You can't go anywhere on the internet these days without someone launching something new on the blockchain - a new social network, a currency based on selfies, or a way to fund a trip to the moon! 

Is the blockchain the greatest new technology since podcasts? Or just the latest crazy snake oil to come out of the fevered imagination of the techno-mafia...? 

We explore!

The Wholesome Show is Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant, proudly supported by the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science!

You can't go anywhere on the internet these days without someone launching something new on the blockchain - a new social network, a currency based on selfies, or a way to fund a trip to the moon! Is the blockchain the greatest new technology since podcasts? Or just the latest crazy snake oil to come out of the fevered imagination of the techno-mafia...? We explore! The Wholesome Show is Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant, proudly supported by the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science!

From tales of historical idiocracy and scientific genius to weird and wacky cultural phenomena, Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant are here to take you on a wild conversational journey, deep diving into the crevices of science, history and culture that you never knew existed. 

From tales of historical idiocracy and scientific genius to weird and wacky cultural phenomena, Dr Rod Lamberts and Dr Will Grant are here to take you on a wild conversational journey, deep diving into the crevices of science, history and culture that you never knew existed.

Bizarre science history from academics with beers

A Little Bit Of Science

You can't go anywhere on the internet these days …

In Blockchain We Trust!

What is this bizarre world that we’re living in where meteorologists are getting death threats from conspiracy theorists convinced they're controlling hurricanes, while actual climate science gets ignored? 

We explore the shocking discovery that plants literally scream when stressed (at frequencies we can't hear, but insects definitely can), and uncover the tragic tale of turnspit dogs - a breed we created specifically to be living kitchen appliances before making them extinct when we invented better technology.

Plus, we take a reality check on Silicon Valley's latest obsession with "vibe coding" and AI utopian fantasies, and discover why humans are surprisingly good at rating the attractiveness of animal mating calls (even though we have no idea why). 

From weather warfare theories to screaming gardens, this episode proves that science is always stranger than the conspiracy theories - and infinitely more fascinating.

 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Conspiracy Theories and Election Manipulation

04:40 Meteorologists Under Attack

14:59 Nature Sounds and Animal Communication

20:34 Plants in Distress and Insect Reactions

23:34 The Peculiar Job of Deafening Moths

25:47 Strange and Remarkable Dog Breeds

27:48 The Turnspit Dog: A Kitchen Helper

35:54 The Future of Technology and AI

38:56 Book Review: More Everything Forever

 

More Everything Forever Book: https://amzn.to/3IGKfNG

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/13/pentagon-pizza-delivery-israel-iran-attack

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/rare-dog-breeds-you-never-knew-existed/

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/turnspit-dogs.htm

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/turnspit/

https://futurism.com/conspiracy-meteorologists-hurricanes

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/meteorologists-death-threats-hurricane-conspiracies-misinformation

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hurricane-milton-misinformation-meteorlogist-death-threats-1235130352/

What is this bizarre world that we&rsquo;re living in where meteorologists are getting death threats from conspiracy theorists convinced they're controlling hurricanes, while actual climate science gets ignored?&nbsp;
We explore the shocking discovery that plants literally scream when stressed (at frequencies we can't hear, but insects definitely can), and uncover the tragic tale of turnspit dogs - a breed we created specifically to be living kitchen appliances before making them extinct when we invented better technology.
Plus, we take a reality check on Silicon Valley's latest obsession with "vibe coding" and AI utopian fantasies, and discover why humans are surprisingly good at rating the attractiveness of animal mating calls (even though we have no idea why).&nbsp;
From weather warfare theories to screaming gardens, this episode proves that science is always stranger than the conspiracy theories - and infinitely more fascinating.
&nbsp;
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:11 Conspiracy Theories and Election Manipulation
04:40 Meteorologists Under Attack
14:59 Nature Sounds and Animal Communication
20:34 Plants in Distress and Insect Reactions
23:34 The Peculiar Job of Deafening Moths
25:47 Strange and Remarkable Dog Breeds
27:48 The Turnspit Dog: A Kitchen Helper
35:54 The Future of Technology and AI
38:56 Book Review: More Everything Forever
&nbsp;
More Everything Forever Book: https://amzn.to/3IGKfNG
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/13/pentagon-pizza-delivery-israel-iran-attack">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/13/pentagon-pizza-delivery-israel-iran-attack</a>
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/">https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/</a>
<a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/rare-dog-breeds-you-never-knew-existed/">https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/rare-dog-breeds-you-never-knew-existed/</a>
<a href="https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/turnspit-dogs.htm">https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/turnspit-dogs.htm</a>
<a href="https://a-z-animals.com/animals/turnspit/">https://a-z-animals.com/animals/turnspit/</a>
<a href="https://futurism.com/conspiracy-meteorologists-hurricanes">https://futurism.com/conspiracy-meteorologists-hurricanes</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/meteorologists-death-threats-hurricane-conspiracies-misinformation">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/meteorologists-death-threats-hurricane-conspiracies-misinformation</a>
<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hurricane-milton-misinformation-meteorlogist-death-threats-1235130352/">https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hurricane-milton-misinformation-meteorlogist-death-threats-1235130352/</a>

