The Information Entropy Podcast

In this final "Middle Ages" episode, we take a closer look at how medieval weapons were made—from the blacksmith's forge to the battlefield. We explore the practical science behind forging and quenching steel, how techniques developed across Europe and Japan, and what this meant for the weapons themselves. We also examine how swordsmanship evolved alongside metallurgy, from early battlefield combat to the structured environments of tournaments. That includes a look at techniques like the Mordhau, and how fighting styles changed as both armour and social attitudes shifted. It's an episode about materials, methods, and the people behind the weapons—not just how they were used, but how they were made to last. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast. This week, we are following the evolutionary arms race between medieval units. The infantry, the missile troops, and the cavalry. A delicate balance of strengths and weaknesses on the battlefield, but how and why did these roles evolve over time and what were the driving forces behind that change? As the art of the sword became more refined and “gentlemanly”, we look at the codex Wallerstein to see how it became the guidebook on swordplay and took influence from martial arts. Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast. This week, we're storming the gates—literally. From scaling walls and battering gates to digging tunnels under your enemies and flinging plague-ridden cows into castles, we dive into the gritty science and strategy behind medieval siege warfare. Learn how castles were taken (or not), how defenders fought back, and why flinging a bucket of piss wasn't just personal—it was tactical. Trebuchets, moats, murder holes, tunnelling, and a whole lot of rocks—because sometimes brute force really was the plan. Music: HOME – AWAY

In this episode of The Information Entropy Podcast, we catapult ourselves into the world of medieval castles. Join us as we unpack the science and strategy behind castle defence, from murder holes and machicolations to position, structure, and power. We're digging deep into how medieval castles were designed as layered defensive machines and the evolution of their design. Castles weren't cosy stone palaces—they were engineered war machines. Music: HOME - AWAY

