The Rest Is Science
Goalhanger
Join mathematician Professor Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens (Vsauce) as they dig into the weird scientific questions that often go unexplored.
Welcome to The Rest Is Science, a show that sits in the fascinating space between what we think we know, and what we actually know. Why do we assume we understand things like time, randomness, or even gravity? Once you start questioning these familiar ideas, reality becomes astonishingly strange and completely fragile.
Whether you're a lifelong science fan or just naturally curious, The Rest Is Science will change your perception of reality, and prove that the biggest questions are always the most fun.
Welcome to The Rest Is Science, a show that sits in the fascinating space between what we think we know, and what we actually know. Why do we assume we understand things like time, randomness, or even gravity? Once you start questioning these familiar ideas, reality becomes astonishingly strange and completely fragile.
Whether you're a lifelong science fan or just naturally curious, The Rest Is Science will change your perception of reality, and prove that the biggest questions are always the most fun.
Episodes
Mentioned books
65 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 48min
Can You Die Of Boredom?
They unpack what boredom really is and how researchers recreate it in labs. They explore prediction, surprise and dopamine as drivers of curiosity. They discuss sensory deprivation, solitary confinement and why the brain prefers hallucination or anxiety to silence. They consider boredom’s role in creativity, exploration and long-term health.
90 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 43min
Would You Kill One Person To Save Five?
Can we store summer heat for winter use? Discover the fascinating concept of underground heat batteries in Canada. Dive into the mind-bending idea of perceiving a fourth dimension through unique simulations. Explore how authority shapes our actions, with stories from psychological experiments that reveal why ordinary people sometimes act against their values. The discussion ranges from Einstein's theories on light and gravity to real-life ethical dilemmas that challenge our moral compass.
134 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 46min
Searching For Meaning In Randomness
Ever wondered what randomness truly means? Dive into the fascinating debate on whether it’s just a label for our ignorance. Discover how even the chaotic digits of Pi can reveal hidden patterns. Explore the interplay between probability, entropy, and human perception as we seek meaning in randomness. Learn how large-scale patterns emerge from chaos, and why the universe's initial fluctuations sparked the formation of galaxies. This discussion reveals that understanding randomness could unlock the keys to complexity and even consciousness.
50 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 36min
Why Erdős Was The Original Kevin Bacon
Explore the fascinating world of quantum computing, where Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens delve into qubits and their potential to revolutionize encryption and drug discovery. They also uncover the quirky life of mathematician Paul Erdős, linking him to the Hollywood staple Kevin Bacon through their respective collaborative networks. Tune in for amusing stories about Erdős’s eccentric habits, along with insights into the design of a stunning quantum computer prop that now hangs in Hannah's home!
89 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 41min
Smells Humans Are Ridiculously Good At Detecting
Explore why we can't smell our own noses and the fascinating concept of olfactory fatigue. Delve into the Victorian bias against smell, uncovering its surprising importance in our lives. Learn how humans can distinguish trillions of scents, yet often overlook personal odors. Discover intriguing connections between scent and behavior, including deodorant preferences. Plus, hear about Joy Milne's unique ability to detect Parkinson's disease through smell, highlighting the potential power of our noses in health diagnostics.
28 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 34min
Could Sound Make You Levitate?
Explore the captivating world of acoustic levitation, where sound waves make objects float effortlessly. Discover how wave interference creates stable points in space and the limits of tuning frequencies. Hannah and Michael dive into practical applications, from NASA's simulations of microgravity to medical uses like targeted drug delivery. They also imagine whimsical inventions and tackle listener questions, including human speed compared to sharks. Join them for a delightful blend of science and imagination!
103 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 44min
Are Magnets The Most Familiar Mystery On Earth?
Delve into the fascinating world of magnetism, where molten metals create an invisible shield for Earth. Discover how certain animals, like robins and whales, navigate using this unseen force. Learn about the Earth’s geological dynamo and what magnetic field reversals reveal about our planet’s history. Explore the idea that humans may have remnants of magnetoreception and how curiosity drives our understanding of these mysterious forces. Prepare to be amazed by the surprising connections between magnetism and life on Earth!
67 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 38min
Unadulterated Dice Nerding
Dive into the fascinating world of dice as Hannah and Michael explore their significance in games and probability! Discover why some dice seem luckier than others and the quirks behind various polyhedral designs. They also tackle the science of crowd dynamics, revealing how mosh pits can behave like particle systems. Enjoy insights into the surprising design choices that make odd-sided dice fair, and hear about the historical use of randomness in science. It's a delightful mix of math, chance, and gaming!
70 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 48min
What Day Is It, Really?
Ever wondered what day it really is? Delve into the quirky history of calendars, from Julius Caesar's blunders to Pope Gregory XIII's reforms. Explore the chaos of timekeeping on Earth and how it affects navigation at sea. Discover why leap seconds exist and how atomic clocks keep us synchronized globally. With a nod to interplanetary time challenges, the hosts remind us that time is a slippery concept shaped by human desire for precision.
53 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 36min
The Smell Of Christmas Is Tree Screams
Dive into the surprising origins of that cozy Christmas pine scent, which is actually a defensive warning signal from trees. Discover how terpenes repel pests while humans find comfort in the scent, harking back to our ancestors. The hosts also explore tactile illusions, showing how our brain misjudges sensory information with fun demonstrations. From the brain's predictive mapping to the fascinating concept of phantom limbs, this discussion reveals the curious interplay between scent, touch, and our perception of reality.
