The Lab With Brad

The eight year anniversary of The Lab After eight years of doing our silly science podcast, we're adding something new. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!

The world's tiniest race Join us for a look at a race between molecule sized cars. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos about the nanocar race, and the nano cars that raced in it. NanoCar Race, the first-ever race of molecule-cars Nanocar Race II And here are a couple of articles about the nanocar race, and the nano cars that raced in it. World first microscopic race NANOCAR RACE 2 Result

A little about the very little We start a look at nanotechnology, which is the making and use of the very tiny. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a link to a talk by Richard Feynman, not the original, but a follow up many years later. Richard Feynman "Tiny Machines" Nanotechnology Lecture - aka "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom"

Sticky feet! Many animals, including bugs, can climb vertical surfaces or even upside-down. How? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a few links to more info about geckos, and their sticky little feet. Geckos' Sticky Secret? They Hang by Toe Hairs Sticky Gecko Feet Gecko Grip: It's Atomic (Really) And here are a couple things about the StickyBot. Stanford StickyBot StickyBot - Climbing with dry adhesives

Still stuck on glue We talk of chemical and other forces that make sticky things sticky. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Only one link this time, a video on the invention of post-it notes. Chance Discoveries: Post-it Notes

Hooks and loops and stickiness There isn't just one way that glues work. This time, we look at mechanical forces that attach one thing to another. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos on the invention of super blue. The Story Behind Super Glue How super glue was invented Here's an article on super glue. The Surprising Military History of Superglue And here are two videos on Velcro. A Brief History of: Velcro History of Velcro

When did we find what glue? We start a look at the science of stickiness with a quick historical overview, and a nifty trick with phonebooks. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos from the MythBusters on intermeshed phonebooks. They've both got the same name, but are different videos. MythBusters - Phone Book Friction Mythbusters - Phone Book Friction Here's a video by someone other than the MythBusters, playing with the same thing. Tearing two interlaced phone books apart using two 18 wheeler trucks Here's an article on how and why it is so difficult to separate intermeshed phonebooks. Researchers explain why it's nearly impossible to separate two interleaved phonebooks Here's an article on the history of phonebooks, just for fun. The end of an era: Whatever happened to the phone book? And here are some articles on the history of glues and adhesives. History of Glue The History of Glue | Back Then History The Sticky History of Adhesives

Capitalism vs socialism vs communism vs robots! We compare the three best known economic systems, and take a look at how AI is changing what jobs you can get. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are some articles on the impact of AI on employment. The Impact of AI on Job Roles, Workforce, and Employment: What You Need to Know Machines Will Do More Tasks Than Humans by 2025 but Robot Revolution Will Still Create 58 Million Net New Jobs in Next Five Years Jobs of the future: Jobs lost, jobs gained The impact of artificial intelligence on employment: the role of virtual agglomeration Here are some articles on what capitalism is. What Is Capitalism? - Back to Basics What Is Capitalism? What is Capitalism? Capitalism Explained | Pros and Cons of Capitalism? And here's an article about socialism and communism, and what their differences are. What is the difference between socialism and communism?

What makes a nation wealthy? Time for a look at Adam Smith and his extraordinary book, “The Wealth of Nations.” Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a video and an article about Adam's Smith's nifty book. Adam Smith Tercentenary | The Wealth of Nations The Wealth of Nations And here's a bit about the actual person, Adam Smith. About Adam Smith

What if wealth is more than gold and silver? Let's have a gander at the physiocrats, a French movement that considered farming to be more important than gold. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article about the Physiocrats. The Physiocrats Here's something on hunter gather energy use and food intake. Hunter-Gatherer Energetics and Human Obesity Here's a thumbnail sketch of the history of agriculture. History of Agriculture Here's an article about how hunter gatherers may actually have worked less than farmers, or even modern nine to five folks. Farmers have less leisure time than hunter-gatherers And in case you thought fake news was a new thing, here's an article about an old conspiracy theory that helped fuel the French revolution. Pacte de famine

Folk tales and freaky finance Let's find out how Halloween makes money. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles and a video on the economics of pumpkin farming. The economics of pumpkin patches The Economics of Pumpkin Patches | YouTube Halloween Pumpkins: A Booming Farm Business And here's a short video on how much Americans are expected to spend on Halloween this year—2024. How much money will Americans spend on Halloween this year?

