The Information Entropy Podcast

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of extremophiles – the extraordinary organisms that thrive in the most inhospitable places on Earth. From the scorching hot springs to the icy depths of the Antarctic, these resilient creatures will blow your mind! What are extremophiles and why do they matter? What unique adaptations do they have and how did they get them? What do they teach us about po...

Get ready to dive into the mysterious and marvellous world of Mycology (fungi) on this week's episode of The Information Entropy Podcast! Ever wondered what those mushrooms in your garden are really up to? Or how a slime mould could map the Tokyo subway system? Join us as we uncover the hidden secrets of fungi, from the incredible mycelium networks beneath our feet to the mind-bending powers of ps...

Morality! What is it? Where does it come from? And do we all have the same morals? Find out this week as the boys explore this deeply personal and subjective topic. Mitch defines morality for us and the key aspects that underpin it in the scientific community. Tom then explores four key areas of philosophical thought on morality: Kantian, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, and Confucian ethics. The bo...

This week the boys are talking about Conservation! Mitch defines it for us and gives us knowledge on bees! Should we still care about them or are they doing well? Tom takes us on a tour of the IUCN and it’s red list of threatened species. How do we help species on the brink of extinction and what about those species that might go extinct before we even have chance to discover that they are there?...

Welcome one and all to episode 100! We made it! On this weeks extra special episode the boys take time out to thank all of you amazing listeners who make this worthwhile. Mitch and Tom take a look back at some of their favourite moments, episodes, and topics. They provide some interesting updates to some old stories and tangent where their hearts desire. So, sit back and relax as the boys reminisc...

Storytelling! Why do we read books? Why do we tell each other stories of the past? Why is this, uniquely human behaviour, ubiquitous across the human race and prevalent in every single culture? Well, sit back and relax this week as we aim to explore just that! Tom explores the evolution of storytelling, was this a relatively new human tradition or did it evolve in a way that was vital to our survi...

GENETIC ENGINEERING! This week on the show Mitch and Tom explore how our DNA makes us who we are and the incredible ways in which scientists are able to hack into that system and edit our genes. To start the show Tom explores what genes are in the first place and how they are expressed before Mitch moves onto exploring the various methods of genetic engineering and how they are utilised. The boys...

DINOSAURS AND FOSSILS! This week on the show Mitch and Tom travel back to when reptiles held dominion over Earth. Tom explores the Mesozoic era and how flight developed in pterosaurs while Mitch explores how these beasts became things we find in the ground. The boys both explore their favourite dinosaurs and of course tangent along the way. Music: HOME – Above All

Mitch and Tom return to where honour and tradition rules above all else, of course… it is Japan! What scientific innovations and technologies did the Japanese culture produce and how did they do it? Mitch looks at their time keeping system and production of intricate water clocks while Tom investigates the making of fabrics and the development of rural aquaculture as a traditional practice. Music:...

This week your hosts take you back in time to where a sword on your hip decided your fate, where the art of calligraphy passed laws, and where tea ceremonies were the norm… Historic Japan! Tom explains why we do not refer to historic Japan as “ancient” before the boys launch into their research. Mitch reveals the impressive metallurgy skills developed in Japan over 500 years ago as well as their m...

This week Mitch and Tom return to the land of the Nile and all that it touches: Ancient Egypt! This time your hosts actually discuss the making of the pyramids! How were the pyramids of Giza constructed? How were the rocks transported there? Was it Aliens or genius beyond its time? Tom speaks about solar eclipses in ancient times and the effect that it had while Mithc investigates the advancement...

This week your hosts elope to where gods rules amongst humankind: Ancient Egypt! The boys carry on their historical They discuss the bounds of the ancient Egyptian empire and one of their most famous acts: mummification and the advances in medicine it led to! Tom explores what Egyptian life was like in the cities and rural areas and it’s not what you might expect! Mitch highlights the Rosetta Ston...

