What If

What If

Science, Theories, and Possibilities

What If Latest Episodes

What If a Blazar Entered Our Solar System?

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This episode is sponsored by Morning Brew. Get up to speed on business, finance, and tech in just 5 minutes with their newsletter.


We've explored many disasters Earth could face: from asteroids and aliens, to the Sun's death. Yet the Universe is perilous, and a new threat emerges—a blazar. Typically found at the galaxy's center, blazars are black holes of immense mass. For context, the Milky Way's black hole is four million times the mass of the Sun, but pales in comparison to others.


This episode investigates the oldest blazar, visibility differences among blazars, the Doppler effect's role in detecting blazars, active galactic nuclei, and the impact of radiation and gamma rays on Earth. We also discuss the distance of Markarian 421 from our planet.


For transcript and sources, visit What If Show.


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What If is a web series exploring hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Produced by Underknown in Toronto: Underknown.

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If Earth Were Sucked Into a Black Hole

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Just 3,000 light-years from Earth is a black hole visible to the naked eye. Thankfully, we are a safe distance from this stellar black hole and many others like it. There are approximately 100 million of them out there in our galaxy that we know of. They are the remnants of supernovae, which occur when stars 10 to 20 times larger than our Sun collapse in on themselves.


Could a black hole devour us all one day? There are millions of them out there just waiting. And if we happened to make a black hole accidentally, well, you better fasten your seatbelts. Things are going to really suck! Quite literally.


What would we see if we got pulled into a black hole? Could Earth orbit the Sun and a black hole? Would we survive spaghettification? What would happen if we get past the event horizon?


Transcript and sources: What If Earth Were Sucked Into a Black Hole


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  • Batman
  • Kristopher Kirby
  • omar Rodríguez
  • Mohamed Al Hammadi

What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: Underknown

Show notes

What If Everyone Was Albino?

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Imagine how different your life would be if you had a condition that affected your vision, made being outdoors risky, and set your appearance apart. This episode explores what life would be like if you were albino. Would you have red eyes? How would your genes differ? Why could the Sun be dangerous? What exactly is albinism? Why are albinos sensitive to light? How does their melanin differ? What is ocular albinism?


For the transcript and sources, visit our website.


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Produced by Underknown in Toronto: Underknown


Supporters: Batman, Kristopher Kirby, Omar Rodríguez, Mohamed Al Hammadi

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What If You Always Swallow Your Chewing Gum?

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You chew it, stretch it, and blow it. But what really happens to your body when you swallow chewing gum regularly? Could it obstruct your body, or even prove fatal? Discover how gum impacts your digestive system, and whether it could lead to sepsis or endanger your intestines. Plus, learn about the connection between the sapodilla tree and chewing gum.


For the full transcript and sources, visit here.


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What If Titans Were Real?

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The Japanese manga and anime series "Attack On Titan" has captivated our imaginations and greatest fears. It involves terrifying humanoid giants with an insatiable appetite for humans. Beware of potential spoilers and nightmares to come.

If Titans were real and suddenly appeared around the world, could we survive, or would we all be breakfast? What is our greatest defense against Titans? What kind of technology could we use against them? And how could we take down a colossal Titan? How would this hypothetical scenario unfold?


Transcript and sources: whatifshow.com/what-if-titans-were-real


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Thank you to our supporters:

Batman

Kristopher Kirby

omar Rodríguez

Mohamed Al Hammadi


What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: underknown.com

Show notes

What If You Jumped Into a Pool of Liquid Methane?

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Below freezing waters? Check. Insulated swimsuit--? Hey, wait. What are you doing? Okay, smart guy, but what if you jumped into a pool of liquid methane? Would you need a diving suit? How cold would the pool be? What is a thermokarst lake? How dangerous is permafrost? Are thermokarst lakes only found on Saturn's moon Titan?


Get a stronger start to the year with 25% off a Fitbod membership now: https://www.Fitbod.me/whatif. It integrates with other fitness and health apps like Apple Health, Fitbit, and Strava. Personalized training can be tough on the budget, but Fitbod is only $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.


Transcript and sources: https://whatifshow.com/what-if-you-fell-into-a-pool-of-liquid-methane/


Get our 100 best episodes in one mind-blowing book: http://bit.ly/ytc-the-what-if-100-book


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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/whatif-newsletter


Feedback and inquiries: https://underknown.com/contact/


What If elsewhere:


Thank you to our supporters: Batman, Kristopher Kirby, omar Rodríguez, Mohamed Al Hammadi.


