Kennismakers

The life of a young cuckoo looks like a horror movie and even butterflies are less innocent than they look. They are often masterful tricksters. And it's all the fault of Darwin's theory of evolution. In this first episode of Kennismakers, behavioural biologist Hans Van Dyck explains that evolutionary theory using stunning and fascinating examples from nature.

Why does our universe look a bit like a sultana bread? Why wasn't the Big Bang a real bang? And how can you look back in time? Cosmologist Thomas Hertog was a confidant of the world-famous Stephen Hawking for 20 years. Now he takes us on a journey to the beginning of our universe and even to the beginning of our time.

Why are fried or salty snacks so much more popular than cauliflower at parties and receptions? Why do we as humans still make so many decisions that we regret afterwards? And how do you ensure that 75 people take off their shoes without really wanting to or realising it? Clinical psychologist Elke Van Hoof introduces you to our brain in a whole new way. She teaches you that a primal human lives in your brain, and apparently that is a good thing too!

Are computers taking over the world? Will smart machines soon make us obsolete? And can robots dance? Computer scientist Steven Latré immerses you in the world of self-learning, super-intelligent computers... which also occasionally turn out to make the stupidest mistakes.