This week, we're diving deep into the weird and wonderful world of memory — both biological and mechanical. From how your brain stores the smell of grandma's house to how your laptop remembers where your holiday photos are, we explore what memory actually is, how it works, and why your version of events might be completely wrong. We'll explain how neurons store memories, why your brain edits the past like a drunk film director, and how trauma changes memory in ways that can shape your entire life. Then we plug in and switch gears to look at how computers store information — from magnetic disks to binary code to why your SSD might outlive your attention span. As always, expect a healthy dose of solid science, questionable analogies, and the kind of off-topic nonsense that makes this The Information Entropy Podcast. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to The Information Entropy Podcast! This week, we're diving into the fascinating world of music. Mitch kicks things off with some important news and clarifications for the ASD community, clearing up a few common misconceptions. Then it's straight into the science, as Tom unpacks the origins of musical notes — where they came from, and why we even have them in the first place. From there, the conversation flows into the physics of harmonics and the evolution of the orchestra as an organised collective of sound-makers. To wrap it all up, Mitch asks the question we've all thought at some point: what exactly is the conductor doing up there? Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week we are questioning why some animals live to be 500 and others less than a day! Tom starts with some out of this world news before the boys get onto the topic in a semi-reasonable time this week! The boys explore different life history strategies and the effects it has at an individual and population level, when is it more beneficial to live fast and when is the slower approach more appropriate, and what effects does each have on our ability to perceive and interact with the world around us? The boys discover how much they didn't know about the Greenland shark, so you're bound to learn something! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast we're exploring the fascinating world of forests…. Eventually. First the boys get lost on their adventure and they talk about moving house and some life updates. Mitch explores the next steps in light-based computing technologies before the boys debate whether dire wolves are really back! Then onto forests: Tom defines what they are and explores the different layers and their ecological niches. Mitch looks at the different types of forests and how they sequester carbon from our atmosphere. To round out the show the boys discuss forest psychology and the impact that being in a forest has on us. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are exploring the world of Plains and Grasslands! What are plains and grasslands in the first place and why are they scientifically interesting? Mitch defines them and Tom looks at how they form. The boys then explore the important ecosystem services that plains provide in the form of carbon sequestration while also investigating the fascinating interactions keystone species (such as lions) have on their environment. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where Tom is back at his lone ramblings on Vocal Learning. In the previous episodes Tom explored what vocal learning is and how we categorise/define it. This week Tom is taking a look at the implications of being able to choose when to vocalise. A crucial underpinning of proper language use is our ability to produce the sounds when we want to, but what if we can't? How do other species compare? How do we even test it to find out? Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week, we're climbing to new heights—literally—as we take a deep dive into the science of mountains! From the violent tectonic forces that build them to the brutal conditions of the Death Zone, we break down what makes these towering giants so extreme. Why do some mountains keep growing while others crumble away? How do animals survive in one of the harshest habitats on Earth? And what happens to the human body when you climb above 8,000 meters? (Spoiler: It's not great.) Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are taking you on a wild and chaotic episode of Swamps! Yes, the wetlands that are smelly and gross… much like the opening half of the episode. Mitch takes us on a journey exploring the immune response to food poisoning to shed light on his week and it is fascinating as well as horrifying. Back on track the boys explore what differentiates swamps from other wetland habitats, how important they are for carbon sequestration, and the Surinam Toad… but if you have trypophobia don't listen to that bit! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where we are exploring islands! Islands are one of the most fascinating things for scientists to study and unveil massive amounts of information about the world around us. By looking at island formation we understand continents. By look at animal and plant dispersal methods to islands we extrapolate to population level movements. Islands offer unique looks into evolutionary effects of isolation and specific environmental conditions. So, join us this week as we explore what makes islands so special. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast! Today, we dive into the invisible forces that shape our world. Tom kicks things off by exploring the surprisingly misunderstood emu—are these birds really as dumb as they seem? Mitch takes us on a journey through the oceans and the cosmos to unravel the mysteries of tidal forces. What causes tides, and what are their broader impacts? Tom then heats things up, delving into kinetic and potential energy to explain why things get hot and how heat transfers across materials and systems. Finally, Mitch wraps up the episode with a look at the Casimir effect and the strange behavior of quantum mechanics. Music: HOME - AWAY.

