Latest Speculation Podcast Episodes
Vaguely Scientific #75: How Do You Read Someone's Teeth?
Vaguely Scientific - July 21, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Catherine to discuss how one goes about reading a person. It's a bit more involved than stapling a note to their forehead! Then, we open wide and crack the enamel on one of life's greatest mysteries: why do we (only) have two sets of teeth? Panelist...
Season Two Teaser
Questions You're Not Asking - July 13, 2021 16:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsThis is the one where we tease season two! Hurrah!
Vaguely Scientific #74: Hobbits Are Just Tiny Canadians
Vaguely Scientific - July 07, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to discuss Hobbit society, culture, and stature. Turns out they're short. Then, we look at the composition of dragon scales so that we may more effectively tell our dragon tales. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jonathan
Vaguely Scientific #73: Tidings of Good (And Bad) Fortune Telling
Vaguely Scientific - June 23, 2021 07:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne. We try to figure out the simplest way to convince folks that we were wizards if we should somehow go back in time. Then, we revisit the question as to why people seem so drawn to fortune telling. Granted, we do an immensely lousy job of defining...
Vaguely Scientific #72: Nuclear Pizza
Vaguely Scientific - June 09, 2021 07:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss why blaster shots are visible in the Star Wars universe. Pew pew! Then, we use all these spare nuclear warheads lying around to make a pizza. The plutonium gives it that extra little zing! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe
Vaguely Scientific Episode #71: We Would Miss Flying
Vaguely Scientific - May 26, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Marcus to revisit an old question. Long ago, we asked what animal we would like to live as for 20 years. Now, we're discussing what strange habits and lifestyles we'd have picked up once those 20 years were up. Then, we add giant robots to all sports!...
Vaguely Scientific #71: We Would Miss Flying
Vaguely Scientific - May 26, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Marcus to revisit an old question. Long ago, we asked what animal we would like to live as for 20 years. Now, we're discussing what strange habits and lifestyles we'd have picked up once those 20 years were up. Then, we add giant robots to all sports!...
Vaguely Scientific #70: We Break Our Peace Treaty With the Internet
Vaguely Scientific - May 12, 2021 07:00 - 54 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss whether Star Trek transporters are actually secret murder pods. Then we try to figure out whether Thanos's snap in the MCU would actually accomplish anything resembling peace. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel
Vaguely Scientific #69: Naked Invisible People
Vaguely Scientific - April 28, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Aly to discuss how society might be different if it was composed entirely of invisible people. And yes, we're just going to assume invisible people would work. It makes it easier. Then, we dive into a thought experiment as we discuss what our individua...
Vaguely Scientific #68: You'd Be a Human On Mars in the Ground Dead!
Vaguely Scientific - April 14, 2021 07:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Big A to discuss what the "Wild West" of Mars might look like as our colonization efforts ramp up. Then, we discuss how one might go about playing Rocket League with real cars. Move over, Top Gear! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Big A
Vaguely Scientific Episode #67: We're ALL in the Illuminati
Vaguely Scientific - March 31, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this extra long April Fools episode, Derek and Jim are joined by Anne and Justin to completely mangle the scientific method and answer questions using as LITTLE science as possible! Science Fact or Fiction returns as well, along with a smattering of the best spambot posts of the year! Panel...
Vaguely Scientific #67: We're ALL in the Illuminati
Vaguely Scientific - March 31, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this extra long April Fools episode, Derek and Jim are joined by Anne and Justin to completely mangle the scientific method and answer questions using as LITTLE science as possible! Science Fact or Fiction returns as well, along with a smattering of the best spambot posts of the year! Panel...
Vaguely Scientific #66: All Organs Into the Dumpster
Vaguely Scientific - March 17, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to discuss which organs we should be taking out in order to streamline things in our bodies. Then, we suss out what would happen if magic were to suddenly become real in our modern age. The answer may not surprise you! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris
Vaguely Scientific #65: Making Peace with the Internet
Vaguely Scientific - March 03, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Ryan to earn the internet's forgiveness. As such, we reconcile the differences between Star Wars and Star Trek (and decide who would win in a fight). Then, we build a quaint little life in a bottomless pit, falling forever until we run out of food and ...
