What The If?

WTIF News: HAIRCUT To The Danger Zone!

Mon, 25 May 2020 19:10:44 GMT

Hair salons and swimming pools are the front lines of our duel with the Coronavirus. Find out how to survive with expert advice from Rockefeller University Virologist GABY PANICCIA.More info at RockEDU: rockedu.rockefeller.edu and covid-19-research.rockefeller.edu ---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Comments, questions, and more are welcome! Visit WhatTheIF.com/contact or email us at feedback@whattheif.com.

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Entangled BRAINS?

Sun, 24 May 2020 22:36:37 GMT

A QUANTUM MIND MELD?The renowned historian of science DAVID KAISER joins us from MIT! A prolific science communicator and hilariously witty raconteur, his latest book is QUANTUM LEGACIES: Dispatches from an Uncertain World.David asks: “What The IF we could use Quantum Entanglement to CONNECT OUR BRAINS, all the way across the Universe?” It’s our most mind-blowing, mind-expanding, mind-ENTANGLING episode ever! ABOUT DAVID KAISERDavid Kaiser is Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science in MIT's Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Professor of Physics in MIT's Department of Physics, and also Associate Dean for Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) in MIT's Schwarzman College of Computing. He completed an A.B. in physics at Dartmouth College and Ph.D.s in physics and the history of science at Harvard University. Kaiser's historical research focuses on the development of physics in the United States during the Cold War, looking at how the discipline has evolved at the intersection of politics, culture, and the changing shape of higher education. His physics research focuses on early-universe cosmology, working at the interface of particle physics and gravitation. He has also helped to design and conduct novel experiments to test the foundations of quantum theory.Kaiser is author of the award-winning book Drawing Theories Apart: The Dispersion of Feynman Diagrams in Postwar Physics(University of Chicago Press, 2005), which traces how Richard Feynman's idiosyncratic approach to quantum physics entered the mainstream. His book How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival (W. W. Norton, 2011) charts the early history of Bell's theorem and quantum entanglement and was named "Book of the Year" by Physics World magazine. His latest book is Quantum Legacies: Dispatches from an Uncertain World (University of Chicago Press, 2020). His edited volumes include Pedagogy and the Practice of Science: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (MIT Press, 2005), Becoming MIT: Moments of Decision (MIT Press, 2010), Science and the American Century, co-edited with Sally Gregory Kohlstedt (University of Chicago Press, 2013), and Groovy Science: Knowledge, Innovation, and American Counterculture, co-edited with W. Patrick McCray (University of Chicago Press, 2016). He is presently working on two books about gravity: a physics textbook on gravitation and cosmology co-authored with Alan Guth, and a historical study of Einstein's general relativity over the course of the twentieth century. Kaiser served for several years as an editor of the journal Historical Studies in the Natural Sciences. He is presently Chair of the Editorial Board of MIT Press, and also serves on the advisory boards for Nautilus and Undark magazines.---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on whatever podcast app you’re enjoying, including Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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Welcome Back, ANIMALS! With Biologist Vanessa Pirotta

Thu, 14 May 2020 22:01:41 GMT

The animals of the world, especially the urban world, seem quite happy that all the humans are suddenly staying inside! Outside, it's a party and they're livin' it up... all the way down the food chain! Dr. Vanessa Pirotta joins us from Sydney, Australia (via Bostwana!) and helps us see today's world under human quarantine... through the eyes and ears and furry paws and flappy fins!Dr. Pirotta is a wildlife scientist and science communicator. Her zoological background has taken her around the world for wildlife research. Vanessa is also a passionate and experienced science communicator who loves making science accessible. Her keen interests cover topics of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, also known as STEAM. Vanessa has represented Australia internationally as the national winner of a world-renowned science communication competition known as FameLab, placing second in the world. Vanessa’s efforts to communicate science has also seen her become a TEDx speaker, speak at the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and recognized as one of the top 100 Women of Influence judged by the Australian Financial Review.Learn more about Dr. Pirotta!Homepage: https://www.vanessapirotta.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/VanessaPirottaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvanessapirotta/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrVanessaPirottaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfIe3r09XA8BviNbVMtag2Q---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on whatever podcast app you’re enjoying, including Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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WTIF News - MASKS: Pro Tips!

Tue, 12 May 2020 22:04:00 GMT

MASKS are everywhere in the NEWS this week, but NOT on everyone's faces! What The IF, people? What happens if you don't wear a mask? And what about your neighbor? And their neighbor, and...?Rockefeller University Virologist GABY PANICCIA gives us the low down on how to show up with your face mask on. Pro Tips, from a real pro.More info at RockEDU: https://rockedu.rockefeller.edu & https://covid-19-research.rockefeller.edu---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Comments, questions, and more are welcome! Visit WhatTheIF.com/contact or email us at feedback@whattheif.com.

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WTIF News - COVID In The Air?

Mon, 04 May 2020 17:47:10 GMT

Is the virus floating IN THE AIR we breathe, riding particles of pollution like evil cowboys? Our expert Virologist from Rockefeller University, GABY PENICCIA helps us understand the scary Covid-19 news headlines. Science!

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Quarantine Without INTERNET? Andy IHNATKO's Alternate History!

Sun, 03 May 2020 18:34:57 GMT

As difficult as the global LOCKDOWN has been, we're fortunate to have a lot of modern technology making it somewhat easier to adapt to a world of massive ISOLATION.But What The IF... We had the pandemic, but NO INTERNET?Aside from the ancient technology of SOAP and masks, the internet is the single greatest intervention being used to help civilization adapt to life under quarantine.ANDY IHNATKO, the brilliant technology journalist and beloved raconteur joins us (yay!) as we create an engrossing ALTERNATE HISTORY in which the PANDEMIC smacked the world… in the 1980’s! Andy Ihnatko is a tech writer for WGBH. He was The Chicago Sun-Times tech columnist for nearly twenty years and a Macworld columnist for more than two decades.Learn more about Andy!Ihnatko.comTwitter: @ihnatkoInstagram: @ihnatkoFlickr: andyiBoston Public Radio: WGBH.orgMacBreak Weekly: twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weeklyMaterial Podcast: relay.fm/material---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1 or on the podcast service of your choice!Subscribe (free!) at our website WhatTheIF.com and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Crank Calling COVID!

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:57:03 GMT

ATTACK OF THE KILLER 5G! How’s it going IFFers? We hope you’re keeping yourselves sane and busy in these crazy times. What with all the 5G antennas sending out COVID signals?! Rockefeller University Virologist, GABY PANICCIA, our wonderful compatriot in all things viral, has returned to give us the details on this crazy conspiracy! Our very own Co-Host, Philip Shane, has even seen graffiti in Brooklyn saying “STOP 5G!” So, we want to know what the heck does 5G have to do with Coronaviruses?What The If…WE CRANK CALLED COVID?!Does 5G Cellular Technology even affect us? Is there even a remote relation between 5G and viruses?Swipe to unlock your cellular devices, make sure you’ve wiped them down with alcohol first, and hop on that cellular network because we’re about to transmit some info to you over the waves!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Can a VIRUS Wear a WHITE HAT?

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:13 GMT

Hey IFers! We know it’s been hard these last few weeks, what with quarantine and all. That’s why we’ve been bringing you these SPECIAL virus related episodes, for a much needed source of EDUTAINMENT!Our friend Gaby Paniccia has returned, once again to help us understand more about the slimy, gooey, fatty world of viruses.This week we’ve got, What The If…VIRUSES NEVER EXISTED?!What would the world be like? Would it be HEAVEN or HELL?! Would there even be a world?So put on your masks and latex gloves, make sure you’ve wiped down your listening devices, and lets get into some VIRUSES!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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SPECIAL EPISODE: What the PANDEMIC? with Virologist Gaby Paniccia

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:26:39 GMT

Hey IF'ers! How has quarantine been treating you? Feeling the itch to get out? Don’t go anywhere yet, not just because it’s not safe but we’ve got another Coronavirus-related WHAT THE IF for you!Our friend Gaby Paniccia has returned to help us this week along with Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng in the virtual audience! What The If…There was a WORLD-WIDE Pandemic?! Seems implausible, but it’s the world we live in, FOR NOW! So, break out your Purell and Lysol wipes because half of humanity is under lockdown and we ain’t going nowhere. Let’s make that VIRUS unhappy!!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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The EYE Of AMAZ-AURON with Tom Merritt

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

They’re tracking what you’re buying, in the GROCERY STORE! We’re back to our regular scheduled programming this week with fellow podcaster and Science Fiction author, Tom Merritt as our guest!His latest novel, Trigor, the second book in the Pilot X universe is out now on Amazon!Tom brings a wild and FANTASTICAL IF to us this week, based loosely on the latest experiment by the eye of AMAZ-AURON, the Amazon Go stores.WTiF You never had to go to the cashier again? You could just WALK OUT with all your toilet paper and Frosted Flakes!But WTiF this idea expanded to the entire WORLD?! You could just walk into a DMV and get your drivers license without talking to a single LIVING PERSON! Maybe it’d get rid of those crazy wait times!---Tom is an award-winning independent tech podcaster, author, and host of regular tech news and information shows. Tom hosts Sword and Laser, a science fiction and fantasy podcast, and book club with Veronica Belmont. He also co-hosts Daily Tech News Show, covering the most important tech issues of the day with the smartest minds in technology. He’s written such books as Pavaria, Citadel 32, Lot Beta and the Pilot X series. Visit his website at: http://www.tommerritt.com Check out Trigor, the second book in the Pilot X universe on Amazon---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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RIDE Inside a VIRUS! With Molecular Virologist Gaby Paniccia

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 17:18:53 GMT

We hope you're saying safe, practicing good social distancing and hopefully not hoarding all the toilet paper! This week, we've got another Coronavirus-related WHAT THE IF for some self isolation edutainment: What The IF… We could go inside a VIRUS?! GABY PANICCIA, a graduate student in Molecular Virology at the world famous Rockefeller University, uses her imagination to shrink us all down to nanometer scale and she takes us on a FANTASIC VOYAGE! We swim into cells to see how a coronavirus works, up front and all too personal! How big are those spikes really? So put on your innerspace suits, and get ready for a ride of a lifetime!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Hazmat FASHION! Life Under QUARANTINE

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:20:12 GMT

We hope this episode finds you and your loved ones well, no matter where in the world you are. Here in New York, we recorded this new episode just as they shut down our city. First they came for the sports arenas, then they came for the bars and pubs, and then the coffee shops… but we will persevere.PEOPLE OF EARTH, WE SALUTE YOU. And since we’re all stuck at home, we figured it was no reason to stop educating and entertaining and imagining a utopian world where fashion never dies!This week, we present a special WHAT THE IF for these very strange times: What The IF... we were ISOLATED all of the time! Can you imagine a world where nobody could be with anybody? Just the grammar of that thought alone is terrifying.So put on your sexiest N-95 mask and your hazmat suit made of out the finest Corinthian mat… and let’s do this!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Backwards TIME! - !EMIT sdrawkcaB

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 01:37:26 GMT

Our awesome audience member, and newest SUPER IFFER, Micah Frier of New York City asks: What The IF… TIME ran backwards?Well it turns out that YOU and me, and Matt and Micah... and all our atoms... and all our other important ingredients... would also be running BACKWARDS. Would you notice? What does eating at the dinner table look like? The horror!Strap on your intellectual seat belts (or unstrap them?) because it’s gonna be (already was?) a THGIN YPMUB!---Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Can ROBOTS Host A PODCAST?

