Bölümler
-
Is string theory actually science?
Many argue that string theory cannot be proven and should therefore be abandoned. For them, string theory is not science at all. But are they right?
I had the pleasure of discussing this with none other than Cumrun Vafa! Cumrun is a Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics at Harvard University, where he has been researching and teaching theoretical physics since 1985. His primary area of research is string theory.
In our interview, we discussed whether we should trust string theory, fine-tuning, and the message he'd put into a billion-year time capsule. We also talked about his book Puzzles to Unravel the Universe.
Tune in to learn about string theory!
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:20 Judging a book by its cover
00:03:35 What is a puzzle versus a mystery?
00:06:06 Black hole entropy
00:08:12 Godel's Theorem: Are some puzzles not solvable?
00:12:04 Is string theory actually science?
00:17:15 Dimensional analysis
00:21:15 Singularities
00:28:31 ADS and 5 dimensions
00:30:48 String theory
00:34:49 Supersymmetry
00:40:22 On religion
00:52:45 A scorecard for physics
00:55:21 What would your "ethical will" be?
01:02:50 What have you accomplished that once seemed impossible?
01:06:30 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Cumrun Vafa:
📚 Puzzles to Unravel the Universe: https://a.co/d/iWnNDup
💻 Cumrun’s website: https://www.cumrunvafa.org/
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Have we been completely wrong about the Higgs boson? What if it’s not what we think but something far more elusive? And what does the origin of mass in the universe have to do with music?
Here today to explore these mind-bending questions is theoretical physicist Matt Strassler. Matt is known for his work in particle physics, particularly in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and quantum field theory. He has been involved in research on the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and other topics in high-energy physics.
In our insightful interview, we dive into the mysteries of quantum physics, the nature of space, and how waves—not just particles—form the building blocks of reality.
Tune in to find out how the Higgs field gives mass to everything in the universe!
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:24 Deepak or Matt?
00:03:18 Judging a book by its cover
00:06:27 Energy, frequency, and vibration
00:11:53 What is a phib, and why should the reader care?
00:16:15 Galileo’s impact
00:20:51 The Higgs field and the Higgs boson
00:28:17 Fine-tuning problems of matter and anti-matter
00:33:57 Renormalization
00:38:59 The luminiferous ether
00:49:08 Why Mach didn’t play a part in Matt’s book
00:52:08 Inflation and the Higgs field
00:55:35 Rapid questions
01:03:21 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Matt Strassler:
💻 Website: https://profmattstrassler.com/
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/mattstrassler
📚 Waves in an Impossible Sea by Matt Strassler: https://a.co/d/1E8MxT8
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Eksik bölüm mü var?
-
Are we alone in the universe?
I had the great pleasure of discussing this fundamental existential question with astrophysicist Dr. Luke Barnes and philosopher Dr. Jay Richards!
In this exciting discussion, we dove headfirst into the implications of the SETI project, the Rare Earth hypothesis, and the possibility of habitable planets in other solar systems. Together, we explored the probabilities and challenges of the search for extraterrestrial life, taking into account the vastness of the universe and the fine-tuning required for life to exist.
Tune in to find out more about the search for extraterrestrial life!
This debate was hosted by the Hoover Institution.
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:50 Cosmic fine-tuning
00:12:13 The Privileged Planet
00:21:09 When did the fine-tuning take place?
00:28:05 The SETI project
00:30:59 The lack of life on Mars
00:39:40 Why we’re so fascinated by this question
00:57:28 Quantum mechanics and Einstein’s relativity
01:02:01 Human exceptionalism
01:08:46 Science and religion
01:12:58 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out my incredible colleagues:
🔔 Hoover Institution: https://www.hoover.org/
🔔 Hoover Institution YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HooverInstitution
✖️ Dr. Luke Barnes: https://x.com/lukebarnesastro/
✖️ Dr. Jay Richards: https://x.com/drjayrichards/
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Is the universe hiding extra dimensions we can’t see? Could a graviton – a particle we haven’t even proven to exist – change everything we know about the cosmos? And what does the future of physics hold if the standard model fails?
Today, I sit down with the renowned cosmologist Dan Hooper to discuss some of the most complex and exciting theories in modern cosmology. Dan is a leading theoretical physicist at Fermilab and a professor at the University of Chicago, specializing in the mysteries of dark matter, the early universe, and extra dimensions.
In this thrilling episode, Dan and I explore how hidden dimensions and mysterious particles could fundamentally challenge our understanding of the universe!
Tune in!
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:12 Judging a book by its cover
03:00 The Kaluza–Klein theory
06:29 Extra dimensions and gravitons
14:05 Supersymmetry and spin-3/2 particles
19:16 The Desi experiment and neutrino mass
24:58 What has Dan been wrong about?
27:40 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Dan:
🎶 The Spectral Distortions: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2sazg5S1hrbt5Rk4lxoVHy
🎙️ Why This Universe?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfIVYxgDnR3dicM18TwS8w
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Will we ever find the theory of everything? What’s the real difference between artificial intelligence and artificial wisdom? And do experimental physicists really need a deeper understanding of theory than the theorists themselves?
