Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
A podcast about the big numbers, the hard sums, the mathematics that defines, runs, shapes, changes, begins, ends, every things our lives and the world around us. Hosted by Colm O'Regan. An award-winning radio broadcaster, comedian, novelist and it turns out lapsed engineer who is trying to feel useful again. Each episode sheds light on a tiny corner of a giant subject with entertaining guests and accessible talk.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Mathematics • Science • Technology • Statistics • Algorithms • Energy • Climate Change • History of Mathematics • Astrophysics • Engineering • Sociology • Mathematical Models • SustainabilityThis podcast, titled "The Function Room," offers an engaging exploration of mathematics and its pervasive influence on various aspects of life and the universe. Hosted by Colm O'Regan, a comedian and former engineer, the podcast delves into the intriguing world of numbers and mathematical concepts, shedding light on a wide array of subjects with accessible discussions and interesting guests.
Common themes throughout the episodes include the application of mathematics in everyday life and specialized fields such as sports statistics, energy modeling, and climate change. The podcast explores how mathematical models and computations underpin complex phenomena, whether it's the behavior of black holes, the evolution of civilizations, or advancements in quantum computing. The episodes frequently highlight the historical and cultural significance of mathematics, with discussions touching on topics like the history of pocket calculators, the mathematics of art, and biometric patterns in nature.
The podcast also takes a closer look at the intersection of mathematics with other disciplines, such as voting systems, criminology, neuroscience, and the environmental sciences. Through these explorations, listeners can gain insight into how mathematical principles help inform decision-making, enhance understanding of scientific processes, and shape innovations.
Moreover, the podcast often tackles more abstract or philosophical concepts, such as free will and the unknown variables of the universe, revealing how mathematics can lead to profound contemplations about existence. With a mix of humor and insightful commentary, "The Function Room" provides an approachable entry point for those curious about the mathematical strings that weave through the fabric of the world.
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53 The High Seas with Olive Heffernan 2025-Jul-15 40 minutes |
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52 This Number Could Save Your Life One Day with Lewis Dartnell 2025-Jul-07 49 minutes |
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51 Great xPectations with Paul McDonald. 2024-Aug-03 49 minutes |
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50 Talking Ballots with Adrian Kavanagh 2024-Jul-14 55 minutes |
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49 The Hole Shebang - Black Holes with Dr John Regan 2024-Jun-26 51 minutes |
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48 Object Lesson 2024-May-28 47 minutes |
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47 Body to Body to Body with Dr Matt Kenzie 2024-May-16 59 minutes |
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46 Census Sensibility with Dr Jessica Coyne. 2024-Apr-17 59 minutes |
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45 Empire of the Sum a history of the pocket calculator 2024-Mar-15 47 minutes |
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44 (Replay) Algorithm and Blues with Cathy O'Neill 2024-Mar-07 46 minutes |
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43 Potential Energy - the Mathematics of Energy Modelling 2024-Feb-29 37 minutes |
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42 That's So Derivative - Mathematics at the Movies with John Fardy 2024-Feb-22 58 minutes |
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41 Re: Volts with David Roberts 2024-Feb-06 71 minutes |
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40 H2 Oh! with Catherine Sheridan 2024-Jan-29 45 minutes |
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39 There's Been a Breakthrough with TJ Hegarty. 2024-Jan-22 43 minutes |
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38 The Auld Sthretch with Éibhear Ó hAnluain 2023-Dec-13 39 minutes |
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37 This Goes All The Way to the Top with David Robert Grimes 2023-Nov-29 60 minutes |
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36 Murderous Math with Kjartan Poskitt 2023-Nov-22 43 minutes |
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35 Riemann Reason with Dr Alex Kontorovich 2023-Nov-09 59 minutes |
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34 Sea Change with Joanna Donnelly 2023-Oct-27 33 minutes |
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33 Climate Worrier 2023-Oct-19 53 minutes |
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32 All the Pieces Matter 2023-Oct-16 25 minutes |
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31 It's in Our Nature 2023-Oct-04 52 minutes |
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30 Anyone's Guess 2023-Sep-21 59 minutes |
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29 The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same 2023-Sep-11 49 minutes |
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28 Things Fall Apart 2023-Jul-10 42 minutes |
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27 A Sense of Ounce 2023-Jul-03 51 minutes |
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26 Chums' Pedigree 2023-Jun-28 40 minutes |
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#25 Crime Numbers 2023-Jun-19 51 minutes |
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24 Carbon of Contention 2023-Jun-09 51 minutes |
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23 What the Butler Saw with John Butler 2023-May-24 58 minutes |
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#22 Once Upon A Prime with Sarah Hart 2023-May-15 42 minutes |
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#21 Drawing by Numbers with Ayliean MacDonald 2023-May-06 49 minutes |
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Boyle Points - the story of a gas man 2023-May-01 38 minutes |
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The Weather Forecast: The Original Cloud Computing 2023-Apr-22 49 minutes |
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Some Idle ChatGPT 2023-Apr-14 52 minutes |
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Mental Arithmetic: It's All In Your Head 2023-Apr-06 37 minutes |
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All We Hear Is: Radio Pulsar 2023-Mar-30 36 minutes |
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Back Once Again For The Renegade Masters Student 2023-Mar-23 59 minutes |
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Where Is There a Will? 2021-Sep-22 58 minutes |
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Miracle Grow 2021-Sep-08 79 minutes |
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The Ps of Queues 2021-Aug-23 56 minutes |
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A Chip Off The New Block 2021-Jun-28 42 minutes |
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Welcome to the Fold 2021-May-14 67 minutes |
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The Matrix Revised 2021-Mar-15 45 minutes |
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Algorithm and Blues 2021-Feb-09 45 minutes |
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The Solace of Quantum 2021-Jan-18 45 minutes |
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A Sum of Funny. 2020-Dec-29 45 minutes |
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The Math(s) Doesn't Care About Your Feelings 2020-Nov-21 56 minutes |
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Galaxy Brain 2020-Nov-06 41 minutes |
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Model Behaviour 2020-Oct-23 35 minutes |
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Spilling the T. 2020-Oct-09 51 minutes |
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1 They Grow Up So Fast with Kit Yates 2020-Sep-10 33 minutes |