Shows / What If: Science, Theory, and Possibilities
What If: Science, Theory, and Possibilities
An epic exploration of possibilities. What If is a Webby Award-winning science web series that takes you on a journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities, some in distant corners of the universe, others right here on Earth. Each scenario examines a scientific theory, research or fact through a hypothetical question.
Episodes
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesLiving in the Stone Age
Get your bone flute and gather around the fire. We're taking you back to the time of woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats. You're living in the Stone Age…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Argentinosaurus Lived Today?
Taller than a six-story building, longer than three school buses, and ten times as heavy as an elephant, the Argentinosaurus—the largest dinosaur ever—is…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesA Journey to the Edge of the Universe
Let's step back. 2 billion years back into Earth's evolution. A time full of life but also mass extinction. An invisible threat was on the loose, ready to…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Had Eyes Like a Fly?
Oh my. Have you done something different with your peepers? Like maybe swapped them out for a pair of freakishly oversized fly eyes? They look functional. How…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Were Attacked by a Komodo Dragon
A giant, fork-tongued lizard with razor-sharp teeth and bacteria-laced venom. This is no legend; it's a Komodo dragon. What would happen if you were attacked…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesBringing Dinosaurs Back From Extinction
Welcome to Jurassic World in real life. Let's explore the idea of reviving some of the most dangerous creatures that ever roamed the Earth. What could possibly…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesEverything You Touched Turned Into Gold
If you could turn everything you touched into gold, how soon would your life become unbearable? Why would this superpower not make you rich? Why could things…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesCould You Power a Spaceship with Antimatter?
Antimatter is the most potent fuel source known to humanity. It could be the secret to faster-than-light space travel. Where in the Universe would we find…
- What If: Science, Theory, and Possibilities
What Happens If You Swallow the World's Most Powerful Magnet?
This superconducting magnet can do more than attract paper clips. It could unlock energy sources that might liberate humans from fossil fuels. But what if you…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesAliens at the Bottom of the Mariana Trench
The captain sounds the alarm. The waters around the ship rumble as strange lights from below move closer. Something is emerging from the Mariana Trench, and it…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Had Camouflage Skin?
When you face an uncomfortable situation, you might choose to run and hide. But wouldn’t it be easier if you could suddenly blend into your surroundings? In…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If Humans Were Silicon-Based Instead of Carbon-Based?
Carbon is the primary building block of life on Earth. What if we replaced human life with silicon? Explore how silicon-based humans might look and act…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Were Attacked by a T. rex?
The legendary dinosaur predator is back! A hungry T. rex has its sights set on dinner... looks like today, that's you. What would a T. rex bite do to a human?…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesLiving in the Hottest Place on Earth
Do you want to feel like you're at the internal temperature of a steak? Or maybe fry an egg with no stove? Welcome to Death Valley, and the "death" part is…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesMegalodon Shark vs. Leviathan Whale: Who Would Win?
It's the largest shark that's ever lived on Earth against a monstrous whale who terrorizes its prey. Would the megalodon shark or the Leviathan whale win this…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Sun Collided With a Black Hole?
You've heard the Soundgarden song, but how about a real Black Hole Sun collision? Most black holes are the remnants of massive stars. Would our Sun survive the…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat Happens If You Don't Sleep for a Week?
Most of us don't get the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. But what if you went a whole week without sleeping? What would happen to your body? And how…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If Russia Crashed the International Space Station
It's not outside the realm of possibility. Russia has already tested an anti-satellite missile on one of its own satellites, threatening the safety of…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Earth Was a Polyhedron?
For the flat Earth theorists out there, what if there was a happy compromise between a flat and round planet? How about a polyhedron? From triangles to cubes…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesSurviving the End of the Solar System
Billions of years in the future, our Sun will become a red giant and then die out. But when the Sun dies, where do we go? Elon Musk's Mars mission is starting…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Spent a Month on Snake Island?
This island off the coast of Brazil is illegal to visit. Why? This is Snake Island, populated by 4,000 golden lancehead viper snakes, and they're not so…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesJumping on Every Planet in the Solar System
We’re taking a journey through space, jumping on each planet in our Solar System. On which planets could you get the most elevation? Which gas giant’s surface…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesCan We Turn Deserts Into Farmland?
Deserts won't remain barren wastelands. Discover how transforming the world's deserts into lush farmland could impact our planet. What are the costs of…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesSpending 24 Hours in a Hot Spring
Spa days are the ultimate relaxation retreat. Many people enjoy soaking in warm pools or natural hot springs. But what happens if you immerse yourself in a hot…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If Men Could Get Pregnant?
Mood swings, baby brain. Until now, potential pregnancy complications are something only those of us with uteruses experienced. But what if men could get…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Oceans Were Made of Gasoline?
Picture this: it’s a scene from a disaster movie. The oceans are ablaze and burning out of control. Have you entered the ninth circle of hell? Nope. We’re…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Were Sucked Into a Whirlpool?
What a wonderful day for some kayaking out on the open sea. Wait a second. Why is the water spiraling? Is this a whirlpool? How could you end up getting sucked…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Evolved 1,000 Years in a Day?
Do you ever think human evolution is a little slow? What if we cranked up the speed and had you evolve 1,000 years in one day? In what ways would your…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Multiverse Was Real?
