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Vaguely Scientific

Vaguely Scientificwww.vaguelyscientific.com
Our panelists answer audience-submitted questions that range from the serious to the ridiculous using as much science as they can muster! Hosts Jim, Derek, and a rotating panel use their expertise (or lack thereof) to tackle these questions in a manner that can only be described as "vaguely scientific."
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Episodes

Vaguely Scientific #178: No Pizza to Yes Pizza in 30 Seconds

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Catherine to talk about what counts as a cat losing one of its nine lives? And why do they even have nine lives to begin with? Then, why does food taste different when it's microwaved compared to other cooking styles? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Catherine

Jul 02, 202554 minSeason 7Ep. 178

Vaguely Scientific #177: Maine, Are You Okay Up There?

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Ryan to list all of the fictional towns on contemporary Earth that we would never want to live. Then, why does Mario die when the little timer runs out? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Ryan

Jun 18, 202558 minSeason 7Ep. 177

Vaguely Scientific #175: No Toe Stub Lad

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dave to discuss whether mermaids lay eggs or give live birth. Furthermore, are they monotremes??? Then, what F-tier superpowers would we take? And how bad is F-tier really? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dave

May 21, 202558 minSeason 7Ep. 175

Vaguely Extra #13: Old Timey Outtakes

We have some fresh new outtakes to share with everyone! These ones are ( checks notes) three years old. Oops. Not so fresh anymore. You might have to dig into our back catalogue to figure out what we were talking about between episodes 92 and 104. Or not. They're fun either way!

May 14, 202551 min

Vaguely Scientific #174: That's Thermodynamics, Baby

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jeremiah to figure out how they can walk on lava for fun (and maybe profit). Then, we try planting enough plants so that we can perpetually live in a sealed environment. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jeremiah

May 07, 202559 minSeason 7Ep. 174

Vaguely Scientific #173: We're Not Gonna Say No to a Lightsaber

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss which fictional tools, weapons, or other gizmos we would choose if we could have one. Then, would intelligent zombies be more or less dangerous than regular ones? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel

Apr 23, 202555 minSeason 7Ep. 173

Vaguely Scientific #172: Fire Hates Rabbits

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sydney to discuss why the smoke from a campfire always follows you specifically. Then, what would OSHA look like in a world chock full of superheroes. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sydney

Apr 09, 202556 minSeason 7Ep. 172

Vaguely Scientific #171: She's Right, But WHAT?

In our 2025 April Fools Extravaganza, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin to answer our shortest and sweetest questions. We also play a game of Science Fact and Fiction and read through the best spam of all! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Justin

Mar 26, 20251 hr 26 minSeason 7Ep. 171

Vaguely Scientific #170: Save It for Later

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to discuss what we would put into a time capsule for future generations. Then, why does it throw us off when we hear our own voice echoed back to us through a headset? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra

Mar 12, 202559 minSeason 7Ep. 170

Vaguely Scientific #169: The Glasserole

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne to discuss whether or not it would be possible to actaully create Captain America in our world. Then, if we could sit down with three scientists of our choosing, who would we pick, and what would we serve? And how terrible can a scientist really be? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Anne

Feb 26, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 7Ep. 169

Vaguely Scientific #168: Spooky Gravity

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Brian to discuss whether or not a ghost could ride a human elevator. Clearly they can ride ghost elevators. Then, which movies would have wildly different outcomes if the characters had cell phones. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Brian

Feb 12, 202555 minSeason 7Ep. 168

Vaguely Scientific #167: A Less Pleasant Way to Decelerate

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Jonathan to determine how badly plummeting to the ground in an indestructible case might actually be. Then, can we make a perpetual motion machine? The answer won't surprise you. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Jonathan

Jan 29, 202553 minSeason 7Ep. 167

Vaguely Scientific #165: Arizona Is a Real Place That Still Exists

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to try and figure out how Merlin could have lived his life in reverse. Then, why do we continue to live in a place where the air hurts our face? Well, where else would we go? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris

Jan 01, 202552 minSeason 7Ep. 165

Vaguely Scientific #164: The Jolly Prometheus

In this very festive episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss the different types of Frosties we might get if we change out his hat or emotions (or both). Then, could you make and live in a real gingerbread house? And finally, what obscure media would we turn into a Hallmark ornament? Also, do we even know any media that's particularly obscure? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe

Dec 18, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 7Ep. 164

Vaguely Scientific #163: Peppers Are Berries

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Aly to discuss tomatoes as fruit, mushrooms as vegetables, and how multiple things can be true by stretching definitions. Then, we look at some of the best species team-ups in nature. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly

Dec 04, 202456 minSeason 7Ep. 163

Vaguely Scientific #162: Where in the Toy Is the Soul?

