An Immense World by Ed Yong

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

An Immense World by Ed Yong: Episode 4

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - An Immense World by Ed Yong, Episode 4

Good and bad vibrations - moles, worms and spiders.

The umwelt – or unique sensory  world – of a spider is defined by its web. It controls and senses its prey via the vibrations of silken threads.

The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every animal is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of an immense world. 

This book welcomes us into previously unfathomable dimensions - the world as it is truly perceived by other animals. 

Author of "I Contain Multitudes" and acclaimed science journalist Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, allowing us to perceive the skeins of scent, waves of vibrations, and pulses of pressure that surround us. Because in order to understand our world we don't need to travel to other place,  we need to see through other eyes. 

He also examines the ‘unwanted sense’ pain and how different animals experience harmful stimuli. Throughout, he draws on new research and field experiments conducted by scientists across the globe. 

Written by Ed Yong
Read by Daniel Weyman
Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Factual

Science journalist Ed Yong shows how animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us.

Book of the Week. Science journalist Ed Yong leads us beyond human senses into the animal realm to explore how different sensory perceptions can alter our experience of the world.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

An Immense World by Ed Yong

Episode 4

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4