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Sketchplanations - The PodcastGreat conversations about ideas Author: Bell Boy Productions
Big Ideas explored through Little Pictures.It's certainly not a self-help podcast, but you might take something away that helps you notice or even enjoy the world around you a little more.We offer up great conversations about ideas based on simple and insightful sketches in the Sketchplanations online collection, with the aim of giving listeners something fun and interesting to have their own conversations about. This is an explainer podcast for the curious-minded. Topics covered include science, behavioural economics, wellbeing, nature, psychology frameworks, business models, cognitive biases, and even domestic life-hacks. Sketchplanations illustrator and author Jono Hey joins lifelong friends Tom Pellereau (2011 Apprentice Winner) and Rob Bell (Engineer & Broadcaster) to share ideas and stories catalysed by each week's sketch. The 3 of us have been friends for over 20 years and have always enjoyed delving into all sorts of conversation topics - usually with some silliness along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The closer you look, the longer it gets: The Coastline Paradox
Episode 9
Monday, 9 February, 2026
When you want to measure something you take your ruler or tape measure and read off the length right?But when it comes to measuring the length of a coastline, things get a bit tricky and totally counter intuitive. 🌊The science and maths of measuring wiggly coastlines reveal that the smaller the unit of measure, the longer the coastline becomes. Jono recounts the origins of this phenomenon from polymath, Lewis Fry Richardson and its further exploration by Benoit B. Mandelbrot. The trio also relate the concept to various other real-world examples, including the surfaces of the brain and lungs, Romanesco cauliflower, and stock market patterns. Additionally, they touch on the philosophical implications of measurement and delve into the concept of infinity.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction the Coastline Paradox04:12 Historical Context and Discovery14:10 Fractals and Natural World Applications17:26 Modern Implications and Analogies24:36 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsExternal Links and mentions on the show:Jono refers to and leans heavily on the writing of Geoffrey West in his book "Scale" to tell the story of how this was discovered.Rob's half-baked fact about The Standardised Meter can be expanded on here.This is what the self-similarity of a Romanesco Cauliflower looks likeHere is the avenue of trees in Bushy Park, in Southwest London that Jono slalomed.Here are more facts on who originally defined the number 'zero' as we know it today.All music on this podcast series is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
