Curiouser and Curiouser

Curiouser and Curiouser

Author: Festival of the Spoken Nerd May 3, 2022 Duration: 42:29

In a different kind of episode, our intrepid Detailers reveal three facts that they just could not believe the first time they heard them, but turned out to be true. The reproductive habits of barnacles, the unexpected mating call of the tawny owl and a freaky formula that draws a picture of itself all get the Unnecessary Detail treatment:

- Helen's bit (01:12)

- Matt's bit (16:08)

- Steve's bit (34:12)


SHOW NOTES: 

Unfortunately our show notes are too big for Acast's margins to contain... head to the episode page to see everything.


Corrections and clarifications:

- A few weeks after we recorded this episode, New York Times published an extremely detailed and well-researched article debunking the "Birds Released In Central Park By Shakespeare Fan" story. Read it here, with thanks to listener Joshua Miller for sending over this link. 


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Come for the Unnecessary Detail. Stay for the A Podcast Of. 



Thanks for listening!


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Ever find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of questions about the seemingly mundane? That’s the exact territory mapped out in A Podcast Of Unnecessary Detail. Each month, the trio from the live comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd-stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiment enthusiast Steve Mould, and musical geek Helen Arney-gathers to pick apart three unrelated stories with a gleeful, granular focus. They operate on the principle that the most fascinating layers are often hidden beneath the surface of ordinary things, and they have the comedic and explanatory chops to dig them up. This isn't a broad overview; it's a deep dive into the tangents and technicalities that most conversations gloss over, all delivered with the warmth and wit of friends who love to get sidetracked by a good fact. Listening to this podcast feels like being let in on a brilliant, meandering backstage conversation where laughter and genuine curiosity are equally important. You’ll hear the unexpected connections they draw, the playful debates, and the moments of genuine surprise as ordinary topics unravel into extraordinary tales of science, maths, and human ingenuity. It’s for anyone who’s ever wondered ‘why?’ and then immediately followed it up with ‘but how, exactly?’
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

A Podcast Of Unnecessary Detail
Podcast Episodes
Stick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
In this episode, Steve talks about a sticky effect, Matt gets us tangled up in stick knots, and Helen gets stuck into sticky numbers: - Steve's bit (00:45)- Matt's bit (10:15)- Helen's bit (22:05)For live shows, merch, m…
Rings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:30
In this episode, Helen investigates a curious ring that lives in the sea, Steve contemplates the meaning of life itself and Matt brings along some bagels: - Helen's bit (00:45)- Matt's bit (11:05)- Steve's bit (19:55)For…
Interstellar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
In this episode, Steve tries to measure distant stars with his thumb, Matt talks black holes & plot holes and Helen plays some of her favourite space sounds. Plus a song from Helen that may provide useful information for…
Fuel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:16
In this episode, Helen talks fuel for your body, Matt talks plane fuel (or lack of it…) and Steve talks origin theories for a particular fossil fuel. Plus a song from Helen about the ultimate source of Earth’s fuel:- Mat…
A Trailer Of Unnecessary Detail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02
Series 2 coming soon! Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes.Looking for a science comedy podcast that doesn't skimp on the details? We've got you. One starting point sets off three different science stories from the…