The Maths of Contagion: Why Things Spread and Why They Stop - with Adam Kucharski

Mathematical models can investigate the spread of diseases such as malaria or Covid-19, but also ideas, misinformation and internet memes. Adam’s book “The Rules of Contagion“ is available now on Amazon: Why are some diseases predictable, and others swamped in uncertainty? And what about the outbreaks that never happen at all? Adam covers how disease like malaria, Zika, Sars and Covid-19 spread, but also how similar kinds of mathematical models can be used to trace the spread of fake news, and even internet memes. Watch the Q&A: Adam Kucharski is an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, working on global outbreaks such as the Ebola epidemic and the Zika virus. This talk was streamed live by the Ri on 30 June 2020. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Adam Leos, Alan Latteri, Andrew Downing, Andrew McGhee, Andrew Weir, Anonymous, Atin Kothari, Christina Baum, Dave Ostler, David Crowner, David Lindo, David Schick, Fairleigh McGill, Frances Dunne, Gou Ranon, Greg Nagel, Jan Všetíček, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Joe Godenzi, , Kellas Lowery, Lasse T. Stendan, Martin Steed, Matt Townsend, Michelle J. Zamarron, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Paul Philippov, Rebecca Pan, Robert Reinecke, Roger Baker, Roger S. Gulledge, Roger Shaw, Scott Edwardsen, and Tim Karr. --- The Ri is on Patreon: and Twitter: and Facebook: and Tumblr: Our editorial policy: Subscribe for regular science videos: Product links on this page are affiliate links which means it won’t cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.