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where Tom is a lone rambling madman taking you through one of his favourite science topics: Vocal Learning. Where does language come from? Why do different places have different dialects or accents? How can we learn where language has come from through the comparative assessment of behaviour with other animals? Well, you're in the right place to get all of the background information on this complex topic! Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we looking into the invisible forces that hold together our very existence. From gravity to magnetism, the universe is ruled by invisible forces we can't see but feel every day. This week, Mitch breaks down the four fundamental forces of nature, exploring how they hold everything together—from atoms to galaxies. Meanwhile, Tom dives into the weird world of magnetism, uncovering how spinning electrons create powerful, unseen fields and why magnetism and electricity are really the same thing. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are exploring Microplastics! Microplastics are everywhere—in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. But what happens when they make their way inside our bodies? In this episode, we explore how microplastics enter the human system, where they accumulate, and what the latest research says about their potential health effects. From their presence in human blood, lungs, and even placentas, to concerns about inflammation, toxic chemical exposure, and long-term risks, we take a serious look at what these microscopic particles could mean for our health and the future. With plastic production showing no signs of slowing down, are we already past the point of no return? Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are exploring Nothing! No, really… can nothing even exist? Tom takes a look at the philosophical underpinnings of exploring nothingness and the journey some of the most famous minds in history have taken in understanding it. Mitch then takes us into a vacuum to see if these are really places where “nothing” can exist as we would expect. Tom talks about atoms and whether they really are 99.9999% empty and Mitch explains it with Zero Point Energy. The boys end up the show rambling about equations and “nothing”. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week we taking a look at plants. It may seem crazy to ask, but what are plants and why are they so different to animals or fungi? Well, if you are curious then find out here! Tom looks at some crazy plant behaviours and then explains how plants will communicate to each other. Mitch on the other hand looks at ballistic seed dispersal and carnivorous plants. P.S. Tom's audio is of potato quality because of technical difficulties and so we apologise if this is insufferable for anyone and understand if you skip this episode. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week are diving into the world of cognitive biases! Where do they come from and how does it impact our day to day lives? Mitch looks at the current TikTok banning as a springboard to assess the reactance bias, why are we reluctant to do things that we are told to do? He then dives into cognitive dissonance where we question performing actions that go against our morals but find ways to justify it. On the other side, Tom takes a question based approach looking at the study of heuristics and how we have to be careful of cognitive biases in science. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast for our first show of the year where we will be looking at habits and resolutions! The boys explore the difference between habits and routines and the habit loop so you can understand how to best form new behaviours! Tom explores the brain and neuroscience behind habit formation while Mitch enlightens us on the difference between motivation and discipline. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast for our final show of the year. Join the boys as they take a festive approach to science exploring the past year and rambling all the way. Mitch explores where Christmas as a holiday originated along with its various traditions such as gift giving and lights in our trees. Tom looks at the neuroscience behind finding and receiving the perfect gift as well as some festive biology and finally some facts! The boys take a chill approach to the final show of the year so sit back and relax and we'll see you all next year.  Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where Tom is a lone rambling madman taking you through one of his favourite science topics: Vocal Learning. Where does language come from? Why do different places have different dialects or accents? How can we learn where language has come from through the comparative assessment of behaviour with other animals? Well you're in the right place to get all of the background information on this complex topic! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where we're exploring the incredible: Australia! We've been away for a little while so we're a bit rusty and tangents are abound in this episode (so be warned). But why does Australia host such a diverse range of species? Why do some of those species hop as their main form of locomotion and have their underdeveloped young crawl up into their puch after 30 days of pregnancy? Yes, Kangaroos are that weird. And why can everything kill you out there? Well, look no further as we have the answers! Music: HOME - AWAY

This week on the Information Entropy Podcast, Mitchell takes the mic solo to explore the vast world of the Internet. He dives into its fascinating origins with ARPANET, traces its evolution through the rise of the World Wide Web, and examines the modern landscape shaped by social media and the Internet of Things (IoT). It's a journey through the technology that connects us all. Tune in, subscribe, and join the conversation!

In this episode, we're diving into the science of food preservation. Ever wondered how we've gone from food spoiling in days to some items lasting years? We'll explore the evolution of preservation techniques, from ancient methods like salting and fermentation to the modern-day chemistry of preservatives and refrigeration. Join us as we break down how these techniques work, the science behind keeping food fresh, and what's really happening at the molecular level to make your food last. Music: HOME - AWAY