Imagine a world of endless possibilities where every decision splits reality, creating infinite parallel universes. How would your life differ across these…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesCreating a New Planet
Welcome to the Solar System construction zone. Today, you'll be using our cosmic sandbox to build a brand new planet. What would you need to create a rocky…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesMullaperiyar Dam Collapse Scenario
The Mullaperiyar Dam, a historical structure that predates your grandparents, faces the risk of sudden failure. Explore the factors that could lead to its…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesAliens Living Inside Earth?
Billions of years ago, a planet collided with Earth, possibly creating the Moon and introducing alien life. What remnants of this planet exist today? Could…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If All the World's Ice Melted?
Ice caps on both poles of the planet are melting. If all this ice were to melt, it would be catastrophic. How much would sea levels rise? How would this impact…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat Happens If You Squat for 24 Hours?
OK, stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees, stick your butt out and squat. Great. Now do that again and again, all day long. How…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Lived in the Matrix?
Twenty years later, the Matrix is once again asking us to make an ultimate choice. Would you rather live comfortably in the Matrix or wake up in a terrifying…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesThe Solar System Song
Dedicated to Sullivan Jones (2012-2022), a bright young What If fan and part of the Underknown family forever. RIP Get a chance to win our gorgeous What If 100…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWaking Up Volcanoes to Fight Climate Change
Several volcanoes around the world are being woken up on purpose. The mission? To use volcanic eruptions to protect the Earth from global warming. In what ways…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Experienced the Most Painful Thing?
What's the worst pain you've experienced? A broken bone? Touching something hot? Maybe stepping on a sharp toy? In this What If experiment, discover what real…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesIf the World Lost Oxygen for an Hour
Imagine if all the Earth's oxygen disappeared, just for an hour. Could you hold your breath that long? What would happen to the atmosphere, and could Earth…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Earth Stopped Spinning for 5 Seconds
Hang on because we're about to screech to a halt. The Earth is going to stop spinning for five seconds. How much damage would this sudden stoppage cause? What…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the U.S. Started World War III?
The time for talk is over. Now the biggest countries on Earth are fighting for global supremacy. What would happen if the United States started World War III?…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If We Nuked Mars?
Elon Musk wants to nuke Mars. What are the consequences? Without nukes, life on Mars might be like this: You'd live in giant glass domes, and grow small…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesCould You Trap a Ghost Like a Ghostbuster?
"I ain't afraid of no ghost!" Of course not. You're in the Ghostbusters universe. With a quick stomp, demons are as good as gone. So how would life change if…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesBringing Modern Technology to the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages, a time when you were more likely to die on the toilet than take a bath. And now you're going there with an educational mission. It's up to you…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesEarth with Jupiter's Moons
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our Solar System, with 79 moons, just behind Saturn's 82. Imagine the night sky with all these moons. How would Earth's tides…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWaking Up During Heart Surgery
One second you are out cold. The next, you’re on the operating table in the middle of heart surgery. Welcome to your most terrifying nightmare. What happens…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Fell Into Lake Kivu?
If you were going for a refreshing swim, the last thing you’d expect is to suffocate from toxic gases. But when it comes to Lake Kivu, this is one dangerous…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Were Bitten by One Million Mosquitoes?
It starts with one bite. Then, one hundred. Soon, one thousand. Now a swarm of one million bloodsucking mosquitoes descends on you. Why is your blood their…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning of the Universe?
In the beginning, there was nothing. Then bang. Our Universe emerged in an explosion of light and energy. Current theories say that it all began 13.7 billion…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Fell Off the World's Tallest Building?
This is Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This masterpiece in Dubai is twice the height of the U.S.'s Empire State Building and nearly three…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If America Were Split Apart?
The Big One. Those three words make locals along the West Coast of North America shudder with fear. This area is plagued by earthquakes. But at least they are…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Swallowed Gallium?
This episode explores the fascinating properties of gallium, a shiny metal that can be turned into a jello-like liquid. Discover the potential effects of…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If You Ate Nothing But Caviar for a Month?
Caviar. Whether you're a foodie or not, you likely have opinions on this delicacy. For some, the idea of eating fish eggs even once is unappealing. But what if…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Ice Age Never Happened?
Imagine Earth covered in thick sheets of ice and sea levels so low you could walk to a different continent. This is what our planet would look like during an…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesMegalodon Shark vs. Kraken: A Legendary Showdown
Unlock your confidence with MANSCAPED™. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping using code WHATIF20 at Manscaped.com. According to legend, the kraken was so large it…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If the Oceans Lose Oxygen
Scientists predict that the oceans' oxygen levels could drop 3 to 4% by the year 2100. As that happens, oceans will undergo drastic losses of biodiversity, and…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesExploring Antarctica's Largest Subglacial Lake
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to explore one of Jupiter's moons without ever leaving Earth? If you're determined to experience this, consider…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat Happens If You Swallow a Hornet?
It's a hot summer day. You're enjoying a picnic, and you take a swig of your drink. What's that in your mouth? It's a hornet. And you accidentally swallowed…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesWhat If a Blazar Entered Our Solar System?
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…
What If: Science, Theory, and PossibilitiesIf Earth Were Sucked Into a Black Hole
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…