Jotham Austin, II lives in Chicagoland with his wife and two sons. He has his PhD in Botany, and can be found taking electron micrographs of cells at The University of Chicago. His Rom-Com novella, “Tomorrow May Be Too Late” will be published as part of the romance anthology, “Askew Ever After,” January 2021. His debut novel, a sci-fi psychological thriller, ‘Will You Still Love Me, If I Become Someone Else?” will be released February 2021. Jotham recently started a newsletter that explores the science in science fiction (signup at jothamaustin.com). Preorder books and Follow Jotham on social media at https://linktr.ee/Jothamaustin
Joe and Nick discuss eye-related superpowers, Cyclops, Superman, Hawkeye, laser- cells, iris scanning, Bremsstrahlung, eye transplants, Gazerbeam, tetrachromacy, the Pedoscope, and Joe’s x-ray glasses
Welcome to the Shownotes! For the first time the shownotes are organized with timestamps. Let me know what you think about this new format. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
Nick and I are joined by Jordan to talk about cloning pets, Star Wars, Epigenetics, Homunculi, Somatic cells, Gremlins, AntMan, Chromosomes, Woolly Mammoths, Flubber, and what’s in Nick’s Water?
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
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Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction. These cells make up the tissues, organs, and structures of an organism’s body.
Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Human reproductive cells have 23 chromosomes.
Of these pairs, 22 pairs are autosomes, which are the non-sex chromosomes, and one pair is the sex chromosomes, consisting of one X chromosome and one Y chromosome in males (XY) and two X chromosomes in females (XX).
Pluripotent cells are a type of stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into many different cell types in the body.
1. Therapeutic cloning: In therapeutic cloning, pluripotent stem cells are derived from cloned embryos for medical purposes. This process involves creating a cloned embryo using the nucleus of a somatic cell (such as a skin cell) and an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The resulting embryo is allowed to develop for a short period, and pluripotent stem cells are then harvested from it for use in medical research or potentially for therapeutic purposes, such as regenerative medicine.
2. Reproductive cloning: Reproductive cloning involves creating a genetically identical copy of an existing organism. This process typically involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother where it can develop into a cloned organism. Reproductive cloning has been successfully demonstrated in animals, but ethical and technical challenges have largely prevented its application in humans.
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that occur without alterations in the underlying DNA sequence. These changes are heritable and reversible, but they do not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself. Instead, epigenetic mechanisms involve modifications to DNA or associated proteins, such as histones, that regulate gene expression.
1. Frogs (1950s): The first successful experiments in cloning were conducted on frogs by scientists Robert Briggs and Thomas King.
2. Dolly the Sheep (1996): The most famous milestone in cloning history came with the birth of Dolly the Sheep in 1996. Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
3. Subsequent Cloned Animals: Following Dolly’s cloning, scientists around the world cloned various other animals, including mice, cattle, pigs, cats, dogs, and more.
Ethical and Technical Challenges:
Despite the scientific advancements, cloning has faced ethical and technical challenges, including low success rates, health issues in cloned animals, and ethical concerns related to human cloning. These challenges have led to ongoing debates and regulations surrounding the practice of cloning.
The cloning of plants has a longer history than animal cloning and has been practiced for centuries through various traditional methods such as grafting, cuttings, and tissue culture. Here are some key milestones in the history of plant cloning:
1. Tissue Culture Techniques (Late 19th to Early 20th Century): The concept of tissue culture, which involves growing plant cells, tissues, or organs in a nutrient medium under sterile conditions, was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Cloning of Orchids (Late 19th Century): Orchids were among the first plants to be successfully cloned using tissue culture methods. In the late 19th century, botanists began experimenting with tissue culture techniques to propagate orchids on a large scale.
3. Discovery of Plant Growth Regulators (Early to Mid-20th Century): The discovery and understanding of plant growth regulators, such as auxins and cytokinins, in the mid-20th century facilitated the development of more precise methods for plant cloning.
4. Cloning of Woody Plants (Mid-20th Century): In the mid-20th century, researchers began applying tissue culture techniques to clone woody plants such as trees and shrubs.
5. Modern Biotechnology Methods (Late 20th Century to Present): Advances in biotechnology and molecular biology have further enhanced plant cloning techniques.
Cloning pets involves using genetic material from a deceased or living animal to create a genetically identical copy, known as a clone. While the concept of cloning pets has gained attention and interest from pet owners who wish to preserve the genetic lineage of their beloved companions, it remains a controversial and ethically complex practice.
