What The If?

In this week's episode, "MUON Madness!", Matt and I dive into the enigmatic world of muons. If you're scratching your head wondering what muons are, you're not alone. But by the end of this episode, you'll be as fascinated by them as we are. Muons are more than just subatomic particles; they're potential game-changers in the realm of physics. Matt breaks down why these tiny particles are drawing so much attention from the scientific community. Think of them as the unsung heroes that could unlock new layers of understanding about our universe. So grab your headphones and tune in. If you're intrigued by the mysteries of the universe, this episode is for you. We explore some of the biggest questions in science, and trust me, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the world of muons! --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Hey there, science enthusiasts! It's Philip here. Remember to don your goggles, hazmat suits, and an open mind as Gaby Paniccia and I dive deep into one of the wildest "What The IF?" scenarios yet. Ever imagined a world where humans act like locusts? Yep, we're talking about full-blown human swarms! Whether you've found yourself amidst a swarm, led one, or even (dare I say) started one, join us for a thrilling exploration of this bizarre parallel universe. From Taylor Swift's super-fans to the fascinating behavior of locusts, this episode promises a roller-coaster of thought experiments and scientific insights. Don't miss out! --- Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story publication! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Hello, fellow science enthusiasts! It's Philip here, inviting you to dive into the latest episode of "What The IF?" with Gaby and me. This week, we stumbled upon an enthralling piece from the New York Times that tickled our curiosity and set the stage for our latest "IF." What's the "IF," you ask? Well, every week we pick one aspect of the universe, give it a little twist, and let our imaginations run wild as we explore the boundless consequences that unfold. In this episode, we're "Recording BRAINS!" Imagine a world where we could record our thoughts, memories, and emotions like a podcast episode. Would you hit play? We dissect this radical idea, venturing from cutting-edge neuroscience to the ethical quagmires of such a capability. It’s a cerebral journey that's part science, part fiction, and entirely exhilarating. Join us as we chart a course through the scientific and philosophical landscapes that such a world would shape. We promise it's a thought-provoking ride that will leave your neurons firing in delight! So grab your headphones, press play, and let's break the universe together – one "IF" at a time. --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Hey there, fellow Iffers! It's Philip here, and do I have a treat for you. Dive into our latest episode, "Space JUNK!", an electrifying rollercoaster of discoveries and discussions that might just be a tad messier than usual. But as Matt rightly asks, how different is that from our regular antics, right? Well, this episode is special. Not just because we dive deep into the vast expanse of space and the intriguing debris that dances within it, but also because this thrilling topic was suggested by none other than our super-duper iffer, Dan! So, grab your space helmets, make sure your anti-junk shield is activated, and journey with Matt and me into the great cosmic junkyard. And hey, if you've ever wondered if there's a "What The IF?" t-shirt or hoodie floating out there amidst the stars... well, you'll just have to tune in to find out! --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

