English 箭头
Podcast Cover

[Wow in the World: Mathematical Pigeons, Language Games, and Linguistic Revival]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - It's All Slang to Me!]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-04-23

Preschool Enlightenment
Or study on the web version

📋 Summary

A Season of Celebration and Scientific Discovery

The latest episode of Wow in the World serves as a vibrant hub for both upcoming community celebrations and fascinating scientific inquiry. Mindy and Guy Raz set the stage for a busy November and December, highlighting the show's 250th episode, which will be presented as a musical on December 1st. To mark this milestone, the hosts are organizing a members-only "listening party" on November 22nd, inviting "Wowzers" to engage in a shared audio experience.

The "Slanguage" Machine and Mathematical Pigeons

The episode features a playful segment where Mindy introduces a "slanguage machine," a device intended to generate unique phrases, though it often results in humorous confusion with Guy Raz. Beyond the comedy, the core of the show remains grounded in "Two Whats and a Wow," a scientific game show that challenges listeners to distinguish scientific truth from fiction.

In this installment, the hosts reveal the answer to a previous challenge regarding animal intelligence. The winning "wow" is that "research suggests that pigeons can do math at the same level as some monkeys." The episode clarifies that pigeons are remarkably adept at "ranking numbers of objects from smallest to largest," performing just as well as rhesus monkeys in comparative studies. The segment also debunks or nuances other claims: while cats can identify images with the most objects, it is not definitively classified as math, and worms use a "hot or cold mathematical method" to track food, rather than counting in the traditional human sense.

Language, Brain Growth, and Linguistic Conservation

Transitioning to the theme of languages, the hosts present a new "Two Whats and a Wow" challenge, asking listeners to identify the true scientific statement among three options: the physical growth of brain regions after learning three languages, the existence of approximately 3,500 languages globally, or the ability of gorillas to communicate via sign language. This interactive format encourages listeners to "scream your answer in another language," reinforcing the show's commitment to playful engagement.

Finally, the episode introduces "Operation Word Extinction," a creative initiative aimed at reviving archaic or obscure vocabulary. Mindy and Guy Raz challenge their audience to integrate words like "cattywampus," "gobbledygook," and "whippersnapper" into daily conversation or creative storytelling. By inviting listeners to share videos of themselves using these words, the show emphasizes the importance of preserving linguistic heritage while maintaining the curiosity and "wow" factor that defines their mission. This blend of cognitive science, animal behavior, and linguistic play underscores the show's ongoing goal to make learning an interactive and festive experience for children and adults alike.

🎯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
we can see if we can fix the slang machine later.
Expand All

📝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
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.

ListenLeap Brings You Into Real Context Learning

🎨 Interesting Content
🌍 Real Materials
📱 Listen Anytime
Or study on the web version