The Information Entropy Podcast

The 2025 Nobel Prizes

This week on The Information Entropy Podcast, we’re diving into the science behind the 2025 Nobel Prizes — the discoveries that shaped this year’s biggest scientific headlines.
 
Firstly, Tom apologises for his audio, we double checked everything but sadly audacity glitches strike again. But if you can bear it, it was a very fun episode!
 
In Physics, we explore how researchers made quantum mechanics go big, building superconducting circuits that behave like single quantum particles — the groundwork for quantum computers of the future. In Chemistry, it’s all about molecular architecture. The laureates designed metal–organic frameworks — crystalline structures so porous they can trap gases, harvest water from desert air, and maybe even help clean up the planet. And in Physiology or Medicine, we meet the immune system’s own peacekeepers: regulatory T cells. Their discovery revealed how the body prevents its defences from turning on itself, paving the way for new treatments in autoimmune disease, cancer, and organ transplantation. So join us as we unpack the science, the stories, and a bit of the chaos behind this year’s Nobel Prizes — with our usual mix of curiosity, tangents, and mild existential dread. Music: HOME – AWAY

Planetary Defence II: AI and Stellar Engines

This week we return for some planetary defence chat with some tangents along the way! The boys start off speaking about the changing nature of AI use and its real-world implications. Once on topic they turn to discussing how one might go about avoiding interstellar catastrophe. Is it possible to move large objects in space out of the way, what about using stellar engines to move the sun and all the planets along with it? What are these marvellous machines and how would they function? Music: HOME – AWAY

Planetary Defense

This week on we’re looking at how Earth protects itself from dangers that come hurtling out of space. Mitch takes us through NASA’s DART mission and what it means for defending the planet against near-Earth objects — those asteroids and comets that occasionally pass a little too close for comfort. Meanwhile, Tom explores solar storms: massive eruptions from our Sun that could knock out satellites, fry power grids, and disrupt life as we know it. Music: HOME – AWAY

Life On Mars.... and Beyond

Are we alone in the universe? This week we dive into the science of astrobiology — the hunt for life beyond Earth. From NASA’s latest discovery of potential biosignatures on Mars to the strange possibilities of methane seas on Titan and silicon-based aliens straight out of science fiction, we explore what it takes for a world to be habitable, how scientists search for life, and what counts as real evidence. Music: HOME – AWAY

Batteries: Charged Up!

From the phone in your pocket to the car on your driveway, batteries quietly power modern life. But how do these tiny boxes of chemistry actually work? In this episode we crack open the science of batteries — from the basics of anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes, to the differences between lithium-ion, alkaline, and lead–acid cells. We explore why voltage and current matter, how thousands of cells are scaled up to run electric cars, and what really happens when batteries fail or catch fire. We also dig into why they wear out over time, the challenge of long-term storage, and the big question: can energy storage keep up with our growing global demand? Batteries aren’t just about powering gadgets — they may shape the entire future of energy.

When a Tiny Tube Turns Terrible: Understanding Appendicitis

Join us on this episode as we delve into the stealthy threat of appendicitis. We explore the anatomy of the appendix, why its obstruction turns emergency, how symptoms can mislead even seasoned clinicians, and what scores like Alvarado and AIR add to the diagnostic toolkit. We’ll guide you through the treatment landscape— from keyhole surgery to antibiotic-first strategies—highlighting the risks, benefits, and when each is appropriate. Through real-life cases, we’ll underscore the consequences of a delayed diagnosis and the power of early intervention.

Hooked: Social Media and Consumer Psychology

Ever wonder why you keep scrolling, buying, or clicking — even when you know you shouldn’t? In this episode, we dive into the science of attention and the clever tricks marketers and social media platforms use to capture it. From supermarket layouts and clever packaging to TikTok’s endless scroll and online ads, we explore how your brain is being subtly steered and why compulsive behaviours like doomscrolling are so hard to resist. Music: HOME - AWAY

Sleep: Why is That a Thing?!

Ever wonder why we spend a third of our lives lying in the dark trying to hallucinate? ME TOO FRIEND! So, come and dive into the science of sleep, from the stages your brain cycles through, to the surprising tricks animals use to rest, and the shocking effects of going without sleep. Plus, explore why we sometimes stay up late on purpose and what really makes sleep restorative. Music: HOME – AWAY

The Fermi Paradox: Are We Alone After All?

The universe is vast—hundreds of billions of stars, trillions of planets—so where is everyone? This week we dive into the Fermi Paradox, the puzzling question of why we haven’t found any signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life despite the overwhelming odds. We break down the science behind the paradox, explore the Drake Equation, and examine possible explanations for the cosmic silence—from civilizations being short-lived to the unsettling idea of the Great Filter. Is the galaxy teeming with life that hides from us, or are we truly alone? Music: HOME – AWAY

Dogs II: Are They A**holes?

This week we’re back in the world of dog minds, digging into whether dogs really understand the words we say, or if we’re just wishful-thinking pet parents. We explore why they might ignore our commands, whether their so-called “bad behaviour” is actually intentional, and how different training styles affect behaviour. It’s dog psychology with a healthy dose of science, scepticism, and sympathy for the little chaos machines we love