Level Up Human
Level Up Human - Steve Backshall vs Kate Storrs
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Episode notes
S2E11: Level Up Human is a podcast on a mission to redesign the human body.
This week, Simon and Rach chat to naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall and visual perception scientist Kate Storrs.
We discuss enhanced vision, limb regeneration, gecko hands, super kidneys and re-breathing.
Extended show notes including edited transcripts are available here.
In the news
Kate is tickled and baffled by a news story about Microsoft who want to generate cryptocurrency by monitoring people's brain activity.
Steve's news story is entitled, 'Venomous Frogs use Heads as Weapons.'
Rach's levelled up human is Bertolt Meyer, a DJ, producer and Professor of Organisational Psychology from Technische Universität Chemnitz who has hacked his prosthetic hand to hook it up to his synth.
The pitches
Steve wants to borrow the abilities of the Iberian sharp-ribbed newt, a type of salamander which can regenerate limbs and organs.
Kate thinks the human body should be able to see the polarisation of light
The audience want enhanced kidneys and gecko hands
Splice of Life
Every week, Simon scours the natural world for ideas from nature. This week it's the scuba-diving lizard, Anolis aquaticus
Which of our suggestions will make Rachel's shortlist? Which will win? Listen to find out.
Mentioned this episode
Microsoft has filed a patent to mine cryptocurrencies using your brainwaves: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a32318654/microsoft-brainwaves-mine-cryptocurrency
Venomous frogs use heads as weapons: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280753150_Venomous_Frogs_Use_Heads_as_Weapons
Bertolt Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4
Axolotyl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl
Zebrafish can regrow their brains: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-zebrafish-regrow-brains.html
Planaria worms: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/science/11obhead.html
Steve bitten by black piranha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPO6NwkM7so&list=PLtEFM-nSCj5ilDGnpe8Cf6CLtslFt1aCS
Mantis shrimp: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp
'Scuba-diving' lizard, Anolis aquaticus: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/bu-lc032019.php
Steve's Home Schooling (9.30am, Wednesdays): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-URP49TgSgyIU1rgh2m7A/videos
The Mirror Trap: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-trap-online-tickets-104125171190
Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/
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