The Infinite Monkey Cage
BBC Radio 4
Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. Joined by a panel of scientists, experts and celebrity science enthusiasts they investigate life, the universe and everything in between on The Infinite Monkey Cage from the BBC. From the smallest building blocks of life to the furthest stars, the curious monkeys pull apart the latest science to reveal fascinating and often bizarre insights into the world around us and what lies beyond. Can trees talk to each other? Can science help you commit the perfect murder? What might aliens look like and the burning question of our time, are strawberries alive or dead? Join them as each episode they put a different scientific topic under the microscope, from aliens, black holes and hedgehogs, to bacteria, poison and the Big Bang.
With past guests including actors Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart, comedians Steve Martin and Conan O’Brien, astronaut Tim Peake, primatologist Jane Goodall and mathematician Hannah Fry, The Infinite Monkey Cage promises to make you laugh, enrich your knowledge and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the universe that we call home.
Whether you’re a seasoned scientist or someone who nodded off in physics class, listen in to learn all about funny, fascinating and sometimes ridiculous topics – with the occasional monkey business.
With past guests including actors Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart, comedians Steve Martin and Conan O’Brien, astronaut Tim Peake, primatologist Jane Goodall and mathematician Hannah Fry, The Infinite Monkey Cage promises to make you laugh, enrich your knowledge and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the universe that we call home.
Whether you’re a seasoned scientist or someone who nodded off in physics class, listen in to learn all about funny, fascinating and sometimes ridiculous topics – with the occasional monkey business.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 14, 2024 • 42min
Egyptian Mummies
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.
Dec 20, 2023 • 57min
The Monkeys meet The Sky at Night
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.
4 snips
Dec 13, 2023 • 42min
Jo Brand's Quantum World
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'.
Dec 6, 2023 • 42min
Hollywood in Space
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.
6 snips
Nov 29, 2023 • 42min
The Scale of Life (or were dinosaurs just too big?)
Dr Susie Maidment, Dr Tori Herridge, and Dave Gorman discuss the advantages and disadvantages of large vs small organisms. They explore the evolution of size and extinction events, debunk misconceptions about dinosaur speed, talk about biases and challenges in finding dinosaur fossils, and delve into theories about the extinction of dinosaurs and 1970s fascination with giant creatures.
22 snips
Nov 22, 2023 • 43min
How I is AI?
Mathematician Prof Hannah Fry, computer scientist Dr Kate Devlin, and comedian Rufus Hound explore the pros and cons of AI. They discuss the intelligence of AI, the potential for AI to replace humans in various roles, the limitations of AI, testing the human feel of words, emotional connections with AIs, and the dilemma of human decision-making vs algorithmic efficiency.
11 snips
Nov 14, 2023 • 43min
The Science of Coincidence
Explore the science of coincidences and luck, including the struggles of estimating probabilities and the mathematical formula behind being lucky. Learn about the concept of chance and randomness, and how our intuition fails in dealing with probability. Delve into the fascination with uncommon things, tooth counts, and the importance of feeling chance in life. Discover the reliance on probability and data in decision-making, along with the dangers of various modes of transportation. Finally, listen to the hosts' perspectives on luck and good fortune, and their attempts to control and predict outcomes in life.
Nov 8, 2023 • 24min
The Infinite Monkey’s Guide to... Audience Favourites
This episode features the audience's favorite clips from The Infinite Monkey Cage, including licking rocks for age determination, the age rivalry between Robin and Brian, a fly landing in wine, and the excitement of chatty trees. Topics covered in different episodes include the Wood Wide Web, the history of rock, the role of the North, dinosaurs, flies, and the science of laughter.
14 snips
Nov 8, 2023 • 43min
Octopuses!
Dr Tim Lamont, a marine biologist, joins the hosts to explore the intelligence and unique features of octopuses. They discuss the octopus's ability to change shape and color, its distributed neurons, and its cooperative relationships. The speakers also share their personal experiences with octopuses, including their hunting behavior and interactions. The chapter concludes with a humorous discussion about desired octopus abilities.
Nov 1, 2023 • 18min
The Infinite Monkey’s Guide to... Infinity
Explore the vastness of the universe, parallel universes, and the possibility of new big bangs. Discuss the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. Speculate on the future of the big bang theory and its implications on religion. Dive into the concept of infinity and its connection to numbers.
