The Rest Is Science
The Rest Is Science
Goalhanger
Two Infinities (And Beyond)
48 minutes Posted Mar 30, 2026 at 11:05 pm.
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48:46
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Show notes

Why were the ancient Greeks absolutely terrified of the infinite? How did a boundless mathematical concept start bitter historical feuds? And what happens to reality when you realise that some infinities are actually bigger than others?


Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens (VSauce) plunge back into the mind-bending history of infinity, tracking the spectacular panic it caused across the centuries. From individuals trying to mathematically contain it, to others wrestling with its endless quantities, they explore how the greatest thinkers clashed over the universe's most impossible idea.


The chaos truly peaks with Georg Cantor, the man who completely broke maths by proving that infinity comes in different sizes.


Building on part one, where Hannah and Michael desperately tried to figure out if this strange beast is an actual number or just a brilliant hallucination, this second episode looks at the human cost of counting forever.


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Video Producer: Adam Thornton + Oli Oakley

Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell

Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott

Producer: Simona Rata

Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter

Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley

Exec Producer: Neil Fearn

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