Potterology Part 1 (WIZARD SCIENCE) with Rebecca Lai

Ologies with Alie Ward

Alie Ward

Comedy, Science, Society & Culture

4.9 • 23.8K Ratings

🗓️ 10 September 2019

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

**UPDATE: since this episode was first released, J.K. Rowling has said and written some deeply transphobic sentiments and for this, Alie no longer stans nor supports her. So in listening to this episode, let's marvel at the -ologist herself and her love of Chemistry and remember that feminism is intersectional and trans women are women, and trans folks are welcome and beloved in the Ologies universe.** Accio: ALL YOUR DREAMS COMING TRUE. Whether you've never read the Harry Potter series -- or you have dogeared copies on your nightstand -- there's something for everyone in this 2-part episode dissecting the science of the spells in J.K. Rowling's books. Electrochemist and professor Dr. Rebecca Lai is a devoted fan who teaches a university course called "A Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter’s Chemistry." Alie travels to her lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to chat about disappearing ink, gold nanoparticles, ancient alchemy, spells that burn your enemy's eyes, others that protect you from the elements, how writing a novel is like a scientific experiment and how to keep going in the face of stumbling blocks. **Bonus: I managed not to swear, so you can listen with the kiddos in your life. A donation went to PBS.org Sponsor links: Zevoinsect.com/ologies; TakeCareOf.com (code: OLOGIES); HelixSleep.com/ologies; HelloFresh.com/ologies80 (code: OLOGIES80) More links up at alieward.com/ologies/potterology Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and STIIIICKERS! Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Theme song by Nick Thorburn Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Transcript

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0:00.0	Oh hey, it's your neighbor who's always out vacuuming his car and you're like, is he
0:05.2	really clean or is he so dirty that he needs to be vacuuming it that much?
0:11.2	Allieboard, back with another episode of Oligies.
0:14.0	Okay, so today one half of a two-parter on Potter.
0:17.9	Are you ready for this?
0:19.7	Have you been ready for this since 1997?
0:23.0	Were you even born in 1997?
0:25.2	Whether you've read all seven books in the Harry Potter series or you've just seen a movie
0:30.6	or two or all you know is that Harry Potter is about a charming adolescent member of the
0:37.2	occult who has, I guess, pretty bad vision.
0:40.1	This episode is about chemistry and the science behind the spells.
0:44.4	It's just dang magical and fun.
0:47.8	Also it's kid-friendly.
0:50.0	I'm not going to swear.
0:51.4	I've managed not to swear.
0:52.7	It was difficult.
0:53.7	You are welcome.
0:55.0	But before we board the Hogwarts Express, a really quick bit of business prior to leaving
1:00.7	the station.
1:01.7	So thanks aren't ordered to everyone who supports the show by signing up on patreon.com
1:06.3	for as little as 25 cents an episode, which lets you submit questions to theologists.
1:11.8	Thank you, everyone's sporting Oligies' wares from Oligiesmerge.com.
	...

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