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 15:44:01 GMT

What the if ROBOTS were hosting their very own PODCAST? They are replacing our jobs! WE WELCOME OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS!Our listener Rod in Edinburg, Scotland wrote in and asked: “Could AI's do a PODCAST?”We had a little bit of shade thrown at us, testing our podcasting skills with a little bit of our own kind of TURING TEST! Are we losing the ability to distinguish between a NATURAL being and an ARTIFICIAL one? Tune in and find out!Special thanks to Kyle Crichton, Howard Zheng and Illia Zheng for their help with the show.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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CATS and EARTHQUAKES! With Geophysicist Celeste Labedz

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:45:49 GMT

CalTech Seismologist Celeste Labedz asks: WTiF we could get our pet CATS to create a global EARLY EARTHQUAKE WARNING system? We have lots of fun... for science! CELESTE LABEDZ is a grad student in geophysics at CalTech. Her research explores environmental processes using seismological observations. In particular, investigating subglacial hydrologic conditions using continuous seismic tremor data collected on and around the glacier. in order to improve observations and understanding of glacier dynamics as a whole. She's also interested in geoscience communication and public outreach.Follow Celeste at Twitter.com/celestelabedz or Instagram.com/celestelabezAnd listen to ALIE WARD’s wonderful interview with Celeste on the fabulous podcast series, OLOGIES! https://omny.fm/shows/ologies-with-alie-ward/cryoseismology-icequakes-with-celeste-labedz---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Scientist VS Artist CAGE MATCH! - With JANCY McPHEE of the SciArt Exchange

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:49:35 GMT

A scientist and an artist are trapped in an elevator. Can they learn to understand each other?JANCY McPHEE, Founder and Exec. Director of the SciArt Exchange joins us to explore the vastly different ways scientists and non-scientists think about the world, and to look for ways to find common ground... even if it is fifty floors up in the air!* * *Visit the SciArt Exchange at SciArtEx.net for more about all their amazing programs!* * *JANCY McPHEE wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to be when she grew up. She loved science and exploring, but all her hobbies were related to music and theater and reading about how other humans think, feel, create and move. Hoping to combine her interests, she became a neuroscientist, a person who examines the science behind these human capabilities. Formally, Dr. McPhee has a B.A. in Neurobiology and Behavior from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Brandeis University. She was a cellular and molecular neuroscience researcher in academia for 17 years before joining the National Space Biomedical Research Association and later the Universities Space Research Association to manage various aspects of NASA’s domestic and international space life sciences research programs. Since 2010, she has been implementing motivating and novel ways to enhance space education and science and technology innovation and to promote global collaboration in human space exploration. She created the international Humans in Space Art Program and has been working to establish SciArt Exchange.Based on the success of the initial Youth Art Competition, Dr. McPhee created the multi-project, international Humans in Space Art Program to encourage people of all ages (youth, young adult, and professionals), cultures, and backgrounds to think about and creatively communicate their visions of the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical, and video art. So far, the Program has engaged 1000’s of artists as participants, and 100,000’s have viewed multi-media artwork displays and performances online, locally on Earth, and in space. Dr. McPhee has received two awards for her creation of the Humans in Space Art Program, The NASA Johnson Space Center Director's Innovation Award (2011) and the STEAMSpace Education Permission to Dream Award (2017). She believes the recognition truly belongs to everyone who has participated and supported the Program. In addition, SciArt Exchange received the 2017 TMT (Technology, Media, Telecoms) Entertainment Award for Best Science Engagement Initiative - USA, the 2017 UK Corporate Excellence Award for Best International Science & Art Education Initiative, the 2018 AI ((Acquisition International) Award for Best Scientific Education Development & Promotion Initiative – USA and the 2018 CV Magazine UK Best in Business Awards - Leading Authority on Science & Art Collaborations. In order to expand the Humans in Space Art Program and initiate other global science-integrated- with- art activities, Dr. McPhee established the nonprofit SciArt Exchange. The nonprofit aims to inspire the world about space, science, and technology and promote public understanding about and contribution to science and technology issues. Nonprofit activities include contests, events, consulting and instructing on topics such as science communication, creativity, and teamwork. Dr. McPhee envisions a world where each individual is trained to use their whole brain and to work respectfully and collaboratively with many different kinds of people to solve the greatest global science and technology challenges. SciArt Exchange and its partners worldwide hope to help realize this vision.---Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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If NASA Won MEGAMILLION$$$ - with CASEY DREIER from The PLANETARY SOCIETY!

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 22:01:22 GMT

Dateline WASHINGTON DC: The Planetary Society's DAY OF ACTION is coming up! In honor of this incredible opportunity for citizens to meet with their legislators to talk about NASA funding, we present this encore of our very popular episode with the Planetary Society's Casey Dreier. Listen and dream, then sign up and join: https://www.planetary.org/get-involved/be-a-space-advocate/take-action/2020-day-of-action.html (Registration ENDS on Monday Feb 3, sign up now!)* * *"No BUCKS, no Buck Rogers," says astronaut Gus Grissom in "The Right Stuff." So we ask, what the if... NASA got hundreds of billions more, or even TRILLIONS of dollars more in funding? Imagine it happened today! Can we build a SPACE UTOPIA worthy of the most optimistic science fiction... or are there some things money can't buy? Will we sing "Can't buy me love," or "Fly ME to the Moon"?Our guide on this joyous spending spree is CASEY DREIER, the Chief Advocate & Senior Space Policy Adviser of The PLANETARY SOCIETY and an expert in how NASA gets funded by the US Congress, and how citizens can play a role. Casey reveals to us that our current TECHNOLOGY enables us to do incredible things... if we have the WILL and can pay the BILL.* * *Learn more about The PLANETARY SOCIETY at planetary.org -- and how you can join them on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for their annual DAY OF ACTION at planetary.org/dayofactionVisit Casey Dreier on Twitter: @CaseyDreier * * *This episode is sponsored by ASTRONOMY Magazine's "Space And Beyond Box," an awesome subscription where you'll automatically receive boxes and boxes of super educational and super fun stuff from Astronomy's editors. Visit the website -- SpaceAndBeyondBox.com/Giveaway -- to learn more, and get a chance to WIN a free annual subscription!* * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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POWER From PEOPLE??? Bow To Our MATRIX Overlords!

Sun, 26 Jan 2020 13:48:41 GMT

We answered the ringing telephone in The Matrix and on the line was the great filmmaker, game designer, and composer Robyn Miller with a sizzling good IF! Robyn asks "If you were an evil robot overlord and you wanted to use people as your power source... how'd ya do it? Can people be used as batteries?" Let's find out! Take the correct colored pill and we'll see you on the other side... of the IF!* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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MEGASTRUCTURES! With Journalist & Science Fiction Author MATT WILLIAMS

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 01:00:02 GMT

SCIENCE JOURNALIST and SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR Matt Williams joins us and asks: What’s the absolute biggest thing you could build… in the entire Universe! Have Aliens beaten us to it? How big does our civilization need to be to outgrow even MEGASTRUCTURES and build even bigger? Can we build GIGASTRUCTURES? What about PETASTRUCTURES? How about a GOOGLESTRUCTURE. We’re gonna need THOR’S HAMMER for this project, and his screwdriver and rivet maker, too! Let’s get to work and make some IF!* * *MATT WILLIAMS has written many short stories and two full-length novels, all which take place within the same fictional universe. In addition, he’s written over one thousand articles on subjects of science, technology, astronomy, history, literature, pop culture, and general knowledge. His first published novels, The Cronian Incident and its sequel The Jovian Manifesto (published by Castrum Press) can be purchased on Amazon.com, or Castrum Press, or click here to read an excerpt of the books. They are also available as audiobooks through Audible.com.* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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Can We Open A PUB On MARS? w/the Author of ALCOHOL IN SPACE, Chris Carberry!

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 00:36:50 GMT

We're joined by Chris Carberry, the distinguished CEO of EXPLORE MARS and author of the awesome new book, ALCOHOL IN SPACE... Join us for a fun and fabulous Happy Hour on What The IF!* * *CHRIS CARBERRY is the CEO and co-founder of Explore Mars, Inc. a nonprofit space advocacy organization that was created to advance the goal of sending humans to Mars within the next two decades. Carberry is a well-respected expert and influential director of strategic alliances in the space community and has been responsible for growing many partnerships, grants and sponsorships for leading industry organizations. Currently, as CEO of Explore Mars, he acts as the main liaison for efforts and project ventures.Prior to joining Explore Mars, Carberry served as Executive Director to The Mars Society. In his early career, he acted as a member of the Steering Committee where he organized congressional outreach efforts around the country. He also played a leadership role in congressional outreach events such as the 2007-2017 Space Exploration Alliance Legislative Blitz and has coordinated numerous briefing panels and other events on Capitol Hill over the past two decades.In more recent years, he has organized and led successful international conferences including the ISS and Mars Conference in Washington, D.C. and Strasbourg, France, and the Women and Mars Conference in Washington, D.C. In 2012, he represented Explore Mars as a delegate to the Mars500 Symposium in Moscow, Russia, and in 2013, he spearheaded the annual Humans to Mars Summit in Washington, DC that has become the largest annual conference in the world focused on sending humans to Mars. Carberry also helped to launch the Get Curious Campaign in 2012 and the Humans to Mars Report starting in 2015. Carberry is also a co-founder and co-chair of the Mars Achievability and Sustainability workshop series, and he recently launched the 1st AR/VR and Space workshop series. In 2018, under Carberry’s leadership, Explore Mars will also launch programs in Europe and the United Arab Emirates.Carberry has presented both oral and written testimony to Congress and has contributed positioning work dealing with space exploration for the Republican Party’s National Platform in 2000. He is the author of scores of articles and Op-Ed pieces that have appeared in such publications as USA Today, US News and World Report, Huffington Post, The Washington Post, San Jose Mercury Times, Foxnews.com, Houston Chronicle, The Hill, The Telegram (UK), The Boston Herald and many other publications. He has been featured on national and international television and radio programs such as NBC Nightly News, Fox News, CNN, BBC World, and NPR and is frequently asked for commentary from print news outlets around the world.* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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ALASTAIR REYNOLDS: Come Fly With Me... To MARS!

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 19:35:03 GMT

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our listeners around the WORLD! We’re celebrating with an encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes ever, with one of the greatest Science Fiction authors of all time, ALASTAIR REYNOLDS as our guest! PRE-ORDER his exciting upcoming novel, BONE SILENCE at your local bookstore or on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0819W4456/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i10Al brings a whopper of an IF, loosely inspired by one of his newest stories, "Different Seas" which he wrote for the new prophetic anthology, "TWELVE TOMORROWS" from MIT Press.WTiF Elon Musk sent a bunch of dummy bots to the red planet into whose bodies we could transport ourselves, via telepresence, and explore from the comfort of our own home? It's just like being there!But WTiF there's other bots being run around the planet, too, by people who's minds may be filled with the itch to cause mischief... or murder??? Watch your back, you n00b!---ALASTAIR REYNOLDS is a science fiction writer based in Wales. A former space scientist, he turned from studying pulsars and binary stars to fiction. He's now the author of sixteen novels and more than seventy short stories. His work has been shortlisted for the Hugo, Arthur C Clarke and Sturgeon awards, and he's won the Seiun, Sidewise, European Science Fiction Society and Locus awards. His stories have been adapted for stage and television.VISIT his website: alastairreynolds.comCheck out the TWELVE TOMORROWS anthology: mitpress.mit.edu/books/twelve-tomorrows--------REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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LIGHTSABERS For Hands! It’s a STAR WARS If!

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 20:18:52 GMT

Our listener MIGUEL from South Africa wrote in and asked us, “What The IF… we replaced our HANDS with LIGHTSABERS?”This idea was so insane it sat on our list for a year and a half… as we SEARCHED OUR FEELINGS… waiting for the just the right moment to begin this wicked thought experiment..We celebrate the conclusion of the Star Wars saga by diving into this great space-operatic question.Happy Holidays to ALL our listeners AROUND THE WORLD, you folks are incredible! Keep the cards and letters coming’, it’s great to get to know ya. Enjoy your new LIGHTSABERS, listen now and find out how they’re gonna change the galaxy!!!MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOUALWAYS* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?ls=1&mt=2Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode! https://pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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Welcome to LAMARCK-issic Park! No Darwins Allowed!

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 06:23:26 GMT

What the if EVOLUTION were very DIFFERENT? Strap on your pith helmet, and lock the doors! OUR LISTENER Jon from Sweden wrote us and asked: What if Charlie “Eye of the Tiger” DARWIN was wrong and “Hoist Up The” Jean-B. LAMARCK was right? These two scholars had very different ideas about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees, and especially about YOU and me’s! * * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?ls=1&mt=2Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode! https://pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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Planet NIBURU Crashes Into EARTH! With Astronomer BOB KING

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:56:41 GMT

Is there a DOOMSDAY PLANET named Nibiru heading our way? Nope! But what the IF there was? We challenge astronomer & astrophotographer Bob King to play out the RAM-ifications of this Earth SHATTERING scenario, from which we learn a WHOPPING amount of real science! BOB KING is the author of URBAN LEGENDS FROM SPACE: The Biggest Myths About Space Demystified, where he cuts through the fog of myth to bring the truth behind 51 celestial legends and exposes the scientific truth at their core. Emily Lakdawalla of The Planetary Society recommended it as one of the best books for kids of 2019. Buy it at your local bookstore or one of the many online sellers listed here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263575-urban-legends-from-spaceBob has enjoyed the night sky and astronomy since childhood and loves to share his passion through public observing, speaking and writing. He is the photo editor at the Duluth News Tribune, and when the sun goes down you'll often find him photographing the northern lights or fireflies. He writes a frequently updated astronomy blog called Astro Bob and teaches community education astronomy at his local planetarium. He has also written for Sky & Telescope and Universe Today.* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?ls=1&mt=2Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode! https://pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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LEAP Into a QUANTUM COMPUTER!

