Fuzzy Logic Science Show

Why do we like stories about scary beasts, and why did the US just vote for a man who promotes fear and anti-science? The Trump story we quote is here. Read our Ask Fuzzy on cats.   Brought to you by Rod with Phil Hore from the National Dinosaur Museum.  

At the Living Green Festival in Canberra, our eye was caught by a curvaceous white object. It was a Tesla Powerwall, on display by the Power Saving Centre Canberra.  Energy consultant Ben Luton tells us how you might use solar technology to save money, and do something good for the environment. Interview by Rod

Australian wildlife has been hit from all directions. Loss of habitat, fire, pests, and cats. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is one organisation trying to save our native animals. Senior ecologist for the North West, Dr James Smith tells about how the AWC is helping to fight extinction. Interview by Rod

Humans can go deaf, but what about dogs? Like any other animal, their hearing can go. Especially when we meddle with their breeding. And did you know dogs lipread? Or perhaps that should be faceread. Recorded at the Living Green Festival, Canberra with Michelle from AustralianDeafDogRescue. Find them on FBook. Interview by Rod.

The Pokémon Go craze is sweeping the world, but its success relies on some serious physics and chemistry.  Why do you owe your Eevee to Einstein and his theory of relativity? How did Volta and Galvani pioneer battery-powered devices like smart phones and Pokédexes? Can Pokémon Go players help real life Professor Willows monitor animal populations? We've got the answers for you!  Brought to you by Siân (Team Valor), Jason (Team Mystic), and Eleanor (Team Instinct). This episode also features interviews with Dr Dimitri Tolleter about his National Science Week event, Duality: A Life Outside The Lab, and with Vance Lawrence and Kate Lehane who are involved in organising SciScouts. Keep an ear out for Bridget and Adrian talking about what they're looking forward to at SciScouts too! 

The list may seem strange, but it applies to our two featured women. Dorothy Hill was a pioneering Australian scientist who's field was coral paleantology. She also drove rally cars and had a pilot's license.  Hedy Lamarr was a renowned Hollywood beauty. She invented secure frequency hopping radio transmission. Something like it is in your mobile phone. We look at a surprisingly simple way to make renewable energy reliable on the grid. And in today's Ask Fuzzy we learn about arthritis. Brought to you by Rebecca Kaye from National Science Week, with Rod.

Two guests spontaneously appeared today. Luckly they were intelligently designed. Lots of people talk about evolution, but lots of people don't really know about evolution. There are many misconceptions. Then there are those who prefer mythical explanations. What does that mean, and why does it matter? Dr Nick Matzke is an evolutionary biologist who's been mapping the large scale history of life (the phylogenetic tree). Phil Hore is from the National Dinosaur Museum. Created by Rod.  @FuzzyLogicSci Lots of good things on the way at National Science Week. #natsciwk

What would it be like to find your vision was suddenly infected by strange apparitions?  Lines, shapes, whole buildings, faces, and lizards crawling up the wall. All inventions of the condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome. No, you're not going mad, these are tricks that the visual system sometimes plays. Rod interviews Scot Muirden, director of the Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation, and Ian Lawther who shares some remarkable stories of his experience with CBS. Charles Bonnet Syndrome is much more common than you might think. If you have vision loss, or know somebody who has, a simple question can make a huge difference. Too many people live in fear that their mind is going, and don't want to talk about it. Even the medical profession are generally not well informed. We also recommend Scot Muirden's Ask Fuzzy column on CBS Oliver Sacks TED talk. An excellent Damn Interesting article Twitter #FuzzyLogicSci

The third week of May is National Archaeology Week, and to celebrate, Mitchell and Eleanor talk about the art and science of archaeology. We chat about the media hubbub surrounding the Curse of Tutankhamun's Tomb, the grim details of the buried city of Pompeii, and the geothermal vents that the Romans exploited at bath-time. Also features curse tablets and local axes.