Economics, confusion, and the Dutch puzzle We start our look at the theory of economics, even though, or perhaps because, we don't get it. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a link to the episode in which we take a closer look at how the Dutch became a world power. Ep417: Tall ships and troubled trips And here are a couple of articles on mercantilism. Mercantilism - Econlib Mercantilism

420 for the money A quick look at the business of marijuana. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article on the challenges marijuana businesses face. Why weed companies can't make any money Here's a video about starting a marijuana business in Oregon state. So you want to start a cannabis business—NOW WHAT? Here's a list from Washington state of banks and other businesses that will work with pot based companies. Financial Services Options for Cannabis Retailers Here's an IRS article about the tax issues facing marijuana businesses. Providing resources to help cannabis business owners successfully navigate unique tax responsibilities And here's an article about the trouble pot businesses have finding banking services. The Big Problem for Marijuana Companies? What to Do With All That Cash

Economics, and the start of World War II The federal reserve had complicated reasons not to do their job. This caused a few miner issues, and a major war. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 162 of Episode One: Don't fear the reaper Here's an article about the federal reserve, and what they did and didn't do during the great depression. The Great Depression And here's a little something on the real bills doctrine. Real bills and the Federal Reserve

The great depression The 1930s saw the worst economic downturn in United States history, effecting the entire world. How did this happen? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a few things on the dust bowl and the great depression. Great Depression and the Dust Bowl The Dust Bowl | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 The Dust Bowl and the Depression Why the Dust Bowl Was the Most Devastating Drought in US History What was the Dust Bowl? And here are a few more things on the great depression. The Great Depression Americans React to the Great Depression Great Depression: Causes, Definition & Dates 5 Causes of the Great Depression

When markets crash A bit on the Knickerbocker crisis, and the stock market crash of 1929. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article about the 1929 stock market crash. Stock Market Crash of 1929 And here's something on the 1907 Knickerbocker crisis. The Panic of 1907

Tall ships and troubled trips After a rocky start, the Dutch managed to build enough wooden ships to take over the world, despite having no trees to speak of. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article that outlines the Dutch economy during what is called their golden age. The Dutch Economy in the Golden Age Here's a video about the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch East India Company: The Richest Company In The World Here's a paper on what was learned about Dutch ship building from the wreck of one of their ships. Batavia shipwreck timbers reveal a key to Dutch success in 17th-century world trade And here's a video on 17th century Dutch ship building. 17th century Dutch Shipbuilding

How stock markets began We take a look at the historical beginnings of stock trading and stock markets, with a side order of the Dutch. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles about how stock markets began. History of Stock Market: Everything to Know How it All Started A Brief History of the Stock Market

7 years of the lab, and some upcoming changes Join us to celebrate 7 years of this show, and hear about new projects we've begun. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!

Technical issues! We've been having some trouble with one thing and another, so here's a short apology to let you know we haven't quit, and don't plan to. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!

What are stocks and bonds? I'm sure you've at least heard of stocks and bonds, but, what in the 9 hells are they? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a site on stocks and stock trading. The Basics of Investing In Stocks And here's a site on bonds. Bonds: How They Work and How To Invest

When gold and silver don't deliver It's all about central banks this time, their roll and historical roots. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!

It worked, until it didn't Join us for the Mississippi bubble, when a Scottish gambler and convicted murderer gain control of virtually all French finances. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article about John Law and the Mississippi bubble. John Law and the Mississippi Bubble: 1718-1720 Here's a video on the same thing. John Law and the Mississippi Bubble And here's a much longer, and more detailed video. John Law - The First Financial Engineer - A History of Paper Money and The Mississippi Bubble

It's the beginning of banks baby! Join us for the start of banks and banking, with a side trip to how US money is printed. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's an article about the printing of money in the US. Journey to Circulation Here's a bit about how the federal reserve decided how much new money to order for 2024. Federal Reserve Board - Currency Print Orders Here's a nice outline of the history of banking. The history of banking from ancient times to now And here's a video, obviously meant for children, about how banking got started. HISTORY OF BANKS

Pick a card Join us for the beginnings of paper money and fiat currency. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles about the use of playing cards as money. A Good Deal Playing-Card Money And here's a video about the invention of paper money. Inventing Paper Money

Coin flips and clips Join us as we attempt to figure out where the first coins came from. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of things on Roman coins. Coin Production in the Roman World Ancient Roman Coins: More Than Just Money Rome: A Thousand Years of Monetary History And here's a bit about what might be the first ever coins. The Coinage of Ephesus

Nothing to sneeze at If you don't use gold silver or coins, what does one use for money? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are several links with information, and differing notions, on the sale of Manhattan Island. Keep the Change: The Beads that Bought Manhattan Was Manhattan really sold for $24 worth of beads and trinkets? The Beads That Did Not Buy Manhattan Island Here's more about the use of cacao beans as money. The Maya civilization used chocolate as money Chocolate Currency? And here's a little something about black pepper, and how it was used as money. Black Pepper

Why money? We take a look at economic activity by nonhumans, and the Incas, with a large empire that never used money. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are some links about gift giving in the animal kingdom. Do Animals Give Gifts? Why Dolphins Bring Humans “Gifts” From the Sea at Australian Café Gift giving crows And here's more info about the Incas, and the large empire they controlled that never used money. Inka Economy Economy of the Inca Empire

On silly names and loud voices Let's take a closer look at the sperm whale, with an unfortunate name and the loudest voice in nature. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are links to videos and articles about shattering glass with the human voice. Can You Shatter Glass With Your Voice? Jaime Vendera-Glass Shattering MythBuster MythBusters Episode 31: Breaking Glass Busting Myths About Sound And some links to videos and articles about sperm whales and their very loud voices. Feeling the Force of Sperm Whales Ultrasound Is it true that sperm whales stun giant squid with sonar? Sperm Whales Clicking You Inside Out

