The archive
September 8, 2026
361 | Bonnie Bassler on How Bacteria Talk and Work Together
Sean Carroll's Mindscape · Bonnie Bassler · 1 hr 16 min
Why we chose this episode
Bacteria hold conversations, count each other and act together. Bassler explains it with the delight of someone who still cannot believe her luck.
Listen for this question
What is coordinating without anyone in charge?
Listen to the full episode
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Who it’s for: Anyone who thinks of single cells as simple.
Best way to listen
One sitting, undistracted.
After the episode
Look at something small today and assume it is more complicated than it looks.
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