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 05:46:54 GMT

Do Electrons dream of having feet? WTIF you were an ELECTRON jogging through the hot circuits of a CLASSICAL COMPUTER and all of a sudden you lept into a QUANTUM COMPUTER? What does it look like inside the bizarre new machine? Why is it so COLD in here? What’s with all the signs posted everywhere saying “DON’T LOOK!” The astounding final chapter of our journey through the EVOLUTION of COMPUTERS! Fear not if you haven’t heard the previous episodes, each one stands on it’s own!* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?ls=1&mt=2Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode! https://pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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I Married A NEANDERTHAL - A SciFi Love Story

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 18:31:38 GMT

Science Fiction FILMMAKERS Carylanna Taylor & Jacob Okada bring us the IF of their new film, ANYA, a contemporary sci-fi love story about a couple whose determination to have a child leads them to a cutting-edge geneticist, an ancient outlier community hiding in plain sight in New York City, and ultimately, a life-changing question: are they willing to have a gene-edited baby, no matter the cost? ANYA is now available on demand, DVD, and hosted screenings: https://www.anyamovie.com/watchnowANYA is the first narrative feature by anthropologist Carylanna Taylor, PhD (writer/producer), and documentary filmmaker Jacob Akira Okada (writer/director). Under their First Encounter Productions banner, Taylor and Okada have also produced the feature documentary PAINTING THE WAY TO THE MOON (available on Vimeo). For ANYA, they collaborated with Harvard Medical School's Wu Lab, the Personal Genetics Education Project, and Carnegie Mellon's Pfenning Lab where they filmed the lab scenes. ANYA is now available on demand, DVD, and hosted screenings. Watch it here: https://www.anyamovie.com/watchnowVisit anyamovie.com for the latest screenings, articles, and educational materials.Contact info@1efilms.com to host a screening of ANYA or Painting the Way to the Moon in your community.Subscribe to First Encounter Productions YouTube channel to see newly posted shorts, behind the scenes videos, and longer interviews. Follow and tag at:IG: @anya.movieTwitter/FB: @anyamovieTwitter: @carylannataylorMore info about the filmmakers and their research at:https://anyamovie.comhttps://firstencounterproductions.comhttps://paintingthewaytothemoon.comhttps://youtube.com/channel/UCF8Xrnq-_di9aYfUBxRfkyghttps://transvection.orghttps://pged.orghttps://pfenninglab.org* * *Share your love for the IF by dropping a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?ls=1&mt=2Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) and never miss an episode! https://pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt

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Spelunking Deep Inside A SOLID STATE Brain!

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 01:00:03 GMT

GOOGLE just announced that its' researchers have built a QUANTUM COMPUTER that has achieved... Quantum Supremacy. ACK!!! Do you feel like standing and cheering, or fleeing for your life? It's essential that we all learn how a quantum computer works, but...Most of us don't even understand how a regular computer works! What's really going on inside that humming typewriter on your desk? What about the one that's heating up your lap? Or the one that's in your hand? WTiF you could go INSIDE your thinking machines and see WTF is going on? Strap on a rubber suit so you don't get electrocuted... and let's go WALTZING into our CLASSICAL COMPUTERS.It's Part TWO of our FANTASTIC VOYAGE into the evolving COMPUTER! What the IF you could go spelunking into the very circuits themselves... what would you find? Step into your anti-static hazmat suit and let's find out! * * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Waltz INSIDE A Classical COMPUTER!

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 01:00:03 GMT

GOOGLE just announced that its' researchers have built a QUANTUM COMPUTER that has achieved... Quantum Supremacy. ACK!!! Do you feel like standing and cheering, or fleeing for your life? It's essential that we all learn how a quantum computer works, but...Most of us don't even understand how a regular computer works! What's really going on inside that humming typewriter on your desk? What about the one that's heating up your lap? Or the one that's in your hand? WTiF you could go INSIDE your thinking machines and see WTF is going on? Strap on a rubber suit so you don't get electrocuted... and let's go WALTZING into our CLASSICAL COMPUTERS.Here in PART ONE of this fantastic voyage: we enter the warm, cozy computer built out of VACUUM TUBES called a "Von Neumann Machine," where super smart, hard working ladies are in charge! Grab a patch cable, plug it in and let's find out what's going on inside this GIANT machine they call a UNIVERSAL COMPUTER. * * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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The AZTECS Were Awesome SEISMOLOGISTS - with Robin George Andrews!

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 03:24:59 GMT

Ancient Science Secrets! DR. ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS returns with an incredible story of how modern day SEISMOLOGISTS are hunting through ancient AZTEC inscriptions, and the records of indigenous peoples around the world, to uncover a nearly FORGOTTEN HISTORY of the vibrating and violent EARTH!* * *ROBIN ANDREWS is a doctor of experimental volcanology, a full-time freelance science journalist, a part-time photographer, a scientific consultant, an occasional lecturer, public speaker and explain-how-volcanoes-work TV guest, as well as a pending author of a rather curious book. He can tell you exactly how powerful the Death Star is, how cryovolcanoes on alien worlds work, why a supervolcano probably isn’t what you think it is, and why the Moon is shrinking. His work has appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE ATLANTIC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, EARTHER, GIZMODO, FORBES, THE VERGE, ATLAS OBSCURA, DISCOVER MAGAZINE, WIRED and elsewhere.VISIT his website: robingeorgeandrews.com* * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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Did VENUS Have VENUSIANS? w/Planetary Geologist KIRBY RUNYON!

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:38:03 GMT

This week's show is ripped from the headlines! A study by Michael Way and Anthony Del Genio of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies reveals that VENUS may have been habitable for it's first THREE billion years! For some unknown reason, 750 million years ago, a catastrophic amount of carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere. The hellish conditions consumed the entire planet, resurfacing it from pole to pole.What the if... we found an archaeological site on Venus? Like Pompeii, a city that captured a record of it's in habitants attempting to survive a world that is erupting around them.What would it have been like to live on Venus during the years of transformation from Eden to Hell? Planetary Geologist KIRBY RUNYON a member of the team at John's Hopkins Applied Physics Lab that sent NEW HORIZONS to Pluto. What caused the apocalypse on Venus, and what would it have been like to live through it? Let's fly there now, to find out!* * *Follow Kirby on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/nasaman58And visit his WEBSITE: https://kirbydanielrunyon.space* * *This episode is sponsored by ASTRONOMY Magazine's "Space And Beyond Box," an awesome subscription where you'll automatically receive boxes and boxes of super educational and super fun stuff from Astronomy's editors. Visit the website -- SpaceAndBeyondBox.com/Giveaway -- to learn more, and get a chance to WIN a free annual subscription!* * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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If NASA Won MEGAMILLION$$$ - with CASEY DREIER from The PLANETARY SOCIETY!

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 18:13:16 GMT

"No BUCKS, no Buck Rogers," says astronaut Gus Grissom in "The Right Stuff." So we ask, what the if... NASA got hundreds of billions more, or even TRILLIONS of dollars more in funding? Imagine it happened today! Can we build a SPACE UTOPIA worthy of the most optimistic science fiction... or are there some things money can't buy? Will we sing "Can't buy me love," or "Fly ME to the Moon"?Our guide on this joyous spending spree is CASEY DREIER, the Chief Advocate & Senior Space Policy Adviser of The PLANETARY SOCIETY and an expert in how NASA gets funded by the US Congress, and how citizens can play a role. Casey reveals to us that our current TECHNOLOGY enables us to do incredible things... if we have the WILL and can pay the BILL.* * *Learn more about The PLANETARY SOCIETY at planetary.org -- and how you can join them on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for their annual DAY OF ACTION at planetary.org/dayofactionVisit Casey Dreier on Twitter: @CaseyDreier * * *This episode is sponsored by ASTRONOMY Magazine's "Space And Beyond Box," an awesome subscription where you'll automatically receive boxes and boxes of super educational and super fun stuff from Astronomy's editors. Visit the website -- SpaceAndBeyondBox.com/Giveaway -- to learn more, and get a chance to WIN a free annual subscription!* * *Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & Matt,WhatTheIF.com

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The COMET from Beyond!

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 13:04:13 GMT

COMET BORISOV just showed up in our solar system, only the second INTERSTELLAR OBJECT known to visit us! What is it, where does it come from, where's it going and will Earthlings be able to study it before it vanishes forever?What The IF you could RIDE the comet? That'd be a heck of a way to learn about it! This week we imagine being passengers exiled from our home world, sent on an eternal cometary road trip... and, wow, we've got a sight seeing trip about to happen like no other. Look at that fine yellow sun, and what's that blue planet up ahead? Can we get off this flying snow ball? Hold on tight while we have a wild ride through the SCIENCE of Comet Borisov!-----This episode is sponsored by ASTRONOMY Magazine's "Space And Beyond Box," an awesome subscription where you'll automatically receive boxes and boxes of super educational and super fun stuff from Astronomy's editors. Visit the website -- SpaceAndBeyondBox.com/Giveaway -- to learn more, and get a chance to win a FREE annual subscription! -----Like the show? Share your love for the IF by dropping a review on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051 and never miss an episode!Keep On IFFin',Philip & MattWhatTheIF.com

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All the TREES are GONE? With Kyle Crichton!

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:00:14 GMT

What The IF... All the TREES were GONE? Would we still have air to breathe? Water to drink? Well don't ponder those questions too long because there's an AVALANCHE coming your way! Our guest Kyle Crichton is a filmmaker and an experienced backcountry snowboarder and skier who's new documentary, "LEAVE NICE TRACKS" is about the importance of keeping our planet, including the lovely wooded mountains of his home state Vermont, livable, breathable, and lovable.KYLE CRICHTON has worked alongside some of the best documentary filmmakers of the day, including Barak Goodman, Morgan Spurlock, and Sandi Dubowski. He has contributed to documentaries and other programs that have aired on DISCOVERY Channel, HISTORY Channel, and PBS. Similarly, his work has premiered at both the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL and the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Kyle has a passion for snowboarding, as well as all things winter-related. After traveling to Vermont on several occasions, he discovered his overwhelming appreciation for the serenity that accompanies the vast openness that is the backcountry. Working on LEAVE NICE TRACKS is the opportunity of a lifetime, giving him the chance to showcase his love for storytelling with his desire to explore the outdoors. He also may or may not be related to the legendary science fiction author Michael Crichton... What The IF!Visit the film's website: http://www.leavenicetracks.comCheck out the rewards available at the film’s Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dwccoast2coast/leave-nice-tracks-the-state-of-vermonts-backcountry?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=leave%20nice%20tracks-----Like the show? Share a review with us on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one (always free!) at pod.link/1250517051Keep On IFFin',Philip & MattWhatTheIF.com

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Let's CRISPR with Carl ZIMMER!

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:14 GMT

Would you CRISPR your baby? The great science journalist Carl Zimmer, award winning columnist for the New York Times and author of thirteen (!) books joins us to imagine the steep up sides and the slippery down sides of the revolutionary technique for modifying genes. Fix those typos in your DNA! Write a better life for baby! And why not rewrite your own bad self? What The IF... you could?CARL ZIMMER's newest book is "She Has Her Mother’s Laugh: The Power, Perversions, and Potential of Heredity". His column "Matter" appears each week in the New York Times. Zimmer’s writing has earned a number of awards, including the 2016 Stephen Jay Gould Prize, awarded by the Society for the Study of Evolution to recognize individuals whose sustained efforts have advanced public understanding of evolutionary science. In 2017, he won an Online Journalism Award for his series of articles in which he explored his genome. She Has Her Mother’s Laugh won the 2019 National Academies Communication Award. It was also named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times Book Review and selected for Publisher’s Weekly Best Ten Books of 2018 and the 2018 shortlist for Baillie-Gifford Prize for Nonfiction. The Guardian named it the best science book of 2018.Zimmer created the podcast “What Is Life?” and is a familiar voice on other programs such as Radiolab. A professor adjunct at Yale University, he lives in Connecticut with his wife Grace and their children, Charlotte and Veronica. He is, to his knowledge, the only writer after whom a species of tapeworm has been named.Visit his website: https://carlzimmer.comLearn more about his newest book: https://carlzimmer.com/books/she-has-her-mothers-laugh/Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlzimmer-----Like the show? Share a review with us on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one at pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!Philip & MattWhatTheIF.com

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SEAN CARROLL: Phone Calls from MANY WORLDS!

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 03:22:22 GMT

As you read these words, copies of you are being created. Theoretical physicist SEAN CARROLL says the astonishing MANY WORLDS theory might be correct, and if it is… 5,000 times per second your reality is splitting into alternate universes. Like, a lot of em. But Sean says... Don't Panic! Sean is one of this world’s most celebrated writers on science and with his newest book, SOMETHING DEEPLY HIDDEN, he is rewriting the history of 20th century physics -- and urging physicists, and all of us, to accept that there is more than one of us in the universe. There are many, many Sean Carrolls. Many of every one of us. Rarely does a book so fully reorganize how we think about our place in the universe. We are on the threshold of a new understanding—of where we are in the cosmos, and what we are made of.SEAN CARROLL is a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, host of the Mindscape podcast, and the author of From Eternity to Here, The Particle at the End of the Universe, and The Big Picture. He has been awarded prizes and fellowships by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the American Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of London, among many others. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, writer Jennifer Ouellette.Read his new book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566988/something-deeply-hidden-by-sean-carroll/9781524743017Listen to his podcast: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/Visit his website: https://www.preposterousuniverse.comFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcarroll-----Like the show? Share a review with us on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Have you subscribed? Grab one at pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!Philip & MattWhatTheIF.com

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111 - Is There GOLD In Them ASTEROIDS!

