Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where Tom is back at his lone ramblings on Vocal Learning. In the previous episodes Tom explored what vocal learning is and how we categorise/define it. This week Tom is taking a look at the implications of being able to choose when to vocalise. A crucial underpinning of proper language use is our ability to produce the sounds when we want to, but what if we can’t? How do other species compare? How do we even test it to find out? Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where this week, we’re climbing to new heights—literally—as we take a deep dive into the science of mountains! From the violent tectonic forces that build them to the brutal conditions of the Death Zone, we break down what makes these towering giants so extreme.

Why do some mountains keep growing while others crumble away? How do animals survive in one of the harshest habitats on Earth? And what happens to the human body when you climb above 8,000 meters? (Spoiler: It’s not great.) Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are taking you on a wild and chaotic episode of Swamps! Yes, the wetlands that are smelly and gross… much like the opening half of the episode. Mitch takes us on a journey exploring the immune response to food poisoning to shed light on his week and it is fascinating as well as horrifying. Back on track the boys explore what differentiates swamps from other wetland habitats, how important they are for carbon sequestration, and the Surinam Toad… but if you have trypophobia don’t listen to that bit! Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where we are exploring islands! Islands are one of the most fascinating things for scientists to study and unveil massive amounts of information about the world around us. By looking at island formation we understand continents. By look at animal and plant dispersal methods to islands we extrapolate to population level movements. Islands offer unique looks into evolutionary effects of isolation and specific environmental conditions. So, join us this week as we explore what makes islands so special. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast! Today, we dive into the invisible forces that shape our world. Tom kicks things off by exploring the surprisingly misunderstood emu—are these birds really as dumb as they seem? Mitch takes us on a journey through the oceans and the cosmos to unravel the mysteries of tidal forces. What causes tides, and what are their broader impacts? Tom then heats things up, delving into kinetic and potential energy to explain why things get hot and how heat transfers across materials and systems. Finally, Mitch wraps up the episode with a look at the Casimir effect and the strange behavior of quantum mechanics. Music: HOME - AWAY.

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where Tom is a lone rambling madman taking you through one of his favourite science topics: Vocal Learning. Where does language come from? Why do different places have different dialects or accents? How can we learn where language has come from through the comparative assessment of behaviour with other animals? Well, you're in the right place to get all of the background information on this complex topic! Music: HOME – AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we looking into the invisible forces that hold together our very existence. From gravity to magnetism, the universe is ruled by invisible forces we can’t see but feel every day. This week, Mitch breaks down the four fundamental forces of nature, exploring how they hold everything together—from atoms to galaxies. Meanwhile, Tom dives into the weird world of magnetism, uncovering how spinning electrons create powerful, unseen fields and why magnetism and electricity are really the same thing. Music: HOME - AWAY

Welcome back to the Information Entropy Podcast where today we are exploring Microplastics! Microplastics are everywhere—in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. But what happens when they make their way inside our bodies? In this episode, we explore how microplastics enter the human system, where they accumulate, and what the latest research says about their potential health effects. From their presence in human blood, lungs, and even placentas, to concerns about inflammation, toxic chemical exposure, and long-term risks, we take a serious look at what these microscopic particles could mean for our health and the future. With plastic production showing no signs of slowing down, are we already past the point of no return? Music: HOME - AWAY