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It's Okay to Be Smart
Why Useless Knowledge Can Be So Useful
Season 12
Episode 17
Our lizard friend the Gila monster probably has no idea that a chemical in its spit inspired one of the most important medical advancements of the 21st century. But this story is really about something bigger. Something deeper, beneath the surface. About why we do science in the first place. And about what kind of questions are the best ones for scientists to ask.
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10:00
Why do the same, self-repeating patterns appear in trees, rivers, lightning, and even our bodies?
15:25
Our animal brains deal with quantities in very specific, and fascinating, ways.
12:54
Can new technologies make death prediction even more accurate?
10:40
The cosmic distance ladder is the world’s longest ruler, built to measure the universe.
15:17
On April 8, North America is getting a total solar eclipse. Here’s what you need to know.
12:09
Learn about the space junk problem and the giant space claw named ClearSpace-1 that might
14:28
These tiny pieces of an ancient asteroid could hold the secret to the origin of life.
10:28
What do scientists think are the best ways of reaching out to aliens?
13:38
A cosmic soup hadn’t existed in 13.8 billion years. Now, scientists cook it up in a lab.
12:56
After a century of industrial pollution and superstorms, New York's waterways needs help!