It's an obsession, it's a pollutant and it's a problem. On this weeks episode, Broderick looks at the problem with plastic. Featuring interviews with Heidi Taylor from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, PhD candidate from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security Karen Raubenheimer and Principal Doug Reckord from the Bournda Environmental Education Centre.  Each of these scientists shares their passion and the story about plastic. These scientists will be joined by others when they speak at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre Marine Science Forum which is titled "Turning the Tide on Trash". For more information on the forum, or to purchase tickets, head to http://www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au/

The ground has shifted, renewables are taking the wind out of fossil fuels. It's now cheaper to generate power with solar and wind. But is it an anti capitalist dream, only for when the sun is shining? Our guest today is a prominent pioneer of solar power technology, and an advocate for renewable energy. Professor Andrew Blakers is Director of the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems. Hosted by Rod. ........................................... Community radio has been hit with a budget cut of $1.4m. Show your support keepcommunityradio.org.au #keepcommunityradio

Science isn't just pretty pictures of cells and stars; it's a thing people do, and you can too. In this episode of Fuzzy, Siân, Mitchell and Eleanor talk about the scientific method and how we can apply scientific thinking to our own everyday lives.  Features porridge alchemy, the Saturn Hexagon, and a ride on the dinosaur train. This episode originally aired on the 17th April 2016.

Are machines taking over? Or are they just plotting to ruin all our board game nights and become undefeatable Trivial Pursuit champions?  Phoebe and Broderick answer these hard-hitting questions and more as they explore the science, technology and ethics of artificial intelligence. This episode was originally broadcast on 16 March, 2016.

This episode Broderick takes a look at the worrying levels of coral bleaching and what it means for our Great Barrier Reef.  We also take a look at the latest in dinosaur news, allergy treatments and fingerprints in your skull.

Today we step outside our usual science to meet a rising figure in the Australian Labor party.  Why would someone subject themelves to the brutal world of politics? We dicuss social capital, and the limits to growth. Is growth really what we need, and at what point to we say 'enough'? Dr Andrew Leigh is Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fraser in the ACT. Interview by Rod, who discloses personal affiliations at the start of this interview.

In this pun-filled episode, Mitchell and Eleanor talk eggs. What are they? Where do they come from? Why are they egg-shaped? Does anyone truly know the answers to these questions??  Yes, they do, and you will too if you tune in. Features echidna custard, broody octopuses, and the funkiest podcast outro ever conceived. 

Today's Fuzzy Logic is dedicated to Mary Anning, the remarkable woman who made a deep contribution to the emerging science of paleontology during the early 1800s.  In spite of the bias of her time, Anning was widely respected and consulted by the great thinkers, and her work helped shape our modern understanding of evolution. Brought to you by Rod, and Phil Hore from the National Dinosaur Museum. Twitter us @FuzzyLogicSci

....down down. So goes the lyrics in today's Jimi Hendrix music break. It's hard to imagine what an aweful sight it would be to see your house burning. And spare a thought for the fireys. They take risks to save you and your property. To protect themselves, they wear 23 kg of gear. Add hoses and other equipment, and they could be carrying 50 kg. They're phsyically active. It's hot. There's a fire. Our expert guest today is Dr Anthony Walker, thermal phsyiologist University of Canberra, and a member of ACT Fire & Rescue. His research looks into managing heat stress among fire fighters.  We also talk about long term chronic effects, including PTSD. Interview by Rod Twitter: @FuzzyLogicSci AskFuzzy [at] Zoho.com

What makes us think? What makes us aware? What makes us alive?  They say "cogito ergo sum"; I think, therefore I am.  But is it that simple? In this weeks episode, Phoebe and Broderick are joined by Alyce to get deep and mix a little philosophy with science as they discuss consciousness.

Why is pain good for you? This week Broderick and Phoebe are joined by special guest paramedic Liam to discuss the good, bad and ugly sides of pain. There's even an ice bucket challenge between Broderick and Phoebe to see who can withstand the most pain.  Listen in to see who is the ultimate pain master! Don't forgot Fuzzy Logic is also on Twitter!  Tweet us @FuzzyLogicSci with any follow-up questions you might have or topics you'd like us to cover.