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Dac to try and figure out how Katamari balls in Katmarai Damacy stick everything together. Then, we examine the toy society of Toy Story. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Dac

Nov 20, 202457 minSeason 7Ep. 162

Vaguely Scientific #160: Vaguely Spooky 7 - Spooky Scary Skeletons

In this Halloween adventure, Jim and Derek are joined by Jeremiah and Spooky Dave to figure out how to scare someone so bad that their hair turns white. Then, how do skeletons move even though they have no muscles or any other connective tissue? And finally, what's the best way to hand out your trick or treat candy? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Spooky Dave, Jeremiah

Oct 23, 202451 minSeason 7Ep. 160

Vaguely Scientific #159: Hibernation Grime

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Catherine to try and figure out why we are frequently wide awake at bedtime and super sleepy in the mid-afternoon. Speaking of sleep, we discuss how life might be different if humans could hibernate. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Catherine

Oct 09, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 7Ep. 159

Vaguely Scientific #158: Heat Lightning Is Passive Aggressive

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Justin and Aly to discuss what the world might be like if our moods directly affected the weather. Bring a poncho. Then, if we could go on a field trip with Ms. Frizzle, what would we want to go do? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Aly, Justin

Sep 25, 20241 hr 10 minSeason 7Ep. 158

Vaguely Scientific #157: Destroying the Food Industry

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joel to discuss whether Krang from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is secretly a Dalek from Doctor Who. Then, would we rather never have to sleep again or never have to eat again? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joel

Sep 11, 202453 minSeason 7Ep. 157

Vaguely Scientific #156: The Thumb Wars Meta

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sydney to figure out what would happen if we were literally all thumbs. On our hands, mind you. Not, like, our kidneys and shoulders and stuff. Then, it's time for the Animal Olympics! Which animal is doing what event against whom? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sydney

Aug 28, 202459 minSeason 6Ep. 156

Vaguely Scientific #155: Why Dog?

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Anne, who helps us to unlock our potential to communicate with animals. Or something like that. Then, what is the best piece of playground equipment? Objectively, of course. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Anne

Aug 14, 20241 hrSeason 6Ep. 155

Vaguely Scientific #154: Saturn and the Secret Rings

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Mark to destroy Saturn's rings once and for all. Then, we desperately try to search through a print book by using Ctrl+F and come up short. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Mark

Jul 31, 202453 minSeason 6Ep. 154

Vaguely Scientific #153: Side Effects Include

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Chris to try to pinpoint all of the dangerous near-Earth asteroids and destroy them! Or something like that. Then, we try to translate video game stat buffs over to the real world. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Chris

Jul 17, 20241 hrSeason 6Ep. 153

Vaguely Scientific #152: Plantimals

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Sierra to ponder how a raven is like a writing desk. Somehow there are more similarities than we thought. Then, we discuss how life might be different if humans were somehow able to photosynthesize. Panelists: Jim, Derek, Sierra

Jul 03, 202459 minSeason 6Ep. 152

Vaguely Scientific #151: More Mass Than Exists in the Solar System

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Joe to discuss the types of jobs that AI would hate doing just as much as we do. Then, how can we more effectively harness all the wasted energy coming out of the sun? Panelists: Jim, Derek, Joe

Jun 19, 20241 hr 7 minSeason 6Ep. 151

Vaguely Scientific #150: Helicopter Polo

In this episode, Jim and Derek are joined by Ryan to discuss how we could bring the sport of Quidditch into the real world. Then, would we rather fight 100 trilobite-sized Hulks or 1 Hulk-sized trilobite? The answer may not surprise you! Panelists: Jim, Derek, Ryan

Jun 05, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 6Ep. 150
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