Dr Karl on the Weirdest Question, Cool Shirts, and His Live Science Show

In a revealing and entertaining interview, Dr Karl, the beloved Australian science communicator, shared some of his most fascinating stories, from the weirdest question he's ever faced to his unconventional fashion sense and the upcoming live science event he's hosting.

A Question That Left Him Stunned

One of the most unusual questions Dr Karl has ever received was about why someone might temporarily go deaf during oral sex. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of human anatomy, he explained that the penis can hit the Eustachian tube in the back of the throat, causing a buildup of pressure that temporarily affects the eardrum’s ability to respond to changes in pressure. “It’s fascinating,” he said. “Science is everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.”

The Love of Colorful Shirts and the Rainbow Theory

Dr Karl has a passion for fashion that's as colorful as his scientific explanations. He credits a childhood moment in Wollongong, where he saw a woman in bright colors during a rainy day, for inspiring his “rainbow theory of colour dressing.” He now tries to wear every color of the rainbow in his daily attire. “If you’ve got a choice between happy and sad, I prefer happy,” he said. “And it’s that easy to get happy.”

A Surprising Proposal and a Scientific Wedding

Dr Karl shared a romantic and slightly chaotic story about how he proposed to his wife, Mary Dobbie. He called her from a cheap hotel in Southeast Asia and asked, “Can you remind me why and where I should inject opiates instead of the buttocks? And will you marry me?” The line went dead, but he eventually got the answer he wanted. The couple married inside the Arctic Circle on the longest day of the year, a symbolic gesture that the sun would never set on their love.

What to Expect at the Live Science Show

Science with Dr Karl Live, set to take place at the Enmore Theatre in Eora/Sydney on August 11, promises an interactive and engaging experience. Audiences can expect live Q&A sessions, surprise videos, and a chance to hear from experts in various fields. “We’ll have a few surprise little videos as well,” Dr Karl said. “It’ll be a mixture of [questions] driven by the audience, plus listening to the audience give their answers.”

Dr Karl’s Humble Take on His Own Intelligence

Despite his widespread popularity and deep knowledge of science, Dr Karl insists he’s “not particularly smart.” He attributes his ability to answer complex questions to his “very broad education base.” “I can give you a bit of an answer, but really, what we need is a canine endocrinologist,” he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration in science.

More Than Just Science

Dr Karl’s work goes beyond entertaining audiences with scientific explanations. His live event aims to foster curiosity, encourage questions, and celebrate the joy of learning. “Science is all around us,” he said. “It’s in the everyday, the unexpected, and the beautiful.”