Ask Us Anything by Popular Science
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.
Submit a question for a future episode at https://popsci.com/ask
1
What happens to your bag after you check it in?
13 min
2
What is human composting?
How does a human composting vessel even work?
12 min
3
Why do we get goosebumps? Plus: RL Stine!
In humans a wide range of emotions can also induce goosebumps. BUT WHY?
12 min
4
Welcome back to Ask Us Anything from Popular Sc...
New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting November 12!
0 min
5
How do chatbots work?
10 min
6
How is Voyager's vintage technology still flying?
10 min
7
Can you become a morning person?
22 min
8
Where’s the best place to sit in a movie theater?
12 min
9
Are the bees still dying?
28 min
10
Why do we like pimple popping?
10 min
11
How do planes fly?
11 min
12
What’s the best way to reheat pizza?
9 min
13
What’s the best way to detox?
14 min
14
Can I have a pet fox?
21 min
15
How can I be more photogenic?
17 min
16
What’s a haboob?
11 min
17
Is the megalodon shark still alive?
13 min
18
Why do we get wisdom teeth?
15 min
19
Season 3: Premiering 6/21!
0 min
20
24. Did food taste better 50 years ago?
<p>It's the season 2 finale! What did food taste like 50 years ago—and was it actually better than it is now? </p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">Claire Maldarelli</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">https://twitter.com/camaldarelli</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
11 min
21
23. What is a super car?
<p>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. </p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/robverger" target="_blank">Rob Verger</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/robverger" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/robverger</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
11 min
22
22. What would happen if the sun went out?
<p>The sun is, to put it lightly, quite important to life on Earth. What would happen if it suddenly went poof?</p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/SaraKileyWatson" target="_blank">Sara Kiley Watson</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/SaraKileyWatson" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/SaraKileyWatson</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
7 min
23
21. Can stress kill you?
<p>If you're looking for a sign to take a vacation... this might be it.</p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">Claire Maldarelli</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">https://twitter.com/camaldarelli</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
9 min
24
20. Why can't we all touch our toes?
<p>We finally dive into the classic question—why <em>can't</em> we all touch our toes? And why the heck is it such a big deal?</p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">Claire Maldarelli</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/camaldarelli">https://twitter.com/camaldarelli</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
12 min
25
19. What does space smell like?
<p>Sure, you can't literally smell IN space. But what if you could? Just how stinky is it out there?</p><p>--</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod">https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod</a></p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman" target="_blank">Rachel Feltman</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman</a></p><p>Produced by <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">Jess Boddy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy">https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy</a></p><p>Music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">Billy Cadden</a>: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=w_P6kTN6Ruy_J9GccvOasQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq</a></p><p>Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">Katie Belloff</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz">https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz</a></p>--- Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support</a>
9 min