Dr. Joe Hanson has made a case to be included on Science YouTube’s Mount Rushmore. It’s partly because he’s engaging and entertaining, but it also might have something to do with that doctorate in cell and molecular biology from UT-Austin. Every day, he’s proving that It’s Okay to Be Smart.

Joe went from being a “pipette monkey” in a lab to having a solid presence on Tumblr, of all places. And his transition to YouTube ended up helping to fill that gap between fun kids’ science shows and boring, ultra-high-level programming. Traditional/Legacy media has a long way to go before it catches up to YouTube. 

A major aspect of YouTube is storytelling, even if it’s factual information. Joe’s thought a lot about what makes new information appealing or what might allow someone to change their mind about a complex issue -- and it’s really about guiding someone through intellectual discomfort.

After Kevin’s realizing that we don’t need “Science Popes” and a rousing discussion of what science *really* is… and what it isn’t. Patrons jump in with questions about what it’s like to work for PBS, getting into science content in the first place, Joe’s sips from the fountain of youth, and when it’s a good time to play dumb.

Thanks to Dr. Hanson for spending time with all of us in The Create Unknown universe, and a special thanks to the patrons who make this show happen each and every week.

Patreon: https://patreon.com/thecreateunknown  

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

It's Okay To Be Smart: https://www.youtube.com/c/itsokaytobesmart

Mr Wizard's a Dick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqpkJ_ey_QE

Why Is Blue So Rare In Nature?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g246c6Bv58

The Invention Of Blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIg5HkyauoY

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS: 

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor 

Produced and Edited by Ben Webster → https://twitter.com/benwebsterTCU 

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite  

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com  

Opening Animation: Kidmograph 

City Animation: Eric Langlay 

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. 

CONNECT WITH US: 

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw  

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown  

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown  

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown  

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices