Video of the Day
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The benefits of binge-watching
What makes us binge-watch shows like Killing Eve or Game of Thrones? And is it a problem – or could it actually be good for us?
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A very old bird called ‘Wonderchicken’
This spectacular fossil, affectionately nicknamed “the Wonderchicken”, includes a near-complete skull hidden inside pieces of rock. It dates from before the asteroid impact, which obliterated...
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Mystery of the world’s first author
Over 4,300 years ago in ancient Sumer, the most powerful person in the city of Ur was banished to wander the vast desert. Her name was Enheduanna and, by the time of her exile, she had written...
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What whales can teach us
Whales are more like humans than we might think. From knowing your roots to making time for fun, here’s why we humans could learn a thing or two from whale culture.
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The mythical king who changed the world
In 1165, copies of a strange letter began to circulate throughout Europe. It spoke of a fantastical realm, containing the Tower of Babel and the Fountain of Youth. This message would impact the...
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Deadly secrets of the coronavirus
What actually happens when the new coronavirus infects a human, and what should we do to defend ourselves? Even if you are fed up with hearing about it, you should give this brilliant new video...
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Could this man save the world?
It looks like he is the man who will run against Donald Trump in November. And currently, the polls suggest he would win. If Joe Biden becomes US president and leader of the free world, he might...
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What if Pi got sick?
All budding mathematicians, gather round! This brilliant improvisation – made to celebrate Pi Day on 14 March – starts from the idea that numbers might have weaknesses just like people do. And...
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A plague of loneliness
Governments around the world are promoting social distancing as one of the ways to stop the coronavirus pandemic from spreading. But the cost of isolation for many is loneliness – regarded by...
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Europe tightens the virus clampdown
“Nothing like this has happened since the war” – a frequent comment about the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. It is a good idea to catch up with the world news this Monday morning… And...
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How to spot emotional immaturity
Emotional immaturity is hugely hard to spot – often lurking in people who, from the outside, look more or less their age. This is an indispensable guide to identifying the worst kinds of...
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What if everyone planted a tree?
Around 30% of our planet is covered in trees – that's approximately three trillion trees. As well as helping with biodiversity, they can also help combat the climate crisis. But we’re cutting...
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Why are we afraid of the wrong things?
Covid-19 has an average mortality rate of around 1%. Shark attacks are up by a factor of two. Both are examples of ways risk is presented in news articles, and both are wildly misleading. So,...
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How do American presidential elections work?
It will be one of the biggest stories of this spring – and one of the most baffling. The race to choose a rival to Donald Trump is well under way. The process is complex. This new explainer from...
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Secrets of Bach’s G major prelude
Often called the perfect piece of music, Bach’s G major prelude has captivated cellists and music lovers for years. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein deconstructs it.