The Resistance of a Cow
Summary
This Radiolab episode investigates why cows in Denmark and the US refuse to drink water, instead consuming urine. Hosts explore the controversial theory of "stray voltage" from power lines, contrasting farmer anecdotes with scientific studies on electricity’s effect on cattle. The story delves into the history of electrification, the psychology of blame during agricultural modernization, and the complex physics of electrical resistance in animals.
Topics discussed
Intro and sponsor message
Danish cows refuse water and drink urine
The 'cow whisperer' and Viking rune theory
Stray voltage crisis in US dairy farms
History of electricity and power lines
Farmer resistance and early lawsuits
Scientific study on cow sensitivity
Alternative causes: diet and behavior
Shift from tie stalls to free stalls
Physics of resistance and the 500-ohm standard
New data challenges the resistance standard
Resolution and future energy demands
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