Best Chris Lintott Podcasts (2024)

1
Is it Aliens? The Most Unusual Star In The Galaxy - Chris Lintott 1:05:22

23h ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Boyajian's star, a faint and unprepossessing presence in the constellation of Cygnus, attracted astronomers' attention when it began to flicker alarmingly. We will discuss explanations for its behaviour, from disintegrating comets to alien megastructures, and consider how modern astronomy hunts for the truly unusual objects in the Universe. For thi…

1
Musical Consonance and Dissonance: The Good, Bad and Beautifully Ugly - Milton Mermikides 57:05

3h ago57:05

57:05

What makes a piece of music challenging, bland, intriguing, beautiful or ugly? This lecture explores the concept of ‘musical flavour’ formed by intervallic, rhythmic and timbral components and how they contribute to a sense of consonance and dissonance. In particular we look at the interval vector, a system by which harmonic objects are analysed as…

1
#305 - Adam Higginbotham - Challenger 1:15:45

1h ago1:15:45

1:15:45

Matt sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Adam Higginbotham to discuss his latest book, "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space." This definitive account of the tragic space shuttle Challenger disaster takes us on a journey from the Apollo program through the investigation that followed the catastrophe.Adam …

1
The Western Magical Tradition - Ronald Hutton 1:05:58

4d ago1:05:58

1:05:58

This lecture makes a survey of learned ceremonial magic in Europe throughout history and demonstrates that both of the customary claims made for it by practitioners since the Middle Ages are actually correct: that there is a continuous tradition of it and that it is ultimately derived from ancient Egypt. In doing so, it also shows what is distincti…

1
Locating Queer History - Matt Cook 56:45

7d ago56:45

56:45

Queer urban life has changed dramatically in England over the last seventy years. Shifts in the economy, culture, attitudes, and technology have all played their part in this. London has often been used as the barometer for these shifts, suggesting they were experienced in similar ways across the nation. In an exploration of the queer contours of L…

1
Episode 29: Aurora 12:40

5h ago12:40

12:40

Mr Max and Chris are back out for an evening walk in the Sun, rejoicing in the nearly once-in-a-lifetime view of the aurorae that much of the world enjoyed last week. We find out what causes the Northern and Southern lights, why last week was quite so good, and what the chances are of a similar show in the near future. We respect the lights, while …

1
Refugees: English Law's Protection or Persecution? - Leslie Thomas KC 1:09:39

3h ago1:09:39

1:09:39

How are refugees protected in English law? This lecture traces the history of refugee protection, the limits of the Refugee Convention, and changes to the law in recent decades that have made refugees’ lives increasingly difficult. The Government’s latest tranche of policies: the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the Rwanda offshoring scheme, ar…

1
The Geopolitical Risks of Climate Change - Myles Allen 1:03:54

2d ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Climate Change is predicted to spark increasing threats to food security and demands for climate reparations, fuelling geopolitical instability. Probably the greatest risk of all, is tension over solar geo-engineering: the idea of reflecting away sunlight deliberately to modify global climate. Recognizing solar geo-engineering as an inherently dest…

1
S02 Ep.10 - Modern Concepts of ADHD, Peter Hill 52:23

8d ago52:23

52:23

Send us a Text Message. Are there any overlaps between ADHD and Autism? Does your childhood determine whether you more susceptible to ADHD later in life? Can you have an Attention Deficit and not Hyperactivity? These and many more questions were put to Peter for episode 10 of our new series! This podcast followed her lecture ‘Modern Concepts of ADH…

1
Sustainable Energy in Refugee Camps - Dr Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen 56:32

12d ago56:32

56:32

Most of the world’s 102 million forcibly displaced people – refugees – lack access to reliable, affordable, sustainable energy. Attempts to provide such energy in refugee camps have been marred by governance challenges, and a lack of technical expertise within humanitarian organisations. But new research discussed in this lecture on the lived exper…

1
What went wrong in Latin America? - Martin Daunton 1:10:10

8d ago1:10:10

1:10:10

In the Great Depression, producers of food and raw materials complained that they received low prices and paid high prices for industrial imports. Latin America adopted ‘import substituting industrialisation’ to encourage production behind tariff barriers. This approach continued after the war as more countries gained independence. Did this policy …

1
#304 - David Barnhart - Arkisys 48:34

18d ago48:34

48:34

Matt speaks with The CEO and co-founder of Arkisys, David Barnhart. Arkisys is a company developing future space expansion by engineering 'The Port', a primary center for technology hosting, satellite integration, assembly, and resupply.By Matthew Russell

