Curious Cases: Crabs, Convergent Evolution, and the Physics of Vibrations

Curious Cases returns for a third series as Ann Fry and Dara Ó Briain guide listeners through strange questions with a scientifically rigorous approach. The episode teases a season that aims to deliver credible explanations while letting the hosts drift into entertaining tangents. Topics previewed include viral crab memes and the idea that convergent evolution might steer life toward crabs, the physics of resonance and how vibrations shape human perception, plus lighter curiosities about born lucky versus unlucky, spontaneous combustion and the candle metaphor for aging. The show promises crisp science, curious dialogue and weekly releases on BBC Sounds, with cross‑platform availability as Curious Cases unfolds.

Overview and series reintroduction

BBC Radio 4's Curious Cases returns for a third series, with Ann Fry and Dara Ó Briain guiding listeners through scientifically grounded answers to curious questions.

In this opening, the hosts set expectations for a show that balances credible science with playful drift into quirky ideas, promising weekly episodes on BBC Sounds and eventual cross‑platform availability.

"There’s value for money. Some of it surely will stick." - Dara O'Brien

Crabs, memes and convergent evolution

The episode teaser centers on viral crustacean memes and the notion that evolution might be converging on crab-like forms, a concept the hosts plan to explore with scientific rigour and curiosity.

The discussion hints at the breadth of science amateur listeners can expect, from evolutionary biology to animal physiology, all framed in accessible, entertaining language.

"Everything is turning into crabs." - Dara O'Brien

Vibrations, resonance and human perception

Another thread focuses on resonance, wobbly bridges, frequencies, and what vibrations do to humans, including how everyday experiences such as tea drinking can be influenced by physics.

"That episode has changed how I walk with tea, possibly forever, or at the very least until I forget" - Ann Fry

Format, scheduling and how to listen

The pair explain the release plan: weekly episodes on BBC Sounds starting in October, with later cross‑platform availability on other podcast apps, and a reminder that the content is part of a larger science‑driven project to educate and entertain.