Did we just unfreeze a pandemic?
Description
For completely free, research-based advice on finding a fulfilling career - check out https://80000hours.org/howtown To support independent science journalism and get bonus content ... JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/Howtown Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bP71MzdiHYJOGiXiELA9OIeVcRujPNfhBN2LYMiasz8/edit?usp=sharing We're grateful for the generous support of the Patreon Town Council: Bev Fong Chris Wubbels Sean Barrett Mike Purvis Jon Hewett Albychen Aatish Bhatia Sean Talon Evan Hass Mark Tinker L.A. O’Connor Marcos Huerta Joaquim Salles Sam Gaty Jason Dunlap Parag Mallick Edgar Sutawika Tim Davey Navneet Tra Him Taylor Pedro ZM Ale Martin Weeks Dimi Bryce Golden-Chen Estelle Caswell Gregory Laborde Yash Murthy martin david Matthew Stvartak Garret Wates Slightly Suspicious Mind Kellyn Lorentzen-Goler omg.science Duncan Stannett Keith England Jocelyn Tabancay Duffy Gabbatv Guan Sin Ong Casey Schatz Mark McCreary Ana Gruita Senulum Oscar Balcells Quintana Jonathan McCabe TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howtown_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtown_videos/ Deep in Siberia’s permafrost, scientists have revived “zombie viruses” that have been frozen for tens of thousands of years — and headlines warn they could spark the next pandemic. In this episode of Howtown, we investigate the real science behind these ancient microbes: what’s actually being found in the Arctic, how giant viruses like Pithovirus sibericum survive for millennia, and whether thawing permafrost could ever release a pathogen capable of infecting humans. From mammoth carcasses to anthrax outbreaks to the relatively recent discovery of enormous amoeba-infecting viruses, this video breaks down the five steps any ancient microbe would need to start a pandemic — and why the truth is more fascinating than frightening. Chapters: 00:00 what’s lurking? 00:48 5 steps to a pandemic 01:30 the mammoth’s trunk 02:43 permafrost 101 03:24 batagaika crater 04:43 your career 05:44 zombie bacteria 07:18 zombie viruses 08:53 giant viruses 10:55 hard out there for a pox 11:23 meet a human 12:30 infect? 13:21 smallpox 14:24 1918 flu 16:32 should we worry? 19:02 joss has bad news 20:50 credits
