Advertise on podcast: South Mimms U

Legio IX Hispana, the famous Roman 'Lost Legion', disappeared from historical records around 120 AD, and ever since, there have been many theories about where, how and why they disappeared.  But maybe, just maybe, we now know the truth. South Mimms University's archaeology department has found something very, very interesting under its High Street. And the reason the Lost Legion ended up there will surprise you.  The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

The coming together of the human mind and the digital mind is known as The Singularity, when we become one with computers. Many of the tech oligarchs desire to live forever and believe that uploading their brains and minds to the digital realm as a way of achieving it. It's all part of what's called Transhumanism: augmenting humanity through technology and, eventually, overcoming death itself.  BUT what happens to your soul? If you upload your mind, which is also your essence and your being, does your soul follow? And if it does, then how can your soul go to God? It's a dilemma which could leave those digital/human beings stuck in...limbo? The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

The law of unintended consequences applies in some surprising ways, like when you study the behaviour of the super-rich and it leads to getting seagulls hooked on tobacco. It's strange, but true. And quite amusing. The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

When everyone is telling you that your idea is a bad one, should you keep pursuing it? Most people would think not, but as this short drama shows, sometimes it can be good for you and lead to a better idea. It's counter-intuitive but worth thinking about. Mario writes popular musicals but has a passion for turning The Exorcist into a musical. Bad idea, right? He finds out why in his own way. Original music by Dave Hopper The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Some people believe that Donald Trump is either the Second Coming of Jesus or a Jesus-like figure worthy of worship. What if he's actually Santa Claus? There's research that shows how some children, when they stop believing in Santa, experience an emotional gap in their lives so they're always seeking a new magical figure to believe in - and along comes DJT! The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Cars are a conundrum. They're vital but polluting. Even electric cars aren't that great for the environment. Is there another way? At South Mimms we're experimenting with a new kind of power source - and it's as old as time. Don't worry, it's not a wind-up! The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

When an ailing art museum needs to refresh its image to try and attract more visitors, a German industrialist comes up with an interesting way to get global attention – and it’s all about cats! Which puts the cats amongst the intellectual pigeons. You’ll never see an art gallery in the same way again. The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

It's happened! First Contact! And in South Mimms! Only, the aliens haven't done their research very well and emerge speaking a language only a select few understand. It could have been a 'War of the Worlds' scenario, but it turned out to be a strange encounter that is both revealing and enchanting. The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Strange sightings of possible extraterrestrial craft at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 kicked off the whole UFO craze not just in the United States, but the entire world. And it's STILL going on. Was it hysteria or evidence that our planet is being observed by aliens? Or was it a navigational error? Were the aliens actually heading for Roswell Farm near South Mimms, Hertfordshire, here in England? We investigate weird goings on the doorstep of our university to find out the truth about Roswell! The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Everyone is trying to get on the Artificial Intelligence bandwagon. But creating a Frankenstein monster out of Lego, giving it an AI powered brain, and then bringing it to life in a storm is probably going too far. Especially when the 'monster' turns out to be... a budding Romantic poet. Madness in the wilds of South Mimms, Hertfordshire, England. The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

The Myth of Sisyphus is the ultimate description of futility. Endlessly rolling a rock up a mountain, only for it to roll back down again. One scholar believes that the modern equivalent is the humble - and annoyingly ubiquitous - leaf blower. Blow leaves from here... to there... only for them to blow back again. Is it the perfect metaphor for modern technological societies? Perhaps, especially if you combine it with AI and robotics!  The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

There are lycanthropes living amongst us, quietly, carefully, controlling their reactions to the movements of the moon. And there's one in the South Mimms Zoo who just wants a quiet life. But the Zoo is thinking about highlighting its collection of weird wildlife to raise its profile and reduce its reliance on visits by annoying schoolchildren. Might they be tempted to exploit the lycanthrope living modestly within their midst? What would you do? The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

The Florida teacher who got fired for showing her class a picture of Michelangelo's David was the first sign of a revival in 'fig leaves'. Not since the Victorian era has the demand for fig leaves - actual and virtual - been so strong, and one South Mimms entrepreneur is cashing in on the big cover up. And there's one twist which will leave Mr. DeSantis wishing he'd never started his campaign of militant prudery. The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Animals understand death, but they don't KNOW that they're going to die. Only humans really understand that they are mortal. But what would happen if you managed to teach an animal about the true nature of their mortality? The consequences might be bad. When one intelligent chimp called Gloria gets 'death wisdom' then all hell breaks loose.  The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.

Avant Garde music is notoriously difficult to like. But some people say they do. What if we made music that was so bad that it turned out to be amazingly popular amongst the chattering classes? It worked for Stravinsky and The Rite of Spring' (which is actually quite good really). Our Music Department has a technique that deliberately offends the ears to assure its future as a classic! Can you take it? The only university that makes you chuckle AND learn at the same time.