Radiolab The Middle of Everything Ever
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Dec 9, 2022 
Join mathematician Steven Strogatz, a professor at Cornell University, as he dives into a philosophical and mathematical inquiry sparked by a listener's question about the 'most average size' in the universe. They explore the fascinating concept of scale, wrestling with everything from the minuscule world of atoms to the grandeur of galaxies. Strogatz uncovers that the midpoint may actually relate to a large eukaryotic cell. This thought-provoking conversation highlights how mathematics intersects with our understanding of existence and identity.
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Laura's Question
- Laura Andrews, a student during her gap year, felt lost and pondered her place in the universe.
- This existential questioning led her to a mathematical inquiry about average size.
A Question of Scale
- Laura's question about average size, while seemingly simple, delves into fundamental questions about scale and existence.
- It explores the vastness of the universe and our relative place within it.
Initial Guesses
- Guesses for the average-sized thing ranged from an apple to a toaster to a watermelon.
- Listeners also grappled with defining "thing" and the boundaries of the universe.