Michael Wrote Some Math Poetry

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Science, Physics, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 February 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Can mathematics ever truly be proven? And can Michael's poetry help you remember some tricky equations? In this episode, Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens answer your questions and take a look at what it means for something to be true in mathematics. Starting with a grand attempt to prove that one plus one equals two, and into Gödel’s theorem that no system of maths can ever fully prove itself, they explore how maths connects to the real world, from an equation that predicts antimatter to the calculations that led to the discovery of Neptune. After the break, Michael shows off a set of limericks written and read by himself. The Rest Is Science: Field Notes is released every Thursday, with Hannah and Michael exploring questions where mathematics, science, and human behaviour meet. ------------------- 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 Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:02.7	So when most people think of naked mole rats, their unusual relationship to cancer probably
0:08.5	isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
0:10.3	But maybe it should be because it is incredibly rare for them to develop cancer, which
0:16.0	could be partly down to their unique immune system, or it might be the way that their cells respond to damage.
0:22.6	So scientists are studying their biology for its cancer-fighting secrets.
0:26.6	It's a reminder that discoveries can sometimes come from places you don't expect.
0:30.6	Cancer Research UK is the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research.
0:34.6	Thousands of scientists of doctors and nurses work across
0:38.2	more than 20 countries to help turn discoveries in the lab into new tests, new treatments,
0:45.0	and new innovations. And the impact is clear. Over the past 50 years, the charity's pioneering
0:50.8	work has helped double cancer survival in the UK, meaning more people
0:55.3	living longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. For more information about Cancer
1:01.1	Research UK, their research, their breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit
1:05.1	cancerresearch.org.org-forward slash rest is science.
1:13.2	This episode is brought to you by Vanta.
1:15.9	Security and compliance done wrong is a headache.
1:18.3	Done right, you build trust and grow faster.
1:19.5	That's Vanta.
1:22.9	For startups, Vanta acts as your first security hire,
1:25.2	using AI to get you compliant fast.
1:28.2	For enterprises, it's your AI-powered hub for compliance,
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Goalhanger, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Goalhanger and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.