hackertube.io

I promise this story about microwaves is interesting.

Tom Scott · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Documentaries & storytellingScientific method & science communicationPhysics & space (other)

What it is

Tom Scott investigates the claim that the microwave was invented to heat hamsters, and interviews James Lovelock about freezing and microwave-thawing hamsters in the 1950s. It traces early magnetron uses beyond radar.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a well-told chase of a weird fact that lands a rare interview with Lovelock at age 101.

  • 9 people recommended it
  • 7 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2021, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “The whole story is worth a watch since Tom Scott does an admirable job of explaining”

    Tom Scott chases a weird fact and lands an amazing Lovelock interview.

    techdragon, 2022-07 · Strong recommendation · in “James Lovelock has died”

  2. “There was a really interesting video about how microwaves were first used to test this”

    Explains how microwaves were first used to thaw frozen animals.

    broof, 2021-06 · Recommendation · in “Frozen in Siberian Permafrost for 24,000 Years, Microscopic Animal Comes to Life”

  3. “Edit to add an interesting related video”

    Related video about thawing frozen animals with microwaves.

    _Algernon_, 2022-05 · Recommendation · in “Faecal transplants reverse hallmarks of ageing”

  4. “features a nice interview with Lovelock”

    Features an interview with Lovelock about microwave ovens.

    bambax, 2022-07 · Recommendation · in “James Lovelock has died”

  5. “Tom Scott interviewed him last year in a really wonderful video about microwaves.”

    Wonderful video interviewing a remarkably coherent 100-year-old Lovelock.

    mabbo, 2022-10 · Recommendation · in “A singular scientist: James Lovelock”

  6. “Tom Scott’s video on Microwaves, in which James Lovelock is interviewed”

    Tom Scott's microwave video with a Lovelock interview.

    zeristor, 2023-02 · Recommendation · in “SimEarth, Finding Gaia in an Afternoon”

  7. “Tom Scott is one talented YouTuber.”

    Microwaving frozen hamsters back to life, with Lovelock interviewed at 101.

    cynwoody, 2023-02 · Recommendation · in “How to date a recording using background electrical noise”

  8. “Tom Scott made a great video about it”

    Covers the man who thawed frozen small animals with microwaves.

    H8crilA, 2023-06 · Recommendation · in “Scientists unfroze rat organs and transplanted them”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: tom scott, james lovelock, cryonics, magnetron, science history, hamsters

Also recommended by the same people