"A Grim Enemy For Reasons We Do Not Yet Comprehend"

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Science, Physics, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

* This episode contains descriptions of warfare and use of chemical weapons * How do you feed a world that’s running out of food? In this episode of The Rest Is Science, Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens uncover one of the strangest and most unsettling stories in modern science: the tale of the man who learned how to pull fertiliser out of thin air. This discovery transformed agriculture. It made modern civilisation possible. But it also powered explosives, prolonged the First World War, and helped to birth some of the most deadly chemical weapons in history. From battles for bird poop and to the ethics of scientific progress, this is the story of the molecule that changed humanity forever. ------------------ For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠ Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠⁠clicking here.⁠⁠ ------------------- Video Producer: Adam Thornton + Oli Oakley + Jack MeekAnimator: Sam BensonVideo & Social: Bex TyrrellAssistant Producer: Lucy LipscombeProducer: Simona RataSenior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-CarterHead Of Digital: Samuel OakleyExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to The Rest of Science. I'm Hannah Frye.
0:01.7	And I'm Michael Stevens.
0:02.7	Okay, Michael, I want you to tell me who you think is the biggest villain in all of history.
0:08.3	The biggest villain?
0:09.4	Mmm.
0:10.1	Mmm.
0:15.4	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:18.7	Here's something strange.
0:20.3	Your DNA contains more ancient viral fragments than genes.
0:27.2	The genes that build our cells make up only 2% of our DNA.
0:32.5	And for years, that is what scientists focused on.
0:35.5	They treated the rest, the ancient viruses and stuff, as junk.
0:39.1	But now we know that that hidden majority, sometimes called the dark genome, influences how our biology works and how disease like cancer behave.
0:49.2	It's a reminder that progress rarely comes as a single breakthrough.
0:56.1	It builds gradually. Cancer Research UK plays a central role in that progress, supporting decades of research into over 200 types of
1:03.3	cancer, work that's helped double survival in the UK over the past 50 years. For more information
1:09.4	about Cancer Research UK, their research breakthroughs and how you can
1:13.6	support them, visit Cancer Researchuk.org forward slash the rest is science.
1:24.0	Hi, this is Marina and Richard from The Restors Entertainment.
1:27.1	Need anything from Tesco, Richard? Oh yes. cheaper cinema tickets, please. No problem at all, because between the 12th and the 31st of May, for just £2.50 in Clubcard vouchers, you can get a cinema ticket for £5 at Cineworld. Something to think about the next time you're doing your shop. Exactly. You're basically scanning your way towards watching some of the latest blockbusters like The Devil Wears Prada 2, the Mandalorian and Grogu, or even family films like the sheep detectives just in time for half term. Exchange your vouchers in the Tesco app and book online at cineworld.com.uk. Prices for a standard 2D ticket, exchange or club card vouchers book online, and visit between the 12th and
2:01.1	31st of May, exclude Cineworld, Lester Square, Dublin and Jersey, and special screenings. T's and Cells
2:06.4	to TESCO.com slash Cinewild.
	...

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