1
Lead: A Toxic Legacy - Dr Ian Mudway 1:05:33

8d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Evidence that childhood lead exposure caused stunted intelligence and behavioural problems motivated efforts to ban lead in petrol, with the world finally eradicating leaded fuel in 2021. This is a public health success story, but it took a long time to force industry to take action. The lead released from historic emissions persists within the env…

1
Twentieth-Century Divas: Shirley Bassey - Dominic Broomfield-McHugh 1:05:10

11d ago1:05:10

1:05:10

The Black Welsh singer started out recording cover versions of American songbook classics but rose to international fame after her performance of the title song of Goldfinger. Movie songs, successful albums and popular television specials followed, but so too did personal tragedy and a highly critical (and gendered) reputation of her professional b…

1
S02 Ep.9 - Changes in the Concept of Autism, Francesca Happé CBE 32:32

24d ago32:32

32:32

Send us a Text Message. What do we know about autistic women's experience of menopause? Is there any link between being an older mother/older parents and having a autistic child or is there no proven correlation? These and many more questions were put to Francesca for episode 9 of our new series! This podcast followed her lecture ‘Changes in the Co…

1
Artificial Selection: How Humans have Shaped Evolution - Robin May 59:49

22d ago59:49

59:49

We often think of evolution as ‘something that happened’ in the past. But of course, evolution is a constant, powerful process and one that is often unleashed by human behaviours. Often this is deliberate, we’ll look at how artificial selection has shaped our crops, livestock and domestic pets, and we’ll find out how modern science is uncovering th…

1
Data Protection for Thrillseekers - Dr Victoria Baines 57:16

1M ago57:16

57:16

We increasingly share with online services intimate details of our lives, such as mental health and reproductive data. Far from being a ‘tick box’ legal exercise, data protection is about fair and responsible use of our personal information. It gives us rights which we are entitled to exercise against mega corporations, governments, and anyone who …

1
The Human Cost of Immigration Detention - Dr Greg Constantine 1:00:59

1M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Governments increasingly use detention as a central component of immigration and asylum policy. The lecture addresses several important questions. What does immigration detention look like? How is it a reflection of those societies that tolerate its use and the policies that support and endorse its expansion? What place does it have in the journeys…

1
Democracy: Ancient Models, Modern Challenges - Melissa Lane 58:17

28d ago58:17

58:17

Demokratia is the power (kratos) of the people (demos). But what kind of power, and who constitutes the people? Although ancient democracy is often stylized as “direct democracy” and so positioned as very different from modern “representative democracy,” in fact, issues of accountability are central to both. Ancient Greek models of holding leaders …

1
New Hope in Cancer: A Panel Discussion - Dr Richard Sidebottom, Sanjay Popat and James Larkin 55:08

1M ago55:08

55:08

In partnership with Novartis Treatments and research in cancer are moving very fast, giving new hope to many. This event will bring together speakers in the series to delve further into new treatments and research in cancer, including immunotherapy, genomics and AI imaging. This lecture was recorded by Parker Moss, Dr Richard Sidebottom, Sanjay Pop…

1
Modern Concepts of ADHD - Peter Hill 1:15:57

28d ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a combination of hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention which significantly impacts those living with the condition. The medical approach to the ADHD pattern of behaviour has been very successful in childhood but the results have been somewhat less impressive in adulthood. This has led to a r…

1
Ancient Greek Ideas of Equality under the Law - Melissa Lane 1:00:52

1M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

The Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen has posed the question, ‘equality of what?’ The value of equality depends on what standard is chosen. As ancient Greek thinkers recognized, equality can be deployed to exclude as well as to liberate, and its relationship to law and freedom needs to be interrogated. If equal social freedom is a product of iso…

1
Ritual Nudity in History and Religion - Ronald Hutton 57:58

1M ago57:58

57:58

This lecture looks at the role played by nudity in European religion and magic from ancient times to the present, with some reference to a global context. It reveals the unexpected pattern and explains why it has been marginal to religion, except in initiation ceremonies, but very important in magical practices. This lecture was recorded by Ronald …

1
Climate Tipping Points in Oceans, Ice, Forests - Myles Allen 59:43

1M ago59:43

59:43

The impacts of climate change that probably worry people the most are irreversible changes that affect the entire world, such as a collapse of the west Antarctic ice sheet, shutdown of the global thermohaline circulation, loss of the Amazon biome, or a melting of Arctic permafrost. Sudden, unpredictable and irreversible changes can happen in respon…

1
The Mathematics of Coincidence - Sarah Hart 58:07

2M ago58:07

58:07

We regularly hear of amazing coincidences – people winning the lottery twice, or getting a phone call from a long-lost friend just when you were thinking about them. Is this telepathy? Is there a greater power at work when someone survives seven lightning strikes? There can be terrible consequences from the misunderstanding of coincidence. This lec…