Ancient Rome! The boys start a historical journey this week of ancient civilisations! What technological and scientific innovations did the Roman civilisation give to the world? When was “Ancient Rome” in the first place and how far did it expand? The boys explore the ingenious aqueduct system used to transport water hundreds of kilometres as well as the advent of the famous Roman cement! What civ...

Stress and Anxiety! Feelings and emotions that we all experience on varying scales… but how does it actually impact us? The boys explore the physiological impacts of stress on the body and how your body forms the stress response. Mitch explores the fight or flight response which now been expanded to include two new actions in the stress response: fawn and freeze! The boys speak about acute and chr...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! The body plan: how does your body know where to grow an arm? A nose? Or your legs? Find out here! Tom explores the homeobox genes and how stem cells are vital for growing into new body parts and the different kind of body plans that are exhibited in the animal kingdom. Meanwhile, Mitch takes us on a guided tour of the evolution of the body plan and...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! Put your tin foil hats on because this week we are investigating conspiracy theories! What makes something a conspiracy theory in the first place? What are the different types of conspiracy theories? Why do people tend to believe in conspiracy theories? Find out all this and more on this week’s episode! Music: HOME – Above AllTop of Form

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! Why are some animals so big but others so small? Join us this week as we explore the possible mechanisms behind it all! Tom explores whether the size of an animals determines their niche or the other way around. Mitch looks at the role of thermoregulation with Bergmann’s law and why species that arrive on islands get smaller over time! Music: HOME –...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! This week we enter the mind warping topic of: SPACETIME! What is this it? Where did it come from? How has our understanding of the universe changed since its inception? Tom explores some of the underlying principles set out by Einstein that you need to understand this complicated topic while Mitch takes us into the past exploring how Einstein discov...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! This week we are investigating maths! Why do some of us resent it so? Why do some of us find an affinity with it? What is it in the first place anyway? Tom explores some axioms of maths that make maths what it is. Mitch introduces us to modulo’s. Both of our hosts then look at some unsolved mathematical problems! Can you be the one to solve them? Mu...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! This week the boys finding out about our beloved companions: PETS! Tom explores the roots of where our love for animals comes from, is it learned or innate? Mitch tells us about the history of domestication and explores the cognitive abilities of our pets. The boys debate ethics of pet ownership as well as how to train your pets properly. Music: HOM...

This week we return to Identity! Who are we and why are we this way? The show starts with a brief recap of what identity is before the guys delve into what it is and where it comes from. Many theories have been put forward to suggest how we come into our identity but how has that changed over time? Mitch and Tom reflect on growing up in various situations and how that is likely to impact identity...

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! This week the boys are discovering who they are as they tackle Identity! What makes us who we are? How do we develop this? Are persona’s a part of us or just a part of us that we want to show? On top of all of this the boys look at how the internet shapes who we are, what we portray about ourselves, and the psychology of anonymity! Music: HOME – Abo...

Welcome to 2024 with The Information Entropy Podcast! In this episode of the Information Entropy Podcast, we delve into the dynamic duo of Motivation and Discipline. We explore their psychological roots, their role in personal and professional success, and how to harness them for achieving our goals. From the neuroscience of motivation to the art of disciplined habit formation, join us as we unrav...

Welcome to The Secret Science of Santa! In the final episode of the year the boys explore the cultural origins of Christmas and Santa Claus! What really constitutes as a Christmas movie? What are the highest grossing movies of all time? If Santa was real, how would he achieve his amazing feat of present delivery? Does he use wormhole technology? Does he clone himself? Does he use cheap, elf-based...

Welcome to Synthetic Biology! How realistic is Jurassic Park, Gattaca, or Bladerunner? Today the boys unravel the mysteries to see how close we really are to editing the genome! Tom gives us a background on CRISPR-Cas9, the primary method of gene therapy while Mitch looks at artificial organs and biofuels. The boys debate the ethical considerations of such technologies and the current news that mi...