FRINGE REVIEW: Upcoming Science Podcast "The Uncertainty Principle" is a seamless blend of science and fun
The Uncertainty Principle is an excellent example of science communication done right, bringing science to the people in a neatly wrapped Fringe Festival show. Presenters Ben McAllister (a physicist) and Taryn Laubenstein (a marine biologist), plus special guests play off each other for an energetic and informative look at history through the lens of science and discovery.
Every show tackled a different scientific topic, each with different and interesting Special Guest showcasing their original scientific research. Our show saw Laura Skates (@floraskates) welcome the crowd the the world of carnivorous plants. Did you know that Western Australia has the world’s richest selection of hungry flora? Unless you’re a small and digestible insect, WA is an exciting place to be! Each night of The Uncertainty Principle finished with a lightening round of Science Fiction vs Science Faction, pitting The Scientists vs The Audience in a fun game of detecting scientific bunk. Not to brag, but our audience was very smart indeed, beating the Scientists 3-2.
The final night of the Uncertainty Principle’s topic was a crash course in dark matter: how much is there, when it was discovered, why we think it even exists, the big experiments of the past and those ongoing right this second. Did you know that all the matter we can see and interacts with only makes up 5% of the universe? Dark matter makes up roughly 25% and the even weirder dark energy makes up 70%? The pair of engaging hosts make learning about Big Topics accesible and interesting.
All in all The Uncertainty Principle was a well produced, fun and engaging evening of science. Audiences learnt about the theoretical particles named after dish soap, that carnivorous plants can have just a little human in their diet, and that one day dark matter may step out of the shadows and power our future civilisations.
The Uncertainty Principle may be over for this years’ Fringe Festival, but fret not! All shows were recorded for The Uncertainty Principle podcast from Curio Network, available soon at wherever you get your podcasts.