Concise, fun science treatments like XKCD's "What If" and ASAPScience?

September 26, 2013 12:00 AM

I'm slightly obsessed with well-put-together science-y treatments like those done by XKCD's "What If" and ASAPScience. Given this obsession, where are other places I might be able to get my fix? :) (Note: Video is fun, but I'm not opposed to reading, either!)

What If

ASAPScience

Numberphile

posted by rinogo to Science & Nature (7 answers total)

Askscience.reddit.com has a lot of fun science questions, and it's moderated by experts, but it's not always that thorough.
posted by empath at 12:09 AM on September 26, 2013

Vi Hart's videos are right along these lines, mostly in mathematics.
posted by penguinicity at 3:10 AM on September 26, 2013

The Straight Dope occasionally does science topics, and has the same breezy tone I associate with the "What If?" columns. The majority of the columns are on non-science topics, though.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:24 AM on September 26, 2013

Maybe not 100% in line with what you're looking for, but Nautilus is packed with sciency goodness with a slight literary bent.
posted by slogger at 8:19 AM on September 26, 2013

Slightly off-topic because they're not always science-related, but C.G.P. Grey's YouTube stuff is consistently enjoyable and informative. My favorite is The Difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England.

Also in the vein of "YouTube guys with accents", wander over to Scott Manley, who never misses an opportunity to lay down some serious science and history while blowing things up in everyone's favorite blowing-up-rockets simulator. (Also he does other science stuff.)
posted by Myself at 1:44 PM on September 26, 2013

Here's a list from the Minute Physics person.
posted by dreamyshade at 3:05 PM on September 26, 2013

I rate empirical zeal quite highly, and ask a physicist seems to fit what you're looking for.
posted by Ned G at 11:45 AM on September 29, 2013