The Infinite Monkey Cage

Join British astronaut Tim Peake, biologist Kelly Weinersmith, and comedian Alan Davies as they explore whether humanity should settle in space. Peake shares insights from his time at the ISS and advocates for space exploration. Weinersmith discusses the hurdles of colonizing Mars and the Moon, while Davies injects humor into the conversation about life beyond Earth. They tackle the scientific and ethical implications, from growing food on Mars to the absurdities of space travel, making for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.

Mel Giedroyc, renowned for her role in The Great British Bake Off, explores the engineering wonders behind London's subterranean transport systems. Deborah Meaden, a savvy entrepreneur, delves into the emotional complexities of animal grief, examining whether our pets really experience sadness. Comedian Nish Kumar queries climate scientist Ed Hawkins about the looming climate crisis, seeking hope amid doom. Together, the trio navigates the delightful intersections of science and everyday life, sparking curiosity and laughter.

Mathematician Sarah Hart, a fellow at Birkbeck University, joins comedian Dave Gorman and Thomas Woolley to explore nature's geometry. They discuss how evolution crafts elegant forms, like tortoise shells and the leaf distribution of trees. The conversation touches on Alan Turing’s influence on animal patterns, the mystery of the golden ratio, and even Gorman's quirky disdain for oblongs. With humor and insight, they reveal the mathematical wonders embedded in the natural world.

Join Trevor Cox, an Acoustic Engineering Professor, Sam Bennett, a Music Professor specializing in technology, and the iconic musician Brian Eno as they delve into the evolution of sound. They discuss the fascinating history of music recording from early phonographs to the revolutionary Fairlight CMI synthesizer. Hear about the challenges of capturing sound, the transition from analog to digital music, and a live audience experiment that turns phones into a digital orchestra. It's a captivating intersection of technology and creativity!

Join theoretical physicist Paul Abel and planetary scientist Michele Dougherty as they engage in a cosmic face-off between Saturn and Jupiter. Discover the allure of their breathtaking appearances and the secrets lurking beneath their mesmerizing surfaces. The duo dives into the wonders of their moons, discussing ongoing missions that might uncover extraterrestrial life. With some humorous wrestling analogies thrown in, this lively debate reveals the intriguing dynamics of these gas giants and their captivating roles in our solar system.

Robin Ince and Brian Cox venture into the captivating and surprisingly mysterious realm of ice. Joining them on this cool adventure are former ice dancer Darren Harriott, glaciologist Liz Morris, polar explorer Felicity Aston and ice chemist Christoph Salzmann. From beautifully formed snowflakes to ice shelves in Antarctica, our guests discuss the fascinating science suspended in solid water and how much is still to be discovered. With the help of a gin and tonic they explore the properties of ice - like why it floats and how there are 20 phases of ice, three of which were accidentally discovered by our guest Christoph. Darren shares his respect and fear for ice having learnt to dance and ice-skate on it. Liz discusses how analysing deep ice can provide a window into our past climate whilst also helping us understand our present one and why penguins can be problematic. Polar explorer Felicity explains how being able to read the colours, shapes and sounds of the ice have helped to keep her alive as she's traversed the highly inhospitable (but also incredibly beautiful) polar regions. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem Assistant Producer: Olivia Jani

Jo Brand, a sharp-witted comedian and writer, joins psychologist Matti Wilks, who specializes in morality, to explore the depths of altruism. They tackle fascinating questions like why humans choose to help others and the biological roots of altruism. The conversation dives into how personal relationships dictate generosity, and surprising insights reveal how children perceive kindness. With humor and expert analysis, the duo discusses the intricate balance between self-interest and altruism, alongside a look at gender influences in charitable behavior.

Join comedian Phil Wang, once an engineering student, along with seismologist Ana Ferreira and geoscientist Chris Jackson, as they journey into the Earth’s layers. They reveal the surprising complexities of the Earth’s structure, from continental blobs deep within to the extreme conditions that hamper direct exploration. Phil hilariously grapples with his fears of falling through gaps between tectonic plates, while Ana shares cutting-edge techniques for studying our planet's hidden depths. The conversation brilliantly blends science with humor, making geology captivating!

Join Prof. Helen King, an expert in medical history, Sir Mark Walport, a physician with an adventurous spirit (and x-rays of his own feces!), and Keith Moore, librarian of the Royal Society, as they explore the bizarre history of the human body. They delve into outrageous beliefs, from wandering wombs to tobacco enemas. Expect laughter while examining how past misconceptions shaped our understanding of anatomy. The trio also reveals daring self-experiments that propelled scientific discoveries forward!

Join geneticist Adam Rutherford, known for his work on human history, paleontologist Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum, and ex-virologist turned comedian Ria Lina. They dive into the fascinating world of de-extinction. Can we resurrect creatures like the woolly mammoth? They explore the science behind cloning and back-breeding, weighing in on the ethical implications and potential benefits to ecosystems. The humor flows as they discuss extinct species they'd rather not have back, blending laughs with serious insights on biodiversity and our responsibilities.