Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In March of 2025, scientists announced they'd found microplastics in 10 brands of chewing gum, including five brands of so-called “natural” gum. Watch as George tries to replicate this result, clogging filters, decanting liters of spit, and burning things that shouldn’t be burned. In the end, he learns, the hard way, Richard Feynman’s most important lesson – you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.
Producers:
Andrew Sobey
Elaine Seward
Writer:
George Zaidan
Hosts:
George Zaidan
Executive Producer:
Matthew Radcliff
Scientific Consultants:
Brianne Raccor, Ph.D.
Michelle Boucher, Ph.D.
Executive in Charge for PBS: Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming for PBS: Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming for PBS: John Campbell
Reactions is a production of the American Chemical Society.
© 2025 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
Sources:
docs.google.com/document/d/1vx9WwsrC5qugXLTgG5QGzYuzV-aKV6lgNdmsh4HH1L8/edit?usp=sharing
In March of 2025, scientists announced they'd found microplastics in 10 brands of chewing gum, including five brands of so-called “natural” gum. Watch as George tries to replicate this result, clogging filters, decanting liters of spit, and burning things that shouldn’t be burned. In the end, he learns, the hard way, Richard Feynman’s most important lesson – you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.
Producers:
Andrew Sobey
Elaine Seward
Writer:
George Zaidan
Hosts:
George Zaidan
Executive Producer:
Matthew Radcliff
Scientific Consultants:
Brianne Raccor, Ph.D.
Michelle Boucher, Ph.D.
Executive in Charge for PBS: Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming for PBS: Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming for PBS: John Campbell
Reactions is a production of the American Chemical Society.
© 2025 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
Sources:
docs.google.com/document/d/1vx9WwsrC5qugXLTgG5QGzYuzV-aKV6lgNdmsh4HH1L8/edit?usp=sharing
