Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this Flashcard Friday follow-up to Tuesday’s interview with Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai of the Massachusetts Historical Society, we revisit the numbers that changed the course of history. During the Revolutionary War, smallpox was more dangerous to the Continental Army than the British. By comparing mortality rates, George Washington made a bold, science-driven choice: inoculate his troops. The math was simple but profound, 30% risk of death without inoculation versus just 2% with it. This decision helped save the Revolution.
In this episode, we reiterate Dr. Wongsrichanalai’s quote: “do the math, believe the science, and learn your history.” From spotting misleading anecdotes to recognizing reliable sources, and from Washington’s decision to Edward Jenner’s breakthrough, today’s lesson is that evidence and history are our best guides when confronting fear and misinformation.
Three Things You’ll Learn
How arithmetic saved an army — Why the difference between 30% and 2% mortality mattered more than opinions. How to vet science today — Which sources are reliable and why consensus matters more than a single flashy headline. What history teaches us about vaccines — From smallpox inoculation to global eradication, the past shows us how trust in evidence safeguards survival. Resources Mentioned
Massachusetts Historical Society World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h
Let’s Connect!Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/math.science.history Facebook: facebook.com/mathsciencehistory LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/math-science-history Threads: threads.com/@math.science.history Mastodon: https://mathsciencehistory@mathstodon.xyz YouTube: Math! Science! History! - YouTube Pinterest: pinterest.com/mathsciencehistory Enjoying the Podcast?
If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal
🛍 Check out our merch: mathsciencehistory.com/the-store
🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Until next time, carpe diem!
In this Flashcard Friday follow-up to Tuesday’s interview with Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai of the Massachusetts Historical Society, we revisit the numbers that changed the course of history. During the Revolutionary War, smallpox was more dangerous to the Continental Army than the British. By comparing mortality rates, George Washington made a bold, science-driven choice: inoculate his troops. The math was simple but profound, 30% risk of death without inoculation versus just 2% with it. This decision helped save the Revolution.
In this episode, we reiterate Dr. Wongsrichanalai’s quote: “do the math, believe the science, and learn your history.” From spotting misleading anecdotes to recognizing reliable sources, and from Washington’s decision to Edward Jenner’s breakthrough, today’s lesson is that evidence and history are our best guides when confronting fear and misinformation.
Three Things You’ll Learn
How arithmetic saved an army — Why the difference between 30% and 2% mortality mattered more than opinions. How to vet science today — Which sources are reliable and why consensus matters more than a single flashy headline. What history teaches us about vaccines — From smallpox inoculation to global eradication, the past shows us how trust in evidence safeguards survival. Resources Mentioned
Massachusetts Historical Society World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h
Let’s Connect!Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/math.science.history Facebook: facebook.com/mathsciencehistory LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/math-science-history Threads: threads.com/@math.science.history Mastodon: https://mathsciencehistory@mathstodon.xyz YouTube: Math! Science! History! - YouTube Pinterest: pinterest.com/mathsciencehistory Enjoying the Podcast?
If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal
🛍 Check out our merch: mathsciencehistory.com/the-store
🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Until next time, carpe diem!