What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: https://underknown.com

Show notes

What If COVID-19 Never Disappears?

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Despite all of the masks, tests, and vaccinations, there is no guarantee that COVID-19 will ever disappear. Even if the virus doesn't go away, it might not be as bad as it seems. How could COVID-19 never go away? What would life be like if it didn't disappear? Could the virus mutate again? Will our bodies become immune over time? Do social distancing and remote work have a major role in lessening the spreading of the virus?


For the full transcript and sources, visit here.


Get our 100 best episodes in one mind-blowing book: The What If 100 Book.


Join our channel for exclusive perks: YouTube Membership.


Explore more what-if scenarios: Planet Earth, The Cosmos, Technology, Your Body, Humanity.


T-shirts and merch available at What If Store.


Suggest an episode: Suggest a What If.


Stay updated with our Newsletter.


For feedback and inquiries, visit Contact Us.


Follow What If elsewhere: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, What If in Spanish, What If in Mandarin, Podcast.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: Underknown.


Thank you to our supporters: Batman, Kristopher Kirby, omar Rodríguez.


What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space, and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.

Show notes

What If You Cut the Moon in Half?

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Explore the hypothetical scenario of what would happen if the Moon was cut in half. Delve into the potential consequences on Earth's tides, axial tilt, and more curious questions such as the cause of moonquakes and whether the Moon has ever split before.


Visit CuriosityStream for unlimited access to top documentaries and nonfiction series. Use promo code 'whatif' for a free 30-day trial!


For transcripts and sources, check here.


Discover more scenarios:

Planet Earth | The Cosmos | Technology | Your Body | Humanity


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Produced by Underknown in Toronto: underknown.com

Show notes

What If You Wore 100 Layers of Makeup?

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Do you know what you’re putting on your skin? Makeup can highlight your best features, smooth out imperfections, and help you feel confident. And sometimes, you’re just too tired to wash it off before you go to bed. You could get away with this for one night without causing too much damage. But what if one night turns into two, then three, then four, and then 100 days go by, and you still haven’t taken your makeup off? What would you look like? Can makeup cause acne? Or cancer?


Transcript and sources: https://whatifshow.com/what-if-you-wore-100-layers-of-makeup/


Get our 100 best episodes in one mind-blowing book: http://bit.ly/ytc-the-what-if-100-book


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The Cosmos: http://bit.ly/YT-what-if-Cosmos

Technology: http://bit.ly/YT-what-if-Technology

Your Body: http://bit.ly/YT-what-if-Body

Humanity: http://bit.ly/YT-what-if-Humanity


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What If in Mandarin: http://bit.ly/YT-Chinese-what-if

Podcast: http://bit.ly/yt-what-if-show-podcast


Thank you to our supporters:

Batman

Kristopher Kirby

omar Rodríguez


What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: https://underknown.com

Show notes

You Were the Last Child Born on Earth

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There have been 108 billion Homo sapiens born on Earth. But you are the very last one. With no other babies being born after you, you would be the end of the human race and its legacy. What would your life be like? Would the whole world be your parents? How long would you live?


Transcript and sources

Thumbnail character by Nic Wassell: Nic Wassell on ArtStation


Get our 100 best episodes in one mind-blowing book: The What If 100 Book


Join this channel to get access to perks: Join on YouTube


Watch more what-if scenarios:
Planet Earth
The Cosmos
Technology
Your Body
Humanity


T-shirts and merch: What If Store
Suggest an episode: Suggest What If
Newsletter: What If Newsletter
Feedback and inquiries: Contact Underknown


What If elsewhere:
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
What If in Spanish: Spanish What If
What If in Mandarin: Chinese What If
Podcast: What If Podcast


Thank you to our supporters:
Batman
Kristopher Kirby
Omar Rodríguez


What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure through time, space and chance while we (hopefully) boil down complex subjects in a fun and entertaining way.


Produced with love by Underknown in Toronto: Underknown


Get a stronger start to the year with 25% off Fitbod: Fitbod. It integrates with other fitness and health apps like Apple Health, Fitbit, and Strava. Personalized training can be tough on the budget, but Fitbod is only $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

Show notes