Two Whats?! And A Wow! - World Wide Web (Encore)

Mindy Thomas (0:00)

Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here, and before we start the show, we have some big news. Becoming a member of the World Organization of Wowzers is about to become even better. Starting this week, we're launching a new membership level, W-O-W Basic. For just $5 a month, your family can listen to TinkerCast podcasts ad free, including 200 members only episodes. Already a member? Well, good news. You can now listen ad free too. With the new W-O-W plus membership level, you'll get all the amazing membership goodies sent to you in the mail, plus ad free and bonus content. When you become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers, you not only unlock more wow for your family, you also support the talented team of real humans who make the shows your family loves. Proneups, please consider joining the wow now at tinkercast.com/wow.

That's tinkercast.com/wow.

And now for a quick ad break and then back to the show.

SPEAKER_2 (1:13)

Bro, can you imagine if, like, you're mastering spinjitsu to battle an ancient dragon, but then suddenly you're in a breakdancing battle against a giant ninja mech? Lego Ninjago, what's your hero story?

Mindy Thomas (1:30)

Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here. And is your family into those super satisfying videos where a hydraulic press machine squishes everyday objects? Do your kids dream of doing this on their own at home? Well, what if they could? But safely, and all in the name of science. Introducing the Crunchinator!

From Crunch Labs and former NASA engineer Mark Rober, the Crunchinator puts the power of the hydraulic press into kids' own hands. They just crank the handle and watch the Wow as it crunches, smushes, squeezes, and pops.

And I should note that the Crunchinator is not just about smashing stuff. You're also seeing how mechanical force can turn into some serious crushing power. So grab something you don't mind getting smushed and get ready to discover the science of the squeeze. Crunch Labs, the Crunchinator by Mark Rober, available at all major retailers.

SPEAKER_3 (2:32)

And now, for everyone's second favorite game show after Finding a Spider in Your Kitchen, it's Two What's? And A Wow!

Mindy Thomas (3:04)

Hello and welcome to Two What's? And A Wow!

Guy Raz (3:20)

Now that we know the theme, Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

Mindy Thomas (3:24)

You know it, Guy Raz. Wowzers, in each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about spiders.

But, and this is a big but, only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up.

SPEAKER_5 (3:44)

What's?

Guy Raz (3:45)

In each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you win a point.

Mindy Thomas (3:49)

But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop and do a redonkulous physical challenge.

Guy Raz (3:58)

All right, everyone ready to get this show going?

Mindy Thomas (4:02)

Great, then let's get to it.

Guy Raz (4:04)

Okay, round one.

Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it. A, spider webs have been used to make violin strings?

Mindy Thomas (4:16)

Or is it B, Grandma G-Force has a pet spider named Charlotte?

Guy Raz (4:23)

Or is it C, all spiders can swim?

Mindy Thomas (4:28)

When you think you have the correct answer, blink with your eight eyes.

Guy Raz (4:32)

Let's give you a few seconds to think on it. Reggie, cue the thinking music.

And time is up. Let's now reveal the winning wow.

Mindy Thomas (4:54)

And to do just that, it's Adeline from Colorado. Adeline, tell us, what's the winning wow?

SPEAKER_6 (5:02)

Hi, my wow in the world is that people used to make violin strings with spider webs.

Mindy Thomas (5:09)

Winner, winner, violin strings for dinner.

Guy Raz (5:12)

Thank you, Adeline. Contestants, if you guessed the answer. A, that spider webs have been used to make violin strings, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

Mindy Thomas (5:23)

Oh, that's music to my ears, Guy Raz. It's true. A researcher from Japan named Dr. Osaki twisted thousands of spider silk threads together, creating very tightly packed strings with virtually no space in between them.

Guy Raz (5:41)

Not only were these spider strings creating music, apparently some professional violinists actually preferred the tone or sound of the strings made from spider silk to the traditional violin strings.

Mindy Thomas (5:55)

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and play us some air violin.

Guy Raz (6:03)

Okay, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?