Natural Genius

Watch Natural Genius

  • 2015
  • 1 Season
  • 6.5  (30)

Natural Genius is an Indigenous television show that explores the connection between Indigenous knowledge, science, and technology. The show was first aired in 2015 and has 13 episodes. Each episode features Indigenous scientists and their innovative approaches to solving some of the challenging problems faced by Indigenous communities.

The show aims to highlight the way Indigenous communities are applying their traditional knowledge and practices, alongside scientific methods to solve global problems. The show also promotes awareness of the important knowledge that has been passed down through Indigenous communities for generations.

The hosts of the show are three Indigenous scientists: Tracy McNicholas, Loretta Todd, and Eden Robinson. They interview scientists, engineers, and other experts from Indigenous communities to learn about their work and the ways in which they are incorporating traditional knowledge in their research.

In one episode, the hosts visit a First Nations community in the Yukon to meet with Indigenous ecologists who are studying the effects of climate change on the local flora and fauna. The scientists are using traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, to understand how the climate is changing and how it will affect the ecosystem, particularly the caribou population. The Indigenous ecologists use their knowledge of the caribou migration patterns to collect and analyze data that will help them make predictions about the impact of climate change on these animals.

In another episode, the show explores how Indigenous knowledge is used to preserve food and promote sustainable food systems. The hosts visit a community garden in Vancouver, where an Indigenous food security organization is growing traditional crops, such as tobacco and corn. They speak with experts who use traditional agriculture practices, such as planting based on the moon cycle and using fish as fertilizer, to maintain the health of the soil and protect the environment. The show also highlights the importance of preserving Indigenous foods, such as salmon and buffalo, and the negative impact of industrial farming on Indigenous communities.

Throughout the show, the hosts emphasize the importance of respecting Indigenous knowledge and practices. They point out that Indigenous knowledge is often dismissed or ignored by mainstream science, despite its contributions to global knowledge. The show advocates for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in scientific inquiry and policy-making.

Overall, Natural Genius is an important and informative show that highlights the important role of Indigenous knowledge in science and technology. The show promotes awareness of the richness and value of Indigenous knowledge and practices and supports the development of sustainable and equitable partnerships between Indigenous communities and scientific institutions.

Natural Genius is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (13 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 2015.

Natural Genius
Filter by Source

Seasons
Clocks, Cryogenesis and Time Machines
13. Clocks, Cryogenesis and Time Machines
 
At the end of the series, in the final episode, having recognized the tremendous capacity of animals that we often have thought of as irrational, we shall take a peek at a world whose technology and capacities still evade us in the twenty first century. 
Tablecloth, Spoon, Knife and Fork
12. Tablecloth, Spoon, Knife and Fork
 
It is most probably when eating that most morphological adjustments associated with special instruments can be found, as if they were refined pieces of cutlery.
Heaters, Fridges and Air Conditioners
11. Heaters, Fridges and Air Conditioners
 
No other technology allows a better dispersion and colonization of new ecosystems than the control of temperature and humidity. Both in cold areas where it is necessary to find ways of protection from low temperatures, and in scorching areas where it is essential to defend oneself from solar radiation and to avoid loss of humidity.
Spears, Needes, Daggers and Barbs
10. Spears, Needes, Daggers and Barbs
 
Living creatures have designed an innumerable amount of sharp objects, be they for hunting or defense, or the battle of reproduction or territory. We compare all these tools not only from a morphological stance, which allows us to appreciate form and structure, but also from a functional point of view, highlighting how they occurred, how they are used and what purpose.
Hammers, Pickaxes, Shovels and Mattocks
9. Hammers, Pickaxes, Shovels and Mattocks
 
Animals are extraordinary and surprising builders and their works vary greatly. In order to carry them out, they have either designed or made the most of a great amount of tools, utensils and building material. We will highlight the latter in this chapter.
Alarm, Nursery Schools and Security Systems
8. Alarm, Nursery Schools and Security Systems
 
Tools destined for hunting and warfare are equally as important as those destined to protect, be it self-protection, or protection of descendants. We look at this subject in detail by analyzing very sophisticated weapons such as firearms, corrosive, foul smelling or stinging substances. We also look at the most varied systems of acoustic alarms used to terrify the enemy.
Vessels, Flippers and Bathing Trunks
7. Vessels, Flippers and Bathing Trunks
 
The evolutionary successes in which life has solved aquatic locomotion doubtlessly deserve a leading role in the episode "Animal Copyright". In fact, it is the second part of the theme dedicated to traveling methods.
Stilts, Soles, Wheels and Wings
6. Stilts, Soles, Wheels and Wings
 
Of the inventions that emerge from the nineteenth century industrial revolution, those that have permitted travel of people and objects are the inventions that have most influenced the human capacity to dominate and conquer the corners of the world. This same migration capability in living things is also essential and hence deserves to be treated in a singular manner.
Lotions, Creams, Combs and Unguents
5. Lotions, Creams, Combs and Unguents
 
Hygiene is synonymous of health, and the elaboration of techniques, above all for evolution of cleaning instruments, and this also implies a very elaborate and complex developmental behaviour. For now, many of these techniques do not have a plausible explanation, such is the case of the blazing saunas.
Poisonous Drugs and Antidotes
4. Poisonous Drugs and Antidotes
 
Is it possible that animals have pharmaceutical knowledge of the power of certain substances? Why do species of curassow consume kaolin (china clay) after eating certain fruits? Arrowhead frogs devour poisonous insects that somehow manufacture batracotoxina, the most potent poison created by nature. What type of antidote does a certain sea nudibranquios possess?
Line, Web, Mesh, and Knot
3. Line, Web, Mesh, and Knot
 
We see by observing many animals that man is not the inventor but the discoverer of different artifacts or techniques. We investigate the use and manufacture of cables, turnbuckles, ropes and anything that can be can be used as an element to tie, hang from or as a lasso.
Lights, Signals, and Mirrors
2. Lights, Signals, and Mirrors
 
Communication deserves special treatment. In this first episode dedicated to communication, we centre on visual language. Animal species that transmit information whilst maintaining eye contact.
Antenas Loudspeakers and High Definition
1. Antenas Loudspeakers and High Definition
 
This episode is dedicated to 'Animal Copyright' in communications. We 'see' communication, which cannot be seen but can be heard, smelled, felt or perceived, as a loud and clear message.
Description
Where to Watch Natural Genius
Natural Genius is available for streaming on the Indigenius website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Natural Genius on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 1, 2015
  • IMDB Rating
    6.5  (30)