Vaguely Scientific

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Our panelists answer questions that range from the serious to the ridiculous using as much science as they can muster! Hosts Jim, Derek, and a rotating panel use their expertise (or lack thereof) to answer your questions in a manner that can only be described as "vaguely scientific."

Vaguely Scientific


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 187 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Vaguely Scientific

    Vaguely Extra #13: Old Timey Outtakes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 50:38


    We have some fresh new outtakes to share with everyone! These ones are (checks notes) three years old. Oops. Not so fresh anymore. You might have to dig into our back catalogue to figure out what we were talking about between episodes 92 and 104. Or not. They're fun either way!

    Vaguely Scientific #174: That's Thermodynamics, Baby

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 59:22


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jeremiah to figure out how they can walk on lava for fun (and maybe profit). Then, we try planting enough plants so that we can perpetually live in a sealed environment.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jeremiah

    Vaguely Scientific #173: We're Not Gonna Say No to a Lightsaber

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 54:57


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss which fictional tools, weapons, or other gizmos we would choose if we could have one. Then, would intelligent zombies be more or less dangerous than regular ones?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel

    Vaguely Scientific #172: Fire Hates Rabbits

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 56:20


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sydney to discuss why the smoke from a campfire always follows you specifically. Then, what would OSHA look like in a world chock full of superheroes.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sydney

    Vaguely Scientific #171: She's Right, But WHAT?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 86:09


    In our 2025 April Fools Extravaganza, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin to answer our shortest and sweetest questions. We also play a game of Science Fact and Fiction and read through the best spam of all!  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Justin

    Vaguely Scientific #170: Save It for Later

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 59:11


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to discuss what we would put into a time capsule for future generations. Then, why does it throw us off when we hear our own voice echoed back to us through a headset?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra

    Vaguely Scientific #169: The Glasserole

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 69:19


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne to discuss whether or not it would be possible to actaully create Captain America in our world. Then, if we could sit down with three scientists of our choosing, who would we pick, and what would we serve? And how terrible can a scientist really be?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Anne

    Vaguely Scientific #168: Spooky Gravity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 55:12


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Brian to discuss whether or not a ghost could ride a human elevator. Clearly they can ride ghost elevators. Then, which movies would have wildly different outcomes if the characters had cell phones.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Brian

    Vaguely Scientific #167: A Less Pleasant Way to Decelerate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 53:17


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to determine how badly plummeting to the ground in an indestructible case might actually be. Then, can we make a perpetual motion machine? The answer won't surprise you.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jonathan

    Vaguely Scientific #166: 30 Horses on Individual Hamster Wheels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 58:49


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Mark to discuss why people like rhymes. Then, can we bolt an infinite number of horses to a carriage to make it go infinitely fast?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Mark

    Vaguely Scientific #165: Arizona Is a Real Place That Still Exists

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 52:12


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to try and figure out how Merlin could have lived his life in reverse. Then, why do we continue to live in a place where the air hurts our face? Well, where else would we go?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris

    Vaguely Scientific #164: The Jolly Prometheus

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 65:33


    In this very festive episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss the different types of Frosties we might get if we change out his hat or emotions (or both). Then, could you make and live in a real gingerbread house? And finally, what obscure media would we turn into a Hallmark ornament? Also, do we even know any media that's particularly obscure?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe

    Vaguely Scientific #163: Peppers Are Berries

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 55:41


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Aly to discuss tomatoes as fruit, mushrooms as vegetables, and how multiple things can be true by stretching definitions. Then, we look at some of the best species team-ups in nature.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly

    Vaguely Scientific #162: Where in the Toy Is the Soul?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 57:02


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dac to try and figure out how Katamari balls in Katmarai Damacy stick everything together. Then, we examine the toy society of Toy Story.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dac

    Vaguely Scientific #161: A Living Creature That Will Swallow Your Mail

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 56:59


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Big A to talk about how life might be different if we had perfect memory. Then, what appliances could we replace with animals like the Flintstones do?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Big A

    Vaguely Scientific #160: Vaguely Spooky 7 - Spooky Scary Skeletons

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 50:41


    In this Halloween adventure, Jim and Derek are joined by Jeremiah and Spooky Dave to figure out how to scare someone so bad that their hair turns white. Then, how do skeletons move even though they have no muscles or any other connective tissue? And finally, what's the best way to hand out your trick or treat candy?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Spooky Dave, Jeremiah 

