[The Science of Cheese and Underwater Hunters: A Wow in the World Special]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Say Cheese (1/5/24)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2024-01-05

📋 Summary

Uncovering the Science Behind Our Favorite Foods and Creatures

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy and Guy Raz bring listeners into the fascinating, often quirky world of scientific discovery through their game show, Two Whats and a Wow. This session focuses on the surprising biology of cheese and the clever hunting strategies of marine life.

The Curious Science of Cheese

The game show segments highlight three distinct scientific facts about cheese, separating the "wows" from the "whats":

The Mold Connection: The hosts clarify that blue cheese attains its signature color and texture through the introduction of specific mold. Cheesemakers inject wheels of cheese with penicillium, which grows into air pockets created by tiny holes, resulting in the creamy texture and blue aesthetic. As the host notes, this is distinct from the mold that might appear on forgotten fridge items.
The Stinky Bacteria Link: One of the most bizarre revelations is the connection between smelly feet and pungent cheese. The bacteria Brevibacterium epidermidis, which causes foot odor, is the same microbial agent responsible for the strong aroma of cheeses like Limburger. Despite the unappealing association, this bacterium is a key component in creating the flavor profiles that many cheese enthusiasts enjoy.
Cheese as Art: The show highlights a remarkable historical anecdote where artist Sarah Kaufman sculpted a life-sized astronaut out of 1,900 pounds of cheddar cheese for the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. The story serves as a humorous cautionary tale about the importance of climate control, as the sculpture famously melted after the museum's air conditioning failed.

The "Stalking Horse" Hunting Technique

Transitioning from dairy science to marine biology, the Bonker Balls bonus round investigates the hunting behavior of the trumpet fish. The hosts explain that the trumpet fish employs a strategy known as the "stalking horse."

This technique involves the long, slender fish hiding behind larger aquatic creatures to mask its presence. By using a larger fish as a literal "stalking horse," the trumpet fish can ambush its prey from the shadows. This behavior, the hosts point out, mirrors hunting tactics once used by humans on horseback, demonstrating a sophisticated, evolutionary approach to predation in the underwater world.

Conclusion and Community Engagement

The episode concludes by emphasizing the value of curiosity and play. Through the World Organization of Wowzers and the Tinkercast platform, the show encourages young listeners—or "Wowzers"—to engage with science beyond the podcast. Whether it is through hands-on experimental kits or participating in exclusive listening parties for their upcoming 250th episode, the hosts stress that learning about the world should be an interactive, joyous experience. By blending humor with factual discovery, Wow in the World continues to make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for all ages.

🎯Key Sentences

I gotta let you know that

We think this one is going to be music to your ears.

Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.

That's it.

It's going to be a November to remember.

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📝Key Phrases

music to your ears

get on with the show

refresh our memory

made-up

time is up

Expand All

📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.

Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.

And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,

And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.

Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

Or study on the web version →