Ologies with Alie Ward

Barbs. Grunts. Bone caves. Dogs who got too close. We got porcupines, folks. Dr. Tim Bean of Cal Poly is as charming an ologist you can get, fielding questions about porcupine squeaks, stanks, cartoonish noses, and some romantic gestures that will leave you wanting to bleach your brain. We also cover counting quills, male models, flim-flam about quill removal, how to spot a porcupine in the wild, how to gently detain one for research, and so much more. An absolute instant classic. Follow Dr. Bean on Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fWo1hH0AAAAJ&hl=en] and visit the Bean Lab website [https://calpoly-bean-lab.github.io/] A donation went to NAFWS: Native American Fish & Wildlife Society [https://nafws.org/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/erethizonology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Castorology (BEAVERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/castorology], Lepidopterology (BUTTERFLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/lepidopterology], Ethnocynology (ANCIENT DOGS AND HUMANS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ethnocynology], Lupinology (WOLVES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/lupinology], Road Ecology (ROAD KILL) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/roadecology] Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors] Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras] Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social] Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies] Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/] Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Yes, there is an -ology for that. And yes, we’re airing this episode -– with a ton of 2025 updates -– because it’s never felt more relevant. Dr. Robert Proctor is a Stanford professor of the History of Science and co-edited the book “Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance,” having coined the word 30 years ago. We chat about everything from tobacco marketing, to the sugar lobby, to racial injustice, horse vision, the psychology of the Flat Earther movement, which countries have the highest rates of climate denial, empathy, how to navigate difficult conversations and why it's critical to dismantle the systems of willful ignorance, starting locally.  Dr. Robert Proctor’s book: "Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance" [https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=11232] His 2021 book: Science and the Production of Ignorance: When the Quest for Knowledge Is Thwarted [https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/science-and-production-ignorance]. Donations in Dr. Proctor’s name went to: SavingBlackLives.org [http://savingblacklives.org/] and the Public Health Advocacy Institute [https://www.phaionline.org/about/] An additional donation went to The National Black Law Students Association [https://nationalblsa.wildapricot.org/] More episode sources and links, including info on Federal Workers [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/agnotologyencore] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may “enjoy”: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/genocidology], Attention Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/adhd], Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/eschatology], Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/criticalecology], Disasterology (DISASTERS), [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disasterology] Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/conservation-technology], Phenology (FALL/SEASONS), [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/phenology] Oceanology (OCEANS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/oceanology2], Futurology (THE FUTURE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/futurology], Selenology (THE MOON) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/selenology], Gemology (STONES & GEMS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gemology], Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/nomology], Neurotechnology (AI + BRAIN TECH) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/neurotechnology], Pedagogology (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Bill Nye [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/billnye], Vaccine Infodemiology (COVID-19 IMMUNITY), [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/vaccineinfodemiology] Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors] Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras] Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social] Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies] Editing by Steven Ray Morris and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam Media [https://www.mindjammedia.com/] Encore editing by Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/] and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] Additional encore producing by Mercedes Maitland Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Do they sweat blood? Will one kill you? What are cocaine hippos? Is Moo Deng… okay? Actual real life Hippopotomologist Dr. Rebecca Lewison explains how hippos have some of the best – and worst – PR.  We chat about pet hippos, subspecies, daily diets, the current state of hippo conservation, the absolute chaotic affection we have for pygmy hippos, their role as ecosystem engineers, what’s up with their nostrils, and how to keep a hippo in your pocket. Also: how to flatter your friends into planning a group vacation.  Visit the Lewison Lab at SDSU [https://www.conservationecologylab.com/] and follow Dr. Lewison on Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=OUzqVUEAAAAJ&hl=en] A donation went to The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) [https://wilderinstitute.org/conservation/wechiau-community-hippo-sanctuary/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/hippopotomology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Pinnipedology (SEALS & WALRUSES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/pinnipedology], Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/wildlifeecology], Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cucurbitology], Culicidology (MOSQUITOES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/culicidology], Scatology (POOP) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/scatology], Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/conservation-technology] Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors] Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras] Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social] Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies] Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/] Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Sad? Cold? Hot? Wired? Blame the thyroid. Maybe. In your throat there is a butterfly-shaped gland under a shield-shaped Adam’s Apple and it controls your whole life, kind of. We asked Thyroidologist and surgeon Dr. Kepal Petal of NYU's Langone Hospital about libido factors, radioactive cats, stress and thyroids, how diet can affect them, deciphering labs, flim-flam and how being on TV might save your life. He’s a delight and your thyroid honestly DESERVES the attention. Pass it on to everyone who has ever talked to you about a thyroid.  Learn more about Dr. Patel  [https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1306865787/kepal-n-patel] Follow NYU Langone Health on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nyulangone/?hl=en] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/nyulangonehealth] NYU Langone’s Thyroid Program [https://nyulangone.org/care-services/thyroid-program] A donation went to The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) [https://aaesfoundation.org/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/thyroidology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/diabetology], Laryngology (VOICE BOXES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/laryngology], Trichology (HAIR) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/trichology], Evolutionary Anthropology (METABOLISMS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/evolutionaryanthropology], Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/environmentaltoxicology] Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors] Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras] Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social] Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies] Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jacob Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Dogs doing science. With their faces. As a follow-up to last week’s Ethnocynology episode about humans domesticating wolves, we chat with conservation biologist and Eco-odorologist Kayla Fratt (and her working dog Barley) about how trained animals help scientists. Sit – and stay – to learn how rescue dogs can get their dog-torate degrees, which rewards work when training, dogs on a boat, dogs in the jungle, wolves in the sea, why noses are wet, how your sense of smell is trash, the price of a police dog, and how you can get into this field working with your best buddy.  Visit Kayla Fratt’s website [https://kaylafratt.com/] and follow her on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sxt7lk57wox7ztaesk7f7tho] Visit K9 Conservationists’s website [https://k9conservationists.org/] and follow them on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/k9.conservationists/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@k9conservationists] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@k9conservationists] Listen to the K9 Conservationists podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k9-conservationists/id1451997691] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0sdJiYd0Pfdf4rgvuC4yP0?si=7798993170ea4748] Donations went to K9 Conservationists [https://k9conservationists.org/] and Fundación Naturaleza El Salvador [https://fundacionaturalezaelsalvador.org/en/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ecoodorology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ethnocynology], Field Trip: How to Change Your Life [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/fieldtripnhm], Cervidology (DEER) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cervidology], Mammalogy (MAMMALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/mammalogy], Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/urbanrodentology], Lupinology (WOLVES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/lupinology], Canine Speech Pathology (DOGS WITH BUTTONS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/speechpathology], Felinology (CATS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/felinology], Island Ecology (ISLANDS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/islandecology], Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/wildlifeecology], Scatology (POOP) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/scatology] Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors] Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras] Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social] Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies] Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jacob Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn