Be Smart

Be Smart is created and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. We give you deep answers to simple questions about science and the rest of the universe. (official site)

Featured Videos

• Why No One Can Agree What’s Really the Tallest Mountain

  S10 Ep9 | 8m 29s

• Sand Dunes Shouldn’t Exist (Here’s Why They Do)

  S9 Ep13 | 15m 33s

• Why Is Blue So Rare In Nature?

  S5 Ep11 | 7m 39s

Episodes

• The Mystery Behind Earth’s Most Epic Migration

  S11 Ep6 | 10m 40s

• Why Does Every Animal Look Like This?

  S11 Ep5 | 9m 10s

• The Dark Origins of the Scientific Method

  S11 Ep2 | 11m 53s

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Specials

• The Mystery of Earth's Disappearing Giants

  Special | 21m 29s

• Dung Beetles: The Poop-Rolling Stargazers of the Serenget

  Special | 17m 8s

• These Butt-Tickling Ants Are Endangered Butterfly Bodyguards

  Special | 20m 59s

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Collections

• In Our Nature Explore the spectacular life and biology of the Serengeti.
• 12 Days of Evolution Some of the biggest evolution questions finally answered.
• Space Videos! All our Space videos from It's Okay to Be Smart!

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Explore Digital Studios Shows

• Digital Studios
• Ritual

  Host Tank Ball explores the history and meaning of rituals performed in the South.

• Untold Earth

  Untold Earth unpacks the stories behind North America's most unique natural wonders.

• Otherwords

  Find the fascinating and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted.

• Eons

  From the dawn of life in the Archaean Eon through the Mesozoic Era — the so-called “Age of

• Women of the Earth

  A series capturing the resilient work of female land stewards across the United States.