Episodes

  • Smoking Seagulls and the Law of Unintended Consequences
    May 22 2024

    The law of unintended consequences applies in some surprising ways, like when you study the behaviour of the super-rich and it leads to getting seagulls hooked on tobacco. It's strange, but true. And quite amusing.

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    17 mins
  • Why Bad Ideas Can Be Good For You
    May 15 2024

    When everyone is telling you that your idea is a bad one, should you keep pursuing it? Most people would think not, but as this short drama shows, sometimes it can be good for you and lead to a better idea. It's counter-intuitive but worth thinking about. Mario writes popular musicals but has a passion for turning The Exorcist into a musical. Bad idea, right? He finds out why in his own way.

    Original music by Dave Hopper

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    24 mins
  • If Trump isn't Jesus, is he Santa Claus?
    May 8 2024

    Some people believe that Donald Trump is either the Second Coming of Jesus or a Jesus-like figure worthy of worship. What if he's actually Santa Claus? There's research that shows how some children, when they stop believing in Santa, experience an emotional gap in their lives so they're always seeking a new magical figure to believe in - and along comes DJT!

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    22 mins
  • Petrol, Diesel, Electric - What's Next for Cars?
    Apr 25 2024

    Cars are a conundrum. They're vital but polluting. Even electric cars aren't that great for the environment. Is there another way? At South Mimms we're experimenting with a new kind of power source - and it's as old as time. Don't worry, it's not a wind-up!

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    20 mins
  • Everybody Loves Cats
    Apr 19 2024

    When an ailing art museum needs to refresh its image to try and attract more visitors, a German industrialist comes up with an interesting way to get global attention – and it’s all about cats! Which puts the cats amongst the intellectual pigeons. You’ll never see an art gallery in the same way again.

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    21 mins
  • Close Encounters of the South Mimms Kind
    Feb 27 2024

    It's happened! First Contact! And in South Mimms! Only, the aliens haven't done their research very well and emerge speaking a language only a select few understand. It could have been a 'War of the Worlds' scenario, but it turned out to be a strange encounter that is both revealing and enchanting.

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    23 mins
  • The Truth about Roswell
    Jan 29 2024

    Strange sightings of possible extraterrestrial craft at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 kicked off the whole UFO craze not just in the United States, but the entire world. And it's STILL going on. Was it hysteria or evidence that our planet is being observed by aliens? Or was it a navigational error? Were the aliens actually heading for Roswell Farm near South Mimms, Hertfordshire, here in England? We investigate weird goings on the doorstep of our university to find out the truth about Roswell!

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    24 mins
  • The AI Frankenstein Made of Lego!
    Dec 24 2023

    Everyone is trying to get on the Artificial Intelligence bandwagon. But creating a Frankenstein monster out of Lego, giving it an AI powered brain, and then bringing it to life in a storm is probably going too far. Especially when the 'monster' turns out to be... a budding Romantic poet. Madness in the wilds of South Mimms, Hertfordshire, England.

    The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

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    21 mins