On dragons, fire, and breathing For our last question on DND and fantasy fiction, could any animal ever be able to actually breathe fire? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don't DND Here's the website for the Fuel Girls. Fuel Girls - Fire & Pyro Performances Here are a couple of things on the jellyfish sting, and the exploding cells behind it. Jellyfish Sting Mechanism Unveiled; Could Help Design Future Delivery Devices How does a jellyfish sting? And here's one or two things on the bombardier beetle. The Bombardier Beetle And Its Crazy Chemical Cannon Bombardier Beetles Squirt Boiling Anal Chemicals to Make Frogs Vomit

Ouch! 13 types of damage in dungeons and dragons, let's see how many of them we can find amongst actual living creatures. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don't DND. Here's a bit on chicken hypnosis. Can You Hypnotize a Chicken? Here's an article about the firefly that tricks and eats other fireflies. Firefly “femmes fatales” acquire defensive steroids (lucibufagins) from their firefly?prey Here's a silly bit on cats and cucumbers. Why Are Cats Scared of Cucumbers Here are a couple of articles about the Rio Tinto, a brightly colored acidic river. Eukaryotic Organisms in Extreme Acidic Environments, the Río Tinto Case Why the Red River-The Río Tinto in Spain fascinates scientists? Here's a video about several acid shooting animals. These Invertebrates Shoot Acid Here's an article about Japanese honey bees, and how they use heat to defend their hive. Key genes enable Japanese honey bees to roast hornets Here's something on how animals use electricity. The shocking ways wild animals use electricity Here's a video and an article about the sperm whale and it's oh so very loud voice. Feeling the Force of Sperm Whales Ultrasound Is it true that sperm whales stun giant squid with sonar? And here's something on the pistol Shrimp. Pistol Shrimp sonic weapon

To see in the dark In fantasy novels and roll playing games, some characters can see in the dark. What about in real life? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don't DND Here are some articles on human echolocation. Echolocation: How It Works and How to Learn It Human click-based echolocation: Effects of blindness and age, and real-life implications in a 10-week training program Here are some articles about the blind cave fish. Blind Cave Fish Sensory Adaptation for a Cavefish Here are some sites about the star-nosed mole. Inside the Bizarre Life of the Star-Nosed Mole, World's Fastest Eater Learn to smell underwater with the star-nosed mole Here's an article about active electrical sensing in some weakly electric fish. Active electrolocation of objects in weakly electric fish And a bit about the lovely and talented platypus. Platypus Electroreception: Revealing the Hidden Powers

Whose mind is it anyway? Fantasy fiction and DND have charm spells and other ways to control one's mind. We take a look at examples of mind control from nature. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don't DND Here's a paper on false memories. The false memory syndrome Here's a look at parasites that change their host's behavior. An overview of parasite-induced behavioral alterations And here's a video about parasites that change their host's behavior. How parasites change their host's behavior

Healing, magic, and science For our first episode on the science behind dnd and popular fantasy tropes, we search for healing magic in our actual factual world. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to “Girls Who Don't DND” for sending us the recorded questions we're answering. Here's a link to another science podcast and their rather well done episode on placebos. Placebo: Can the Mind Cure You? Here's a link to a paper on studying the power of prayer to heal. Prayer and healing

Things get dicey We celebrate our 400th episode with the math behind rolling at advantage and disadvantage in D and D. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a link to a site that gives you a simple table you can use to look up the probabilities. Probabilities for Advantage and Disadvantage And here's a link to a video that goes into detail of the math behind rolling at advantage and disadvantage. The unexpected logic behind rolling multiple dice and picking the highest.

Of birds and binary We examine the game of chicken, also called hawks and doves, plus a bit on bits and binary. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 151 of Episode One: How many chickens does it take to…? Here are a couple of videos on the game of chicken, which in game theory, is also called hawks and doves. Game of Chicken / Hawk-Dove Game Theory 101: The Hawk-Dove Game

Phil plays anyway This week, we hurt Phil's brain with the game multi-heap nim. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!

Patrick plays anyway We take a quick look at combinatorial game theory by playing a nice simple game. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 149 of Episode One: Games, movies, and camel spiders Here's a video about a 1960s toy that plays the same game we did. The Unbeatable Game from the 60s: Dr NIM And if you've got a 3d printer handy, this link will let you build one for yourself. The Amazing Dr. Nim Scale Model

The unfortunate affair of the sacred chicken We get some backstory for Twibble and Fidget, as we examine the prisoners' dilemma. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles about the prisoner's dilemma. Survival of the nicest? The Prisoner's Dilemma and the "Virtues" of Tit for Tat

The adventures of Twibble and Fidget, part 2 Using hints from 391, 392 and 393, we finish a D and D like game, for science! Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here's a link to a site offering help for those struggling with a gambling addiction. Or you can call the number. 1-800-gambler Here's a link to the podcast that inspired this madness. Girls Who Don't D and D