Get ready for another episode of our off-the-wall, science-themed podcast! In honor of reaching one million views, we're diving into an outlandish what-if scenario that's sure to tickle your imagination.

So, picture this: what if space was breathable? That's right, what if the vast expanse of nothingness that surrounds us was filled with some sort of substance that we could inhale just like we do with air? It's a crazy idea, but just bear with us for a moment.

First things first, we need to figure out what this breathable space is made of. Is it liquid, or is it air-like? In our cover art, we featured whales swimming through space, which might suggest that it's somewhat liquid-like. But if we were to swim through it, it would have to be some sort of dense air that we could extract oxygen from.

But then comes the question of gravity. Without it, we could theoretically swim through this breathable space as if it were a giant swimming pool. But if gravity were present, things would get a bit more complicated. We might end up stuck at the bottom, unable to swim back up to the surface.

Despite the absurdity of the idea, it's not entirely without precedent. In fact, for a long time, many scientists believed that space was filled with some sort of substance. Aristotle, for example, imagined a universe where everything was bumping up against each other, while Descartes believed that the universe was a "plenum", meaning it was full of stuff. Even today, modern physicists suggest that there is no such thing as a true vacuum, and that space is filled with virtual particles that pop in and out of existence.

On our show, we love exploring hypotheticals like this one. Our mission is simple: pick an if, and then run an experiment to see what would happen. Sometimes we tackle serious topics, while other times we just let our imaginations run wild. But no matter what we do, we always have a blast exploring the wackier side of science.

So join us for another exciting episode as we dive into the hypothetical world of breathable space. Who knows, we might just stumble upon some unexpected discoveries along the way!

Super IFFers Unite

Become A Member Today! Visit our dazzling new Patreon page at patreon.com/whattheif and see all our great rewards for new members.

Don’t Miss An IF

Subscribe from right here on our home page or in your podcast app to automatically receive new episodes right when they arrive.

Keep On IFFin'

— Cheers from Philip, Matt and Gaby