On this Halloween episode, we're diving into the science of fear. From the alarms set off in our brains to the psychological forces that drive our survival instincts, we're unpacking what fear really is and why it shapes us so deeply. We'll trace fear's roots back to our earliest ancestors, explore how it lingers in our memories, and examine why some fears are impossible to shake. Dim the lights and settle in as we take a closer look at the science lurking behind what makes us afraid. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast, where today Tom and Mitch are exploring how diseases evolve and their impact on humanity! So, what even is a disease anyway and how do they act on the human (or other) system? What types of diseases are there and how are they classified? How have past diseases impacted human evolution and what remnants are we still carrying around today because of them? Well, Mitch and Tom have all the answers! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast, where today Tom and Mitch finish their exploration of space and the secrets that it holds within. What is dark energy and is this something that we can observe or measure? Mitch has the answers! Tom instead takes us down the path of the dark worlds in our solar system, exploring the largest bodies in our solar system that are not quite planets. Finally the boys explore the cosmic web, the largest structure of the universe that connects most of the galaxies to one another, and the fermi paradox! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast, where today Tom and Mitch are exploring the secrets of space! What do we not know about up there in the great expanse? What do we think we know about but may hide secrets we are yet to uncover? Tom explores exoplanets and how we investigate their atmospheric composition from Earth. Mitch enlightens us on the topics of dark matter and dark energy what are they anyway? Between those and other topics the boys tangent their way to other exciting mysteries Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where we're diving into chaos… literally, what is that? Tom covers a quick definition of chaos and what that means for the scientific world while exploring population dynamics and how they model these intricate systems while accounting for unpredictable variability. Mitch describes the differences between chaos and randomness and how chaos is utilised within modern cryptography and cybersecurity to protect your information!  Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast we're diving into the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) world of animals in science… what's really going on? From life-saving medical research to quirky behavioral studies, we're exploring the why, how, and what of using animals in experiments. Over 115 million animals are used in scientific research around the globe each year and play a crucial role in understanding diseases, testing treatments, and ensuring the safety of new products. Hopefully today we will give you all the information necessary for you to feel informed and make a decision about how you feel on the subject. If you already have an opinion hopefully you learn some new things and can be open to exploring others opinions, even if you disagree! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we embark on a deep dive into the theory of evolution. Starting with the basics of what evolution is, we explore how life on Earth has developed and diversified over millions of years. We break down the key mechanisms—natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow—and discuss how these forces shape entire populations. Plus, we tackle the complexities of speciation, looking at how new species emerge from common ancestors. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are exploring the extraordinary evolution of flight in the animal kingdom! The boys tangent their way to the topic today exploring the four evolutionary origins of flight: Insects, Pterosaurs, birds, and bats. What adaptations do/did they possess that make flight possible and why have some bird species lost flight? Find out all this and more! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the second instalment of the debate on Nature vs. Nurture! The boys wrap up this topic with interesting discussions on exactly what it is that makes us, us! Mitch dives into mental health disorders and how much of it is a predisposition and how much is your environment. Tom looks at our all-round personality from the side of nature vs nurture, how much of your decisions and internal characteristics are you born with? From Freud to Skinner, all will be revealed! The boys end the show exploring various twin studies and their importance in this subject area. Music: HOME - AWAY

Are you shaped by your genes, or moulded by your environment? This week we're diving deep into the age-old debate of Nature vs. Nurture! From twin studies to epigenetics, we're exploring whether you're a product of your DNA—or just the world around you. Tune in to find out if your quirks are wired in, or you gained them along the way! Music: HOME - AWAY

This week Tom and Mitch investigate genetics and Inheritance! Ever wondered why you have the hair colour or type that you do? Why are there so many breeds of dogs yet they are still considered a single species? Well this is where to find out! Tom explains what genes are and how they are inherited, including dominant and recessive alleles. Mitch explains in detail Mendel's laws of inheritance and introduces us to important genetic concepts and The Incredibles.  Music: HOME - AWAY

This week Tom and Mitch investigate Light! Because what is it really? Well Tom reveals the secrets on what light might be and whether photons are actual particles or not and how light interacts with matter. Mitch then dives deep into the electromagnetic spectrum and the doppler effect and whether light is a wave, a particle, both, or something entirely different? Music: HOME - AWAY

This week Tom and Mitch revisit geoengineering! The boys set out defining the topic again and how that has changed since we last visited the topic… which is a lot! Mitch takes us through the main methods and technologies involved in geoengineering: solar radiation management, aimed at reflecting sunlight away and carbon dioxide removal, aimed at treating the cause of climate change. Tom then dives into ocean specific measures that we can take to combat climate change. But the biggest question of it all… is it an ethical practice? Music: HOME - AWAY

This week Tom and Mitch are back to speak about senses! Mitch goes through the various human senses and explains how various disorders can effect the way they work and we experience the world. Tom takes a quick look at synaesthesia exploring what happens when neurological sense processes are interconnected. Mitch then rounds out the show with the much-awaited visual snow update! Music: HOME – Above AllTop of Form

This week Tom and Mitch revisit the world of senses! A lot has changed in the last two years, so come and find out about the how we perceive the world. I this first instalment, Mitch and Tom set the background of what senses are, how are bodies utilise them, and how they interact. Tom explores the five main senses and some interesting interactions you may not know about. Mitch explores the less known senses that keep us running. And, of course, the boys tangent their way through this show.