    Vaguely Scientific #159: Hibernation Grime

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 60:39


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Catherine to try and figure out why we are frequently wide awake at bedtime and super sleepy in the mid-afternoon. Speaking of sleep, we discuss how life might be different if humans could hibernate.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Catherine

    Vaguely Scientific #158: Heat Lightning Is Passive Aggressive

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 70:16


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin and Aly to discuss what the world might be like if our moods directly affected the weather. Bring a poncho. Then, if we could go on a field trip with Ms. Frizzle, what would we want to go do?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly, Justin

    Vaguely Scientific #157: Destroying the Food Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 52:45


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss whether Krang from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is secretly a Dalek from Doctor Who. Then, would we rather never have to sleep again or never have to eat again?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel

    Vaguely Scientific #156: The Thumb Wars Meta

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 58:45


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sydney to figure out what would happen if we were literally all thumbs. On our hands, mind you. Not, like, our kidneys and shoulders and stuff. Then, it's time for the Animal Olympics! Which animal is doing what event against whom?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sydney

    Vaguely Scientific #155: Why Dog?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 59:59


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne, who helps us to unlock our potential to communicate with animals. Or something like that. Then, what is the best piece of playground equipment? Objectively, of course.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Anne

    Vaguely Scientific #154: Saturn and the Secret Rings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 52:33


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Mark to destroy Saturn's rings once and for all. Then, we desperately try to search through a print book by using Ctrl+F and come up short.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Mark

    Vaguely Scientific #153: Side Effects Include

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 59:39


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to try to pinpoint all of the dangerous near-Earth asteroids and destroy them! Or something like that. Then, we try to translate video game stat buffs over to the real world.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris

    Vaguely Scientific #152: Plantimals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 59:04


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to ponder how a raven is like a writing desk. Somehow there are more similarities than we thought. Then, we discuss how life might be different if humans were somehow able to photosynthesize.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra

    Vaguely Scientific #151: More Mass Than Exists in the Solar System

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 67:00


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss the types of jobs that AI would hate doing just as much as we do. Then, how can we more effectively harness all the wasted energy coming out of the sun?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe

    Vaguely Scientific #150: Helicopter Polo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 61:08


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Ryan to discuss how we could bring the sport of Quidditch into the real world. Then, would we rather fight 100 trilobite-sized Hulks or 1 Hulk-sized trilobite? The answer may not surprise you!  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Ryan

    Vaguely Scientific #149: Elisha Otis Is Worthy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 55:09


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dave to discuss whether or not elevators are worthy enough to lift Thor's hammer. Then, we discuss what is more ridiculous--hollow Earth or flat Earth. Not that they're not both ridiculous. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dave

    Vaguely Scientific #148: Being Kind to the T-Rexes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 54:35


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to discuss which dinosaur species could cause the most ecological damage if we brought it back to life? Then, what is computer hacking really like? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jonathan

    Vaguely Scientific #147: A Whole Other Cannibalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 68:21


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Aly to talk about how delicious human-shaped creatures like Saiyans and elves must be. Then, we ascribe genres to our favorite animals.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly

    Vaguely Scientific #146: All the Real Life Pokémon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 58:20


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dac to discuss which Pokémon could exist in the real world. Then, we flip that question on its head to talk about which animals could be Pokémon.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dac

    Vaguely Scientific #145: Indeterminately Research-Based

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 64:20


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin to answer those fun and silly April Fools-style questions. Oh, sorry. I meant to say that Mark and Jonathan are joined by Justin to answer those very serious and normal science-based questions.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Justin, Mark(?), Jonathan(?)

