The five lessons

Lesson 1

What does an apple know?

This is the fifty-first lesson of our Big Course. Along the way to the answer, you'll come to understand (and quite viscerally) the most important insight in botany. You'll poke into philosophy and understand the two things people mean when they say something is "conscious". And you'll learn... well, what every apple has in common with Mr. Potatohead.

(In addition, you'll learn how to translate what might be the single most irritating phrase in all of science.)

This is a free preview.

Lesson 2

Is it okay to eat an apple?

This is the fifty-second lesson of our Big Course. Along the way to the answer, you'll learn about plants' sense of physical touch, learn the bizarre genius of fruit, and come to understand the purpose of pain. We actually poke some pretty serious philosophical issues in this one - what a pleasure!

Lesson 3

Enjoy a free preview of the fifty-third lesson of our Big Course!

Lesson 4

How old is your apple?

This is the fifty-fourth lesson of our Big Course. Along the way to the answer, you'll learn about the WILD diversity of apple varieties, the vexing trouble people have had in getting more of the apples they liked, the complex family relationships between the parts of an apple, and how to absolutely MURDER a tree.

Lesson 5

Why do apple trees have wood?

This is the fifty-fifth lesson of our Big Course. Along the way to the answer, you'll learn how an apple is like a castle, why trees are sorta mean, a pressing problem in the early Devonian period, and the bizarre secret of what wood actually is. 

Oh, this lesson touches the turf of economics - a rare treat for us!

Secret Sixth

Why did Johnny plant those trees?

This is one of our "Secret Sixth" lessons; specifically, the one for "Apples". Along the way to the answer, you'll learn something interesting about American folklore, how to recognize a few major types of trees by sight, a surprising fact about corn, and why there are ACTUALLY so many apple trees spread across North America.