Is How See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  3. Down Side To Dong Size, Yoghurt-Cooled House, and Drowning In Space

    SEP 2

    Down Side To Dong Size, Yoghurt-Cooled House, and Drowning In Space

    This week's little bits of science challenge long-held assumptions and reveal the unexpected dangers lurking in everyday situations. A groundbreaking study on phantom limb syndrome has overturned decades of medical thinking by proving that the mysterious sensations amputees feel aren't caused by brain changes at all - they're likely nerve-related, opening up entirely new treatment possibilities. Meanwhile, a man with the world's largest penis broke his arm in a shower accident because he couldn't see his feet, proving that even anatomical fame comes with occupational hazards. The space exploration front delivered its own dose of terror when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned inside his helmet during a spacewalk, with water sloshing around his head while he floated in the vacuum of space. Back on Earth, researchers discovered that smearing Greek yogurt on your windows can cool your house by up to 3.5 degrees Celsius, offering a dairy-based solution to summer heat that sounds ridiculous but actually works. Perhaps the most spectacular story involves a 1950s nuclear test called Operation Plumbbob, where scientists accidentally launched a 900-kilogram manhole cover at six times Earth's escape velocity - potentially making it the first human-made object to reach space, beating Sputnik by several years. The incident perfectly captures the chaotic, consequence-free spirit of 1950s nuclear experimentation, when scientists would essentially ask "what happens if we nuke this?" and then find out in the most dramatic way possible.   CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Fastest Human-Made Objects 1:45 - Fastest Cars, Planes, Bullets and Spacecraft 3:30 - Space Records: Apollo 10 & Parker Solar Probe 5:15 - Your hosts, Rod & Will: Academics with Beers 6:15 - Cool Study: Phantom Limb Syndrome Research 11:50 - Be Careful What You Wish For: World's Largest Penis Injury 22:20 - Space Drowning: Astronaut Nearly Dies in Helmet 31:25 - Yogurt Window Cooling 34:15 - That Was Dumb: Nuclear Manhole Cover Launch Story 45:10 - Cry For Help (aka CTA) SOURCES: https://www.spacecentre.nz/resources/faq/spaceflight/rocket-speed.html https://epicflightacademy.com/fastest-plane-in-the-world/#h-21-nasa-x-43-2004-the-fastest-plane-in-the-world-ever-reaching-hypersonic-heaven-at-mach-9-6 https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/x-15-rocket-aircraft https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_Solar_Probe https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/engineering/fastest-manmade-object-manhole-cover-nuclea-test/ https://www.wearethemighty.com/tech/the-8-fastest-man-made-objects-ever/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-17/spacewalk-cut-short-after-water-leaks-into-astronauts-helmet/4825472 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/aug/20/astronaut-helmet-drowning-interview https://abcnews.go.com/US/astronaut-drowned-space-due-nasas-poor-communication-report/story?id=22687977 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Falcon https://uk.news.yahoo.com/man-left-broken-arm-because-093006168.html https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-man-has-the-worlds-largest-penis-and-broke-his-arm-because-of-it/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4rg3nqq7go?_bhlid=ebb1558b2f6fd997169270e31a94567be10792f6 https://theconversation.com/scientists-have-been-wrong-about-phantom-limbs-for-decades-new-study-263547 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02037-7 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563218302978 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
  4. AI Only Reads Fox News, Insane Browser Hoarding, and Suspicious Russian Defenestration

    AUG 26

    AI Only Reads Fox News, Insane Browser Hoarding, and Suspicious Russian Defenestration

    Truth Social's AI chatbot thinks "balanced news" means exclusively quoting Fox News, which is about as balanced as someone hoarding 7,470 browser tabs on a single computer (yes, that actually happened).  Meanwhile, Australia's deadliest killer isn't the poisonous spider lurking in your toilet - it's the friendly horse in the paddock next door. And if you think that's absurd, wait until you hear about the Russian oligarchs who keep accidentally falling out of windows or the two bank robbers who covered themselves in lemon juice to make themselves invisible, leading to an entire psychological phenomenon being named after them. So major science revelations for this week? Don't trust an AI that only reads one news source, maybe learn what bookmarks are for, respect horses more than spiders, remember that a little knowledge can be dangerous and if you're ever in Russia, whatever you do, don’t go near the windows.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Truth Social's AI Chatbot 01:54 Media Bias and Source Selection 06:50 Desktop Organisation and Tab Overload 10:56 Animal-Related Deaths in Australia 14:28 Death by Farm Animals 16:45 The Dunning-Kruger Effect Explained 18:08 The Infamous Lemon Juice Robbery 20:12 Suspicious Deaths of Russian Oligarchs 26:31 Nostalgia and the Return to Analog SOURCES: Truth Social’s New AI Chatbot Is Donald Trump’s Media Diet Incarnate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  5. AI Prescribes Victorian Poison, Accidental Canal Unplugging, and Self-Defense Penises

