The Evolution Of The Butthole

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Science, Physics, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 February 2026

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Topologically speaking, a human is just a donut with seven holes. It sounds like a joke, but it is a fundamental biological reality. Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore the strange geometry of the human body, tracing how we evolved from simple tubes into complex toruses. They investigate the "design flaw" at the boundary of our existence, the fragile transition where skin meets internal lining, and ask why nature built us with so many vulnerabilities to the outside world.But before mapping our topology, Michael and Hannah tackle the instability of knowledge itself. From the suggestion our current physics is almost certainly wrong, to the edges of logic where mathematics fundamentally breaks down. Plus, they unpack the hidden psychology of symmetry: why is the human brain so obsessed with centering pictures, and what does it tell us about how we order our reality?-------------------For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠Cancer 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 OakleyVideo & Social: Bex TyrrellAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottSenior 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	It's my object today. I brought, I'm actually going to save it. I'm going to save telling you what it is, but it's something to do with the human body. And it starts off with the straw. We'll get to it in a bit. You got, you got, you know, you got to wait for that kind of joy. I'll wait. But as always, you come first. We've got questions you guys have submitted. Thank you for doing that, by the way. They're a blast to read. I don't know how we're going to ever cover all of them. They're all so good. Here's one that's come in from Kevin. I think this one's for you, Michael. I often hear scientists complaining on documentaries about math's not working or breaking. This tends to happen when maths encounters zero. So my question is, rather than moaning about math's not working or breaking. This tends to happen when maths encounter zero.
0:38.4	So my question is, rather than moaning about maths not working,
0:41.9	shouldn't scientists busy themselves making a new maths that doesn't have a zero?
0:46.0	That's what I say every day.
0:47.7	Just let's go back to not having zero and nothing will ever break.
0:52.5	Which is not very long ago, actually.
1:01.4	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
1:04.5	So when most people think of naked mole rats,
1:07.7	their unusual relationship to cancer probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
1:12.1	But maybe it should be because it is incredibly rare for them to develop cancer, which could be
1:18.2	partly down to their unique immune system, or it might be the way that their cells respond
1:23.6	to damage. So scientists are studying their biology for its cancer-fighting secrets.
1:29.2	It's a reminder that discoveries can sometimes come from places you don't expect.
1:32.8	Cancer Research UK is the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research. Thousands of
1:37.7	doctors and nurses work across more than 20 countries to help turn discoveries in the lab
1:44.0	into new tests, new treatments,
1:46.8	and new innovations.
1:48.4	And the impact is clear.
1:49.9	Over the past 50 years, the charity's pioneering work has helped double cancer survival
1:54.9	in the UK, meaning more people living longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
2:01.3	For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, their breakthroughs and how
2:05.5	you can support them, visit Cancer Research UK.org forward slash rest is science.
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