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[Exploring Animal Cognition and the Evolution of Language: Insights from 'Wow in the World']-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - It's All Slang to Me! (encore)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-07-02

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

The Intersection of Science and Play

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz engage young listeners—affectionately dubbed "Wowzers"—in a blend of scientific inquiry and playful banter. The episode serves as a hub for upcoming community events, including the milestone 250th episode celebration, while maintaining its core mission of making complex science accessible and entertaining for children.

Unveiling Animal Intelligence: The Math of Pigeons

The show’s signature segment, "Two What's and a Wow," focused on animal cognition. The winning "Wow" revealed that pigeons possess mathematical capabilities comparable to rhesus monkeys. As the show noted, "research suggests that pigeons can do math at the same level as some monkeys," specifically in their ability to rank objects by size. This segment debunked the "what" misconceptions regarding cats and worms. While cats can identify the quantity of objects, scientists remain uncertain if this qualifies as "math." Similarly, worms use a sophisticated "hot or cold mathematical method" to navigate toward food, though they do not count in the human sense.

The Complexity of Human Language

Transitioning to the theme of linguistics, the hosts presented a new "Two What's and a Wow" challenge concerning human language. The options provided to the audience included:

  1. A: The physical growth of brain regions dedicated to language after learning three languages.
  2. B: The existence of approximately 3,500 spoken languages globally.
  3. C: The ability of gorillas to communicate via sign language.

This challenge encourages listeners to think critically about how language is acquired and structured, emphasizing the scientific curiosity that drives the program.

Linguistic Heritage: Operation Word Extinction

Beyond the game, Mindy and Guy Raz introduced "Operation Word Extinction," a creative challenge aimed at revitalizing archaic or whimsical vocabulary. By urging listeners to incorporate words like "cattywampus," "gobbledygook," and "whippersnapper" into their daily lives, the hosts are fostering a deeper appreciation for the evolution of the English language. This initiative invites community participation, encouraging families to document their use of these words through video submissions, thereby bridging the gap between educational content and interactive play.

Conclusion

Through a mix of trivia, community engagement, and a touch of "slanguage" humor, Wow in the World continues to cultivate a sense of wonder. By highlighting the surprising cognitive abilities of animals and the quirks of human communication, the episode successfully reinforces the idea that science is not just an academic pursuit, but a dynamic and ever-evolving part of our daily experience.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I've got a little surprise for you.
2
You're just in time.
3
What does that even mean?
4
I don't think people actually say that.
5
Anyway, here, check this one.
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
just in time
4
don't quite understand
5
roll the tape
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📖 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.

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