Hurricane Conspiracies, Screaming Plants, and Turnspit Dogs

People are literally going insane from chatting with AI too much, crayfish are cloning themselves faster than you can say "seafood buffet," and apparently binding books in human skin used to be a legitimate hobby for 19th-century doctors.

Today we're exploring the darker side of science where reality gets a bit too weird for comfort. From digital conversations that literally drive people insane to aquatic creatures having identity crises, these stories prove that sometimes science is more horror movie than textbook.





CHAPTERS:

00:00 The Troubled Life of James Allen

01:24 James Allen's Deathbed Confession

03:19 Chat GPT Psychosis: A New Phenomenon

04:46 Case Studies of Chat GPT Psychosis

10:44 AI's Role in Mental Health Crises

16:16 Ethical Dilemmas in AI and Refugee Representation

22:48 The Marvel of Marbled Crayfish

29:49 Animal Behavior and Cultural Transmission

31:43 Chimpanzee Grass Behavior

33:22 Cultural Transmission in Animals

36:56 The Both Brothers' Innovations

45:51 Human Skin Books

59:23 Listener Contributions and Closing Remarks

 

SOURCES:

People Are Being Involuntarily Committed, Jailed After Spiraling Into "ChatGPT Psychosis"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-06-29/australias-forgotten-inventor-brothers-edward-and-donald-both/105427730

en.wikipedia.orgabc.net.au

A Pet Crayfish Can Clone Itself, and It's Spreading Around the World

People are literally going insane from chatting with AI too much, crayfish are cloning themselves faster than you can say "seafood buffet," and apparently binding books in human skin used to be a legitimate hobby for 19th-century doctors.
Today we're exploring the darker side of science where reality gets a bit too weird for comfort. From digital conversations that literally drive people insane to aquatic creatures having identity crises, these stories prove that sometimes science is more horror movie than textbook.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Troubled Life of James Allen
01:24 James Allen's Deathbed Confession
03:19 Chat GPT Psychosis: A New Phenomenon
04:46 Case Studies of Chat GPT Psychosis
10:44 AI's Role in Mental Health Crises
16:16 Ethical Dilemmas in AI and Refugee Representation
22:48 The Marvel of Marbled Crayfish
29:49 Animal Behavior and Cultural Transmission
31:43 Chimpanzee Grass Behavior
33:22 Cultural Transmission in Animals
36:56 The Both Brothers' Innovations
45:51 Human Skin Books
59:23 Listener Contributions and Closing Remarks
&nbsp;
SOURCES:
<a href="https://futurism.com/commitment-jail-chatgpt-psychosis">People Are Being Involuntarily Committed, Jailed After Spiraling Into "ChatGPT Psychosis"</a>
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-06-29/australias-forgotten-inventor-brothers-edward-and-donald-both/105427730">https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-06-29/australias-forgotten-inventor-brothers-edward-and-donald-both/105427730</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Both?utm_source=chatgpt.com">en.wikipedia.org</a><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-06-29/australias-forgotten-inventor-brothers-edward-and-donald-both/105427730?utm_source=chatgpt.com">abc.net.au</a>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/attack-of-the-crayfish-clones/552236/">A Pet Crayfish Can Clone Itself, and It's Spreading Around the World</a>

