Episode Summary: Who Smarted? – SMARTY Q: Dino Vision?

Date: August 26, 2025
Format: Bonus Q&A for Who Smarted? Plus Subscribers
Host: The Trusty Narrator

Episode Overview

This episode of "Smarty Qs," the bonus subscriber segment of "Who Smarted?", doubles up on fun and fascinating science facts as the Trusty Narrator answers kid-submitted questions. With topics like dinosaur eyesight, diamond creation, the plausibility of invisibility, night vision, spider myths, and wet hair color, this episode packs in knowledge and clever humor. The tone is friendly and energetic, with jokes and asides sprinkled throughout, keeping the curiosity (and laughter) flowing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How Do Archaeologists Know About Dino Vision?

(00:50-02:00)

• Question from Olivia: How do archaeologists know whether some dinosaurs had good binocular vision if their eyes aren't preserved?
• Answer:
  • Archaeologists study the fossilized sclerotic ring (a ring of bones inside many fish, reptiles, and dinosaurs' eyes).
  • In modern animals, bigger sclerotic rings usually mean better vision.
  • By comparing sclerotic rings in fossils, scientists extract clues about dinosaurs' vision, especially their binocular capabilities (which help with depth perception).
• Quote:
  • "Archaeologists may not dig up an actual dinosaur eye, but what they do find is a fossilized sclerotic ring..." (The Trusty Narrator, 01:04)

2. How Are Diamonds Made?

(02:00-03:05)

• Question from ProCon (Naperville, IL): How are diamonds made?
• Answer:
  • Diamonds form when carbon deep in the Earth's upper mantle (about 100 miles down) is under extreme heat and pressure.
  • Each carbon atom bonds with four others, creating an incredibly strong crystal lattice.
  • Most diamonds are 1–3 billion years old.
  • They reached the surface through volcanic eruptions (via igneous kimberlite) between 25–146 million years ago.
• Quote:
  • "This unique network of atomic bonds is what makes diamonds such a hard and unyielding material." (The Trusty Narrator, 02:30)

3. Is Invisibility Possible?

(03:05-04:04)

• Question from Ollie: Is it possible for things or people to become invisible?
• Answer:
  • Visibility is about how objects reflect light in the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Theoretical metamaterials (not found in nature) can bend light around objects, rather than reflecting it, making them "invisible."
  • So far, these materials only bend microwaves (which humans can't normally see) – but the research is ongoing!
• Quote:
  • "Enter the new science of transformation optics and metamaterials... an object or person cloaked in metamaterials would not reflect light." (The Trusty Narrator, 03:25)

4. How Do Eyes Adjust to the Dark?

(04:33-05:46)

• Question from Marco: How do our eyes adjust to the dark?
• Answer:
  • Key players: Pupils, cone cells, rod cells, rhodopsin (a light-sensitive chemical).
  • Pupils expand in the dark to let in more light.
  • Cone cells see color, rods see black/white; rhodopsin in rod cells absorbs photons.
  • In bright light, rhodopsin splits; in darkness, it must recombine for us to see—hence the adjustment time.
• Quote:
  • "Whoa. You go Rhodopsin." (The Trusty Narrator, 05:42)

5. Do You Swallow Spiders in Your Sleep?

(05:46-06:57)

• Question from Charlie and Ezra (Brisbane, Australia): Do you swallow spiders in your sleep?
• Answer:
  • Big myth! The truth: People swallow zero spiders in their sleep, on average.
  • Spiders are afraid of vibrations from breathing and heartbeat, so they avoid sleeping humans.
  • If a spider approached, you'd likely feel it and wake up.
• Quote:
  • "Of course you swallow spiders in your sleep. In fact, every person swallows an average of 8 spiders in their sleep every year. Just kidding again." (The Trusty Narrator, 05:58)

6. Why Does Hair Look Darker When Wet?

(06:57-07:48)

• Question from Emma: Why does your hair look darker when it's wet?
• Answer:
  • Hair pigment absorbs some light and reflects the rest, creating color.
  • When wet, water forms a thin film, absorbs almost no light, and causes light to reflect/refract, so hair absorbs light twice before reflecting it—making it look darker.
• Quote:
  • "Whoa." (The Trusty Narrator, 07:45) (Imitating 'the Whoa girl')

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sclerotic Rings and Dino Vision:

  • "Using the size of sclerotic ring fossils, archaeologists can estimate the quality of a dinosaur's binocular vision." (The Trusty Narrator, 01:24)

• Diamond’s Age and Journey:

  • "Most diamonds are 1 to 3 billion years old. However, they were brought to Earth's surface... anywhere from 25 to 146 million years ago." (The Trusty Narrator, 02:48)

• Spider Swallowing Myth Debunked:

  • "In truth, the number of spiders you swallow every year is exactly zero. Phew." (The Trusty Narrator, 06:06)

• Humorous Style:

  • "...something I love to make disappear." (The Trusty Narrator, 03:59, after describing microwaves and leftover pizza)

Important Timestamps

• 00:50 – Introduction to Smarty Qs and Dino binocular vision (with sclerotic rings)
• 02:00 – Diamonds: how and where they form, what makes them so tough
• 03:05 – Invisibility: metamaterials and the future of cloaks
• 04:33 – Eyes adjusting to the dark (pupil, rods/cones, rhodopsin explained)
• 05:46 – Swallowing spiders: why it doesn’t really happen
• 06:57 – Why wet hair looks darker

Summary Tone

The Trusty Narrator delivers the answers with playful energy, clear science explanations, and plenty of jokes. The response to each question balances in-depth facts with fun, practical analogies, making science not just understandable but memorable and engaging for kids and adults alike.

Closing Thoughts

This episode of "Smarty Qs" highlights exactly why "Who Smarted?" is a hit for families and classrooms: curiosity-driven questions, myth-busting, science explained simply, and a light-hearted host who inspires everyone to “stay curious and keep smarting!”