MSP has been away for a few weeks owing to an unscheduled illness in Matt's family. Still, he can't be expected to get the future right all the time.

As Elon Musk gets ready for his Mars Mission, MSP looks at an electrifying new treatment for baldness, how echolocation can rewire the brain and asks if invisible ink is the solution to encryption hacks. Oh yes. And tea bags are evil.

Show Notes:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217050-a-hat-that-zaps-the-scalp-with-electricity-helps-reverse-male-balding/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216247-generator-that-runs-on-heat-escaping-to-the-sky-can-charge-phones/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217483-plastic-tea-bags-shed-billions-of-microplastic-particles-into-the-cup/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216382-tall-twisting-tower-is-made-from-wood-that-shapes-itself-as-it-dries/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217550-coated-paper-holds-secret-messages-that-can-be-erased-with-a-hairdryer/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/10/echolocation-blind-people-reveals-brain-s-adaptive-powers
https://www.space.com/china-new-spacecraft-crewed-moon-missions.html?utm_source=notification
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217915-avoiding-red-or-processed-meat-doesnt-seem-to-give-health-benefits/

EPISODE EXCERPT

It’s that time again where Matt unfreezes his smile, has it stress tested and tries to reanimate those dormant facial muscles. Yes, it’s time to be happy as we return to an MSP regular feature that celebrates science and the innovations and breakthroughs that demonstrate that our humanity isn’t rotting away to nothing.

That wasn’t the most uplifting intro. Rotting away to nothing?
It’s a new tactic.
I get you to say all the negative stuff.

Why would you do that?
No, Jeff. The question is why would you do that?
I’m not the one being negative here.
Show our listeners that you’re better than that.

Are you going to tell listeners where you’ve been for the past few weeks?
I could lie and say I was visiting the future.
In truth, a family member was very unwell but is now on the mend.

While we’re on the subject of illness, the first thing I want to talk about is baldness…
Baldness is not an affliction.
It’s nature’s aerodynamic modelling.
Do you see how mean these comments make you look?

I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way…
In a post truth world, the way you’re drawn is the way you are.
But you’re right. Baldness. Very important thing to start with.

Does being bald make you unhappy?
Just to point out to listeners that this isn’t another mean question.
I asked Jeff to ask me this.
And no. It doesn’t really bother me.
I wish I had a...