Instant Genius

Kevin Mitchell, a genetics and neuroscience professor, challenges the idea that free will is an illusion. He argues that evolution supports our autonomy. The podcast explores the concept of free will, limitations in predicting complex systems, life as a self-organized system, and metacognition in human cognition.

Stand-up comedian, mathematician, and author Matt Parker discusses the omnipresence of triangles and trigonometry in everyday life, from building structures to CGI imagery. He emphasizes the practical applications and importance of rediscovering trigonometry learned in high school, showcasing how triangles play a crucial role in various fields like construction, space exploration, and entertainment.

Right now, in hospitals around the world, patients are being cured of diseases once thought untreatable.The reason? A gene therapy revolution means that what was once the stuff of science fiction is now becoming a reality.One person who’s been at the centre of this medical revolution is Dr Bobby Gaspar, a professor of paediatrics and immunology at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London, and CEO of Orchard Therapeutics.Bobby guides us through the complex world of gene therapy, explaining what it is, what it can do and where it’s going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Science writer David Robson discusses the importance of social connections for human health and happiness in his new book. Topics include empathy, vulnerability, active listening, confidence-building through interactions, meaningful conversations, and navigating disagreements in a polarized world.

It’s a scene many of us will have experienced: we’re at the cinema, the lights go down, the film begins and then suddenly the person behind us starts rustling a packet of sweets or noisily chomping on popcorn.For most of us this is merely an annoyance and after a while we’re able to tune the sounds out and concentrate on enjoying the cinematic experience. But for some, it can be unbearable and engender feelings of distress, anger and even panic. These people are experiencing misophonia.In this episode, we catch up with Dr Jane Gregory, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Sounds Like Misophonia: How to Stop Small Noises from Causing Extreme Reactions.She tells us what’s going on in our brains when we experience a misophonic reaction, how it can trigger our fight or flight response and why it’s surprisingly common. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finding alien life could be just around the corner. At least, that’s if the James Webb Space Telescope and other techniques help us discover their extraterrestrial homes. In this episode, astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger and author of new book Alien Earths: Planet Hunting in the Cosmos talks us through the ways she and her team are looking for these planets and the kinds of life they might hold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Coulson, a zoologist at the University of Oxford, delves into the essence of human existence in his illuminating discussion. He traces our origins back to the Big Bang, questioning if our emergence was a cosmic certainty or mere luck. Coulson explores what defines humanity, including consciousness and social living’s evolutionary advantages, while reflecting on our relationship with technology from primitive tools to modern science. He also tackles the age-old debate of determinism versus randomness, pondering if we are merely products of chance or governed by the universe's laws.

Dr. Elias Dakwar challenges the brain disease model of addiction, delving into existential roots and philosophical aspects. He discusses addiction's link to happiness, personal freedom, and innovative treatment strategies, emphasizing the need for new perspectives and creative engagement in addressing addiction.

These days, pretty much every move we make online is tracked in one way or another. Whether it’s through our social media accounts or online shopping habits, algorithms are getting better at painting a picture of who we are and how we think. But why do we let this happen?In this episode we catch up with science broadcaster and writer Timandra Harkness to talk about her new book, Technology is not the Problem.She tells us how various online agencies keep tabs on us, whether we should be worried about it, and why sometimes it can be too hard to resist buying that expensive pair of shoes you keep getting ads for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning science writer Marcus Chown delves into the captivating history of black holes, from their humble beginnings to cosmic stardom. Explore the contributions of lesser-known scientists, Roy Kerr's discoveries on spinning black holes, and the intersection of black holes with physics and the creation of galaxies.