Several companies offer commercial pet cloning services, typically involving the following steps:
1. Genetic Material Collection: DNA samples are collected from the pet to be cloned. This can be done through a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken, usually from the skin.
2. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): The DNA from the donor pet is then inserted into an enucleated egg cell (an egg cell with its nucleus removed) from another animal of the same species. This process is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and is similar to the technique used to clone Dolly the Sheep.
3. Embryo Development: The reconstructed embryo is then cultured in a laboratory until it reaches the appropriate stage for implantation.
4. Implantation: The cloned embryo is implanted into a surrogate mother of the same species, where it can develop and grow until birth.
Nature refers to how genetics influence an individual’s personality, whereas nurture refers to how their environment (including relationships and experiences) impacts their development.
This was the beginning of spermists’ theory, which held that the sperm was in fact a “little man” that was placed inside a woman for growth into a child, a neat explanation for many of the mysteries of conception. It was later pointed out that if the sperm was a homunculus, identical in all but size to an adult, then the homunculus may have sperm of its own.
is an informal fallacy whereby a concept is explained in terms of the concept itself, recursively, without first defining or explaining the original concept.
Nick and I talk about the Event Horizon, Groundhog Day, Evil Dead, Somewhere in Time, Final Destination, Handwavium, Encyclopedia Britannica, Handwashing, Video Game logic and more spacetime stuff.
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
Images from the Fan Event held at Bean Me Up Roastery. And if you missed it, don’t worry we will do one again for our 1 year podcast anniversary!
Joe’s Show Notes:
Time travel: refers to the hypothetical concept of moving between different points in time, either forwards or backwards.
What is a black hole? a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light and other electromagnetic waves, is capable of possessing enough energy to escape it.
In Einstein’s theory of general relativity, making a wormhole is pretty straightforward: You just build a black hole and connect it to a hypothetical white hole (which is the exact opposite of a black hole), and boom, there you have it: a tunnel through space-time.
What is a white hole? a hypothetical region of spacetime and singularity that cannot be entered from the outside, although energy-matter, light and information can escape from it.
What is spacetime? a mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum
The Year Ash ended up in Evil Dead 3 is 1300 AD: Army Of Darkness
Horology: the study of time and the art of measuring it. It involves the design, construction, and maintenance of clocks, watches, and other timepieces.
Chronometry: the science of accurate time measurement
MYTHICAL REFERENCES TO TIME TRAVEL
Hindu mythology, the Vishnu Purana mentions the story of King Raivata Kakudmi, who travels to heaven to meet the creator Brahma and is surprised to learn when he returns to Earth that many ages have passed.
The Buddhist Pāli Canon mentions the relativity of time. The Payasi Sutta tells of one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, Kumara Kassapa, who explains to the skeptic Payasi that time in the Heavens passes differently than on Earth.
The Japanese tale of “Urashima Tarō“, first described in the Manyoshu tells of a young fisherman named Urashima-no who visits an undersea palace. After three days, he returns home to his village and finds himself 300 years in the future, where he has been forgotten, his house is in ruins, and his family has died.
In Jewish tradition, the 1st-century BC scholar Honi ha-M’agel is said to have fallen asleep and slept for seventy years. When waking up he returned home but found none of the people he knew, and no one believed his claims of who he was.
Samuel Madden’s Memoirs of the Twentieth Century (1733) is a series of letters from British ambassadors in 1997 and 1998 to diplomats in the past, conveying the political and religious conditions of the future.
1. Grandfather Paradox: As mentioned earlier, the grandfather paradox involves a time traveler going back in time and preventing their own grandfather from meeting their grandmother, thereby preventing their own birth. This creates a logical contradiction because if the time traveler prevents their own birth, they would not exist to travel back in time in the first place.
2. Bootstrap Paradox: In a bootstrap paradox, an object or information is sent back in time, creating a loop where the object’s origin cannot be determined. For example, a person might travel back in time and give their past self a book containing information about the future. The question then arises: where did the book come from if it was never created?
3. Predestination Paradox: Also known as a causal loop, the predestination paradox occurs when a time traveler’s actions in the past inadvertently contribute to the events they were trying to prevent. This paradox suggests that events are predestined to happen in a certain way, regardless of attempts to change them.
4. Ontological Paradox: Similar to the bootstrap paradox, an ontological paradox involves objects or information that exist without having a discernible origin. For example, a person might receive instructions or blueprints from their future self, allowing them to create a new invention. However, the question remains: who originally created the instructions if they were never created by anyone?
5. Twin Paradox: In the context of special relativity, the twin paradox arises when one twin travels through space at relativistic speeds while the other remains on Earth. When the traveling twin returns, they find that less time has passed for them than for their sibling. This paradox challenges our intuitive understanding of time dilation and the effects of relative motion.
The idea of reversing the rotation of the Earth to travel back in time—pure Handwavium
1. Conservation of Energy and Momentum: Reversing the rotation of the Earth would require an enormous amount of energy and would violate the principles of conservation of energy and momentum. Even if it were somehow possible to reverse the rotation of the Earth, it would not cause time to flow backward.
2. Time and Spacetime: In physics, time is considered a dimension of spacetime, and reversing the rotation of the Earth would not alter the direction of time. Time is a fundamental aspect of the universe that flows inexorably forward, regardless of the rotation or movement of celestial bodies.
3. Causality and Paradoxes: Even if it were possible to reverse the rotation of the Earth and somehow manipulate time, it would likely lead to paradoxes and inconsistencies in causality. The implications of reversing time would raise significant philosophical and theoretical questions about the nature of reality.
Joe, Nick and Georgia talk sleep, Chianti & fava beans, brain rinsing, They Live, Inception, lucid dreaming, noisy ice, John Wick’s dreams, Nick’s research, Jacob’s ladder, sleep paralysis, and more.
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
Nick, Evan and Joe talk about teleportation, the last perfect 8 minutes on Earth, Event Horizon, Michael Myers, The Matrix, Harry Potter, Jumper, and lots of love for Jeff Goldblum!
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
2. 1897 novel To Venus in Five Seconds by Fred T. Jane. Jane’s protagonist is transported from a strange-machinery-containing gazebo on Earth to planet Venus – hence the title.
Joe, Nick, and Georgia talk about the science of Lighthouses, Statue of Liberty, Day of the Triffids, Annihilation, Shutter Island, Fresnel, and other facts that will make you an expert pharologist.
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
**Spoiler alert: I talk about The Day of the Triffids (1963) in this episode.
Lighthouse fun facts
1. 800 still exist in US even though modern technologies exist to fulfill their purpose of guiding ships.
2. Michigan has over 100 lighthouses, more than any state in US
3. [Boston Light]— 1716 US first official lighthouse built on little Brewster island, Boston harbor. Original destroyed during Revolutionary War—rebuilt in 1783–raises to current height in 1859 adding a Fresnel Lens.
4. I love you lighthouse: [Minot’s Ledge Light], southeast of Boston Harbor has the “I Love You” light characteristic (1,4,3 light pattern). The current lighthouse is the second on the site, the first having been washed away in a storm after only a few months of use.
5. First lighthouse in America to use electricity was a metal tower in the shape of a woman in New York Harbor. It’s called the [Statue of Liberty].
6. Lighthouses also had to use sound to guide ships through fog—foghorns, bells, cannons, etc.
7. Boston Light only lighthouse still staffed in America.
“Annihilation” (2018) – Directed by Alex Garland, this film features a mysterious lighthouse at the center of an otherworldly phenomenon.
“The Lighthouse” (2019) – Although more of a psychological horror film, “The Lighthouse,” directed by Robert Eggers, incorporates elements of fantasy and surrealism.
“Shutter Island” (2010) – Directed by Martin Scorsese, this psychological thriller has elements of science fiction and features a lighthouse prominently in its storyline.
“The Fog” (1980) – Directed by John Carpenter, this horror film revolves around a mysterious fog that rolls into a coastal town, and the town’s lighthouse plays a significant role.
The Day of the Triffids (1963) —a British science fiction horror film directed by Steve Sekely and Freddie Francis, very loosely based on the 1951 novel of the same name by John Wyndham.
Nick and Joe talk about Zombies. Fast zombies, slow zombies, Walking Dead, The Last of Us, Thanos’ snap, arachnids, The Thing, and do corn tortillas taste like flesh?
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
The concept of 2-4-5 Trioxin is based in part on Agent Orange, a real-life defoliant used by the Army during the Vietnam War. The two chemicals share a number of similarities: both were used against plants by the United States Army during the 1960s, and both proved to have horrifying side effects. One of the two chemicals used to produce Agent Orange is called 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Agent Orange also contained chemicals known as dioxins.
2-4-5 Trioxin should not be mistaken for the real chemical trioxane, which is used by morticians to repair cells and maintain a corpse’s contours after postmortem tissue constriction.
Zombies generally meet three important criteria.
They are 1) stimulus-response creatures that seek flesh 2) continually decomposing and 3) contagious via bodily fluids.
If we can explain, reasonably, how and for what reason a pathogen might cause/allow these conditions, we can describe a realistic zombie pathogen.
What is zombie pathogen?
A zombie pathogen must 1) be transmitted via bodily-fluids to 2) ensure sufficient and total infection which 3) is always fatal due to the fact that pathogen must 4) either consume the host or host-acquired flesh 5) hijack all the necessary functions for movement and sensation 6) provide at least some nutrients to itself and the body 7) allow continued movement and 8.) slow the decomposition of the host body.
How easy is it to infect brain?
In general, it is not easy for infectious agents to directly infect the brain. The brain is protected by several barriers that limit the entry of pathogens, including the blood-brain barrier and the meninges (the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
However, some viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can cause infections that can potentially spread to the brain if they cross these protective barriers. Examples of infectious agents that can cause brain infections include:
Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and rabies virus
Bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus
Parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum (the parasite that causes malaria)
The ease with which an infectious agent can infect the brain depends on various factors, including the virulence of the pathogen, the route of infection, and the immune status of the individual. In general, infections that affect the respiratory system, bloodstream, or nervous system are more likely to spread to the brain than infections that affect other parts of the body
The speed at which you can be infected by bacteria depends on a number of factors, including the type of bacteria, the route of exposure, and the individual’s immune system. In some cases, bacteria can infect a person almost immediately after exposure, while in other cases, it may take longer for symptoms to appear.
For example, some bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, can cause an infection within a few hours of exposure, particularly if they enter the body through a wound or other opening in the skin. Other bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis, can take several weeks or even months to cause an infection.
The severity of the infection can also depend on the individual’s immune system. In healthy individuals with strong immune systems, the body can often fight off bacterial infections before they become serious. However, individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, may be more susceptible to bacterial infections and may develop symptoms more quickly.
It’s important to note that not all bacteria are harmful and can cause infections. In fact, many bacteria are beneficial to the body and play important roles in digestion, immunity, and other functions.
Virus:
The speed at which you can be infected by a virus depends on a variety of factors, including the type of virus, the route of transmission, and the strength of your immune system.
For example, some viruses can be transmitted through the air and can infect you within seconds of being exposed to them. Other viruses may be transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids or surfaces, and may take longer to infect you.
The length of time between being infected with a virus and developing symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the type of virus, the route of transmission, and individual differences in immune response.
In some cases, symptoms may appear within a few days of being infected with a virus. For example, symptoms of the flu typically develop within 1-4 days after exposure to the virus. Other viruses, such as HIV, may take longer to produce symptoms, with some individuals not experiencing symptoms for several years.
It’s also important to note that some individuals may be asymptomatic carriers of a virus, meaning they are infected but do not show any symptoms. These individuals can still transmit the virus to others, making it important to take precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
Fungal:
The length of time between exposure to a fungal infection and the onset of symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the type of fungus involved, the individual’s overall health and immune system, and the severity of the infection.
In some cases, symptoms may develop within a few days of exposure, while in others, it may take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear. Some fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis, can cause symptoms that are similar to those of a cold or flu and may go undiagnosed for a long time.
Infecting the Brain
Fungus infect brain:
While it is rare, some types of fungi can invade the brain and cause serious infections. This is known as fungal meningitis or fungal encephalitis, depending on the specific part of the brain that is affected.
Fungal meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, while fungal encephalitis is an infection of the brain tissue itself. These infections can be caused by several types of fungi, including Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida, among others.
Symptoms of fungal meningitis or encephalitis can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and seizures. These infections are considered medical emergencies and require prompt treatment with antifungal medications.
Virus and bacteria brain infection:
Yes, bacteria and viruses can infect the brain, and such infections are referred to as central nervous system (CNS) infections. These infections can cause a range of symptoms and may be serious or even life-threatening.
Bacterial infections of the brain are often caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. These bacteria can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue itself.
Viral infections of the brain can be caused by a range of viruses, including herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. These infections can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, confusion, seizures, and paralysis.
This is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite can enter the brain and cause encephalitis, which can lead to seizures and neurological symptoms.
This is an infection caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted by mosquito bites. In severe cases, malaria can cause cerebral malaria, which is characterized by seizures, coma, and other neurological symptoms.
This is a type of amoeba that can enter the brain through the nose and cause a rare but often fatal infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
This is a tapeworm that can cause neurocysticercosis, which occurs when tapeworm larvae infect the brain and form cysts. This can cause seizures, headaches, and other neurological symptoms.
It’s important to note that these infections are relatively rare, and many can be prevented through proper hygiene, avoiding contaminated water sources, and using insect repellent when necessary.
is a type of fungus that belongs to the Ascomycota division. The growth rate of Cordyceps can vary depending on the species, growth conditions, and availability of nutrients.
In general, Cordyceps grows relatively slowly compared to some other fungal species. Under optimal conditions, it may take several weeks or even months for Cordyceps to grow to its full size. This slow growth rate is partly due to the fact that Cordyceps requires a host organism, such as an insect or other arthropod, in order to complete its life cycle.
Once the Cordyceps spores infect the host, it can take several days to weeks for the fungus to grow and spread throughout the host’s body. The fungus then produces a fruiting body, which is the visible part of the fungus that emerges from the host’s body. The fruiting body can take several weeks to fully mature and release its spores, which can then infect new hosts and continue the cycle of growth and reproduction
Voodoo zombies are a concept in Haitian Vodou, a religion that originated in Haiti. In the context of Vodou, a zombie is a person who has been brought back to life through supernatural means by a Vodou practitioner, known as a bokor.
Contrary to popular culture, Vodou zombies are not typically portrayed as mindless, flesh-eating monsters. Instead, they are said to be under the control of the bokor who reanimated them and are often used as slaves or laborers.
The process of creating a zombie involves administering a powerful hallucinogenic drug, called tetrodotoxin, to the victim. This drug induces a state of apparent death, which can last for several hours. The bokor then revives the victim using various methods, such as CPR or a special potion, and places them under their control.
It’s worth noting that the concept of zombies in Vodou has been widely misunderstood and sensationalized by popular culture, leading to many misconceptions about the religion and its practices.
VoodooZombies in Fiction
The movie “The Serpent and the Rainbow” (1985) tells the story of a Harvard scientist who travels to Haiti to investigate the creation of voodoo zombies.
The movie “White Zombie” (1932), which is widely considered to be the first zombie film ever made.
Okay, that’s it for this episode. How’d we do?
You can always email (I do answer back), click the comment link below, or follow me online for real time tracking.
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
is a physical or chemical agent that permanently changes genetic material, usually DNA, in an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level.
The Legacy Virus was based on a virus created by Apocalypse in the distant future, which was intended to kill the remaining non-mutants.
Stryfe engineered the Legacy virus to kill mutants. In the beginning the virus was only targeting mutants but it jumped to humans
Comic series cured by Colossus and in X:Men animated series it was Wolverine was used by Cable to generate a cure (utilizing wolverine’s healing factor).
Wolverine has healing factor: he can heal from any injury or disease. Yet, there are a number of inconstancies. Also, Wolverine has bones fused with Adamantium (a virtually indestructible steel alloy named after the fabled metal Adamantine of Greek mythology).
All about Bones:
What are Bones made of? Our bones have metal: calcium, trace metals like copper, zinc, magnesium
Osseointegration (from Latin osseus “bony” and integrare “to make whole”) is the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant
Osseointegration was first observed—albeit not explicitly stated—by Bothe, Beaton, and Davenport in 1940
This has no particular format; it’s just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always, feel free to comment, and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy.
The African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) holds the title for the largest land animal. Adult male African elephants can weigh between 5,000 to 14,000 pounds (2,268 to 6,350 kilograms) and stand about 8.2 to 13 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) tall at the shoulder. Female African elephants are generally smaller than males but still large compared to other land animals.
It’s worth noting that the size of elephants can vary, and these measurements are approximate. The African Elephant’s large size is a testament to its adaptation to diverse habitats across the African continent.
Largest sea animal
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) holds the title for the largest sea animal and, in fact, the largest animal on Earth. Adult blue whales can reach lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) and weigh as much as 200 tons. These enormous marine mammals are filter feeders, primarily consuming small shrimp-like animals called krill.
The sheer size of blue whales is remarkable, and they are found in oceans around the world, making them a truly global species. Despite their massive size, blue whales are gentle creatures, and their conservation status is classified as endangered due to historical whaling practices. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and preserve these magnificent marine animals.
The size of animals is constrained by various biological, ecological, and physical factors. Some limitations include:
1. Metabolic Demands: Larger animals generally have higher metabolic demands. Meeting these demands becomes challenging, as it requires sufficient food intake, efficient energy utilization, and effective waste removal.
2. Support Structures: The strength of bones, muscles, and other support structures is crucial. Beyond a certain size, the ability to support the body’s weight becomes a limiting factor.
3. Respiratory System: Diffusion-based respiratory systems become less effective as an organism grows larger. Efficient gas exchange becomes challenging, potentially limiting the maximum size of animals relying on this mechanism.
4. Heat Dissipation: Larger animals face challenges in dissipating heat efficiently. This is due to the decrease in surface area relative to volume, affecting heat exchange with the environment.
5. Reproductive Challenges: Larger animals often have fewer offspring and longer gestation periods. This could impact reproductive strategies and population dynamics.
6. Predator-Prey Dynamics: Size affects the ability to evade predators or capture prey. Both extreme sizes, very large or very small, can be disadvantageous in certain ecological niches.
7. Evolutionary Pressures: Evolutionary pressures may favor smaller sizes in specific environments, promoting agility, rapid reproduction, and adaptability over large size.
8. Ecological Niche: Each species occupies a specific ecological niche, and the size of an organism is often adapted to its role in the ecosystem. Deviating too much from the optimal size for a given niche could be disadvantageous.
The size of insects is constrained by various biological and physical factors. Here are some key limitations:
1. Exoskeleton: Insects have an exoskeleton made of a rigid material called chitin. As they grow, they need to molt and shed their exoskeleton to accommodate a larger size. This process becomes more challenging as the insect gets larger due to the increased structural demands.
2. Respiratory System: Insects rely on a system of tiny tubes called tracheae for respiration. As they grow larger, the surface area available for gas exchange becomes insufficient, limiting their ability to provide oxygen to all cells effectively.
3. Muscle Efficiency: The efficiency of muscle function decreases as insects get larger. The relationship between muscle strength and size is not linear, and larger insects may face challenges in coordinated movement and efficient muscle function.
4. Metabolic Rate: Larger insects might struggle to meet the metabolic demands associated with increased body size. Efficient energy utilization becomes a limiting factor, affecting overall viability.
5. Predation: Larger insects may become more vulnerable to predators. Their size makes them easier targets, and the advantages of being smaller, such as agility and concealment, become essential for survival.
6. Feeding Efficiency: As insects grow larger, their feeding efficiency might decrease. The energy required to forage for food may surpass the energy gained from the food itself.
7. Developmental Constraints: The developmental processes of molting and metamorphosis, which are integral to an insect’s life cycle, impose limitations on the attainable size.
8. Environmental Conditions: In certain environments, such as those with limited oxygen concentration, larger insects might struggle to obtain sufficient oxygen, further restricting their size.
9. Evolutionary Trade-offs: Evolutionary pressures may favor smaller sizes in certain ecological niches due to trade-offs between size, reproductive strategies, and adaptation to specific environments.
1. Buoyancy: Water provides buoyancy, supporting the weight of aquatic organisms. This allows for the existence of much larger animals in water compared to on land, where the gravitational pull is a more significant constraint.
2. Respiration: Aquatic animals often have gills, enabling efficient extraction of oxygen from water. This allows for a more effective respiratory system, potentially sustaining larger body sizes.
3. Swimming Efficiency: The streamlined shape and reduced effects of gravity in water allow for efficient movement, enabling larger sizes for aquatic animals. Whales, for example, are among the largest animals on Earth and are adapted to life in the oceans.
4. Food Availability: Water ecosystems can support larger populations of prey items, providing a more abundant food supply for predators. This abundance can contribute to the development of larger species.
5. Temperature Regulation: Water provides a more stable environment for temperature regulation. This stability can support larger animals that might face challenges related to temperature fluctuation on land.
The concept of an animal growing 10 times its natural size in fiction, using a lot of Handwavium!
