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Big Picture Science

Yule Like This

Big Picture Science

Big Picture Science

Science, Technology

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2019

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

(repeat) Fir tree needles embedded in carpet are a holiday headache. Why not decorate a genetically-modified, needle-retaining tree instead? It’s just another way that science is relevant to the holidays. We have more. How about science experiments on fruitcake? There’s a competition that includes launching it with a pneumatic device, running a heavy electric current though it, or blasting it with a blowtorch. Meanwhile, physics provides insight into those tricky how-does-he-do-it questions about Santa’s delivery rounds.   Finally, step away from the relatives and consider the implications of the winter solstice.  Enjoy a better holiday through science! Guests: Jenna Gallas – Special Event Coordinator, Manitou Springs Chamber of Congress, Colorado Laura Kramer – Manager of Science Conductors, Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond Lilian Matallana – Research Associate, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh Ben Orlin – Math teacher, and author of “Math with Bad Drawings: Illuminating the Ideas That Shape Our Reality” Ethan Siegel – Theoretical astrophysicist and owner of “Starts with a Bang!” blog Andrew Fraknoi – Astronomer and educator, author of “Introduction to Astronomy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

You're listening to an airwave media podcast.

0:05.0

McDonald's are making small improvements to our classic burgers,

0:08.0

searing our 100% British and Irish beef parties,

0:10.0

so they're even juicier.

0:12.0

And we're serving them hotter for meltier cheese, all in new

0:15.4

toastier buns. The classics, now a little more mmm. comparison with prior classic burgers,

0:20.4

serves after 11 a.m. subject to availability.

0:22.4

Mm-hmm-hmm.

0:24.0

This episode is brought to you by Shopify.

0:27.0

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0:30.0

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0:31.0

Whether you're selling succulents or stilettoes, Shopify has the industry leading tools to help you create, control and grow your own business.

0:38.0

So get serious about selling and get Shopify today.

0:41.0

Sign up for a one pound per month trial period at shopify. code ek slash special offer,

0:46.4

or lowercase. That's Shopify dot code ek slash special offer. All right. It's the end of the year. A little bit of vacation coming up. The

1:05.0

festivities, the cold weather. I mean, it's all something that hearkens back to

1:09.0

childhood, I guess. And so does this eggnog. I've always drunk eggnog this time a year.

1:14.0

I kind of wish they would sell at other times of the year.

1:16.0

You know, that would be good. I...

1:18.0

It's so tasty.

1:19.0

Mm.

1:21.0

Okay, that's really good. It has the viscosity of heavy motor oil, but that's kind of soothing.

...

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