    AUG 19

    AI Prescribes Victorian Poison, Accidental Canal Unplugging, and Self-Defense Penises

    What is this bizarre world we're living in where AI chatbots are literally poisoning people by recommending Victorian-era bromine cures, while British engineers accidentally drain entire historic canals by pulling chains they thought were harmless? Today we explore the shocking discovery that some animals can literally breathe through their butts during oxygen emergencies, and uncover the tale of tarantula species with penises so absurdly long that scientists had to create a new genus just to classify them.  Plus, we dive into the Soviets' insane plan to reverse rivers using 250 nuclear explosions, and discover how Danish zoos are asking the public to donate unwanted pets as lion food in the name of sustainable recycling. From AI reviving dangerous Whether it's chatbots dispensing dangerous medical advice, engineers accidentally draining waterways, or discovering that nature's backup plans involve breathing through uncomfortable places - science keeps reminding us that reality is absolutely mental.  Stay skeptical of your AI's suggestions, avoid pulling random chains near historic canals, and maybe appreciate that your reproductive equipment isn't four times the size of your torso.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The Science Behind Bromine Consumption 02:49 Historical Uses and Effects of Bromine 06:02 Modern Cases and AI Involvement 09:22 The Chesterfield Canal Incident 15:25 Rivers Changing Course 19:50 Soviet Ambitions to Reverse Rivers 26:59 Reversing the Chicago River 27:41 Chicago's Pollution Problem 29:14 Engineering Marvel: The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal 30:59 Tarantulas and Self-Defense Penises 36:53 Breathing Through the Butt 42:02 Recycling Pets: The Controversial Practice of Danish Zoos 51:32 Conclusion SOURCES: Zoo Requests Unwanted Pets to Feed to Hungry Carnivores: https://futurism.com/zoo-pets-feed-carnivores https://abc7.com/post/denmark-zoo-asks-people-donate-small-pets-food-captive-predators/17428917/ Tarantulas with giant penises  https://metro.co.uk/2025/08/07/tarantulas-giant-penises-discovered-scared-stiff-23855393/ Bromism https://futurism.com/man-poisons-himself-chatgpt?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=futurism-newsletter&_bhlid=da09fdfa08b126138ae1ce0a47c43515cef0acf5 Chesterfield Canal: https://issuu.com/madeinn/docs/made_julyaug_issue17_issuu/s/10719854  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_Canal  Turning Rivers Around: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256483636_Did_the_Nile_River_flow_to_the_Gulf_of_Sirt_during_the_late_Miocene See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  6. Cancelled Satellite Missions, Treasure Hunting Laws, and The Pineapple's Epic Fall From Grace

    AUG 12

    Cancelled Satellite Missions, Treasure Hunting Laws, and The Pineapple's Epic Fall From Grace

    The White House just cancelled two perfectly functioning climate satellites for mysterious reasons, British treasure hunters are going to prison for keeping Viking coins they found with metal detectors, and pineapples were once so expensive that wealthy Georgians rented them just to display at dinner parties. We explore how climate science gets axed despite providing "exceptionally high quality" data, why finding ancient treasure can land you in jail thanks to bureaucratic nightmares, and the ridiculous journey of fruit from ultimate status symbol to pizza topping. But wait, there's more weirdness: architects are designing generation ships that would trap your descendants in space for centuries, new services let you preserve and frame dead relatives' tattoos and AI is bringing deceased people back to argue about current politics. From cancelled space missions to criminal metal detecting, status fruit hierarchies to posthumous tattoo preservation, this episode proves that humans have a remarkable talent for making everything unnecessarily complicated - and deeply uncomfortable.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 03:52 Trump Administration Kills Climate Change Satellites 06:23 The Tale of the Viking Treasure Hoard 11:46 Legal Consequences and Treasure Hunting Policies 20:15 Project Hyperion: Designing Interstellar Travel 25:15 Design Plausibility and Practicality 26:53 Fantasy vs. Reality in Space Exploration 28:16 The Ethics of Interstellar Travel 29:18 The Historical Significance of Pineapples 40:04 Preserving Tattoos Posthumously 42:57 AI Avatars of Deceased Individuals 43:40 Conclusion    SOURCES: Postmortem ink  Interview with Joaquin Oliver How two friends found £3m treasure and ended up in jail Treasure trove Fool's Gold Herefordshire Hoard https://www.edelman.com.au/sites/g/files/aatuss381/files/2025-03/202 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-53432877.amp https://futurism.com/white-house-orders-nasa-destroy-important-satellite   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  7. Ozzy Osbourne’s Genetic Superpowers, Radioactive Wasp Nests, and Racist Dogs

