David Pogue, host of NOVA’s upcoming three-part miniseries, Beyond The Elements, set out to understand how molecules and chemical reactions have transformed human life. From glass to rubber to plastic, humans have manipulated chemical structures to create all kinds of materials that are powerful yet virtually indestructible — and he joined host Joe Mathieu on GBH's Morning Edition last week to talk about some of his findings.
To illustrate the power of rubber, Pogue found himself in the passenger seat next to racecar driver Mario Andretti as he sped around the track at 200 mph.
“The rubber is the only thing keeping us from flying, by centrifugal force, into the wall,” Pogue said. “We’re not kidding around with the danger element.”
Another lesson took him to Pennsylvania for a hot pepper eating contest.
“I dreaded it for months leading up to the event. And when it finally happened, it was every bit as awful as I had predicted!” Pogue said. “I have never eaten a hot pepper straight up like that. It’s pushing you to the limits of your endurance.”
While Pogue didn’t win the eating contest, he came away with a valuable scientific lesson about capsaicin, the chemical compound in chili peppers that burns our mouths. Anything with fat in it — such as milk, ice cream, or bread with butter — will bond with the capsaicin to soothe the burning, hence why Pogue had a glass of milk next to him during the contest.
Beyond the Elements also looks at the negative environmental impacts of these man-made chemical materials, including plastic. “We invented this incredible material that is flexible and air-tight, and strong; indestructible,” Pogue said about investigating plastic's innovative uses. “But we never figured out what to do with it when we’re done with it. Fortunately, there are some leads on better solutions on materials that are like plastic and have the same properties but are plant-based and break down easily.”
Pogue is no stranger to putting himself in danger for the good of science. The series is a follow-up to the successful NOVA series Hunting the Elements, which has inspired science enthusiasts and novices alike to fall in love with chemistry.
“The truth is, the show was always designed for adults, but when I’m going through an airport or I’m in public somewhere, it’s these 5, 6, 7-year-olds who point, [saying] ‘Mom it’s the NOVA guy!’” he said. “To think some of these folks might go into science because they’ve seen NOVA, that’s the greatest thing of all.”
Watch NOVA's Beyond The Elements on Wednesday, February 3 at 9pm on GBH 2.
Watch a preview of Beyond The Elements:
