Ask Us Anything by Popular Science

<p>Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Join our editors as they explain it all, with new episodes every other Wednesday starting November 12th. </p> <p>Submit a question for a future episode at https://popsci.com/ask</p>

What is human composting?

A growing number of Americans are choosing to return to earth after death—literally. Green burials, and specifically human composting, is an environmentally conscious, life-sustaining option that’s now legal in 14 states. But how does a human composting vessel work? And what exactly happens to Grandpa’s hip replacement once he’s been “recycled?” PopSci Editor ⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠ dig deep to explain it all. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/how-human-composting-works/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-12
12:57

Why do we get goosebumps? Plus: RL Stine!

Goosebumps are a valuable tool for many animals. They keep mammals with thick fur warm by trapping air near their skin, or help make them look bigger when facing off against a rival. However, in humans a wide range of emotions can also induce goosebumps. BUT WHY? Join PopSci Editor Sarah Durn and Editor-in-Chief Annie Colbert as they explain the science AND chat with Goosebumps legend, RL Stine. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-goosebumps-happen/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to https://popsci.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-12
12:30

Welcome back to Ask Us Anything from Popular Science

Join us as we dive into your weirdest, most mind-burning questions–from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. This is… Ask Us Anything. New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting November 12, with more AUA questions and answers here: https://www.popsci.com/category/ask-us-anything/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-29
00:53

How do chatbots work?

If you remember chatting with SmarterChild back on AOL Instant Messenger back in the day, you know how far ChatGPT and Google Bard have come. But how do these so-called chatbots work—and what’s the best way to use them to our advantage? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11-10
11:50

How is Voyager's vintage technology still flying?

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 launched back in 1977 with only a five-year mission to take a gander at Jupiter and Saturn’s rings and moons. Obviously, the Voyager spacecrafts have persisted a lot longer than five years: 46 years, to be exact. They’re still careening through space at a distance between 12 and 14 billion miles from Earth. So how have they lasted four decades longer than expected? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

04-25
10:35

Can you become a morning person?

There's plenty of good reasons to be a morning lark. So is it possible, or is biology totally against us wannabe early birds? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Lauren Young: https://twitter.com/laurenjyoung617 Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-28
22:02

Where’s the best place to sit in a movie theater?

We all have our preferred seats at the movies. But is there scientifically a best place to sit? Stan Horaczek has the answer. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Stan Horaczek: https://twitter.com/stanhoraczek Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-26
13:05

Are the bees still dying?

Five or ten years ago, all we heard was "save the bees." Well, are they still dying? PopSci's Philip Kiefer has the answers—and they're surprisingly complicated. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Philip Kiefer: https://twitter.com/PhilipJKiefer Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-21
29:34

Why do we like pimple popping?

It's super gross, but you can't look away—why are pimple popping videos so magnetic? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Chelsey B. Coombs: https://twitter.com/chelseybcoombs Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-19
11:13

How do planes fly?

Airplanes are massive, heavy, gigantic hunks of metal. So how do their engines keep them aloft? PopSci's Rob Verger has the details. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rob Verger: https://twitter.com/robverger Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-14
12:38

What’s the best way to reheat pizza?

Cold pizza is *chefs kiss.* But what if you want to heat up that leftover 'za? Our DIY editors have done the (mostly) delicious research to tell you the scientifically best way to reheat pizza. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Sandra Gutiérrez and John Kennedy: https://twitter.com/SandyGuti https://twitter.com/JBKnotJFK Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-12
10:41

What’s the best way to detox?

There's a lot of talk these days about the best way to "detox" your bod. But the real secret to it all was inside you all along. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rachel Feltman: https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-07
15:15

Can I have a pet fox?

Foxes are cute, seemingly cuddly, and full of personality. So can we have them as pets? PopSci's Philip Kiefer explains why the answer gets complicated. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Philip Kiefer: https://twitter.com/PhilipJKiefer Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07-05
22:08

How can I be more photogenic?

Without the filters, without the FaceTune—just using light, camera know-how, and posing—is there a way to be more photogenic? Photography expert and PopSci editor Stan Horaczek will have you looking your best (using science!) in no time. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Stan Horaczek: https://twitter.com/stanhoraczek Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06-30
18:25

What’s a haboob?

Ever heard of a haboob? Don't worry, PopSci's Chelsey B. Coombs explains it all—from their anatomy to their historical appearances. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Chelsey B. Coombs: https://twitter.com/chelseybcoombs Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06-28
12:02

Why do we get wisdom teeth?

Season 3 is HERE! First up, Lauren sinks her teeth into a real head-scratcher—why do we still get wisdom teeth if they're useless? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Lauren Young: https://twitter.com/laurenjyoung617 Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06-21
16:19

Season 3: Premiering 6/21!

Season 3 goes live on Tuesday, June 21st! We'll answer questions like why we still get wisdom teeth, are the bees still dying, and what is the scientifically best way to reheat pizza—all with a brand new group of hosts. Episodes publish twice a week. See you soon! Ask Us Anything Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Ask Us Anything Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askpopscipod/ Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06-16
01:06

24. Did food taste better 50 years ago?

It's the season 2 finale! What did food taste like 50 years ago—and was it actually better than it is now?  -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-14
11:49

23. What is a super car?

There are regular cars, there are luxury cars, and then there are.... SUPER cars. But what even is a super car? As our host explains, it can often be more of a vibe than anything else—but there are some specific criteria to hit.  -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rob Verger: https://twitter.com/robverger Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-12
11:51

22. What would happen if the sun went out?

The sun is, to put it lightly, quite important to life on Earth. What would happen if it suddenly went poof? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Sara Kiley Watson: https://twitter.com/SaraKileyWatson Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10-07
08:39

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