    AUG 5

    Ozzy Osbourne’s Genetic Superpowers, Radioactive Wasp Nests, and Racist Dogs

    Ozzy Osbourne's DNA has become one of the most studied genomes in history. Scientists are still trying to figure out how the Prince of Darkness survived decades of chemical abuse that would kill mere mortals. We also explore India's impossible census challenge: counting the Sentinelese people who live on an isolated island and communicate primarily by shooting arrows at visitors, plus the discovery of radioactive wasp nests that are glowing with enough radiation to make federal safety standards nervous. But wait, there's more weirdness: AI chatbots designed to flirt are delivering pickup lines that would make teenagers cringe, dogs can surprisingly be racist, and someone managed to turn Beef Wellington into a murder weapon, forever changing how we look at this classic dinner party dish. From genome sequencing breakthroughs to Cold War leftovers creating mutant insects, this episode proves that science, technology and human behaviour can always find new ways to be absolutely bonkers.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 03:01 Ozzy Osbourne: Genome Sequencing Pioneer 10:57 Comic Book Science and Radioactive Wasps 13:38 Flirty Chatbots: Elon Musk's AI Adventures 22:49 Unexpected Titles and Organic Lasers 26:56 Counting the Uncounted: North Sentinel Island 30:12 Census Challenges 34:13 Dog Behaviour and Racism 42:39 Guard Dogs and Their Training 47:34 Beef Wellington and Social Etiquette 49:02 Conclusion  SOURCES: https://www.loudersound.com/features/ozzy-osbournes-10-craziest-moments  https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a65487234/ozzy-osbourne-dna/ https://discover.hubpages.com/entertainment/The-26-Craziest-Things-Ozzy-Osbourne-Ever-Did  https://www.loudersound.com/features/ozzy-osbournes-10-craziest-moments  https://www.iflscience.com/the-sentinelese-who-are-the-most-isolated-uncontacted-tribe-on-earth-69374  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/26/india-census-2027-north-sentinel-island-most-isolated-tribe  https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-xai-ai-companion-ani/  https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/radioactive-wasp-nest-found-site-us-made-nuclear-124215311  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1566119918303963?via=ihub  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-11341-2  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  8. Melting Ice Unplugs Volcanoes, Medieval Medical Madness, and The Original Technocrat

    JUL 31

    Melting Ice Unplugs Volcanoes, Medieval Medical Madness, and The Original Technocrat

    Today, we’re talking about the explosive side effects of climate change - literally. Patagonian glaciers are melting so fast they're uncorking volcanoes that have been sitting quietly under the ice for millennia. We’re also taking a look at the bizarre world of 16th-century medicine where doctors kept patient records that read like Harry Potter spells, complete with astrological charts and alchemical recipes that’ll make you pretty grateful for modern healthcare. Plus, we revisit the 1930s technocracy movement where engineers genuinely believed they could run society better than politicians using energy units instead of money. On the ecommerce side of things, did you know that in America's digital gun marketplace, you can now buy assault rifles online easier than getting decent pizza delivered? Because apparently there are more gun shops than McDonald's and Starbucks combined. From volcanic eruptions triggered by global warming to the Wild West going digital, this episode proves humanity has a special talent for making everything simultaneously fascinating and terrifying.   CHAPTERS:   00:00 Introduction  00:39 Volcanoes Unleashed by Melting Ice 02:18 Historical Medical Records and Practices 02:49 Astrology and Self-Taught Doctors 03:58 Bizarre Medical Treatments 13:56 Dog Flatulence and Animal Farts 24:03 Technocracy and Historical Predictions 30:55 Technocracy: The Vision and Ideals 41:23 Plant Perception: Can Plants See? 47:20 The Surprising Number of Gun Stores in the US 52:39 Conclusion  SOURCES:   Flatulence in pet dogs #DoesItFart Does It Fart?: The Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence Flatulence of humans in art Expansion and contraction of the Patagonian ice sheet Flatulence in pet dogs #DoesItFart Does It Fart?: The Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence Flatulence of humans in art Expansion and contraction of the Patagonian ice sheet https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/technocracy-inc-technate-of-america-1940/?srsltid=AfmBOorbLyYscmwozM57Wjrr_Kgv5DAoAhG1q9oq7Y4KAcrfHbRaYJpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Scott_(engineer) https://web.archive.org/web/20100728093447/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,744852,00.html https://futurism.com/trump-junior-gun-failure https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/16/purges-angels-and-pigeon-slippers-methods-of-elizabethan-quacks-finally-deciphered https://www.earlystuartlibels.net/htdocs/overbury_murder_section/H0.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min
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4.1
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

From tales of historical idiocracy and scientific genius to weird and wacky cultural phenomena, Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant are here to take you on a wild conversational journey, deep diving into the crevices of science, history and culture that you never knew existed. 

Information

  • Creator
    A Little Bit Of Science
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    396
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A Little Bit Of Science
  • Show Website
    A Little Bit Of Science

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