In this episode of "What The IF?", we, Matt, Gaby, and Philip, start by musing about a hypothetical meal with a young, pre-beard Abraham Lincoln. We then explore the implications of the recent scientific discovery of worms resuscitated after being frozen for 46,000 years in Siberian permafrost. We dissect this extraordinary survival mechanism and examine its potential application to humans. The conversation culminates in an unusual scenario: walking into a Ben and Jerry's and requesting to be frozen for a similar time span. This episode offers an in-depth exploration of the concept of time travel, drawing on a recent scientific discovery and our collective imaginations. --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Today’s cover art is by our Super IFFer listener, Josh Haberman! It’s inspired by our episode “Underwater Civilizations” and he says, it’s inspired by something Gaby said in the show. Josh explains: “I think the description was along the lines of "We're setting up on a beach and marching out of the water are heavy metal merpeople blitzed out in whalebone armor with breathing bladders over their heads". I used jellyfish as the breathing bladders though I don't know if that would work science wise XD.”We thank you Josh! See more of Josh’s work on his homepage: https://artofjoshhaberman.blogspot.com/And we encourage all of you to send in your artwork inspired by anything in the IF’s of the past or present! In this week’s episode, dive into the thrilling cosmic wilderness as your hosts, Philip and Gaby, grapple with space vacuum monsters! This exhilarating journey is filled with metaphoric Kaiju, colossal cosmic beings that inhabit the most inhospitable corners of the universe. As we navigate this celestial safari, we challenge the tenets of physics, question the nature of emptiness, and confront the enigmatic denizens of the cosmic vacuum. Philip and Gaby, armed with curiosity and a sense of adventure, are your guides through the fascinating world of theoretical possibilities. Drawing from Gaby's expertise in virology and Philip's knack for storytelling, they entertain and educate with a unique blend of scientific insight and sci-fi wonder. Tune in to discover the unimaginable realities that could exist beyond our terrestrial sphere. In "Space Vacuum MONSTERS!", we delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, venturing into thought experiments and scientific speculations. Each moment is a collision of knowledge and imagination, as we bring science, philosophy, and the joy of "what if" to your ears. Whether you're a scientist, a sci-fi fan, or just a curious mind looking for an intriguing listen, this episode promises a riveting exploration of the cosmic unknown. --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Welcome to the latest episode of "What The IF?" titled "Underwater Civilization". Join hosts Philip, Gaby, an insightful virologist from Rockefeller University, and Matt, a historian of science from New York University, as they embark on a fascinating journey through an alternate universe. This episode poses the thought-provoking question: "What if humans had evolved tool use while still living in the ocean?" Our hosts dive into the depths of this hypothetical scenario, exploring the scientific, philosophical, and practical implications of humanity's underwater evolution. From the adaptations necessary for underwater tool use to the societal structures that might have arisen in an oceanic civilization, they navigate a sea of possibilities in their typically engaging and humorous style. Don't miss this mind-expanding journey into the uncharted waters of human evolution. Immerse yourself in the world of "What The IF?" and let your imagination swim with the currents of this underwater exploration. Dive in and explore the depths of your curiosity like never before! --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Hold onto your headphones, folks! In this eye-opening episode of "What The If?", our intrepid podcasters, Philip, Matt, and Gaby, contemplate an unfathomable query from our Super Iffer listener and Patreon supporter Dan: What would happen to humanity if we developed without the sense of sight? Diving into uncharted territory, they'll tackle everything from biology to sociology, evolution to epistemology. They'll explore a realm where the remaining senses - smell, sound, and touch - are heightened and hold dominion. With playful banter, they discuss complex concepts like the potential development of unique sensory organs, similar to those found in certain bats and cave-dwelling fish, and contemplate the broader implications on science and society. Get ready for a fascinating journey that investigates what life might be like if we never the ability to see. From the inception of sight in our ancient fish ancestors to the possibility of an entirely different evolutionary path, this episode is guaranteed to leave you with food for thought. As always, the goal is to expand your mind until it exclaims "What The If?!" Don't miss this sensory adventure! --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

In this exciting episode of "What The If?" Philip, Matt, and Gaby delve into a cosmic "What If?" scenario that's full of scientific discoveries and hilarious tangents. Imagine a universe filled with phosphorus! As much as you want, wherever you swing your arms. Our intrepid explorers uncover the surprisingly central role of phosphorus in our daily lives, making up about 1% of our bodies and playing a crucial role in everything from DNA to cell membranes. They explore the wacky world of phosphorus, taking us from the glowing screens of old-style televisions to the unexpected, and somewhat gross, tale of phosphorus' discovery by a 17th-century alchemist (Spoiler: it involves a lot of pee!). The episode doesn't stop at terrestrial tales though, venturing off to the Saturn moon Enceladus and revealing the significance of recent phosphorus findings. Through a captivating mix of chemistry, biology, and astronomy, the trio gives listeners a fascinating glimpse of how this seemingly common element impacts life as we know it, and potentially, life as we might find it elsewhere in the cosmos. --- Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be pre-ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Blade Runner REPLICANTS by Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia