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Be Smart.

Joe Hanson

We give you deep answers to simple questions about science and the rest of the universe. And also dad jokes. Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, PhD. He's a molecular biologist and an award-winning science communicator and journalist

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  • Sunday · 5 min

    How Many Stars Can We Count?

    Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Counting stars from the shore of the cosmic ocean… Subscribe: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Twitter: @okaytobesmart ↓ More info and sources below ↓ LIKE THE SHIRT I'M WEARING? It's glow in the dark! You can get it here (along with space undies and other good stuff): https://www.etsy.com/shop/makeitgoodpdx How many stars are there in the universe? Are there more stars out there than grains of sand on Earth? Thanks to advanced space telescopes, we've been able to peer farther into deep time and the distant universe than we ever thought possible, and we might finally be able to answer these mind-boggling questions Every star visible from Earth (naked eye): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Star_Catalogue Number of stars in the universe (estimated): http://www.universetoday.com/102630/how-many-stars-are-there-in-the-universe/ Hubble gigapixel image of Andromeda: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1502a/ Hubble eXtreme Deep Field: http://xdf.ucolick.org/ How big is the sky? http://www.badastronomy.com/bitesize/bigsky.html How much sand is there on Earth? http://www.hawaii.edu/suremath/jsand.html What would the cosmic sandbox look like? https://what-if.xkcd.com/83/ Carl Sagan's Cosmos: "The Shore of the Cosmic Ocean": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa1ImgOcOPM Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below! Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/okaytobesmart http://twitter.com/jtotheizzoe Follow on Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jtotheizzoe ----------------- It's Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.DFollow me on Twitter: @jtotheizzoe Email me: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Google+ https://plus.google.com/+itsokaytobesmart For more awesome science, check out: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Produced by PBS Digital Studios: http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics/Animation Katie Graham - Director of Photography John Knudsen - Gaffer Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Other music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock ----------------- Last week's video: What Color Is The Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibVofIHq71s More videos: Why Does February Have 28 Days? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgKaHTh-_Gs Why Vaccines Work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aNhzLUL2ys Why Are Some People Left-Handed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPvMUpcxPSA Where Does the Smell of Rain Come From? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGcE5x8s0B8​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 9 min

    Ask Joe Anything #5

    You've got questions, I've got answers! Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Subscribe to It's Okay To Be Smart: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Big thank you to the 7th and 8th graders from Northwest Middle School in Salt Lake City, UT! Great questions! Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below! Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Host Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Elizabeth Case - Writer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics Dalton Allen - Post-production intern John Knudsen - Gaffer Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Stock images via Shutterstock ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 16 min

    Using Gene Editing To Repaint Butterfly Wings

    To learn more about The Great Courses Plus visit http://ow.ly/Mq4F30oTjJp SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a video! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Butterfly metamorphosis is still a bit of a mystery. What happens inside a chrysalis to turn a caterpillar into a beautifully painted butterfly? Does it really turn to soup? I visited Dr. Arnaud Martin, who uses the CRISPR genetic modification technology to learn about how genes build bodies. Dr. Martin uses CRISPR to disrupt certain genes, and then looks for changes in butterfly wing patterns, creating designs we never see in nature. This tells us which genes control which part of the "wing painting" process. In the process of visiting Dr. Martin’s lab, I had my mind blown about what REALLY happens during butterfly metamorphosis. You will too. #butterflies #CRISPR #genetics Special thanks to Arnaud Martin and the entire Martin Lab at George Washington University https://dnacrobatics.com Chrysalis window timelapses courtesy of Aaron Pomerantz from the lab of Dr. Nipam Patel. http://www.patellab.net/ Check out Aaron’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHr0u7Jsktou2CFl2GhTxYA SOURCES: https://sites.google.com/view/painting-wings-with-crispr/home The Great Courses Plus is currently available to watch through a web browser to almost anyone in the world and optimized for the US, UK, and Australian markets. The Great Courses Plus is currently working to both optimize the product globally and accept credit card payments globally. ----------- FOLLOW US for more curiosity: Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Books from our episodes: http://smart-books.tumblr.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 5 min

    What is Déjà Vu?!

    Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate I feel like I've seen this video before… Subscribe: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Twitter: @okaytobesmart ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/okaytobesmart http://twitter.com/jtotheizzoe Follow on Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jtotheizzoe Most of us have felt it before, that strange sensation that you've been somewhere or seen something before, as if you already remembered what's happening. Are you psychic? Nope, that's just déjà vu. Why does déjà vu happen? Well, scientists aren't completely sure, but they've got a few good theories about it. Great déjà vu explainer from Jordan Gaines Lewis: http://www.gainesonbrains.com/2012/02/seeing-into-future-neuroscience-of-deja.html Some theories of why déjà vu happens: http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-deja-vu-and-why-does-it-happen-11355 And now for something completely different: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2eUopy9sd8 Special thanks to Austin's Corona Cafe! Cast: Waiter - Joe Nicolosi (he's also the director) Sneezing girl - Kate Eads (she's also associate producer) Guy spilling coffee - John Knudesn (he's also gaffer) Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below! ----------------- It's Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.DFollow me on Twitter: @jtotheizzoe Email me: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Google+ https://plus.google.com/+itsokaytobesmart For more awesome science, check out: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics Katie Graham - Director of Photography John Knudsen - Gaffer Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Other music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock ----------------- Last week's video: 5 Weird Involuntary Behaviors Explained: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE8sRMZ5BCA More videos: Why Are Some People Left-Handed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPvMUpcxPSA Why Did We Blow on NES Games? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gf9mtXnJfM The Science of Game of Thrones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utu-LpJn3Is There Was No First Human - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdWLhXi24Mo How The Elements Got Their Names - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtg9p6A6xnY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 33 min

    You've Been Lied to About DNA Evidence

    Thank you to Squarespace for supporting PBS. Go to https://www.squarespace.com/besmart for a free trial and use code BESMART to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Follow me to Deep Look and celebrate Earth Month with PBS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbuJSmpxiNY PBS Earth Month Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnNZYWyBGJ1F8ofFm4H9UTrHxqU8zngK4 DNA evidence is supposed to be the gold standard of criminal investigation. But what happens when that same technology sends innocent people to prison? Featuring interviews with Amanda Knox and forensic DNA expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, this is my investigation of DNA forensics, and what happens when we trust the science but don't ask the right questions. References: https://sites.google.com/view/besmart-forensic-dna/home 0:00 "I'm being framed." 1:28 DNA is supposed to be magic 2:40 The serial killer who never existed 7:02 How forensic DNA actually works 11:41 His DNA was at the crime scene. He wasn't. 14:37 What happened to Amanda Knox 20:02 The DNA never lied. Or did it? Be Smart explores science questions you didn’t even know you wondered about. It is hosted and produced by Joe Hanson, PhD. We post new videos all the time, so please subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, hit the ‘like’ button, leave a comment, or watch another of our videos! CONNECT WITH ME ____________________________________ Website: https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart/ https://www.instagram.com/drjoehanson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/itsokaytobesmart A big thanks to our Brain Trust patrons: Baerbel Winkler, Brent Lopez, dani bowman, David Johnston, Ed Eyden, Eric Meer, Greg Olson, Holly, Brett, and Ashe Bullion, Jaap Westera, Karen Haskell, Marcus Pingel, Mike and Patty Loftis, Paul Weir, Reuben Brewer SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES ____________________________________ Please email biz@itsokaytobesmart.com Stock video and images provided by Shutterstock, Artlist, and MotionArray Music provided by APM Written by Molly Edwards & Joe Hanson Edited by Ben Harrison Produced by Least Square Media and Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 11 min

    Where Do Teeth Come From?

    So… baby teeth are pretty terrifying, huh? Remember to brush, floss, and SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Teeth. We’ve all got ‘em (most of us, anyway). But how do they grow? Teeth are made from some biological nanotechnology that will blow your mind. They are strong enough to last hundreds of millions of years. Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered how adult teeth replace your baby teeth, get ready to see something terrifying. Special thanks to Matthew Brown, Ph.D. and the University of Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collection Watch the tasty new series “Tacos of Texas” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdzQ_ilHPH3rQtgzo4nKM_g REFERENCES: Dr. Gareth J. Fraser, Department of Biology, University of Florida Dr. Andrew Gillis, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge S.J. AlQahtani Et al. (2010) Brief Communication: The London Atlas of Human Tooth Development and Eruption. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 142:481–490 Teruel Jde D Et al. (2015) Comparison of chemical composition of enamel and dentine in human, bovine, porcine and bovine teeth. Archives of Oral Biology Volume 60, Issue 5 768-775 Hill, M.A. (2018) Embryology Timeline human development. https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Timeline_human_development ----------- FOLLOW US: Twitter: @DrJoeHanson @okaytobesmart Instagram: @DrJoeHanson Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart SEND US STUFF: It’s Okay To Be Smart PO Box 303356 Austin, TX 78703 USA BOOKS WE’VE FEATURED: http://smart-books.tumblr.com/ ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Writer: Sarah Keartes Creative Director: David Schulte Editor/animator: Mark Rodriguez Producers: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 8 min

    Climate Science: What You Need To Grasp

    Learn the basic science of climate change in 24 easy steps. Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Subscribe to It's Okay To Be Smart: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Scientists overwhelmingly agree that our climate is changing, Earth is getting warmer, sea levels are rising, and it's primarily because of humans putting lots of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Whether you already trust in the science, you're undecided, or you disagree with what all this, this video is for you! SOURCES LISTED HERE: http://bit.ly/1zGbOry Want to learn about the science of climate change and why humans are causing it, but in layman's terms? I recommend these books: Climate Change: Evidence and Causes (National Academy of Sciences/Royal Society) FREE ebook: http://amzn.to/1w6itfl Global Weirdness (Climate Central) http://amzn.to/1BtZZbP How to Change Minds About Our Changing Climate (Seth Darling + Douglas Sisterson) http://amzn.to/12jjcxN Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics Katie Graham - Director of Photography John Knudsen - Gaffer Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 5 min

    A Slice of Pizza Knowledge!

    How does math keep a folded slice from drooping? And what does pizza have to do with the speed of light? Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate How a 19th Century Math Genius Taught Us the Best Way to Hold a Pizza Slice: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/curvature-and-strength-empzeal/ Planet Money pizza price comparison: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/02/26/282132576/74-476-reasons-you-should-always-get-the-bigger-pizza Measure the speed of light with your microwave: http://io9.com/5526055/use-your-microwave-to-measure-the-speed-of-light Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Host, writer, editing, graphics Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen Inc Kate Eads - Associate Producer John Knudsen - Gaffer, Camera Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Stock images via Shutterstock ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 11 min

    Chemical Reactions That Revolutionized History

    Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Chemicals React! Get yourself an awesome IOTBS shirt! http://dftba.com/besmart ↓ More info and sources below ↓ For lots more of history’s greatest chemical innovations, check out “The Chemistry Book” by Derek B. Lowe: http://amzn.to/1snWG44 ---- Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment or check us out at the links below! Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/okaytobesmart http://twitter.com/jtotheizzoe Follow on Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jtotheizzoe Follow on Snapchat: YoDrJoe ----------------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Follow me on Twitter: @jtotheizzoe Produced by PBS Digital Studios: http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios Editing and Motion Graphics by Arts + Labor Music via APM Stock images from SciencePhoto http://www.sciencephoto.com/ and Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Stock footage from Videoblocks (unless otherwise noted) http://www.videoblocks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 9 min

    The Factual "Doctor Frankenstein

    When it comes to science, is there a monster in us all? Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Are you watching "Frankenstein, MD"? Check it out: http://bit.ly/Y9HYz8 "Experiments on the Revival of Organisms" full video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDqh-r8TQgs Murder Act and Anatomy Act: http://brainblogger.com/2011/09/17/human-dissection-part-2-murderers-body-snatchers-and-burkers/ Percy Shelley's influence: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1279684/ Erasmus Darwin: http://blogs.dickinson.edu/romnat/2011/06/10/erasmus-darwin-and-the-frankenstein-mistake/ Real-life influences for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein": http://io9.com/5949176/real-life-scientists-who-meddled-with-life-and-death http://gizmodo.com/5504746/how-a-real-life-dr-frankenstein-reanimated-the-dead-with-electricity http://mentalfloss.com/article/19855/who-was-dr-frankenstein http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roseanne-montillo/the-gruesome-true-inspira_b_2622633.html Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Editing/Motion Graphics - Andrew Matthews Gaffer - John Knudsen Post-production intern - Dalton Allen Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Stock images via Shutterstock Produced for PBS Digital Studios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 4 min

    Why Do We Venture to Space?

    PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ My ode to space exploration and Discovery... Galileo would have made a great astronaut. Click here to SUBSCRIBE, it's FREE! -- http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Why do we go to space? In the beginning of our space program, the answer had a lot to do with war and paranoia. But with the dawn of the space shuttle, that all changed. Where do we go from here? Special thanks to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for letting us hang out with the shuttle Discovery Link to the interactive Mars panorama as seen on my phone: http://bit.ly/16ttUwr Historical footage via NASA Music: "Divider" by Chris Zabriskie http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/Divider/06_-_Divider Written and hosted by Joe Hanson Produced by PBS Digital Studios: http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 5 min

    There Was No Inaugural Human

    PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ If you traced your family tree back 185 million generations through evolution, you wouldn't be looking at a human, a primate, or even a mammal. You'd be looking at a fish. So where along that line does the first human show up? The answer may surprise you! Inspired by Richard Dawkins' "The Magic of Reality" http://amzn.to/1eFPE0v Also check out Richard Dawkins' "The Ancestor's Tale" http://amzn.to/1fbf17e Images of prehistoric species used in this episode: Tiktaalik, Procunsul, Plesiadapsis, Juramaia, Hylonomus - by Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com/) Homo erectus (by Tim Evanson) http://bit.ly/1uwI5zu Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editor and motion graphics John Knudsen - Gaffer Music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Produced for PBS Digital Studios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 11 min

    Is There Sentient Life On Other Worlds?

    PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ How are we looking and listening for intelligent life? Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Now that we know planets are common in our galaxy, how would we tell if one holds life? Sure, it will take incredibly powerful telescopes and ambitious new space missions, but what are we looking for? What are we listening for? How do we help other worlds know that we are here? Here's the thing: Life on Earth has an expiration date. No matter what humans do, our aging sun will eventually be so hot that we can't survive. If we want to live on, it will have to be beyond Earth. The only question is, will it be US who live on, or just our radio broadcasts and dead satellites? If you missed Part 1 last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvET91EYoyc Check out "Five Billion Years of Solitude" by Lee Billings: http://amzn.to/18Tzv59 My Sagan + Valentine's Day episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TekbxvnvYb8 Ray Bradbury reading "If Only We Had Taller Been" courtesy of NASA/JPL More reading: The 7 hurdles for a planet to develop intelligent life: http://lgmacweb.env.uea.ac.uk/ajw/Reprints/watson_astrobiology_preprint.pdf Sagan's rules for life: http://scienceblog.com/community/older/1999/C/199902379.html Earth is gradually getting more radio quiet: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/weekinreview/02overbye.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Searching for the archaeological ruins of extraterrestrial civilzations: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/nature-and-cosmos/searching-for-the-archaeologicalruins-of-alien-civilisations/ How long will life survive on Earth? http://www.universetoday.com/25367/how-long-will-life-survive-on-earth/ Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editor and Motion Graphics Kate Eads - Production Manager Filmed at Onion Creek Productions in Austin, TX Produced for PBS Digital Studios ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 7 min

    Where Do Birds Go During Winter?

    And where do they keep their suitcases? Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Subscribe to It's Okay To Be Smart: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub As winter approaches, V-shaped flocks glide overhead as the world's birds begin their long treks to warmer climates. Humans used to have some pretty crazy theories about where birds went for winter, like the moon, or to the bottom of the ocean. How did we learn the real story? And where DO birds go for winter? What are the longest bird migrations? How do birds store up energy for their long journey? How do birds navigate? Why do they fly in a V-shape? Find out in this week's video! Charles Morton's theory of birds on the moon: http://wrd.cm/1xMKc5k Read Charles Morton's original 1703 pamphlet! http://bit.ly/1C5AKhk The story of the stork with a spear in its neck: http://bit.ly/11PgkIs Aristotle's theory of bird transmutation: http://bit.ly/1uwQwHX The "barnacle goose" http://bit.ly/1C5BiUg The Arctic tern's record-breaking migration: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836663/ The bar-tailed godwit's fat-fueled migration: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v115n01/p0196-p0203.pdf Ruby-throated hummingbird mighty migration: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325055/ The avian aerodynamics of the "flying V" http://bit.ly/1vFFlUs The many senses that birds use to find their way: http://bit.ly/11qN9vr How birds use magnetic fields to navigate: http://bit.ly/1r2jYLy Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Host/Writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics Dalton Allen - Post-production intern John Knudsen - Gaffer Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Stock images by Shutterstock ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 13 min

    Humans Are Smart. Why Are Babies So Dumb?

    PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Check out Antarctic Extremes on @pbsterra : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvRAuy1ZmTc We’re on PATREON now! Join the community ►► https://www.patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a video! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub The first thing a baby giraffe experiences after being born is a 2 meter fall straight down to the ground. But within an hour, it’s standing, walking, and nursing on its own. And a blue whale calf, after nearly a year growing inside mom, can swim to the surface moments after being born. Human babies on the other hand? We’re born unable to move or eat on our own, we can’t communicate or fully sense our world, and we leak EVERYWHERE. If humans are so smart, why are our babies so… un-smart? You may think it’s all about head size, but the real science is more complex. References: https://sites.google.com/view/why-babies-helpless-references/home Note: In videos like this one, we use the terms male and female to refer to biological sex and typical secondary characteristics seen across the human population. Special thanks to our Brain Trust Patrons: AlecZero Bob Rosset Brent M. Diego Lombeida Ron Kakar vincbis ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 11 min

    Nature's Most Awesome Animal Superpowers

    PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateOKAY ↓ More info and sources below ↓ Comic book heroes ain't got nothin' on evolution. Click here to SUBSCRIBE and get more great science, it's FREE! -- http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Evolution has come up with some pretty amazing ways to get things done when it comes to animals, plants and microbes. From radiation-resistant bacteria (like Dr. Manhattan) to geckos who climb glass using atomic adhesion (like Spider-Man) to a shrimp that can shoot a bubble the temperature of the sun (like Aquaman), nature is pretty super! Watch more YouTube Geek Week videos at http://youtube.com/geekweek Clips from this episode: http://bit.ly/15aWwcF Written and hosted by Joe Hanson Produced by Painted On Productions (http://www.paintedon.com/) Special thanks to Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy in Austin, TX ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 25 min

    We've never seen an atom. But we know what they look like.

    The first 100 people to join @planet-wild with the code SMART5 will get the first month paid for: https://planetwild.com/r/besmart/join If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission stopping ocean plastic: https://planetwild.com/r/besmart/m34 ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ If everything around us is made of atoms, why can’t we actually see them? From ancient philosophy to quantum mechanics, electron microscopes, and the strange limits of human perception, let’s explore one of science’s deepest questions: what does it really mean to “see” something? Be Smart explores science questions you didn’t even know you wondered about. It is hosted and produced by Joe Hanson, PhD. We post new videos all the time, so please subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, hit the ‘like’ button, leave a comment, or watch another of our videos! CONNECT WITH ME ____________________________________ Website: https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart/ https://www.instagram.com/drjoehanson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/itsokaytobesmart A big thanks to our Brain Trust patrons: Baerbel Winkler, Bernadette Etienne, Brent Lopez, dani bowman, David Johnston, Ed Eyden, Eric Meer, Greg Olson, Jaap Westera, Karen Haskell, Marcus Pingel, Mike and Patty Loftis, Reuben Brewer SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES ____________________________________ Please email biz@itsokaytobesmart.com Stock video and images provided by Shutterstock, Artlist, and MotionArray Music provided by APM Written Joe Hanson Edited by Steven Simone Produced by Least Square Media and Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 13 min

    How To Bend Light Using Just Your Finger

    Learn more about CuriosityStream at https://curiositystream.com/smart Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ The other day I got bored and noticed this weird thing happened when I held my finger up to my eye, so I had to science it and figure it out! Let me know if you try these light-bending experiments too, especially that last one that I can’t quite explain yet… ----------- FOLLOW US: Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter:@DrJoeHanson @okaytobesmart Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Instagram: @DrJoeHanson ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Writer: Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Creative Director: David Schulte Editor/animator: Karl Boettcher and Derek Borsheim Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 7 min

    Why Does The Earth Have Levels?

    ...or why do we live on an onion made of magma? Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Subscribe to It's Okay To Be Smart: http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub Thanks to Miles Traer and Mike Osborne for geophysics help on this one! Why does Earth have a liquid core, and how do we know? http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2011/09/28/why-does-the-earth-have-a-liqu/ How many pennies would you have to stack to melt the one on the bottom? http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2g8jj9/how_many_pennies_need_to_be_stacked_before_the/ Why are the inner planets rocky and the outer ones are gas giants? http://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-inner-planets-rocky-and-the-middle-planets-large-gas-giants Produced for PBS Digital Studios Joe Hanson - Host and writer Joe Nicolosi - Director Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer Katie Graham - Director of Photography Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics John Knudsen - Gaffer Dalton Allen - Post-production Intern Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod Stock images via Shutterstock ----------- Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Sunday · 12 min

    The Impossible Hugeness of Deep Time

    You can learn more at https://curiositystream.com/smart SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a video! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Humans have a hard time with really big numbers, especially when it comes to DEEP TIME. The history of the Earth took a lot longer than you think, trust me. But I’m here to help you put it in perspective. With some string. REFERENCES: http://bit.ly/DeepTimeRefs ----------- FOLLOW US: Twitter: @DrJoeHanson @okaytobesmart Instagram: @DrJoeHanson https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart BOOKS WE’VE FEATURED: http://smart-books.tumblr.com/ ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Researcher: Sarah Jenevein Creative Director: David Schulte Editors/animators: Derek Borsheim Producers: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 81–100 of 314 episodes