The Infinite Monkey Cage

Entomologist Amoret Whitaker and criminal psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw discuss using flies and fleas to solve crimes. They explore humanity's potential for murder, along with nature's own homicidal tendencies. Topics include forensic botany, the role of fleas in investigations, and the gruesome tactics of wasps and fungi in targeting their prey.

Join Brian Cox and Robin Ince at CERN's Large Hadron Collider as they search for the elusive Higgs boson. Discover the fascinating world of particle physics with comedian Katy Brand, actor Ben Miller, and physicists Tevong You and Clara Nellist. Learn about the Higgs mechanism, particle detection complexities, impact on medical technology, and unraveling the universe's mysteries in a humorous and entertaining way.

Join Brian Cox, Robin Ince, and guests as they delve into the age-old debate of cats vs dogs. They explore domestication's impact on our furry friends, debate intelligence and love, and uncover the nuances of cat-human interactions. With humor and insights, they tackle the ultimate question - which pet truly loves you?

Exploring historical poisonings with insights from a chemist and Agatha Christie fan. Discussing the ease of access to poisons, famous cases, and deadly garden plants. Delving into literary depictions of poisons in crime novels and the potency of cyanide. Analyzing thallium poisoning in Agatha Christie's 'The Pale Horse' and playful discussions on symbolic meanings of poison.

Exploring asteroids, the podcast features discussions with experts on their impact on the solar system and Earth. They delve into asteroid classification, space missions trying to retrieve samples, and the potential use of asteroids for space exploration. The episode also touches on asteroid mining and the legal implications, all presented with a mix of scientific insights and humor.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince delve into the science of magic with comedians and experts, exploring the psychology behind magic tricks and the brain's predictive nature. They discuss the art of card magic, misdirection techniques, and the therapeutic benefits of magic. The podcast highlights the intersection of magic and science, revealing the complexities and illusions behind captivating tricks.

Comedians Russel Kane and Lucy Porter, along with bio-medical Egyptologists Rosalie David and Lidija McKnight, join Brian Cox and Robin Ince to explore the science of mummification and the intriguing lives of Ancient Egyptians. They discuss the sophisticated pharmacology of the Ancient Egyptians, their unique death rituals, the challenge of determining the cause of death for mummies, and even compare mummification to modern-day beauty trends. The episode concludes with a funny anecdote and a hint at the next episode on psychology and magic.

Comedian and astronomy enthusiast Dara O Briain joins The Sky at Night presenters for a guide to backyard astronomy, discussing topics such as observing celestial objects, the power of cameras in capturing invisible images, upcoming events in the night sky, the joy of seeing Saturn, astrophotography tips, parallel universes, and space station spotting.

Comedian Jo Brand takes over as guest host on 'The Infinite Monkey Cage', delving into the weird world of quantum theory with theoretical physicist Prof Ben Allanach and cosmologist Prof Fay Dowker. They discuss the probabilistic nature of quantum theory, the observer effect, and the mystery of reality revealed by quantum mechanics. They also touch on the origins of terms like 'big bang' and 'black hole'.

Astronauts Tim Peake, Nicole Stott, and Susan Kilrain, alongside Oscar winning Special FX director Paul Franklin, join Brian Cox and Robin Ince to discuss the accuracy of space movies. They fact check movies like Gravity and The Martian, criticize the lack of realism in spacewalk scenes, and discuss the influence of science fiction on real-life science. They also explore the illusion of zero gravity in movies, the misrepresentations in a Mars film, and the influence of science fiction on space exploration.