Human Skin Books, AI Psychosis, and Self-Cloning Crayfish

Say what you like about Hitler, but he was one driven man. The guy was dead serious about building monster weapons, including a 188 tonne tank to take over the world. Meanwhile, Australian beetles are proving themselves quite driven to get laid, bonking their brains out with empty beer bottles (we love a good alliteration). And teenagers these days? Well they’re creating slang so fast that even AI can’t keep up with them. Sheesh, take it down a notch guys.

Failed Nazi engineering, teenagers breaking AI with their slang, monkey reproductive strategies that would make your biology teacher blush and beetles with absolutely terrible taste in partners. It’s all happening in this one. You’re welcome!



CHAPTERS:

00:00 Hitler's Obsession with Wonder Weapons

00:35 Introducing the Maus: The Heaviest Tank Ever Built

02:01 Off the Charts Specifications of the Maus

07:33 Technical Challenges of the Maus 

14:17 AI Can’t Understand Generation Alpha’s Lingo

24:13 Convergent Evolution 

25:54 Promiscuity and Testicle Size in Mammals

28:50 Dolphins and Their Massive Testicles

30:29 Where Do Human Chins Come From?

32:05 Beer Bonking Beetles

37:34 Feeding Predators to Save Prey. Is it a Good Thing?

 

SOURCES:

Panzer VIII Maus

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/panzer_maus.php

https://www.sciencealert.com/dolphins-got-giant-testicles-we-got-a-chin-only-one-makes-sense

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/convergent-evolution.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/06/19/193493225/the-love-that-dared-not-speak-its-name-of-a-beetle-for-a-beer-bottle

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-with-bec-crew/2015/05/australias-beer-loving-jewel-beetle/

Say what you like about Hitler, but he was one driven man. The guy was dead serious about building monster weapons, including a 188 tonne tank to take over the world. Meanwhile, Australian beetles are proving themselves quite driven to get laid, bonking their brains out with empty beer bottles (we love a good alliteration). And teenagers these days? Well they&rsquo;re creating slang so fast that even AI can&rsquo;t keep up with them. Sheesh, take it down a notch guys.
Failed Nazi engineering, teenagers breaking AI with their slang, monkey reproductive strategies that would make your biology teacher blush and beetles with absolutely terrible taste in partners. It&rsquo;s all happening in this one. You&rsquo;re welcome!
 CHAPTERS:
00:00 Hitler's Obsession with Wonder Weapons
00:35 Introducing the Maus: The Heaviest Tank Ever Built
02:01 Off the Charts Specifications of the Maus
07:33 Technical Challenges of the Maus&nbsp;
14:17 AI Can&rsquo;t Understand Generation Alpha&rsquo;s Lingo
24:13 Convergent Evolution&nbsp;
25:54 Promiscuity and Testicle Size in Mammals
28:50 Dolphins and Their Massive Testicles
30:29 Where Do Human Chins Come From?
32:05 Beer Bonking Beetles
37:34 Feeding Predators to Save Prey. Is it a Good Thing?
&nbsp;
SOURCES:
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_VIII_Maus">Panzer VIII Maus</a>
<a href="https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/panzer_maus.php">https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/panzer_maus.php</a>
<a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/dolphins-got-giant-testicles-we-got-a-chin-only-one-makes-sense">https://www.sciencealert.com/dolphins-got-giant-testicles-we-got-a-chin-only-one-makes-sense</a>
<a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/convergent-evolution.html">https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/convergent-evolution.html</a>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/06/19/193493225/the-love-that-dared-not-speak-its-name-of-a-beetle-for-a-beer-bottle">https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/06/19/193493225/the-love-that-dared-not-speak-its-name-of-a-beetle-for-a-beer-bottle</a>
<a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-with-bec-crew/2015/05/australias-beer-loving-jewel-beetle/">https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-with-bec-crew/2015/05/australias-beer-loving-jewel-beetle/</a>

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