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:00:06 GMT

Listener Daniel asks: WTiF we could get rich from drilling for gold… in space?---Please REVIEW our podcast! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE (for free!) pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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110 - Inter-Galactic MAILBAG!

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 23:00:13 GMT

Once again, our listener mail bag is exploding! Our fans, aka our #SuperIFFers discuss our most mind-blowing shows and share their own mind-bending IF's! What the IF... you could hang out with the smartest, funniest, science-y-ist audience in the galaxy? You can! Listen now and FEEL THE IF!---Please REVIEW our podcast! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE (for free!) pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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109 - CONQUER the SOLAR SYSTEM with Matt Williams!

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 01:48:14 GMT

Science journalist and Science Fiction author Matt Williams joins us and asks: What the IF humanity conquered the entire solar system, inhabiting every planet, moon, asteroid, nook, cranny and whatever else we could latch onto… and hang on? What in all the worlds would this society look like? How many new forms of bodies, new cultures, new languages, new levels of snobbery by Earthlings? The immense distances would challenge us in ways that we never, ever have experienced. Can humanity survive living so far from it’s mother? Can mother survive with all her kids changing their body types? What the IF!!!---MATT WILLIAMS has written many short stories and two full-length novels, all which take place within the same fictional universe. In addition, he’s written over one thousand articles on subjects of science, technology, astronomy, history, literature, pop culture, and general knowledge. His first published novels, The Cronian Incident and its sequel The Jovian Manifesto (published by Castrum Press) can be purchased on Amazon.com, or Castrum Press. They are also available as audiobooks through Audible.com.Visit his Website at https://storiesbywilliams.comAt Twitter: @storybywillAnd at UniverseToday.com and InterestingEngineering.com---Please REVIEW our podcast! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE (for free!) pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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108 - The HELIOPAUSE That Refreshes - with Kirby "NASA Man" Runyon!

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:00:16 GMT

What the IF you could travel to the very EDGE of the SOLAR SYSTEM... and beyond? What would you see when you looked BACKWARDS? What would happen when you encountered the river of energized particles swirling through our galaxy? We're joined by KIRBY "Nasa Man" RUNYON, one of the scientists at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab who works on the New Horizons mission that visited PLUTO and Ultima Thule. When it launched, New Horizons was the fastest object ever rocketed into space... and today, Kirby takes us even further! We strap ourselves aboard a mission that NASA is conceptualizing to send a robotic spacecraft to explore the very edge of the Solar System, beyond the Kuiper Belt, beyond the Oort Cloud, right to the very zone where the Sun's particles crash into the matter that flies between the stars. Jump in and join us, let's fly faster than anyone has ever gone, to see how it feels to be truly INTERSTELLAR.---DR. KIRBY RUNYON is a planetary geomorphologist and morphodynamicist seeking to understand the evolution of planetary landscapes and the associated near-surface processes through the analysis of remote sensing imagery and laboratory experiments. He is a science team affiliate on the New Horizons mission to Pluto, Charon, and the Kuiper Belt and a science team collaborator on the HiRISE (High Resolution Imagaing Science Experiment) camera currently in orbit around Mars. Kirby is passionate about engaging the general public in the passion, beauty, and joy of space exploration and promoting scientific literacy among non-scientists. He lives in Columbia, MD, with his cat, Nixie, named after Nix, a small moon of Pluto.Website: https://kirbydanielrunyon.spaceTwitter: @nasaman58Instagram: @kirbydanielrunyonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirby.runyon---Please REVIEW our podcast! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE (for free!) pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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107 - Land A Man On The EARTH! - with Nancy Atkinson

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 00:00:06 GMT

It's Opposite Apollo Day! In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the first landing on the Moon, our special guest today is Nancy Atkinson from Universe Today! Her amazing new book is "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Mission." We ask: What The IF we lived on the Moon and had to send the first mission to EARTH?This lunacy gives rise, as with all our IFs, to an amazing about of information about the REAL Apollo mission, and the science, engineering and chutzpah it took to do it. The only thing that could have been harder would have been if we... lived on the Moon and had to send a Moon-person to the Earth and, as Moon-Kennedy proclaimed, "return them safely to the... MOON!"If you wanna visit the Earth, if you want to get off it again, how you gonna do it? OMG, you gotta bring your own Saturn V with you, so good luck with that. Landing on the Earth is hard!It's one of our most crunchy and delicious meals of Sci and Fi yet. Check it out.---NANCY ATKINSON is a science journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She has been with Universe Today since 2004, and also writes for Ad Astra.Her new book on the Apollo program is titled “EIGHT YEARS TO THE MOON: The History of the Apollo Missions” and shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who helped make the Apollo program so successful. The book comes out just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, the first to land on the Moon. You can buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162414490X/Her first book “INCREDIBLE STORIES FROM SPACE: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond. Caltech astronomer Mike Brown called the book “delightful” and Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of the New Horizons said “Incredible Stories From Space was a “great read.” See more reviews and purchase the book at Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. “Incredible Stories From Space” was published by Page Street Publishing, a subsidiary of Macmillan.Nancy was the host of the NASA Lunar Science Institute podcast from 2009-2014 (now SSERVI), was part of the production team for Astronomy Cast from 2008-2015, and worked with the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast where she was project manager from 2009-2011. She also has articles published on Wired.com, Space.com, NASA’s Astrobiology Magazine, Space Times Magazine, and several newspapers in the Midwest.In 2010, Nancy was awarded the New Horizons Traveling Fellowship by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs.Website: https://www.nancyatkinson.comTwitter: @Nancy_AInstagram: @nancyatkinson_utFacebook: nancy.atkinson4--------Please REVIEW our show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/60811…81524745417Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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106 - What The MONKEY? Part 2 of Our TWIS Special!

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 04:07:25 GMT

Our TWIS Special, Part TWO!TWIS the IF? What The TWIS? You put your science in my what! It's a special, double stuffed, super combo show. Dr. Kiki invited us to bring the IF to her long-running public radio show and podcast, This Week In Science. In Part 1 we got some science up in the NEWS! Dr. Kiki, Justin & Blair invite Philip & Matt to join the insightful, hilarious and very, very bizarre news stories that fly around the roundtable this week.Now In Part 2: Join us as we take the NEWS to the IF! There was a really, really weird news story this week about a scientist in China injecting HUMAN cells into a PRIMATE embryo. Happy Birthday! Or is it??? What the IF this procedure becomes commonplace? What miracles could it bring? What horrors? What horrific miracles??? Question marks run amok! ---This Week in Science (TWIS) is a weekly, hour-long web and radio show presenting an humorous, often opinionated, and irreverent look at the week in science and technology. In each episode, TWIS discusses the latest in cutting-edge science news on topics such as genetic engineering, stem cells, cybernetics, epigenetics, space exploration, neuroscience, microbiology, the end of the world, and a show favorite – Countdown to World Robot Domination.With Dr. Kiki (Kirsten Sanford, PhD), Justin Jackson & Blair BazdarichConnect with TWIS!http://TWIS.org http://twitter.com/@TWIScience--------Please REVIEW our show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/60811…81524745417Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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105 - What The KIKI? Part 1 of Our TWIS Special!

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 03:42:18 GMT

Our TWIS Special, Part ONE!TWIS the IF? What The TWIS? You put your science in my what! It's a special, double stuffed, super combo show. Dr. Kiki invited us to bring the IF to her long-running public radio show and podcast, This Week In Science. Here in Part 1 we get some science up in the NEWS! Dr. Kiki, Justin & Blair invite Philip & Matt to join the insightful, hilarious and very, very bizarre news stories that fly around the roundtable this week.In Part 2 join us as we take the NEWS to the IF! There was a really, really weird news story this week about a scientist in China injecting HUMAN cells into a PRIMATE embryo. Happy Birthday! Or is it??? What the IF this procedure becomes commonplace? What miracles could it bring? What horrors? What horrific miracles??? Question marks run amok! ---This Week in Science (TWIS) is a weekly, hour-long web and radio show presenting an humorous, often opinionated, and irreverent look at the week in science and technology. In each episode, TWIS discusses the latest in cutting-edge science news on topics such as genetic engineering, stem cells, cybernetics, epigenetics, space exploration, neuroscience, microbiology, the end of the world, and a show favorite – Countdown to World Robot Domination.With Dr. Kiki (Kirsten Sanford, PhD), Justin Jackson & Blair BazdarichConnect with TWIS!http://TWIS.org http://twitter.com/@TWIScience--------Please REVIEW our show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/60811…81524745417Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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104 - Walking on IO with Robin Andrews!

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 06:34:57 GMT

DR. ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS, science writer for The NY Times, National Geographic, Scientific American, and many more, joins us with an IF that'll keep you on your feet: What The IF we could walk on Jupiter's ultra volcanic moon, IO? Would you walk on a hot pizza? If so, you're ready for the trip! The views of Jupiter would be spectacular, but bring your kevlar umbrella because lava's gonna come flyin' out of the sky. One of the most spectacular places in the solar system, Io is also terribly mysterious, bizarre, and confusing to even the greatest scientists of our time. Pack your bags, bring some galoshes, and let's go!---Robin Andrews is a doctor of experimental volcanology, a full-time freelance science journalist, a part-time photographer, a scientific consultant, an occasional lecturer, public speaker and explain-how-volcanoes-work TV guest, as well as a pending author of a rather curious book. He can tell you exactly how powerful the Death Star is, how cryovolcanoes on alien worlds work, why a supervolcano probably isn’t what you think it is, and why the Moon is shrinking. His work has appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE ATLANTIC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, EARTHER, GIZMODO, FORBES, THE VERGE, ATLAS OBSCURA, DISCOVER MAGAZINE, WIRED and elsewhere.VISIT his website: https://robingeorgeandrews.com--------REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is on sale now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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103 - Alastair Reynolds!

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:00:04 GMT

Best selling author ALASTAIR REYNOLDS is our guest! He's Philip's favorite author on the planet and one of the world's most popular Science Fiction writers. Al brings a whopper of an IF, loosely inspired by one of his newest stories, "Different Seas" which he wrote for the new prophetic anthology, "TWELVE TOMORROWS" from MIT Press.WTiF Elon Musk sent a bunch of dummy bots to the red planet into whose bodies we could transport ourselves, via telepresence, and explore from the comfort of our own home? It's just like being there!But WTiF there's other bots being run around the planet, too, by people who's minds may be filled with the itch to cause mischief... or murder??? Watch your back, you n00b!---ALASTAIR REYNOLDS is a science fiction writer based in Wales. A former space scientist, he turned from studying pulsars and binary stars to fiction. He's now the author of sixteen novels and more than seventy short stories. His work has been shortlisted for the Hugo, Arthur C Clarke and Sturgeon awards, and he's won the Seiun, Sidewise, European Science Fiction Society and Locus awards. His stories have been adapted for stage and television.VISIT his website: alastairreynolds.comCheck out the TWELVE TOMORROWS anthology: mitpress.mit.edu/books/twelve-tomorrows--------EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is also in stores now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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102 - WTiF Apollo Never Stopped? Encore Presenation With FRASER CAIN!

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:04 GMT

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of APOLLO 11, we're featuring an encore of our episode with FRASER CAIN -- veteran space journalist and publisher of UNIVERSE TODAY!Fraser asks: WTiF we NEVER STOPPED going to the MOON? Imagine! By now we would have already spent FIFTY YEARS traveling to, and building on The Moon. What incredible things would we have achieved by now? What does this alternative today look like? Where can we fly? What can we see? Let's IF all the way TO THE MOON, and beyond!Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today and the co-host of Astronomy Cast. He's been writing about space and astronomy since he founded Universe Today in 1999. He lives on Vancouver Island, Canada with his wife, children and dog.Visit https://UniverseToday.com to read the latest space and astronomy news from Fraser and his team!And check out their latest book, the Ultimate Guide to Viewing THE COSMOS, available at bookstores everywhere and on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624145442/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0--------EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is also in stores now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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101 - Planet of POISON!

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 23:23:37 GMT

Pollution run AMOK! Imagine if no one -- no one at all -- tried to stop the poisoning of our land, water and air? Our listener Daniel asks: What The IF the Environmental Protection Agency were never, ever, ever created? What would America look like, smell like, and taste like? Our most pungent IF yet! --------EINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is also in stores now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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100 - Paul McAULEY Shrinks The SUN!

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:59:59 GMT

The incredible Science Fiction author PAUL McAULEY joins us to celebrate episode 100! With a preview of the science behind his upcoming novel, WAR OF THE MAPS, Paul asks: What The IF we could save the Earth from the inevitable death of the Sun?It's gonna be a lotta work! First we've gotta MOVE the Earth outward when the Sun expands into a RED GIANT, then we need to HUDDLE UP close when the Sun shrinks into a WHITE DWARF.Yep, Paul treats us to some EPIC ENGINEERING and ultra vivid SOLAR SCIENCE.---PAUL McAULEY'S first novel won the Philip K. Dick Award, and he has gone on to win almost all of the major awards in the field. For many years a research biologist, he now writes full-time. McAuley's novel THE QUIET WAR made several "best of the year" lists, including SF Site's Reader's Choice Top 10 SF and Fantasy Books of 2009. His latest novel is AUSTRAL: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Austral-Paul-McAuley/dp/1473217318 And his latest short story is featured in Wade Roush's exciting anthology TWELVE TOMORROWS from MIT Press, which also features new stories from Elizabeth Bear, SL Huang, Clifford V. Johnson, J. M. Ledgard, Liu Cixin, Ken Liu, Paul McAuley, Nnedi Okorafor, Malka Older, Sarah Pinsker, Alastair Reynolds https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/twelve-tomorrowsEINSTEIN'S WAR by our very own MATT STANLEY is also in stores now! The Washington Post says "Stanley is a storyteller par excellence." A starred review recipient from KIRKUS, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, and BOOKLIST. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051BUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. In bookstores now.Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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99 - Living INSIDE The Big BANG

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 23:59:59 GMT

Listener Bob from Virginia asks what it would be like if you found yourself INSIDE the BIG BANG?Does time flow differently? Can you Netflix and BANG? Why is your best friend who's right next to you suddenly... TRILLIONS of miles awaaaaaayyyyy!!!Put on your helmet and join us inside the freakish inflating spacetime bubble that began it ALL!REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: https://pod.link/1250517051BUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. In bookstores now.Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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98 - OWN Your Own BRAIN

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 23:59:59 GMT

Listener Jon from Sweden ascends to the rank of Super IFFer by submitting a winning IF! Jon asks, "What The IF... we knew EXACTLY how the BRAIN worked?" Would we be stuck as mere observers of the working brain, or could we fiddle with it, improve it, HACK it? How would it feel if you were changing the code of your own brain? Does the BRAIN have an ESC KEY? Let's hope so, because we're pluggin' yours in and messing with your MEATWARE. What the IF you dare!REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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97 - Spacetime GOGGLES

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 23:00:05 GMT

100 years ago, the British Astronomer Arthur Eddington confirmed that, as Albert Einstein had said, Spacetime exists, and YOU FEEL Gravity because it's CURVED all around your body... in the 4TH DIMENSION. Wouldn't you like to SEE all this stuff that's tossing you around? Could we ever even HANDLE seeing the 4th dimension? Well, we monkeys are a clever bunch!What the IF we could invent a pair of GOGGLES that allow us to SEE SPACETIME? If they were fashionable... they'd be awesome, so let's try 'em on!REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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96 - How To Cook With A Star Trek REPLICATOR

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:09:24 GMT

A brand new, super fun and mostly delicious episode, based on a fabulous question from listener and Super IFFer, Guy Rader! Beam up with us and let's get cookin'!REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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95 - ASTROLOGY??? Heaven Help Us!

Wed, 29 May 2019 17:15:21 GMT

Astrology is super complicated and totally crazy. But! What The IF... Astrology were REAL? Would there be "personality rays" shooting out of the planets? So many, many questions.Our crack Crazy Elaborate Systems Construction Department is working overtime to make this Astrology thing work in a genuinely SCIENTIFIC way. Amazingly, our WIZARD OF SCIENCE AND SCIENCE HISTORY AND CRAZY OLD BELIEF SYSTEMS, Professor Matt, is an unstoppable font of REAL knowledge about everyone from Ptolemy to Newton to Nancy Reagan. Join us for a journey of nearly 2,000 YEARS of people looking up and asking WHAT THE IF?(PS: Read your horoscope before listening, because after this episode you won't read it ever again.) This is one of our funnest, most skepticalist, wackiest, mythbustingest episode yet. Ok click that button and let's fly to the ZENITH.An encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes.REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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94 - MEAT Vs. The WORLD

Mon, 20 May 2019 18:37:58 GMT

What the IF everyone in the world STOPPED eating MEAT? Delicious, delicious meat... be gone!REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ Matt Stanley's engrossing new book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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93 - EINSTEIN'S WAR - Part Two - With Author MATT STANLEY

Tue, 14 May 2019 14:41:09 GMT

Matt has an amazing new book! Here in part two of our journey with Einstein, we dive even deeper (!) into Professor Stanley's incredible story about how, while living through hunger, freezing and fear, the unknown and unheard of Professor Albert Einstein became... EINSTEIN.What The IF, we ask: World War I never, ever happened? Would Einstein have solved his Theory of Relativity sooner -- or, perhaps, NEVER AT ALL? REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ the book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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92 - EINSTEIN'S WAR - Part One - With Author MATT STANLEY

Tue, 07 May 2019 04:58:56 GMT

Matt has an amazing new book! We dive into Professor Stanley's incredible story about how, while living through hunger, freezing and fear, the unknown and unheard of Professor Albert Einstein became... EINSTEIN.What The IF, we ask: World War I never, ever happened? Would Einstein have solved his Theory of Relativity sooner -- or, perhaps, NEVER AT ALL? REVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowBUY, GIFT, READ the book! EINSTEIN'S WAR: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I. Choose your favorite store here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608113/einsteins-war-by-matthew-stanley/9781524745417/Thanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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91 - Standing TALL On A Dwarf PLANET - Visit PLUTO With Kirby Runyon!

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:44:58 GMT

KIRBY RUNYON, science team affiliate on the NEW HORIZONS mission to Pluto, Charon, and the Kuiper Belt and a science team collaborator on the HiRISE camera currently in orbit around Mars, takes us to the gateway to the Kuiper Belt! Where on PLUTO would you LAND? What would it be like to WALK there? Could you JUMP to it's moon Charon? How much SCIENCE could you do, and how much FUN could you have? Kirby knows it all!Follow Kirby on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/nasaman58And visit his WEBSITE: https://kirbydanielrunyon.spaceREVIEW the show: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE for free: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks & Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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90 - VOLCANOES Like To Party - With Volcanologist Karen Holmberg!

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 00:00:04 GMT

Archaeologist and self-described Volcano Fetishist Dr. Karen Holmberg LOVES Volcanos… so we make her dream come true: What The IF you could invite ALL THE VOLCANOES in the world to a COCKTAIL PARTY! Dr. Holmberg takes us around to meet all her favorite exploding mountains, and the people who live at their feet, and we learn how each giant has it’s own personality. As the night progresses, and the CRYOVOLCANO bartenders pour ever more deliciously dangerous drinks… we dive deeper and learn the SECRETS OF VOLCANOES. Put on your lampshades and let’s join the life of this RUN FOR YOUR LIFE kinda party!See Dr. Holmbergs amazing PHOTOGRAPHY and learn more about her ADVENTURES in life…At her website: karenholmberg.comAnd on twitter: twitter.com/karenholmbergShare your love of the show, REVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1And SUBSCRIBE to our show so you don't miss an IF: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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89 - Fraser Cain - WTiF Apollo Never Stopped!

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:47:04 GMT

We're super honored to be joined this week by an incredible special guest: FRASER CAIN, veteran space journalist and publisher of UNIVERSE TODAY!In celebration of the upcoming 50th Anniversary (!!!) of APOLLO 11's historic landing on the Moon, we ask...WTiF we NEVER STOPPED going to the MOON? Imagine! By now we would have already spent FIFTY YEARS traveling to, and building on The Moon. What incredible things would we have achieved by now? What does this alternative today look like? Where can we fly? What can we see? Let's IF all the way TO THE MOON, and beyond!Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today and the co-host of Astronomy Cast. He's been writing about space and astronomy since he founded Universe Today in 1999. He lives on Vancouver Island, Canada with his wife, children and dog.Visit UniverseToday.com to read the latest space and astronomy news from Fraser and his team!And check out their latest book, the Ultimate Guide to Viewing THE COSMOS, available at bookstores everywhere and on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624145442/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0Share your love of the show, REVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1SUBSCRIBE to our show and don't miss an IF: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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88 - Sci - Fi Author, DAN MOREN - "What The IF ENCRYPTION Runs Amok?"

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 00:00:02 GMT

We're honored to be joined this week by the awesome Science Fiction writer, and esteemed technology journalist, DAN MOREN, who brings us an important, enigmatic, spooooooky IF...You are being watched, listened to, logged, sorted, faved, hashed and salted by TECHNOLOGY every moment of the day, including right now! Our devices are tattle-telling on us to their corporate bosses, gathering GIGABYTES of GOSSIP every second. What The IF we decided, enough with the convenience, we'd rather have TOTAL PRIVACY? Is it POSSIBLE? Would YOU really want to live in the society that erupts from such a change? Utopia? Dystopia? Holy Hackarama, it's a heck of an IF.DAN MOREN is an author, podcaster and tech journalist. Check out his latest rip-roarin' SF novel, THE BAYERN AGENDA: https://dmoren.com/the-bayern-agendaAnd you can HEAR Dan on these awesome PODCASTS:- SIX COLORS https://sixcolors.com- CLOCKWISE https://relay.fm/clockwise- THE REBOUND https://reboundcast.comShare your love of the show, REVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Don't miss An IF, SUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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87 - Galactic MAILBAG!

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 02:17:18 GMT

Our cup of listener mail overfloweth! This week: our fans, aka our #SuperIFFers discuss our most mind-blowing shows and the latest science news stories. What the IF... you could hang out with the smartest, funniest, science-y-ist audience in the galaxy? You can! Listen now and FEEL THE IF!Share your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Don't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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86 - The Science Of NOTHING - Ness!

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 03:25:22 GMT

Our listener, the awesome Super IFFer Bill Prokopchak wrote in and asked “What the IF there was a place in the Universe where there was absolutely NOTHING?”It turns out there’s a mysterious force that prevents space from ever, ever, EVER being truly, absolutely, totally, EMPTY. But… this force only acts when YOU’RE NOT LOOKING.The very strange and exceptionally vivacious life of VIRTUAL PARTICLES… and YOU… this week on What The IF!Share your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Don't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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85 - WTiF NASA Asked YOU For Help? - #NASAsocial At KSC & The Planetary Society's DAY OF ACTION

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:17:01 GMT

What the IF... Big ol' NASA asked little ol' YOU for HELP? Could you do it? What would you do?This week: a special report from Philip after his two adventures volunteering on behalf of the famous American space agency. First, at the Kennedy Space Center where he was invited to participate in the #NASAsocial program, providing social media outreach by sharing his incredible experiences BEHIND THE SCENES of the SpaceX #CrewDragon Demo-1 mission. #NasaSocial #CrewDragon Then, in Washington, DC, participating behind the scenes at the US CAPITOL with The Planetary Society's DAY OF ACTION, where more than 100 society members came from all over the country to meet with Congress to push for increased NASA funding. #FundNASA!It's a JAM PACKED, rocket blasting, democracy crashing episode of a pretty awesome IF that really came true!Share your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Don't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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84 - Planet Of The Identical TWINS!

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:32:59 GMT

Maya and Zoe are TWINS, and that's only the beginning of what makes them exceptionally qualified to take us to a planet where EVERYONE shares the same... FACE. Would this world be your personal Heaven... or Hell? It depends on how you look, and how everyone looks at you!From the vivid imagination of two very eloquent and insightful sisters... It just might just be the best planet ever created. Join us for a super duper, totally amazing IF, times TWO!Share your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Don't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowThanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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83 - COLD Blooded People

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:00:06 GMT

LIZARDS are cold blooded creatures. What the IF... YOU were too?Don't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Thanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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82 - CETACEAN INVASION! WTiF Whales Take Back The Land?

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:00:05 GMT

The amazing science educator and cetacean researcher, DR. VANESSA PIROTTA joins us again from Sydney, Australia and takes on the BIGGEST IF yet: What if WHALES decided to RETURN TO LAND? How would their bodies need to adapt? How would they communicate? What would they eat? Would they eat us? Could we ride them? And we also ponder the MYSTERY OF DOLPHIN HAPPINESS. Why so happy, dolphins? What's the secret? Or is it all a facade...? Let's follow Dr. Pirotta as she leads our expedition to the CETACEAN INVASION. What The IF!!!!!LEARN MORE about Dr. Pirotta's research, see magnificent PHOTOS, and enjoy her super engaging DEMONSTRATIONS -- all on her WEBSITE: VanessaPirotta.comDon't miss An IFSUBSCRIBE: linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the showREVIEW: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Thanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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81 - Love Thy MOON

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 04:13:57 GMT

We celebrate the LUNAR NEW YEAR and VALENTINE'S DAY by learning all the ways Earth would be a real loser without it's heavenly partner... the MOON!Don't miss an IF! Subscribe: linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the IF! Drop us a review: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1

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80 - HAGFISH - Champion Of The SLIMER BOWL!

Sat, 02 Feb 2019 20:01:11 GMT

The HAGFISH, little known, little respected... greatly feared... by sharks! Is the hagfish the Spiderman of the Sea? This little slimy fish can spit out a slimy blob that BLOWS UP REAL BIG. What the if... WE could defend ourselves like that? Imagine the sport! In celebration of the SUPER BOWL, we present a special episode: The SLIMER BOWL. Let the games begin!Don't miss an IF! Subscribe: linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the IF! Drop us a review: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1THANKS and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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79 - The Notorious BIG... BANG!

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:49:08 GMT

Special Guest ASTRONOMER Brian Keating returns, with an astounding IF! What The IF, Brian asks, there was MORE than one BIG BANG? WTiF another one is FLYING toward us NOW? OMG, bang bang bang, let's go...! Put on your space kevlar jackets and let's go surfing ALL the Big Bangs!Check out Brian Keating's best selling book, "LOSING THE NOBEL PRIZE" on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Losing-Nobel-Priz…ook/dp/B07889Q65WDon't miss an IF! Subscribe: linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the IF! Drop us a review: itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1THANKS and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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78 - PIGEON VISION

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 04:30:31 GMT

The MYSTERY behind the EYES that watch over our cities. WATCH OUT, this IF will change the way you see pigeons, and yourself, trespassing human!Don't miss an IF! Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the IF! Drop us a review: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1THANKS and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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77 - Let's Pretend We're WHALES! Dr. Vanessa Pirotta Turns Us Into Super Smart Cetaceans

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 23:47:30 GMT

The amazing science educator and cetacean researcher, DR. VANESSA PIROTTA joins us from down under, in Sydney, Australia... But she guides us on a journey to the REAL down under... UNDER THE SEA! Come along with us as we SWAP OUR HUMAN BRAINS for the singing, smiling, super smart BRAINS OF WHALES and dolphins.HOW DOES IT FEEL to navigate all around the planet -- HOW do we do it? WHO are we SINGING to, and are we doing it well? WHY is there a little helicopter flying over our head... silly humans and their boats!DR. PIROTTA'S INSIGHTS never cease to astound, and we come to appreciate our swimming, splashing... and sneezing mammalian relatives in more ways than we even knew was possible. Plus PRO TIPS on how to BE A GOOD HUMAN neighbor! This is an IF worthy of the seven seas. LET'S SAIL!LEARN MORE about Dr. Pirotta's research, see magnificent PHOTOS, and enjoy her super engaging DEMONSTRATIONS -- all on her WEBSITE: http://VanessaPirotta.comDon't miss An IF!SUBSCRIBE: http://linktr.ee/whattheifshowShare your love of the show!REVIEW: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1Thanks and Keep On IFFin'!-- Philip & Matt

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76 - Now We Know How Many BRAINS It Takes To Fill The Albert Hall

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 05:11:33 GMT

A couple of weeks ago we explored PARALLEL UNIVERSES... and in *this* parallel universe we take up a similarly BRAIN BENDING a concept: the INFINITE probabilities that surround us in our INFINITE universe. Why should the guy with the goatee be the EVIL one? And what about PANTS... a necessary evil? In an INFINITE UNIVERSE surely there is one little place where people are less... judgmental.Also, did you see a brain lying (or FLYING) around here somewhere? LUDWIG BOLTZMANN says he lost his mind and can't remember where he put it... but he says it's GOTTA be somewhere in this darn big universe!Subscribe! https://linktr.ee/whattheifshowReview! https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2

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75 - WTiF You Could See EARTH RISE... With Your Own Eyes?

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 05:00:45 GMT

Happy New Year, dear IFFers!!! A joyous episode greets you. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Astronaut William Anders' society transforming photograph, "Earthrise," and basking in the glow of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic breakthrough towards bringing passengers into space... Philip wonders WTF is wrong with all these people on the plane who close their windowshades???Meanwhile, on the skin of the Earth, the view of the skies is disappearing drastically, night after night. WTiF we could ALL see the sky as clear as the ancient astronomers, philsophers, and peasant folk saw the thick sparkling tapestry of the night sky? WTiF we could really see the STARS? Join us on our journey into a hopeful future... or not. It's New Years around the Earth… but how long will we know that it's a PLANET? Let's fly and take a look before the sky blindfolds us forever! WTiF... Clear Skies Forever? Can we do it??? What happens if we don't???

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74 - Bubbling Brew Of PARALLEL UNIVERSE Stew

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 10:00:05 GMT

Our listener & Super IFFer Jeff from Nashville asks What The IF there are parallel universes? Turns out... they might be exploding all around you! Should we fear the ones where we are wearing a beard? Good vs. Evil, Weird Science vs REAL SCIENCE. Strap on your parallel boots and let's go!SUBSCRIBE! linktr.ee/whattheifshowREVIEWS are greatly appreciated: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1

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73 - It's An ARTHUR C. CLARKE Christmas!

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 10:00:06 GMT

For our Christmas Special, our devoted listener Mitchell Scherr was inspired by the ARTHUR C. CLARKE short story "The Star," in which an ASTRONOMER ponders the source of the STAR OF BETHLEHEM. Was it a super nova? A meteor? A COMET, sent to a solar system which badly needed a tune up? ISAAC NEWTON had some very strong opinions on the matter, and he also has some seriously badass SINS to CONFESS. For realz!Enjoy this wonderful gift from Santa iCloud, directly to your ears, because you were very good science boys & girls this year! With goodwill towards all who love science, Matt & Philip wish you the very best of FESTIVUS!SUBSCRIBE: WhatTheIF.com/subscribeREVIEWS are greatly appreciated: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1

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72 - How To Tell People EARTH IS MELTING Without Killing The Party

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:00:50 GMT

Listener, and Super IFFer, Amira Youseff wrote in to the feedback@WhatTheIF.com hotline and asked: "How can I get MY FRIENDS to be interested in GLOBAL WARMING?" We discuss how IN THE WORLD you can talk about CLIMATE CHANGE at the party without causing everyone to yawn and abandon you. This week, how to SAVE THE PLANET while making friends and influencing people! This party is HEATING UP!

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71 - Does A Watched PLANET Ever BOIL?

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 10:00:14 GMT

Today we take up another fabulous -- and dastardly -- suggestion from our audience!Super IFFER Mike Holland sent an email to our hungry feedback@whattheif.com mailbox and asked.... How did we come to know that CLIMATE CHANGE is really happening, and what it will do to our world? Scientists agree: our atmosphere is heating up and something wicked this way comes. But it wasn't always this way, predicting globally is a skill we've only recently developed... but how??? And WHO was the first scientist to notice? Wasn't there a fear a while back where we were all going to FREEZE? Who figured it out? Were they wearing a turtleneck? HOW did all the scientists of WORLD come to agree that THE END IS NIGH? And who can stop it?On this urgent, darkly humorous, hot box of an episode, we ask... WTiF HUMANS ARE DESTROYING THEIR OWN PLANET? Climate change, past and present, and the changing fashions of scientists' top wear. Subscribe! linktr.ee/whattheifshowReview! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1

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70 - Victory Over GRAVITY!

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 10:00:04 GMT

70 - Victory Over GRAVITY! by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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69 - Dummies VS Gravity!

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:03:23 GMT

69 - Dummies VS Gravity! by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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68 - Are We Entertaining The MARTIANS?

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:00:08 GMT

IF we were Martians, looking at the Earth with our telescopes… would we know there’s LIFE there? If so, how would we know? Could we have watched humanity evolve? Would we see the humans coming to US? Run for the mons! It’s another fast & fascinating episode of What The IF?!!!

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67 - KEPLER'S Planets & EGOMANIACAL Mathematicians!

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:00:08 GMT

This week, the ground-breaking, sky-breaking, star-breaking, NASA telescope, Kepler, got arthritis and, creeeeaaaaaakkkk.... slipped into a well earned and well deserved retirement, now free to lounge about forever doing the backstroke and sipping martinis among the galaxies. But if you think THAT sounds like a PARTY (!) wait until you hear all the classes clinking and whips cracking and bottles popping that went on in the REAL HISTORY of KEPLER's namesake... and his crowd of rowdy astronomers. A very, very, VERY colorful cast of characters in this time traveling episode through the mists of SCIENCE history!

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66 - Danger, SLOW BRAIN Ahead! TIME DILATION From Head To Toe

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 03:57:53 GMT

When scientists discovered that our brain communicates with our body through electrical signals, they had a scientific and philosophical freak-out: if it took a not insignificant amount of TIME for our brain to process the world around us... then that information -- OUR SENSES -- were always TOO SLOW! What did this mean for our SENSE OF REALITY? And when we began exploring the solar system, our communication with our far flung human and robot astronauts was even more DELAYED. What The IF is going on??? An encore presentation of... the totally bizarre time when our BRAIN SIGNALS slowed down so much that they couldn't keep up with our dancin' feet!

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65 - Can You Trust Your Family ROBOT?

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 02:46:32 GMT

Attack of the FRIENDLY Robots! Will Robots really CARE for us? Or will they be faking it? Do all our screens WANT to be TOUCHED? This wildly imaginative episode, one of our original fan favorites, will change the way you think about that screen you’re looking at RIGHT NOW. Click and enjoy!

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64 - Physicist CLIFFORD JOHNSON Peers Deep Into A BLACK HOLE And Finds...?

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 18:07:43 GMT

Superstar Theoretical Physicist CLIFFORD JOHNSON, author of the incredible graphic novel, “THE DIALOGUES: Conversations About The Nature Of The Universe” joins us for a very special show. He asks us to imagine… WTiF our entire solar system drifted TOO CLOSE (!!!) to a BLACK HOLE? What would it be like to be on Earth when it crosses the EVENT HORIZON? Would half the planet disappear? Would time stop? Would we find ourselves in a place where NOTHING IS AS WE KNOW IT? Better bring a flashlight on this one, it’s spooky, it’s dark, it’s amazing.

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63 - Astronomy SMELLS - The Art & Science Of Data Visualization

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 16:57:11 GMT

On Feb 22, 2017, astronomers announced four additional exoplanets around TRAPPIST-1, bringing it's total number of EXOPLANETS to seven. SIX of those (!) could possibly reside in the HABITABLE ZONE of that mysterious star.... so naturally we'd really like to SEE these planets! In this remastered broadcast of one of our most popular episodes -- Philip & Matt explore the magic and maybe-ness of NASA's "artistic impressions" and imagine what we'd REALLY see through the WINDOW of our space ships. And, inspired by the incredible BLIND ASTRONOMER, Kent Cullers, we ask... WTiF we could SMELL THE STARS?

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62 - GHOSTS!

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 22:33:34 GMT

What the IF... We could get scientific evidence of GHOSTS? Trick or Treat, once again we dive into the crazy realm of the PARANORMAL... as we learn REAL science!

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61 - FLAT EARTH YouTube LIVE Special! - Joining Forces With The NonSequitur Show

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:43:09 GMT

Philip & Matt were honored to be invited onto the hilarious and super smart NonSequitur Show. The hosts of this popular YouTube channel invited us to play What This IF with one of their favorite topics, the wacked and weird ideas behind a FLAT EARTH. We say “YES, AND…” to this insane idea and grab it by the corners and take it for a spin, learning the REAL SCIENCE that flummoxes the crackpots. We bust up the Flat Earth club, and have a hoot doin’ it!

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60 - See The RADIO WAVES All Around YOU! The Science & Wonder Of Electromagnetic Fields

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:02:14 GMT

60 - See The RADIO WAVES All Around YOU! The Science & Wonder Of Electromagnetic Fields by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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59 - DEEPER Into THE SUN We Go - Flying And Frying... For Science!

Sun, 09 Sep 2018 20:10:37 GMT

Our journey continues... to the CENTER of the SUN!

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58 - How To THINK Like A BIRD! The Science of Animal Consciousness With DR. KIKI

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:20:50 GMT

DR. KIKI SANFORD, host of the incredible, long-running science podcast, THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE (TWiS.org), joins us for our most amazing, astounding, iff-iest episode yet! What The IF... WE WERE BIRDS? We learn all about bird behavior, in particular, Dr. Kiki's favorite birds, the tiny, adorable, musical, KILLER BIRDS, the shrikes. Yikes! What's it like to THINK like a bird, and to BE a bird? Tons of fun, and loads of knowledge dropped (onto spikes!) in this episode. Flap your wings and join us for the adventure of... SCIENCE.

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57 - Our SUBMARINE Dives... Into The SUN!

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:00:06 GMT

NASA just launched the Parker Solar Probe, flying toward the Sun to get closer than anything we've EVER sent before. WTiF we could have James Cameron build us our very own super duper solar submarine! Shower yourself with suntan lotion and let's go!

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56 - CRUSHED Or BROILED - Choose Your Fate At The Global Warming BBQ!

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 20:04:23 GMT

WTiF we survive EXTREME GLOBAL WARMING by living inside nice, chilly AIR CONDITIONED DOMES? But the heating up of our planet won't stop! The BBQ is just getting started, join us!

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55 - Standing On A SIZZLING Earth - Ultra Fast Greenhouse Effect!

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:13:24 GMT

WHY WAIT decades and decades for us to get HOT? What The IF we sped up CLIMATE CHANGE so we could see it happening before our eyes, and under our feet? This week, we put more EFFECT into the GREENHOUSE EFFECT! Oh, lordy, it's gettin' hot in here! Be cool... click and listen to this SIZZLING hot episode.

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54 - BACTERIA Have Sent You A FRIEND REQUEST!

