The Library of Alexandra

In this episode, first aired in 2014, we examine three very different kinds of black boxes—spaces where we know what’s going in, we know what’s coming out, but can’t see what happens in-between. From the darkest parts of metamorphosis to a sixty-year-old secret among magicians, a ...  Show more

Before he was even born, Sarah and Ross Gray knew that their son Thomas wouldn’t live long. But as they let go of him, they made a decision that reverberated through a world that they never bothered to think about. Years later, after a couple of awkward phone calls, they go on a ...  Show more

This Valentine's Day we could have just brought you some sappy love stories from science's past. But instead we offer you three tales of lust, loneliness, betrayal, pettiness, and not one, but two beheadings.

Hosts: <a href="file:///profile/alexis-j-ped ...

Sean Illing speaks with Matthew Jones, historian of science and technology, and co-author (with data scientist Chris Wiggins) of the new book How Data Happened. They discuss the surprisingly long history of data from the 18th century to today, in service of explaining how we woun ...  Show more

Mary Somerville (1780-1872) chose to study science and mathematics, even when society tried to tell her she was only good for keeping house. She found her own way in a world dominated by men. And became a self-taught preeminent astronomer and mathematician. Special thanks to Merc ...  Show more

Become a Womanniac!: https://glow.fm/womannicaThis episode is brought to you by Sakara. Sakara is offering our listeners 20% off their order when they go to https://sakara.com/encyclopedia or enter code ENCYCLOPEDIA at checkout.Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedi ...  Show more