Saul Pwanson

Mag World

Science EN ↓ 7 episodes

Mag World is an effort to develop fluency in logarithmetic, by using simplified notation for numbers that focuses on the magnitude. This develops a corresponding intuitive sense of scale–not just "bigger" or "smaller", but how much bigger, and how much smaller. And what are each of the levels of scale like?

Author

Saul Pwanson

Episodes

Mag Water 21.05.2026 43:20

Saul and Mike talk about water, from the Moldau to the Niagara to the Amazon, and glaciers, icebergs, car washes, and hamburgers.

Mag Population 15.04.2026 42:18

Saul and Mike explore the magnitudes of various populations of creatures on earth, from humans to buffalo to chickens to roundworms to bacteria.

Mag Homelessness 12.03.2026 32:12

Saul and Mike talk with William Towey of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority about the magnitude of homelessness in Seattle, from the first recorded homeless settler in 1854, to 16,000 counted homeless people in 2024.

Mag Money 06.02.2026 41:31

Saul and Mike discuss what each mag level of wealth feels like, how the cost of debt changes between levels, and how long it would take a wealth tax to materially affect a billionaire.

Mag Matter 29.01.2026 41:52

Mass, mining, precious metals, and the periodic table.

Mag Perception 15.01.2026 29:20

Decibels and frequencies and hot peppers. Making Fech a thing.

Mag Cosmos 01.01.2026 33:20

Saul and Mike talk about Archimedes, the size of the Universe, and the speed of light.