Vaguely Scientific #64: Whose Line Is the Outer Limits
Vaguely Scientific - February 17, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Addison to discuss how best to arm oneself during the coming zombie apocalypse. Then, we get deeply metaphysical and philosophical when we try to forcibly enter... The Twilight Zone. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Addison
Vaguely Scientific #63: The Rhinoceros Matrix
Vaguely Scientific - February 03, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dac and David to discuss how the machines get the image data for our bodies and ascribe those to us in the Matrix. Then, we debate the ideal bonus limb and where it should go on our body. Panelists: Jim, Derek, David, Dac
Vaguely Scientific #62: Welcome to Our Alien Parasite Overlords
Vaguely Scientific - January 20, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Aly to discuss which animal species should be uplifted to human intelligence. Then, we explain how one might stop an alien parasite from taking over their brain if you would want to do something that foolish. Also, we talk a lot about Animorphs. Panel...
Vaguely Scientific #61: The Shield of Perpetual Shielding
Vaguely Scientific - January 06, 2021 08:00 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Adam to discuss whether or not you could use gemstones to enhance the power of a shield. Then, we try to figure out at approximately what age all of our immortal listeners will quit aging. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Adam
Vaguely Extra #7: Outtakes 4ever
Vaguely Scientific - January 01, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsStart the year off right by listening to all the material that ended up on the cutting room floor from the back half of season two. Some of it's funny, some of it's interesting, and some of it is interesting AND funny!
Vaguely Scientific #60: Thunder and Lightning!
Vaguely Scientific - December 23, 2020 08:00 - 36 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this festive episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Andy to brainstorm how to booby trap their houses to dissuade bandits from stealing presents. Then, we deduce what Santa's reindeer would become if they turned into their namesakes. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Andy
Vaguely Scientific #59: Kingdom Planetam Nanum
Vaguely Scientific - December 09, 2020 08:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss whether or not Protista should be a kingdom. Then, we discuss whether or not Pluto should be made back into a planet. So basically the same question, but on a matter of scale! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe
Vaguely Scientific #58: No Forces? What a Cat-astrophe!
Vaguely Scientific - November 25, 2020 08:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to discuss how our favorite sports would be different if the forces that affect our universe were to change. Also, we don't have favorite sports and don't know anything about sports. Then, we talk about something we do know about: cats! Pan...
Vaguely Scientific #57: Zero G DDT
Vaguely Scientific - November 11, 2020 08:00 - 34 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Brian to discuss how to perform a suplex when in zero gravity. Then, we discuss the respective digestive tracts of Kirby and Yoshi. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Brian
Vaguely Scientific #56: Vaguely Spooky 3 - Season of the Vampire
Vaguely Scientific - October 28, 2020 07:00 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dave and Marcus to discuss why vampires can't be seen in a mirror, which is odd when you think about how well coiffed their hair always is. Then, we try to figure out how to become mad scientists (not that we weren't already). Finally, we spill our gu...
Vaguely Scientific #55: The Scottish Episode
Vaguely Scientific - October 14, 2020 07:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne to discuss whether or not Birnam Wood could actually come to Dunsinane as it does in Macbeth (and other ways it might have gone down). Then, we take a look at some of the lost cities of the world and try to figure out whether or not they actually...
Vaguely Extra #6: Derek's Take on the Fortune Telling Boom
Vaguely Scientific - October 08, 2020 07:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this bonus episode, Derek sits down and attempts to analyze the sudden dramatic increase in interest in fortune telling.
Vaguely Scientific #54: It's Your Kids, Marty! They Killed Caesar!
Vaguely Scientific - September 30, 2020 07:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Big A to discuss what Back to the Future Part 2 actually predicted correctly. Then, we go back in time and kill as many people as possible to create huge tangents in our timelines! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Big A
Vaguely Scientific #53: Pop Goes the Tummy
Vaguely Scientific - September 16, 2020 07:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to try and determine just how much food someone can eat until they explode. Then, we take a look at what might happen if a group of people are filmed for years on end. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra
How Did the Coin Get in the Fish?
Questions You're Not Asking - September 08, 2020 16:00 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 2 ratings'How did the coin get in the fish?' - Chris and Tom explore that weird miracle where Jesus makes a coin appear in a fish and perhaps does some sneaky tax evasion.
Vaguely Extra #5: Outtakes the Third
Vaguely Scientific - September 07, 2020 16:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt's Labor Day (at least in the US)! Cap off your long weekend with some of our outtakes from the first half of our second year.