The Rest Is Science
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.
Get AI-powered summaries of The Rest Is Science
Never miss key insights. Receive episode summaries straight to your inbox.
Recent Episodes
You Don't Exist For One Third Of Your Life
Mar 03, 2026Summary Preview
Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore why humans haven't 'cured' sleep despite its massive time cost - consuming a third of our lives. They investigate what sleep actually does for our bodies, why sleep deprivation is so dangerous, and whether we could ever eliminate our need for rest through examining recent scientific research on fatal insomnia, cellular mechanisms, and evolutionary origins of sleep.
- The Cost of Sleep and Failed Attempts to Eliminate It
- Sleep Across Species: From Bats to Elephants
How To Fall To Earth (Without Burning Up)
Feb 26, 2026Summary Preview
Michael and Hannah explore a series of fascinating scientific topics, from unethical psychology experiments to superhero physics and space engineering. They reveal the dark history of the Little Albert experiment, calculate the energy costs of superpowers, share the story of their first meeting over the Banach-Tarski paradox, and dive deep into the remarkable thermal insulation tiles that protected the Space Shuttle during reentry.
- The Little Albert Experiment: A Dark Chapter in Psychology
- The Physics of Superpowers: Energy Costs Revealed
You (Don't) Know Where You Are
Feb 24, 2026Processing failed
How Big Is A Piece Of Chocolate?
Feb 19, 2026Summary Preview
Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore fascinating questions about space, smell, numbers, and personal discoveries. They discuss the scent of space as reported by astronauts, the mathematical paradoxes of autological words, the molecular limits of chocolate, and Michael shares his childhood book 'Evolution the Lie,' reflecting on the intersection of science and religion. The episode blends rigorous scientific inquiry with personal storytelling and philosophical reflection.
- The Smell of Space and the Universe
- Even, Odd, and the Grelling-Nelson Paradox
Do animals know they’re lying?
Feb 17, 2026Summary Preview
Michael Stevens and Hannah Fry explore the fascinating world of animal deception, examining whether creatures beyond humans can truly lie. They journey through various levels of deception in the animal kingdom, from basic camouflage to sophisticated behavioral manipulation, ultimately grappling with the question of whether animals possess 'theory of mind'—the ability to understand that others have different beliefs and knowledge—which is essential for genuine lying.
- Levels of Deception: From Camouflage to Conscious Choice
- Strategic Deception: Cuttlefish Cross-Dressing and Penguin Prostitution
The Evolution Of The Butthole
Feb 12, 2026Summary Preview
This Field Notes episode explores mathematical concepts around zero, topology, and holes through listener questions. Michael and Hannah discuss why mathematics 'breaks' at certain scales, the importance of symmetry in human evolution, and the fascinating topology of everyday objects - from straws to the human body. The conversation culminates in an evolutionary history of the digestive system, explaining why humans are essentially seven-holed donuts.
- The Problem with Zero in Mathematics
- Scientific Assumptions That Could Be Wrong
(Finite) Numbers So Large They'd Destroy You
Feb 10, 2026Summary Preview
Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore the fascinating world of extremely large finite numbers, from ancient mathematical texts to modern computational theory. They journey from simple numbers we can hold in memory through astronomical quantities like stars and sand grains, to mind-bending mathematical constructs like Graham's number and beyond. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking discussion about how our inability to truly comprehend large numbers affects everything from charity donations to understanding wealth inequality.
- Human Memory Limits and the Seven Plus or Minus Two Rule
- From Words to Stars: Counting the Physical World