PBS
Is a DOS Attack a Weapon?
Denial of Service (DOS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks take down servers by distracting them with meaningless traffic until basically they can't take it any more. The way we talk about the result of a software program...
PBS
What Happens at the Event Horizon?
What really happens when you approach the event horizon of a black hole?
PBS
Have Gravitational Waves Been Discovered?!?
For the past 90 years, the predictions laid out Einstein's general theory of relativity have continued to be confirmed by experimental science. The last hold out is gravitational waves - the idea that certain gravitational events cause...
PBS
Quantum Invariance & The Origin of The Standard Model
Our laws of physics are equations of motion, along with some associated constants. We've talked about the symmetries of these equations, and how they lead us to conserved quantities. But this is just the tip of the theoretical iceberg -...
PBS
How the T-Rex Lost Its Arms
Tyrannosaurus rex was big, Tyrannosaurus rex was vicious, and Tyrannosaurus rex had tiny arms. The story of how T-Rex lost its arms is, itself, pretty simple. But the story of why it kept those little limbs, and how it used them? Well,...
PBS
Is Homestuck the Ulysses of the Internet?
If you're unfamiliar, Homestuck is a webcomic created Andrew Hussie that is over 5000 PAGES so far! In in its own weird way, Homestuck is a lot like James Joyce's Ulysses, where only the strongest, most dedicated readers make it through...
PBS
Is It Irrational to Believe in Aliens?
Aliens! Could humans really be alone in this expansive universe? And if we're not, how come we've never made contact with other intelligent life? Everyone's thought about it; especially members of the scientific community. Join Gabe as...
PBS
Should the First Mars Mission Be All Women?
Okay, going to Mars is going to be expensive. Not only that, but who we choose to pick on that trip also needs to have the statistically lowest chance of perishing. So it might be the case that our best scenario is all female crew!
PBS
The Last Time the Globe Warmed
Imagine an enormous, lush rainforest teeming with life...in the Arctic. Well there was a time -- and not too long ago -- when the world warmed more than any human has ever seen. (So far)
PBS
Suicide Space Robots
Let's take a moment to remember the selfless sacrifices made by some amazing robotic explorers.
PBS
Life on Europa?
The Hubble Telescope found more evidence of vast plumes of water bursting through the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. What does this tell us about the potential for life on Europa?
PBS
What Do Santa and Wrestling Have In Common?
People love Santa. Christmas is the largest holiday in western culture, and Santa Claus is the centerpiece of that holiday (sorry baby Jesus). But even though our understanding of Santa changes as we mature, we still maintain and...
PBS
The Oh My God Particle
In 1991 a single atomic nucleus slammed into our atmosphere with the intensity of a macroscopic object. It's been named The Oh-My-God particle.
PBS
Is the Web Browser Replacing the Art Gallery?
For the past 200 years, the gallery has been the home of new and cutting-edge art, a place where the art community can come together and share new ideas. In the era of the internet, however, you can view remarkable art from the comfort...
PBS
Are Prime Numbers Made Up?
Is math real or simply something made up by mathematicians? You can't physically touch a number yet using numbers we're able to build skyscrapers and launch rockets into space. Mathematician Kelsey Houston-Edwards explains this...
PBS
Can A Starfox Barrel Roll Work in Space?
The iconic move from Star Fox seems so easy, just press a button and BOOM. The ship rolls. But HOW? Barrel rolls in atmosphere are easy to execute with the use of ailerons, but in space, it's a different issue altogether. With no...
PBS
Quantum Entanglement (The Bohr-Einstein Debate)
Albert Einstein strongly disagreed with Niels Bohr when it came to Bohr's interpretation of quantum mechanics. Quantum entanglement settled the argument once and for all.
PBS
Is Sad Music Actually Sad?
Be it Elliott Smith or Queen, classical or dub step, there's usually a clear understanding that some songs are sad, and some songs are happy. But what is it about the music that makes us feel these feelings we're feeling?
PBS
Are You a Hipster?
We all hate hipsters, right? They seem so smug and arrogant, with their ray bans and scarves and ironic t-shirts. Borrowing from other subcultures, (Handlebar mustaches and flannel shirts), hipsters reappropriate these fashion elements...
PBS
A Visit to Mr. Monfre's Class
Every week, Mr. Monfre's class in Milwaukee, Wisconsin watches Idea Channel, has a great discussion and posts an awesome comment. We were lucky enough to surprise them with a visit to their classroom!!! So come watch as Mike meets the...
PBS
What Happened to the World's Greatest Ape?
Probably twice the size of a modern gorilla, Gigantopithecus is the greatest great-ape that ever was. And for us fellow primates, there are some lessons to be learned in how it lived, and why it disappeared.
PBS
Can Video Games Become the Next Spectator Sport?
As our South Korean friends can confirm, video games can most definitely be a spectator sport. But will they ever catch on in a huge way in the good ol' U.S. of A?
PBS
LIGO's First Detection of Gravitational Waves!
Over 100 years after Einstein proposed his theory of general relativity, we are proud to announce that his final major prediction has been verified! Gravitational waves have officially been detected by LIGO! This is a huge deal and an...
PBS
Singularities Explained
Mathematician Kelsey Houston-Edwards explains exactly what singularities are and how they exist right under our noses.