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 09:00:05 GMT

Scientists have discovered a snail that NEVER NEEDS TO EAT because it grows a humongous, self sustaining BACTERIAL FOOD FACTORY in it's gut. What the IF you could do that, too? The MANY FACES and USES of BACTERIA, this week on What The IF! Oh, and yeah... that's sooooo icky!!!! But also kinda cool. ICKY COOL!

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53 - Honey, I Shrunk The UNIVERSE!

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:26:01 GMT

We shrunk the universe down to the size of a football field. We also shrunk your dorm room. And it's Friday night. Things are about to get downright WTiF! Put on your lampshade and let's party!

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52 - Is Earth A BOSS LEVEL, Or Just A LOOT BOX?

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 01:15:15 GMT

Are you enjoying your life in this SIMULATION we call... Earth? Is it a simulation? How would we know? Last week we began to ponder the mystery... and this week we set out... using REAL SCIENCE... to HACK it! Join us as we try to figure out how to FIND THE SEAMS and contact our DIGITAL OVERLORDS. We'll try anyway!

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51 - Do We LIVE In A VIDEO GAME?

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:07:36 GMT

Elon Musk asked something many of us have wondered (while in various states of sobriety)... "Do we live in a SIMULATION?" Well, we figured if we dooooooo live in a simulation, maybe it's a REALITY TV SHOW or, much more fun, maybe it's a VIDEO GAME? How, how, how, might SCIENCE try to answer this question? Insert your quarter, hit play, and READY IFFER ONE!

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50 - DARK SIDE Of The EARTH

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 12:23:55 GMT

WTiF the Earth was STUCK with ONE side always facing the Sun? Is there a battle between the DARK SIDE and the LIGHT? Are you a NIGHT person or a MORNING person? Join us and find just the right spot for you as we explore the SCIENCE behind a tidally locked planet.

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49 - OUMUAMAUA Has It's Eyes On YOU

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 00:00:04 GMT

49 - OUMUAMAUA Has It's Eyes On YOU by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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48 - The Girl Scouts Make A STARGATE

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:00:04 GMT

48 - The Girl Scouts Make A STARGATE by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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47 - The Early Bird Gets The WORMHOLE

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 04:00:04 GMT

47 - The Early Bird Gets The WORMHOLE by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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46 - WTiF There's ANIMALS On MARS? Cute Ones!

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:00:04 GMT

46 - WTiF There's ANIMALS On MARS? Cute Ones! by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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45 - The Plato Has Landed

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:42:25 GMT

(Apologies if you heard this episode earlier, it was accidentally uploaded last week for a brief time. Still... it's a fun one! Enjoy.)

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44b - Bonus! - LOSING THE NOBEL PRIZE - Astronomer Brian KEATING On His Bestselling Book

Tue, 29 May 2018 23:05:02 GMT

Professor Brian Keating is an astrophysicist with UC San Diego’s Department of Physics. He and his team develop telescopes to study the Big Bang. He is the author of over 100 scientific publications and holds two U.S.Patents. He received the 2007 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at the White House from President Bush for a telescope he invented and deployed at the U.S. South Pole Research Station called “BICEP". Professor Keating became a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2016 and is the author of Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science's Highest Honor, selected as one of Amazon.com’s Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Month and one of Nature Magazine’s Six Best Books of the Season.Website: BrianKeating.com Twitter: @DrBrianKeating

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44a - Journey To The CENTER OF THE GALAXY - With Astronomer Brian KEATING

Tue, 29 May 2018 23:00:02 GMT

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43 - The World According To Greek Weirdos

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:00:02 GMT

43 - The World According To Greek Weirdos by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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42 - SuperMegaUltraHyperConnectedWORLD!

Wed, 16 May 2018 00:00:02 GMT

42 - SuperMegaUltraHyperConnectedWORLD! by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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41 - M.I.T., The Mysterious Inter-Terrestrial

Tue, 08 May 2018 23:00:06 GMT

41 - M.I.T., The Mysterious Inter-Terrestrial by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley

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40 - DON'T FLIP OFF THE FRICTION

Wed, 02 May 2018 15:42:55 GMT

Professor Matt returns to the WTIF Studios to drop some knowledge on all the questions and imaginary scenarios we generated in our last episode when we... whoops!... turned off all the FRICTION in the universe. Snap on your seatbelts and put on your helmet because we're joining the greatest lover of friction ever: Evil Kenevil for a high flyin' episode of big, big IF's!

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39 - Slip Slidin' Away!

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 10:26:44 GMT

Did you ever try ice skating? Did you fall, or did you fly??? This week, Philip flips the friction switch! What if we could TURN OFF FRICTION all across the universe? A slip sliding world like we've never seen before! Slap on your slippers and strap on your safety helmet, here we go, go, goooooooooo...!!!!

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38 - KILLER CLUTTER OF QUANTA!

Sat, 14 Apr 2018 17:35:59 GMT

Super fan and fellow IFFER Eric is desperate to de-clutter his apartment and, gosh darnit, no matter how much he piles things together, the dagnabbit things don't get smaller... THE UNIVERSE REFUSES TO BE DECLUTTERED!Or... Does it? MAGIC MATT, aka Professor Matt Stanley, Chief Wizard of the IFFERS has a solution! Maybe.Click and listen... And find out if The Power (!!!) of Quantum Mechanics can help Eric turn his apartment from pigpen to Zen!

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37 - ASTROLOGY??? Heaven Help Us!

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 20:04:00 GMT

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36 - BIG BANGS Are The Best Toys!

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:43:41 GMT

Edward Teller, creator of the Hydrogen Bomb wondered one day (smoke drifting from his pipe) could NUCLEAR BOMBS be used for (puff puff) PEACEFUL purposes? Could you build a harbor with the flick of a switch? Egomaniacs that we are, today we go even further and ask out loud to you and us.... Heck if BOMBS could be used for construction, what about BIG BANGS?! WTiF you could make a bang in your backyard? DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. But do listen, at home, or wherever you are most compelled to ask the BIGGEST, BANGIEST question in the Universe: "What The IF?" Click & listen!

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35 - Stephen Hawking Says, "FEAR NOT The Black Hole!"

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 23:20:57 GMT

In memoriam, we remember and celebrate Stephen Hawking by turning up his HAWKING RADIATION to eleven!!! What the IF would happen if, as Black Holes not only evaporate, as Hawking discovered, but they do it really really fast. What if Hawking Radiation was as bright and fast and mischievous as the man himself? In this very special episode, in which we also celebrate Pi Day and Einstein's Birthday, we explore and stand in amazement as we gaze upon one of the epic discoveries that made Stephen Hawking famous. What the IF all the Black Holes in the Universe exploded with light and put on a show for this scientist who triumphed over so much, and gave so much to the world. Click and enjoy!

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34 - Struttin' Down QUANTUM Street

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:55:07 GMT

What The IF we experienced our world operating by the BIZARRO rules of QUANTUM MECHANICS? Matt is holding up an umbrella and urging us to join him on the street corner, where we'll team up by the buddy system, walk through the gate and enter QUANTUM STREET... where the ordinary is extraordinary. Grab your camera and your towel and we'll say the three magic words "What The IF!" and off we go!

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33 - How SLOW Can You GLOW?

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:06:50 GMT

What The IF the SPEED OF LIGHT were much much much much much s... l... o... w... e... rrrrrrrrrrrr? Like WTiF it were only 4 MPH, so that when you went walking, you were already rocketing along, step by measly human step, at HALF the speed of light? What if you RODE A BIKE and tried to pedal faster, faster, faster, could you push your way past the pokey 4 mph speed of light??? When he was a spry young 16 years old, Albert EINSTEIN imagined himself doing all kinds of crazy races with his bike against light beams. And boy did his imagination tell us some AMAZING and BIZARRE things about what we would experience in this (relatively!) magical bicycle ride down our street. Strap on your helmet, hop on your bike, and get ready to race a light beam. You can do it, all you have to do is shout, What The IF, and hit that play button!

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32 - Black Hole BONGO!

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 05:38:06 GMT

From the pre-Harry Potter Scottish Enlightenment to public relations wizardry of Galileo to the classic anchor pairings of Fox News to genius of SETI and.... badda-BING we find ourselves asking What The IF there are alien civilizations who communicate using GRAVITY WAVES? They gotta bang a whole lotta BLACK HOLES together -- just to use A-Date for a fun Friday night! Join Grab your BONGOS and let's follow STEPHEN HAWKING to the clambake! TGIF, it's WTiF!!!

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31 - OOPS, Earth Did It Again

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 20:58:39 GMT

It's an epic WTiF DOUBLE FEATURE! The apocalyptic scenario served up to us by our imaginative listener Kyle, in which the Earth's core dances like a chicken at a chicken wedding... continues! In our previous episode, we dove deep, into the core, and into the workings of the mysterious magnetic forces which protect us from the radioactive spittle of the Sun. How could we survive when the Earth's SHIELDS ARE DOWN? We're gonna have to be clever. And might diapers be the savior of humanity? Find out in the exciting conclusion of one of our biggest, baddest IF's yet!

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30 - Magnetic Poles Gonna ROLL

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:44:41 GMT

Another awesome IF inspired by a listener! This week, listener Kyle asks, WHAT THE IF would happen if the Earth's magnetic pole FLIPPED? Birds depend on it, fish depend on it, and by golly WE depend on it staying STABLE. If it goes flippin' around, every electronic thing we depend on goes haywire. We live on top of a gargantuan spinning magnet, and sometimes it starts thinking outside the box, and that gives us a BIG BAD case of the IF'S.

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29 - ELON and the Incredible, Wonderful, Not Bad, Very GOOD Day

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:32:55 GMT

ELON MUSK launched his own car into space, on a flight to Mars and beyond. What The IF we could ALL do that? And ride in our space cars wherever we wanted to go?

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28 - Global Munchies Attack! But There's No More SALT!

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

SALT is life. Potato chips are even better life! No salt, NO LIFE. What The IF all the salt in the world ran out??? A very special, very imaginative, spectacular episode, pulled straight out of our listener mail bag! And this is by FAR our most TASTY episode yet. Betchya can't listen to it just once!Do YOU have an idea for a WTiF adventure? A vision that wakes you up at night, or in the middle of your nap? A hope? A fear? What The IF, send it in and we might feature it on the show just like we are THIS week. Share all your ideas, reactions, and just plain old how-do-ya's with us at:feedback@whattheif.comorWhatTheIF.com/contact

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27 - Earth Will ROCK YOUR WORLD

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 06:07:08 GMT

TODAY WAS CRAZY because GEOLOGY suddenly sped up like craaaaaazzzzy. No more waiting eons for mountains to rise, watch 'em before your very eyes. Heck, ride that mountain as it grows, grows, grows! The continents move at wicked speed under our feet. Earthquakes, earthquakes and more earthquakes Volcanoes, volcanoes, oh boy, so many erupting volcanoes! Come with us on this hair raising, and flaming, ride, it's super, super fun, if you can stand -- literally, can you stand? -- this volcanic visit to EARTHQUAKE EARTH. Also, did we say LAVA? Lots and lots of lava! What the, what the... What The IF?

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26 - Dance For Us, Human! DANCE!

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 06:44:16 GMT

Today we solve, once and for all, one of humanity's greatest mysteries: WHY are the Aliens TEASING US??? Plan for the best, prepare for the worst, people of Earth! Professor Matt is back from ICELAND with new insights and a whole new fascinating barrel of SCIENCE and FACTS for us to hold and taste and throw in the air and dance among their glittering rays. And we try to talk to the creatures of the SEA! What The IF we survive this experiment, of which we may be the subjects??? Turn it on. Turn it up. Dive in!

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25 - The "T" in "E.T." stands for TEASE. Arghhhh!

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 06:10:17 GMT

PART THREE OF THE WTiF UFO CHRONICLES. Philip rubs his hands together and plots how to score an interview with one of the aliens who've abducted him. We urge ALL CITIZENS to take one for the team (EARTH!) and get some photos of your travels on a UFO. Our listener Jay, who wrote in to tell of his journeys to "the most beautiful places in the Universe" (!!!) has made us so envious we're more green than a Martian. Were the places more beautiful than, say... Paris??? Or Iceland??? Or Nabu???PLUS more secrets from behind the scenes of what it's like when you're making a UFO documentary. How to do it, without selling your soul to the Vogons.This is a wild, wooly and wacky episode, come along for the ride. Put on your big ol' aviator sunglasses, zip up your flight suit, shout "What The IF?!!!" and away... we... goooooooo!Send your thoughts & ideas! feedback@whattheif.comFollow us on Twitter: @WhatTheIFshowShare a review on iTunes or your favorite pod service!Hear all episodes & learn more at WhatTheIF.com

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24 - Alien Abduction: PRO TIPS!

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:18:24 GMT

DEAR ALIEN ABDUCTEES: Please help us out, take pictures! Also, can we get AIRLINES to pick us up at home, while we're sleeping, too??? It'd be so much more CONVENIENT. And we also have some REQUESTS for ALIENS WHO ARE ABDUCTING PEOPLE: what's a poor SKEPTIC gotta do to get picked up??? 'Cause that would be awesome, ok, thanks.Also, PRO TIPS for potential abductees. HELP US OUT, KIDS! Sleep with your camera in your pocket! Crucial information for EVERYONE in this special holiday edition (!!!) of WTiF, with your host, Philip Shane, flying solo, without a SEATBELT but with a MARTINI. Hop aboard, let's go, up up and away... to a galaxy far far... YEP!Send your thoughts & ideas! feedback@whattheif.comFollow us on Twitter: @WhatTheIFshowShare a review on iTunes or your favorite pod service!Hear all episodes & learn more at WhatTheIF.com

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23 - Say Hello To A UFO

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 19:04:19 GMT

We watch the skies, and read the New York Times and we shout OMG! A very special What The IF?

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22 - Dinosaurs With Big Brains And Bad Ideas

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 03:24:14 GMT

WE DELAY THE ASTEROID that killed the dinosaurs by five minutes, and thus... the giant lizard dudes and dudettes continued to breed, and evolve. And then they got big ideas in their head. Well, they got big brains at least. And BAD ideas. THE DINOSAURS START THINKING, like humans. What's a human? Those little creatures who won't evolve now, because Tyrannosaurus RICK is in charge of the Earth, buddy!DO NOT WEEP FOR THEIR TINY HANDS, these guys and gals evolve opposable thumbs, and they start to use tools and we wonder.... what kind of skyscraper would a dinosaur would build? Because they definitely would do that, because they think like people. What The IF???

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21 - Welcome to FLAT EARTH, Safety Not Guaranteed

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:36:45 GMT

• Email us feedback@whattheif.com, let us know you're listening & share your thoughts!FLAT EARTH: words the strike fear into the heart of every fact loving, rational thinking human. To imagine it is to fall into the depths of insanity, stupidity, comedy, tragedy. Oh, the madness! And yet (WTF?!!!!) people are all chitty chatty these days about the Flat Earth theory. Inexplicably (seriously, WTF?!!!!) basketball players are at the forefront of the Flat Earth crusade... I mean, you'd think that they'd want the world to be shaped like a basketball.Ok, breathe, breathe, flat earth is a joke of an idea, people haven't believed the Earth was flat since Columbus sailed the ocean blue... right? Well, not right, with apologies to every grade school teacher I had, this wasn't true. Thanks to the tremendous bank of knowledge that resides in the brain of Professor Matt, our guide to all things IF, we learn the truth of how *ancient* people figured out that the Earth was round, and they probably played better basketball, too.Flat Earth is synonymous with silliness, it has, as they say in Science, a crazy high "giggle factor". And yet, and yet...And yet we are COMPELLED to envision it. Let's face it, it's an incredible What The IF, and baby, we go there. We go ALL THE WAY there. Don't bother fastening your seatbelts, since there's no hills we can fall down on this bizarre flat planet, but there's no shortage of completely bizarre things we discover on this Pancake Earth. I mean, seriously, I ain't kiddin', I just got back from a tour of it with Matt and trust me, it is really, really strange, and I'm not even talking about what happened when we reached the EDGE. Come with us, enter the WTiF Machine and we'll take you to the where the world is FLAT. You won't forget this episode, let's go!

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20 - When An IF! Runs AMOK

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:28:54 GMT

How FAR can you stretch a thought experiment? How much can you bend your mind? How far off the cliff can we run without looking down? Today we push the concept of learning from an IF into new dimensions.It's the exciting conclusion to our wild & wacky "Haiku In The Collider" scenario! We learn a tremendous amount of amazing REAL science in the process, as we spin out (of control!) this SciFi idea, keeping it as rooted in scientific facts as possible. We rejoin the scientists at the Large Hadron Collider... they're transfixed by the HAIKU flashing on all the screens in mission control. They've spent months ruling out all possibilities that this is an error, or a prank, or that they're dreaming and will wake up and find normality restored. Nope! The mystery begs for explanation.Who is sending this message? Why is it in Japanese? Why Haiku??? HOW did they do it? Where are they? So many many questions. We summon the minds of a fantastic cornucopia of scientists, and the best hard-SF writers to bring this trilogy to a conclusion.So many questions... so many answers... so many laughs and facts and fun in this outstanding episode of What The IF!

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19 - The HAIKU At The Center Of The Universe

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 20:23:04 GMT

Click here rate us in iTunes, thanks!: getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051 Thanks!Send us your comments, questions & suggestions: feedback@whattheif.comWhat will happen after our cliffhanger at the end of the previous episode??? We find ourselves floating in the air, like Wile E. Coyote, safe and oblivious... until we look down! In our most dangerous, craziest WTiF yet, we've imagined what the IF would happen if the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful atom smasher in the world, discovered the most fundamental answer about what makes everything go and go and go in the Universe. Einstein and all those who love him theorize that there is a single equation from which all other workings of the universe follow.But what if (and it's a big what if, I mean totally what the IFFFFF?) instead of the mathematical data that they see on their screens at LHC Mission Control, which looks like numbers, lines, graphs, and when all plotted out, it looks like fireworks... all the zillions of different particles spraying out from every collision... well, what IFFFFF, instead of nice mathematical lines, they saw a Haiku. In Japanese. I mean, seriously, WTiF? As always, and even more so this week (!) the incredible awesomeness of this technique of pondering wild (weeeee!) SciFi scenarios, push us harder than ever (the way we like it) to learn about the REAL science behind everything. The amount of fascinating reality that emerges from this imaginary wacko situation is really wonderful, you're gonna love it. Tune in! Enjoy!

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18 - MATH -- The Elephant In All The Rooms

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 13:32:48 GMT

Click here rate us in iTunes, thanks!: getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051 Thanks!Send us your comments, questions & suggestions: feedback@whattheif.comMATH! It strikes fear into the hearts of millions of people. Or billions of people. OR GAZILLIONS of people. Yes we're having fun with big numbers! Math is so scary to the British that they even call it MATHS -- like there's too many of them -- run for your lives!NOTHING happens in the universe without MATH knowing about it. Math rules over everything, to infinity and beyond (yond, yond, yond...) What The IF you could really understand Math? Really FEEL it, like a Mathematician feels it? You see it, you taste it, you feel it in your bones, and you look at all the beautiful math in your beautiful mind and your beautiful hot tub, and you'll ask your fellow hot tubbers, "Holy cr*p, where does all this Math come from? Why does everything from super stars to slimy snails eat, breathe and sleep... and live and die... and party like it's 1999... All according to the rules of mathematics?"Among the many amazing creatures we meet in this episode to infinity (and beyond, yond, yond...) is A BARBER WHO CANNOT CUT HIS OWN HAIR. I mean, this is one of our weirdest episodes yet. Be forewarned: by the end, we find ourselves driven right to the edge of a cliff. WTiF?

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17 - NASA Stolen By Philosophers Hopped Up On Pipe Smoke

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 01:13:14 GMT

Click here rate us in iTunes: http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051 Thanks!Send comments, questions & suggestions: feedback@whattheif.comARE YOU a thinker or a do-er? Or perhaps you're ambi-thinkerdo-extrous? Sure, it takes all kinds, but what if one particular kinda humans got NASA in their grubby little paws? It'd be funny! But I also suggest you RUN FOR YOUR LIFE because that Saturn VI rocket ain't gonna fly straight.PHYSICS HAS TWO KINDS: Theoretical Physicists and Experimentalists. The world has thrived with these two mighty species working together. But what if one of 'em ate a million cans of spinach and got super buff and kicked out the others? This is a deep thinking, big bun busting episode of WHAT THE IF... I mean it's really wild, like a safari suddenly broke out in our recording studio. Aristotle, that ancient greek guy, guest stars! Listen now, and get thinking' young paduan, because you'll never become a Jedi by sitting around the house. Open the window and shout it, "WTiF!"

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16 - DO NOT TOUCH THE GRAVITY DIAL

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 20:29:48 GMT

Click here rate us in iTunes, thanks!: http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051 Thanks!Send us your comments, questions & suggestions: feedback@whattheif.comTHERE'S A RECIPE for our universe. Screw up the ingredients and your cosmological soufflé collapses into a messy goo, or explodes and splatters all over your oven and burns and sets off the smoke detector (an all-too-typical situation in my kitchen). If we were smarter and better at physics, we'd call this the Fine Tuned Universe theory, which says that if any of the important physical constants in our universe, like the strength of the strong force which holds the atomic nucleus together, or say... the strength of the force of gravity. WTiF would happen if we turned that dial??? What if we turned it PAST eleven??? Omg, this is one hell of an exciting and enlightening episode, check it out!

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15 - Dark Matter: You're Soaking In It!

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 01:57:07 GMT

Love the show? Click here to give a 1-click iTunes rating: http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051 Thanks!Listen for End-Of-The-Episode Shoutouts! We salute our most dedicated Twitter followers... listen for your name!We continue to be riveted to the exciting news from LIGO about the incredible field of gravitational astronomy bursting upon the world. Being able to FEEL the gravitational waves of the universe have revealed an entirely new vision of gargantuan structures and epic events happening all over the sky, all the time. It's a true 'revelation'.What FUTURE revelations await our discovery? What new views of the universe? What new realms? Strange forms of matter and energy? DARK MATTER looms over us, and below us, and through us... but we know very little about it. It's not even really "dark" -- it's INVISIBLE, but it's so huuuuuuuuge we can see and feel how it bends the the fabric of the universe all around it with unimaginable gravitational strength.But, hey, that's a weird thing. I can't get my mind (my grey matter!) around it, can you? It'd be a heck of a lot easier if we could SEE it. And when the hard working, brilliant telescope builders of Earth figure out a way, WHAT THE IF will we see???

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14 - Who Shall Inherit The Earth, And How Furry Will They Be?

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:02:35 GMT

Enjoy the show? Leave an iTunes review! http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1250517051We humans share the Earth with many species, and some people see us Homo Sapiens as the masters of the planet. But that wasn't always the case. Watch Jurassic Park, it's a scary movie, and it's got great dinosaurs and really tiny, tasty people. What if another species evolved in the future to challenge humans for control of the Earth? What kind of park will they build? What kind of movies will they watch? How much do you love Giraffes? How can you not? This is a fun and scary and furry and tasty episode of the super imaginative, improv sci-fi series called What the IF? (if... if.... if...) Enjoy! Subscribe! Enjoy more!We'd love to hear from you, email feedback@whattheif.com or tweet us @WhatTheIfShow. If you like, we'll give you a shoutout on the show because, hey, what the if?

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13 - Hot Rod Rocket Cars, Burnin' Mars Gas!

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:11:06 GMT

Using gravity waves, Astronomers announced they discovered two neutron stars colliding in an epic explosion! Forbes Magazine's favorite fact about this natural wonder is that the event created 28 Octillion Dollars worth of Gold! (Priorities, people, c'mon.) Everyone says the global race to space won't really begin until we find some kind of (boring, so boring) natural material (yawn) to mine (geez, really) on some asteroid, moon or planet. What do people really love on Earth? Oil! What the IF oil (sticky, smokey, delicious) oil were found on Mars? A bazillion tons of it! Would Elon Musk's dreams of a massive Mars-based corporate economy erupt, using all that cheap, stinky oil? What would happen on Earth with all this insanely cheap oil suddenly available to everyone? Rocket cars belching smoke! And so much more. Check out this really fun, crazy, saga, chock-a-block full of REAL SCIENCE and our awesome flavor of extrapolation imagination as we envision another entirely new world that comes to life when we ask... What the IF?

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12 - Alien Big Mac Wrapper Found On The Moon

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:07:32 GMT

NASA has emergency plans for what to do if they find an alien artifact on the Moon or anywhere in space (for real!). Elon Musk probably does, too. What The IF would happen if we found something left by Aliens? What if it was trash? Like, I dunno, maybe a Big Mac wrapper? How would a trashy hamburger wrapper change the world? A quick, hot and delicious episode awaits you, enjoy!Visit WhatTheIF.com for more episodes, info, and to contact us -- we'd love to hear from you. Your 5-star review on iTunes is also much appreciated! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-if/id1250517051?mt=2

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11 - Can God Be Hacked???

Sat, 07 Oct 2017 12:48:59 GMT

If miracles could be proven by science, oh man, wouldn't things would be better for everyone? Wouldn't it be awesome? And fun? And super helpful? We imagine the wild & wacky day that science discovers that miracles are real, and repeatable, and their rules are mathematical and logical. Because if you could figure all that out... well now you can hack 'em! Need a miracle? There's an app for that. Just count to three... and click!

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10 - Gee, Your Universe Smells Terrific

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 21:51:53 GMT

Imagine if space was breathable... If you could swim in it, fly in it, go anywhere you want wearing only your bathing suit, or your birthday suit! Would you swim to Jupiter? Paddle to Alpha Centauri? How would life have evolved if it could swim, crawl, fly into space? We ride whales to the Moon. We tremble at the sight of a giant plankton sphere swimming around the Sun. Grab your inflatable doughnut and come along to the worlds of What The IF!

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