This week Tom and Mitch hit the ground running with sports science! Mitch dives right into what happens to our bodies when we exercise. From the muscle activity and build-up of lactic acid to kinetics and how we move. Tom takes a scientific approach looking at the underpinnings of biomechanics and sport psychology. How can we study the movements we make and train our mind to improve performance? Then it all breaks down as the boys debate the animal Olympics, who can jump the highest? Who can lift the most? And which species would win a free-for-all battle royale?

This week Tom and Mitch dive deep into the fascinating world of biohacking and bioengineering! Tom kicks things off with a discussion on the ISS and Neanderthals, then explores the intriguing realm of biohacking, including how to optimize vitamin uptake. Meanwhile, Mitch introduces us to the groundbreaking innovation of xenobots and the exciting field of bioengineering, delving into the potential of neural implants and… grinders? Tune in for a blend of scientific insight and our signature humour!

Just a quick one to explain why no episode this week... Tom didn't download the file :) But that means you should get two episodes next week!

Join us as we dive into the mind-blowing concept of the multiverse! Tom breaks down the basics of what the universe even is and explores the different levels of the multiverse, from bubble universes to parallel worlds. Mitch delves into the origins of multiverse theory, the intriguing bubble universe hypothesis, and the thought-provoking anthropic principles. Plus, expect plenty of laughs and casual banter along the way!

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of extremophiles – the extraordinary organisms that thrive in the most inhospitable places on Earth. From the scorching hot springs to the icy depths of the Antarctic, these resilient creatures will blow your mind! What are extremophiles and why do they matter? What unique adaptations do they have and how did they get them? What do they teach us about potential alien life?

Get ready to dive into the mysterious and marvellous world of Mycology (fungi) on this week's episode of The Information Entropy Podcast! Ever wondered what those mushrooms in your garden are really up to? Or how a slime mould could map the Tokyo subway system? Join us as we uncover the hidden secrets of fungi, from the incredible mycelium networks beneath our feet to the mind-bending powers of psilocybin mushrooms.

Morality! What is it? Where does it come from? And do we all have the same morals? Find out this week as the boys explore this deeply personal and subjective topic. Mitch defines morality for us and the key aspects that underpin it in the scientific community. Tom then explores four key areas of philosophical thought on morality: Kantian, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, and Confucian ethics. The boys then discuss various moral dilemmas and what they would do in that situation.

This week the boys are talking about Conservation! Mitch defines it for us and gives us knowledge on bees! Should we still care about them or are they doing well? Tom takes us on a tour of the IUCN and it's red list of threatened species. How do we help species on the brink of extinction and what about those species that might go extinct before we even have chance to discover that they are there? Music: HOME – Above All

Welcome one and all to episode 100! We made it! On this weeks extra special episode the boys take time out to thank all of you amazing listeners who make this worthwhile. Mitch and Tom take a look back at some of their favourite moments, episodes, and topics. They provide some interesting updates to some old stories and tangent where their hearts desire. So, sit back and relax as the boys reminisce!

Storytelling! Why do we read books? Why do we tell each other stories of the past? Why is this, uniquely human behaviour, ubiquitous across the human race and prevalent in every single culture? Well, sit back and relax this week as we aim to explore just that! Tom explores the evolution of storytelling, was this a relatively new human tradition or did it evolve in a way that was vital to our survival? Mitch looks at the brain regions associated with reading and why it makes us feel the way we do. The boys also explore emotion, storytelling as therapy, and aphantasia/hyperphantasia.