Dr. Laura Cooper is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh who led a groundbreaking study on prototaxites, an ancient organism that has puzzled scientists for nearly 170 years. Her research, published in the journal Science, reveals that well-preserved fossils from Aberdeenshire represent a distinct extinct lineage that doesn't fit into any existing biological kingdom. She recently completed her PhD, with this discovery forming a central part of her doctoral thesis.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Laura Cooper and the significance of her research being published in Science

01:25 - What is prototaxites and why it's caused scientific debate for 170 years

02:21 - The origin of the name "prototaxites" and why it's misleading

02:44 - How the organism has been classified throughout history, from yew tree to fungus

03:07 - The exceptionally well-preserved specimens from Aberdeenshire, Scotland

03:40 - Why prototaxites doesn't fit with fungi based on chemical composition and anatomy

04:14 - The massive size of these organisms—at least eight meters long

04:39 - Why prototaxites doesn't fit into any known major groups of complex life

05:22 - Understanding biological kingdoms: bacteria, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes

06:13 - The protists group and how genetic information has revealed multiple separate lineages

07:20 - Why prototaxites represents a separate large organism lineage that went extinct 08:44 - Early land environments when life was first coming onto land

10:30 - The timeline of when plants colonized land and prototaxites' role in early ecosystems

15:45 - How prototaxites lived and functioned in ancient landscapes

22:18 - The structure and anatomy of prototaxites compared to modern organisms 28:50 - How the organism grew and what its tubes looked like

35:20 - The Rhynie Chert fossil site and its exceptional preservation

42:15 - Techniques used to study the fossils, including high-resolution imaging

48:30 - Chemical analysis that revealed prototaxites wasn't made of chitin like fungi

55:40 - What the organism might have eaten or how it obtained nutrients

1:02:15 - The ecological impact of these massive organisms on early terrestrial environments

1:08:30 - Why prototaxites went extinct and what replaced it

1:16:10 - Future research directions and similar organisms being studied

1:17:04 - Looking for smaller, earlier versions of prototaxites to understand its evolution

1:18:09 - Where to find more prototaxites specimens around the world

1:19:29 - The specimen going to the National Museum of Scotland's research collection

1:21:22 - Laura's PhD viva examination and completion

1:22:19 - What a viva is and how it works as a final PhD examination

Relevant Links:

University of Edinburgh - https://www.ed.ac.uk

National Museum of Scotland - https://www.nms.ac.uk

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Thank You for listening.

Jacob Smith is a journalist and food writer based in Edinburgh who has worked for The Courier and various publications as a freelance writer. He studied sport science and later earned a masters in Conflict, Security and Development before transitioning into journalism and creative writing. He is currently working on a literary fiction novel while employed as a kitchen porter at Dog Star Restaurant, Edinburgh.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and overview of conversation topics

00:53 - How Jacob got into jiu-jitsu through his partner and his athletic background in rugby and boxing

01:56 - Educational journey from sport science to masters in Conflict, Security and Development

03:07 - Why Jacob chose to study international security and development while teaching English in Spain

04:12 - What deterred him from pursuing a career in international development and aid work

05:42 - The challenges of working in large international organizations versus grassroots charities

06:01 - Discussion comparing approaches to humanitarian work, referencing the Oleg Dmitriev episode

08:30 - How Jacob transitioned into journalism and got his start in writing

12:45 - Early freelance writing experiences and learning the business side of journalism

18:20 - Getting hired at The Courier and what that role involved

24:15 - Food writing as a specialty and how that developed

31:40 - The realities of being paid as a freelance writer

38:25 - How AI is impacting journalism and writing professions

45:10 - Concerns about AI-generated content and its effect on the industry

52:30 - The importance of building relationships with editors

58:45 - Deciding to leave The Courier and return to freelance work

1:05:20 - Taking a job as a kitchen porter while pursuing creative projects

1:12:35 - The difference between journalism and creative writing

1:18:50 - Dealing with rejection and the emotional side of creative work

1:25:15 - The practical challenges of making a living as a writer

1:32:40 - Why working in kitchens informs both his novel and food writing

1:38:25 - The writing process and discipline required for long-form fiction

1:44:10 - How to know when a piece of writing is finished

1:50:23 - Current projects: literary fiction novel about toxic masculinity and male friendship in kitchens

1:52:31 - Plans for future food writing pieces and submissions to national publications

1:53:48 - The ups and downs of a creative career path

1:54:12 - Living with uncertainty and having supportive people around you

1:56:56 - Final thoughts on taking creative risks and Jim Carrey's lesson about playing it safe

Relevant Links

• Jacob Smith's Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/jlsmithwriter/
• Dogstar Restaurant, Edinbrugh: https://dogstarleith.com/
• The Courier: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/

Thank you for listening.

Dean Robertson is a fitness coach and business owner based in Edinburgh. He runs Elysium and CrossFit Edinburgh, an 11,000-square-foot facility in the heart of the city. Dean has been in the fitness industry for 19 years and holds a master's degree in strength and conditioning from Edinburgh University.

Timestamps:

00:01:16 - Introduction and what Dean does beyond personal training

00:03:10 - Dean's background, business overview, and owning Elysium and CrossFit Edinburgh

00:04:08 - Educational journey through Edinburgh College, Napier University, and master's degree

00:05:03 - The deeper role of personal trainers and handling vulnerable conversations with clients

00:06:29 - Using strength training as a vehicle for mental resilience and life improvement

00:07:53 - Finding what makes people tick and helping fitness become a passion rather than a task

00:08:46 - Arnold Schwarzenegger's perspective on training and the transformative power of exercise

01:48:03 - Creating a workplace culture where employees genuinely enjoy what they do

01:48:43 - Reflections on people who hate their jobs and the importance of finding fulfillment

01:49:31 - Future plans for the business and small victories ("greenlights")

01:50:32 - Inspiration from his nephew with cystic fibrosis and maintaining gratitude

01:51:47 - Final thoughts on authenticity, being yourself, and enjoying every day

Links:

Dean's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelysium/?hl=en

CrossFit Edinburgh: https://crossfit-edinburgh.com/

Elysium Fitness Edinburgh: https://elysium-edinburgh.com/

Thank you for listening.