    Vaguely Scientific #144: You'd Be a Human on Jupiter in the Clouds Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 52:57


    In this episode, Jeremiah joins us for the first time(?) to discuss how a shrink ray might work. Then, we try to determine how long a dead body could float around in outer space before decomposing.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jeremiah 

    Vaguely Scientific #143: Derek Has a Breakthrough

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 61:01


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss putting fun computer chips into our brains! Then, we take a deep breath and dive into a world where humans no longer had to breathe.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel

    Vaguely Scientific #142: What's the Point of Chess, Really?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 57:14


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to discuss why we would want to program a computer to be good at chess. Then, we talk about non-carbon-based life forms and what those might look like.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris

    Vaguely Scientific #141: Let's Not Burn Down the Internet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 55:09


    In this episode, Big A returns to talk about what kinds of wild things would happen if the internet were to suddenly shut down. Then, we look at artificial islands and whether or not that whole thing is worth the effort.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Big A

    Vaguely Scientific #140: More Glaives in More Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 71:35


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Adam to figure out how to jam humans into carnivorous plants. Then, we look at how fictional weapons were inspired by real weapons.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Adam

    Vaguely Scientific #139: A Polar Bear in Every Kitchen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 51:50


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin to discuss where Jörmungandr might be hiding. He's a beefy snek! Then, where's the nearest bear? It's much closer than you think! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Justin

    Vaguely Scientific #138: Everybody Is Committed to Snow War

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 59:57


    In this festive episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne to discuss what the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future get up to when they're not bothering Scrooge. They gotta keep busy somehow. Then, could there be a real snowball war?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Anne

    Vaguely Scientific #137: All Words Are Made Up and Don't Matter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 56:03


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sydney to discuss all the different sizes of rocks. Riveting! Then, we contemplate what flavor our teeth are. Finally, what are we thinking about and, more importantly, how are we thinking about it?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sydney

    Vaguely Scientific #136: Chicken Tastes Like Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 57:04


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss why people say that everything tastes like chicken. Then, we analyze the anatomy of many sci-fi aliens.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe

    Vaguely Scientific #135: Chucking Hammers in Lava

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 62:00


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Mark to discuss what superheroes might work best to avert historical disasters. Then, we try to figure out what exactly volcanologists do.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Mark

    Vaguely Scientific #134: Vaguely Spooky 6 - A Bloody Craving

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 58:11


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Brian and Spooky Dave to talk about why vampires drink human blood and not, say, a horse's blood. Then, could a War of the Worlds-style panic happen today? Finally, we discuss our favorite Halloween costumes of days gone by.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Brian, Dave

    Vaguely Scientific #133: Strong Lawn Feelings

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 60:35


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Adam to discuss how humans might be able to get wings and if they could use them. Then, we talk about how stupid grass lawns are.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Adam

    Vaguely Scientific #132: Captain All of the Elements

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 63:24


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to discuss whether there's any relation between the Pokémon Kabutops and Scyther. Then, what kinds of weird powers could we gain if we were able to manipulate the elements of the periodic table in the same way cartoon characters can manipulate earth, fire, water, and wind?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jonathan

    Vaguely Scientific #131: Calzone Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 50:28


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dac to try and figure out where Charmander's fire and Squirtle's water come from. Then, what would happen if Earth were to suddenly become flat? Everyone would probably die. But what else? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dac

    Vaguely Scientific #130: Vampire Entrapment Laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 61:33


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin and Aly to try to figure out what Scooby Snacks are made out of. Then, we tackle the most vital law enforcement question of our time: can a vampire cop enter your house without permission?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly, Justin

    Vaguely Extra #12: Episode 88 Bonus Question

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 11:46


    Way back in Episode 88 (Justin: Time), we had actually planned and recorded a whole third question. However, we had so much other content from the first two questions that we had to cut it for time.  So here it is in all of its glory! 

    Vaguely Scientific #129: Political Mosquitoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 56:59


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Catherine to talk about viewing our dreams using fancy pants technology. Then, we exterminate all mosquitoes! But is that a very good idea?  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Catherine

    Vaguely Scientific #128: That Sinking Feeling

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 51:03


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to discuss building a city on the bottom of the ocean. Then, we 3D print a delicious steak dinner!  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra

    Vaguely Scientific #127: A Whale of a Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 49:53


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Andy because we're all earthworms now, and we need to decide the best place to live. Then, we get swallowed by a whale and have to figure out how to live in its stomach. It's been an eventful day.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Andy

    Vaguely Scientific #126: Think Happy Thoughts or Fall Out of the Sky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2023 51:09


    In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dave to discuss what Peter Pan's pixie dust does to help people fly. Then, we go out in search of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dave

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