Big Picture Science

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Big Picture Science is a one-hour radio show and podcast that connects ideas in surprising and humorous ways to illuminate the origins, the behavior, and the future of life—and  technology—on Earth.

What came before the Big Bang?  How does the brain work? Will our descendents be human or machine?  What’s the origin of humor?  We ponder these questions daily... and expound on them weekly.

But, wait!  There’s more!

Are you a doubting Thomas?  Good.  Join us as we separate science from pseudoscience—and facts from the phony—in Skeptic Check, our monthly episode devoted to critical thinking.

Whether it’s astrology, Bigfoot, or just the incessant onslaught of UFOs, we take it all on, wielding the skeptical scalpel of solid science.

It’s Skeptic Check... but don’t take our word for it!

 

 

 

Series

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334 Pieces

Big Picture Science is a weekly one-hour science magazine that connects ideas in surprising and humorous ways to illuminate the origins and evolution of life and technology on this planet… and beyond.


Pieces

Caption: Are We Over the Moon?, Credit: Seth Shostak
Astronaut Gene Cernan’s reaction to being the last man on the moon and private plans to turn our satellite into a cash cow. Plus, why the small st...

Bought by KUER, WRST-FM Oshkosh, WMUU-LP, RadioFreePalmer, KREV-LP and more


  • Added: Aug 15, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: After the Hereafter, Credit: Seth Shostak
There are few enduring truths, but one is that no one gets out of life alive. What’s less certain is what comes next. Does everything stop with d...

Bought by KTSW 89.9, KREV-LP, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., RadioFreePalmer, and WRGY


  • Added: Aug 08, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Raising the Minimum Age, Credit: Seth Shostak
We all try to fight it: the inexorable march of time. The fountain of youth doesn’t exist, and all those wrinkle creams can’t help. But modern sc...

Bought by KTSW 89.9, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., RadioFreePalmer, WMUU-LP, WRIR and more


  • Added: Jul 18, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Microbes: Resistance is Futile, Credit: Seth Shostak
You have more microbial DNA than human DNA. Find out what questions this raises about what it means to be an individual, how your microbiome can ...

Bought by RadioFreePalmer, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., WRIR, and WRGY


  • Added: Jul 11, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Science Fiction True, Credit: Seth Shostak
Don’t believe everything you see on the screen. Science fiction film is just a guess as to how our future might unfold. But sometimes fantasy be...

Bought by WUFT, RadioFreePalmer, WMUU-LP, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., WRGY and more


  • Added: Jul 04, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Skeptic Check: The Me in Measles, Credit: Seth Shostak
Wondering whether to vaccinate your children? The decision can feel like a shot in the dark if you don’t know how to evaluate risk. Find out why ...

Bought by RadioFreePalmer, WMUU-LP, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KTSW 89.9, WRIR and more


  • Added: Jun 27, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Surviving the Anthropocene, Credit: Seth Shostak
The world is hot, and getting hotter, and our species is changing the planet with urbanization, deforestation, and industrial waste. Some say we’v...

Bought by C89.5 - KNHC Seattle, KUNM, KREV-LP, RadioFreePalmer, WMUU-LP and more


  • Added: Jun 13, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: How to Talk to Aliens, Credit: Seth Shostak
If we send deliberate messages to aliens, what should we say? Scientists from diverse disciplines offer their advice. Also, a response to Stephen...

Bought by KUNM, RadioFreePalmer, WMUU-LP, WRIR, KRPS and more


  • Added: Jun 06, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Shocking Ideas, Credit: Seth Shostak
Innovation in the use of electricity continues long after the days of Edison and Tesla. Find out why the invention of the blue LED was worthy of a...

Bought by KICI Iowa City, WMUU-LP, RadioFreePalmer, WRIR, and WRGY


  • Added: May 09, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Living Computers, Credit: Seth Shostak
19th century mathematician and Lord Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace was a pioneer of the computer age. But she said that machines would never outstr...

Bought by KTSW 89.9, RadioFreePalmer, KKWE Niijii Radio, WMUU-LP, 91.7 WHUS Storrs and more


  • Added: May 02, 2016
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 7