This Podcast Will Kill You Special Episode: Carl Zimmer & Airborne
Aug 5, 2025
Carl Zimmer, an award-winning science writer and author of 'Airborne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe,' joins the discussion to reveal the fascinating world of aerobiology. He highlights the critical distinction between airborne and droplet transmission, especially during the COVID pandemic. The conversation dives into historical misconceptions about disease spread, featuring pioneers like Fred Meyer, whose remarkable research changed our understanding of airborne pathogens. Listeners will learn about the unseen life in our atmosphere and its implications for public health.
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Invisible Living Aerobiome
- The air is filled with trillions of invisible organisms forming a living aerobiome.
- Understanding this vast ecosystem changes how we perceive the air we breathe every day.
Aerobiome's Vast Diversity
- The aerobiome includes massive numbers of insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses floating miles above us.
- Scientists detected trillions of insects yearly by radar and spores traveling as high as the stratosphere.
Ruggedness of Airborne Pathogens
- Airborne pathogens tend to be rugged to survive floating in air and include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Tuberculosis spreads mainly by tiny airborne droplets even from normal breathing, making it highly infectious.
