Entanglements, by Undark
Undark Magazine
After a two-year hiatus, the Undark podcast returns with a new format and a new name: Entanglements. Join science journalists Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild as they invite guests with both expertise and divergent opinions on some of the most contentious and politicized areas of science today, from vaccines and GMOs to deep sea mining, AI, and the origins of Covid. Their goal: To see if they can break through the discord and find common ground. Far from an exercise in false balance, Entanglements, like Undark, seeks to bring civil discussion — and a bit of fun and wonder — back to the intersection of science and culture.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 16, 2024 • 32min
Should We Unleash GMO Mosquitoes?
This week on Entanglements: Should we unleash GMO mosquitoes? Our hosts explore this question in conversations with a molecular biologist from the University of California, San Diego, and a social scientist from North Carolina State University.
4 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 31min
Is the Misinformation Crisis Overblown?
Sander Vanderlinden, a social psychology professor at the University of Cambridge, and Hugo Mercier, a cognitive scientist from the Institut Jean Nicod, dive deep into the misinformation crisis. They challenge the narrative of widespread vulnerability to misinformation, suggesting that humans may be more resilient than assumed. The duo also explores how misinformation interacts with personal beliefs and the complexities of vaccine hesitancy, emphasizing trust issues that complicate public health decisions. Their enlightening conversation reveals that the crisis might be more nuanced than it seems.
Dec 2, 2024 • 32min
Cannabis and Severe Mental Health Disorders
This week on Entanglements: Is cannabis safe for people with severe mental health disorders? Our hosts explore this question in conversations with a psychiatrist from Yale School of Medicine and a neuroscientist from the University of Calgary.
Nov 25, 2024 • 43min
Is It Likely that Covid-19 Came From a Lab?
John Moore, a microbiology professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Alina Chan, a scientific advisor at the Broad Institute, dive deep into the controversial lab leak theory of COVID-19's origins. They dissect the ongoing debate between natural zoonotic transmission and the lab leak hypothesis, highlighting key evidence and historical contexts. The conversation touches on the intricate practices of coronavirus research and raises critical questions about biosafety. Additionally, they reflect on the complexities faced by scientists amid misinformation and polarization in public discourse.
Nov 18, 2024 • 28min
Risky Science and Public Consent
This week on Entanglements: Should citizens decide on risky science? Our hosts talk to an Oxford political scientist and a former law and ethics professor about how democracy should play a role in high-stakes decisions.
Nov 11, 2024 • 33min
Will Artificial Intelligence Kill Us All?
This week on Entanglements, hosts Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild talk to a former OpenAI employee and a Princeton professor about AI and doom. Could AI really become an existential threat to humanity? Or is the possibility — highlighted by some 300 AI experts in an open letter last year — overhyped?
Nov 1, 2024 • 1min
The Undark Podcast Returns — as "Entanglements"
The Undark podcast is back with a new format and a new name: Entanglements. Tune in as our hosts explore some of the most contentious topics in science today. Our first 8-episode season will launch November 11, with new episodes dropping every Monday through the end of the year.
Aug 3, 2022 • 35min
Ep. 63: For Deep Ocean Mining, Questions Abound
This month: Some regions of the deep ocean contain vast amounts of key minerals, like cobalt and nickel, that are needed to power clean energy technologies. But some scientists warn that mining them could have tremendous consequences, not just for underwater ecosystems, but for the planet as a whole.
Jun 29, 2022 • 32min
Ep. 62: Restoring Landscapes and Livelihoods in Western Bosnia
This month: Twenty-six years after the end of the Bosnian War, farmers in Livno are once again making cheese the traditional way, grazing herds of sheep on the wide-open plains. The animals' return is restoring natural wetlands, leading to cascading impacts on the environment and the economy.
7 snips
May 31, 2022 • 35min
Ep. 61: When Accents Speak Louder Than Words
Liz Landau, a writer and science communicator, dives into the complex world of accents and their impact on communication for scientists in the U.S. She shares personal narratives illustrating how accents can affect career opportunities and perceptions of identity. Discussions highlight the challenges faced by educators navigating language barriers, the debate over accent modification, and the biases that accompany accent perception. The episode underscores the need for inclusivity and appreciation of linguistic diversity in academia and professional environments.
