119 episodes

Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know ... and then keeps right on going. This Vox podcast explores scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and all the things we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes every Wednesday.

Unexplainable Vox

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 1.5K Ratings

Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know ... and then keeps right on going. This Vox podcast explores scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and all the things we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes every Wednesday.

    Does garlic break magnets?

    Does garlic break magnets?

    What would an episode of Unexplainable have sounded like if it had been made in 100 CE?
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 30 min
    How to decode a thought

    How to decode a thought

    Can researchers decipher what people are thinking about just by looking at brain scans? With AI, they're getting closer. How far can they go, and what does it mean for privacy?
    To buy tickets to our upcoming live show in New York, go to http://vox.com/unexplainablelive
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 31 min
    It’s getting harder to see

    It’s getting harder to see

    Something about modern life is leading to higher rates of nearsightedness across the world. What is it?
    To buy tickets to our upcoming live show in New York, go to http://vox.com/unexplainablelive
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 21 min
    Jumping the gun

    Jumping the gun

    At last year’s World Athletics Championships, sprinter TyNia Gaither was disqualified for false starting... after the gun went off. Officials said she started faster than humanly possible. How can that be?

    This episode originally ran on June 15, 2022.
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 33 min
    Can we talk to animals?

    Can we talk to animals?

    Two scientists explain how AI might help us translate animal communication, and what we might learn from their squawks, chirps, songs, and chatter. This episode was recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Unexplainable or Not: Beach day!

    Unexplainable or Not: Beach day!

    Sam Sanders, host of Vulture’s Into It podcast, is in the hot seat for a new episode of our game show. Can he guess which sandy mystery has been solved and which ones are still unexplainable? 
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.5K Ratings

1.5K Ratings

Wild Fan 1738 ,

Every episode is structured exactly the same

Today we are talking about podcast reviews. But before we can get into what a podcast review IS, are we even sure podcasts exist?! One expert isn’t so sure…

Isaac57 ,

Yay!

Love the show, but all the episodes about AI freaks me out 😬

#Betacoder ,

Best podcast ever

I used to listen to the podcast every Wednesday but it hasn’t updated for 2 days so is the podcast over because I am running out of episodes to watch because most of your ld episodes are explicit and I am not allowed to listen or watch explicit.

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