1
#303 - Dr Harry Cliff - Space Oddities 1:11:39

2M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

Episode 303: Space Oddities with Dr. Harry Cliff - Anomalies and New Frontiers in PhysicsMatt delves into the mysteries of the cosmos with Dr. Harry Cliff, particle physicist, science communicator, and author of the new book, "Space Oddities." We explore the fascinating anomalies challenging the very foundations of physics, Dr. Cliff shares insight…

1
Wealth Inequality: English Law's Unintended Legacy? - Leslie Thomas KC 1:02:23

2M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

Today, the UK is a deeply unequal society. This lecture critically evaluates the relationship between English law and capitalism and explores how legal changes over the past 30 years, such as deregulating the housing market and weakening trade unions, have widened wealth inequality. The lecture examines the role of lawyers in addressing these issue…

1
Changes in the Concept of Autism - Francesca Happé CBE 1:06:42

2M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Our understanding of autism has changed over the last forty years. Historically, autism was diagnosed based on narrow criteria. Today, while still defined by social and communication difficulties, rigid interests and repetitive behaviours, the autism spectrum is far wider, and the historical under-diagnosis of women and girls is being addressed. ‘A…

1
S02 Ep.8 - Pulsars, Microwave Ovens & The Radio Sky, Chris Lintott 38:59

2M ago38:59

38:59

Send us a Text Message. What would a radio signal from an alien species tell us about their technology? What are pulsars? What steps were taken to investigate the BLC-1 signal? These and many more questions were put to Chris Lintott for episode 8 of our new series! This podcast followed his lecture ‘Pulsars, Microwave Ovens & The Radio Sky’ which w…

1
Episode 28: Capella 7:25

2M ago7:25

7:25

Mr Max and Chris are back out under surprisingly wintery skies. We check in on our old friend Betelgeuse, follow a new friend for a while with #nobarking, and talk about why you need goats in your chariot, why one star is really four, and what to spot with binoculars. You can read more about Capella here: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/s…

1
Option Pricing Theory Explained - Raghavendra Rau 1:06:42

2M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

We often change our minds after we decide to do something. In finance and business though, if you think you might like to change your mind you will have to pay your counterparty so that your right to change your mind is agreed in advance. But how much is the right to change your mind worth? Option pricing is the art of determining the value of this…

1
The Colour Spectrum of Scales and Modes - Milton Mermikides 1:06:11

2M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

A musical scale – a hierarchical collection of pitches spread over multiple octaves – is a fundamental building block in the creation of melodies and harmonies in a wide range of musical practices. But where do these scales come from? Are they invented or discovered? This lecture looks at the history, theory and artistry of scale construction in a …

1
Health after Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis - Sir Chris Whitty 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

Major geophysical events such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes can occur with little or no warning and have catastrophic effects. This lecture will consider the health impacts of these natural disasters and how best to minimise them. Trauma often dominates the first days after the initial event but predicting the medium-term effects such as i…

1
S02 Ep.7 - Dyslexia and Language - Disorder or Difference?, Maggie Snowling CBE 45:46

2M ago45:46

45:46

Send us a Text Message. Is dyslexia more common in boys? Can public speaking help someone with dyslexia? How are they tackling dyslexia in state schools? These and many more questions were put to Maggie Snowling for episode 7 of our new series! This podcast followed her lecture ‘Dyslexia and Language - Disorder or Difference?’ which was given on 8t…

1
Immunotherapy: Cure for Metastatic Cancers? - James Larkin 1:03:07

2M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Immunotherapy has brought new hope for curing common cancers that have spread (metastatic) – once regarded as impossible. Over the last 10 years, immune checkpoint inhibitors – drugs that allow the immune system to identify and destroy previously unrecognised cancer cells – have been successfully used to treat melanoma, kidney cancer and lung cance…

1
Dragons: A History - Ronald Hutton 58:11

2M ago58:11

58:11

Why have people believed in dragons, and what were they actually? Is there a difference between Western and Eastern dragons, in a global perspective, and if so, why? Has the Western attitude to dragons changed in the modern era? Did Christianity give rise to a different idea of what a dragon should be? These are the questions that this lecture sets…

1
Pulsars, Microwave Ovens and the Radio Sky - Chris Lintott 1:03:00

2M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

There have been two major revolutions in how we look at the sky - the shift beyond the optical to other wavelengths, particularly the radio, and the increasing attention paid to how objects change over time. We start with the discovery of pulsars by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, explore how a microwave oven bamboozled astronomers, and discuss the latest re…

1
#302 - Chris Lintott - Our Accidental Universe 51:29

3M ago51:29

51:29

Matt is Joined by Chris Lintott to talk about Our Accidental Universe his new book out this month and some of the ideas contained within.Chris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, where his research ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids.…

1
Sex and the Internet - Dr Victoria Baines 1:02:38

2M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

The relationship between intimacy and technology is dynamic and transformative. Adult entertainment providers were early adopters of the Internet and directly influenced its development. Meanwhile, digital communication has changed our consumption of pornography, how we date, and how we seek pleasure. There is increasing concern that Internet-media…

1
Dyslexia and Language - Disorder or Difference? - Maggie Snowling CBE 1:00:58

2M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Difficulties with reading and writing have wide-ranging effects beyond academic achievement, including on career opportunities and personal well-being. However, the concept of dyslexia continues to be debated: is the term useful? How does it relate to spoken language? This lecture describes what is known of the causes and consequences of reading di…

1
A 300,000-Year History of Human Evolution - Robin May 1:00:21

2M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

The species we recognise as our own - anatomically modern humans - has existed for only 300,000 years, a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. And yet during that time our species has been shaped by strong evolutionary forces, often unwittingly as an indirect result of human activities. In this lecture, we’ll find out how disease outbreaks, the ri…

1
Export-Led Growth in the Asian Tiger Economies - Martin Daunton 1:05:35

3M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Why have economies in east Asia been more successful in escaping from under-development and achieving high levels of growth? Japan’s experience of avoiding colonisation and creating a modern economy offered a model to other countries, some of whom had themselves been colonised by Japan – above all, South Korea. How did Japan and Korea create a succ…

1
The Visual Politics of Refugeehood - Nishat Awan 52:34

3M ago52:34

52:34

Humanitarian agencies are increasingly relying on satellite imagery and testimonies from social media to understand and communicate why people feel compelled to seek refuge. This lecture will explore digital humanitarianism and the visual politics of refugeehood. It will discuss how such practices allow us to see the places where violence takes pla…

1
S02 Ep.6 - 'Oumuamua: Our First Interstellar Visitor, Chris Lintott 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

Send us a Text Message. Why is 'Oumuamua shaped like a cigar? How much do we know about where it came from? What has discovering 'Oumuamua done for the scientific community moving forward? These and many more questions were put to Professor Chris Lintott for episode 6 of our new series! This podcast followed his lecture ‘'Oumuamua: Our First Inters…

1
Episode 27: Radio 8:01

3M ago8:01

8:01

On a cloudy damp evening in Oxford, Chris and Mr Max are braving the weather. Max is keen on a jam jar, while Chris tells us the story of world’s greatest radio astronomer, Grote Reber. Missiles and parrots also feature. The story is included in Chris’s new book, ‘Our Accidental Universe’, out in March and available from Amazon (https://blackwells.…

1
LGBT Rights: Overcoming a Colonial Legacy - Leslie Thomas KC 1:12:04

3M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Historically lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have been persecuted under English law. Homophobic and transphobic laws were exported from England to the Commonwealth Caribbean, and these colonial laws have had a long-term impact on Caribbean societies. This lecture will make the case for the robust constitutional protection of LG…

1
Mathematical Puzzles and Paradoxes - Sarah Hart 57:38

3M ago57:38

57:38

Many puzzles have a long history, such as water pouring puzzles, where you need to measure (for example) one pint of water equipped only with an eight-pint and a five-pint jug. The mathematics behind the solution has many useful applications. Meanwhile, paradoxes such as: “some men shave themselves; those that do not shave themselves are shaved by …

1
Satirical Cartoons: A History - Martin Rowson 1:17:23

3M ago1:17:23

1:17:23

How do cartoons and visual satire operate? This lecture will look at when humans first created art and at the dawn of satire. Examining the work of Swift, Hogarth, Gillray, David Low and Ronald Searle, this lecture by celebrated cartoonist Martin Rowson will also examine the role cartoons play in giving offence. Covering the Danish Cartoons scandal…

1
Capital Structure Theory Explained - Raghavendra Rau 1:02:34

4M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Knowing what the investors demand enables the firm to plan its financing. What type of instrument should it use? Should it issue debt or equity? This lecture will introduce the concept of Capital Structure Theory which tells the manager how to reduce capital cost by a correctly chosen mixture of debt and equity. The composition of the mixture depen…

1
'Oumuamua: Our first interstellar visitor - Chris Lintott 58:47

4M ago58:47

58:47

In 2017, the Solar System was visited by an object named 'Oumuamua, which came from another star. The unusual properties of this first interstellar visitor led some to suggest it may be an alien spacecraft - but the truth is that its oddness is already teaching us lessons about how solar systems form. This lecture also considers the prospects of di…

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