1. Extreme Nutrient Density: An exceptionally nutrient-dense food source could potentially fuel rapid and substantial growth in an animal. This might include a novel substance with highly concentrated essential nutrients that the animal can efficiently assimilate.
2. Genetic Modification: In a fictional context, genetic modification or engineering could play a role. Introducing genes that enhance growth, metabolism, or nutrient absorption might result in animals reaching sizes beyond their natural limits.
3. Magical or Extraterrestrial Influence: In a fantastical setting, magical elements or extraterrestrial factors could be introduced. For example, exposure to a magical substance or an extraterrestrial nutrient could trigger extraordinary growth in the animal.
4. Biological Anomaly: A rare biological anomaly or mutation that dramatically increases an animal’s growth rate could be part of the fictional narrative. This could involve an unexpected interaction between the animal’s genetics and a specific type of food.
5. Artificial Growth Stimulants: In a speculative scenario, the presence of artificial growth stimulants, either intentionally or accidentally introduced into the animal’s environment, could lead to accelerated growth.
Various mythologies, religions and fictions around the world feature giant animals, often portraying them as powerful, mythical beings or creatures with extraordinary abilities. Here are some examples:
1. Jormungandr (Norse Mythology): Jormungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, is a giant sea serpent in Norse mythology. It is said to encircle the Earth, grasping its tail in its mouth. According to prophecy, Jormungandr will play a significant role in the events leading to Ragnarok, the end of the world.
2. Nemean Lion (Greek Mythology): In Greek mythology, the Nemean Lion was a colossal, supernatural lion with an impenetrable golden fur. It was one of the Labors of Hercules to defeat this fierce lion.
3. Kaiju (Japanese Mythology/Fiction): While not strictly part of ancient mythology, Japanese kaiju are giant monsters often featured in modern fiction and films. Examples include Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan, representing colossal creatures with destructive powers.
4. Garuda (Hindu and Buddhist Mythology): Garuda is a mythical bird or bird-like creature in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It is often depicted as large, with the ability to carry off elephants. Garuda is a divine companion of the god Vishnu.
5. Fenghuang (Chinese Mythology): The Fenghuang, also known as the Chinese Phoenix, is a mythical bird in Chinese mythology. It is often described as a giant and colorful bird with various supernatural abilities, symbolizing grace and longevity.
6. Yamata no Orochi (Japanese Mythology): Yamata no Orochi is an eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon or serpent in Japanese mythology. It was defeated by the storm god Susanoo, and one of its tails contained the legendary sword Kusanagi.
7. Bunyip (Australian Aboriginal Mythology): The bunyip is a mythical creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology, often described as a large, amphibious monster inhabiting waterholes, rivers, and swamps.
8. Simurgh (Persian Mythology): The Simurgh is a mythical bird-like creature in Persian mythology. It is often portrayed as a large, benevolent bird with magnificent plumage, sometimes said to possess healing powers.
Okay, that’s it for this episode. How’d we do?
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This has no particular format (yet), just correcting or updating anything in the show we didn’t get a chance to fully talk about or things we had on the tips of our tongues and couldn’t get out as we recorded. As always feel free to comment and we will address stuff in future shows! Enjoy:
Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines such a character as “a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel; or a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot.”
The opposite of a villain is a hero. The villain’s structural purpose is to serve as the opposition of the hero character and their motives or evil actions drive a plot along.
In contrast to the hero, who is defined by feats of ingenuity and bravery and the pursuit of justice and the greater good, a villain is often defined by their acts of selfishness, evilness, arrogance, cruelty, and cunning, displaying immoral behavior that can oppose or pervert justice
People like to love villains they relate with
Research suggests that you like villains who remind us of ourselves.
The results revealed that, overall, both children and adults believed that villains’ true selves were ‘overwhelmingly evil and much more negative than heroes’.
However, researchers also detected an asymmetry in the views, as villains were much more likely than heroes to have a true self that differed to their outer personna.
The research found that those who prefer villains such as Cruella de Vil and Darth Vader, are more likely to display the ‘dark triad‘ (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy) personality traits.
Dark Triad:
‘Narcissism describes a grandiose and entitled interpersonal style whereby one feels superior to others and craves validation (‘ego-reinforcement’),’ the researchers write.
‘Machiavellianism describes a manipulative interpersonal style characterized by duplicity, cynicism, and selfish ambition.
‘Psychopathy describes low self-control and a callous interpersonal style aimed at immediate gratification.
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