I had the incredible pleasure of diving into these profound questions with Curt Jaimungal, host of the popular podcast and YouTube channel Theories of Everything. In our insightful conversation, we explored the nature of theoretical physics, the role of experimental science, and the ongoing quest to understand the origins of the universe, from the Big Bang to the possibility of a cyclical cosmos.
Tune in.
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:34 My goals in life
00:02:44 Artificial intelligence vs. artificial wisdom
00:09:20 Gödel's incompleteness theorem
00:19:55 Theoretical vs. experimental physics
00:27:00 What textbooks are there for experimental physics?
00:36:50 What's needed for a Theory of Everything?
00:40:56 What are the limits of experimental physics?
00:42:37 Free will, reductionism, and God
00:51:34 Eric Weinstein's geometric unity
00:59:12 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal:
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w
💻 Website: https://www.curtjaimungal.org/
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What are tardigrades, and how did they end up on the moon?
I had the pleasure of exploring the evolution, resilience, and potential use cases of these microscopic creatures that can survive in extreme environments with Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham from Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe.
Enjoy!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:52 Are tardigrades colonizing the moon?
04:12 A little bit about myself
08:37 Ask the wrong expert
15:03 Why are tardigrades so terrifying?
16:50 Their extreme survival abilities
26:18 How they ended up on the moon
28:29 Can they survive on the moon?
33:41 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe:
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daniel-and-jorge-explain-the-universe/id1436616330
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5t4keSVD2zRQuUEtwuoq4V
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
I’m a scientist.
But every time someone says to “follow the science,” I worry.
Why?
Find out in my conversation with Georgia Howe from The Daily Wire. The Daily Wire is a news website and media company founded in 2015 by political commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing.
Enjoy!
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Knowledge vs. wisdom
02:42 Follow the science
08:42 Politics and science
11:23 Integrity in science
14:07 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out PragerU:
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PragerU
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What if everything you know is just a simulation?
In 2022, I was joined by the one and only Nick Bostrom to discuss the simulation hypothesis and the prospects of superintelligence.
Nick is a Professor at Oxford University, where he heads the Future of Humanity Institute as its founding director. He is the most-cited professional philosopher in the world aged 50 or under and is the author of some 200 publications, including Anthropic Bias (2002), Global Catastrophic Risks (2008), Human Enhancement (2009), and Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (2014), a New York Times bestseller.
With a background in theoretical physics, computational neuroscience, logic, and artificial intelligence, there is no one better to answer this question than him!
Tune in.
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:44 Judging a book by its cover
00:05:22 How could an AI have emotions and be creative?
00:08:22 How could a computing device / AI feel pain?
00:13:09 The Turing test
00:20:02 The simulation hypothesis
00:22:27 Is there a "Drake Equation" for the simulation hypothesis?
00:27:16 Penroses' orchestrated objective reality
00:34:11 SETI and the prospect of extraterrestrial life
00:49:20 Are computers really getting "smarter"?
00:53:59 Audience questions
01:01:09 Outro
—
Additional resources:
📚 Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom: https://a.co/d/fYC5DH0
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What do our genes reveal about our past?
Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most influential and thought-provoking scientists, explored the most profound principles of evolutionary history in his new book, The Genetic Book of the Dead.
Dawkins is a renowned evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author. He is also a prominent figure in New Atheism alongside Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens and is well known for his criticisms of creationism and intelligent design.
I had the extraordinary privilege of discussing his new book in our two-part interview. In addition to judging his book, we explored the evolution of sex drive and aesthetic appreciation, genetics, the intersection of theoretical and experimental science, the potential of artificial intelligence, and more.
Tune in to learn about genes from one of the most prominent evolutionary biologists of our time!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out part one of our interview: https://youtu.be/BdiOFaMUASU
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:30 Judging a book by its cover
06:01 Do genes die?
07:53 Can genes predict the future?
11:26 The extended phenotype
22:42 The hypothetical scientist of the future
28:53 A colony of symbiotic vertical viruses
32:51 Final exit to the future
36:10 What evolutionary purpose does music serve?
43:25 The palimpsest
49:38 AI, pain, and evolutionary processes
56:25 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Richard Dawkins:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/RichardDawkins/
💻 Website: https://richarddawkinstour.com/
➡️ Join Richard Dawkins and me in Canada on October 6, 2014 https://admitone.com/events/richard-dawkins-vancouver-9488912
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
I was recently invited on Coast to Coast AM to discuss topics ranging from cosmic origins and the simulation hypothesis to religion and the Nobel Prize. Enjoy!
Coast to Coast AM is a late-night radio talk show covering various topics. Most often, the topics relate to paranormal phenomena or conspiracy theories. It was hosted by its creator, Art Bell, from its inception in 1988 until 2003 and is now hosted by George Noory.
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:02 Simulation hypothesis
05:36 The multiverse theory
08:56 How I lost the Nobel Prize
17:28 Discussing the Big Bang
20:03 Giant telescopes and observatories
25:56 Science vs. religion
28:18 Audience questions
47:00 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Coast to Coast AM:
💻 Website: https://www.coasttocoastam.com/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Does life exist beyond Earth, or is our planet genuinely unique? Can we recreate the origins of life in a lab? And what role does Mars play in the quest for cosmic life?
I had the extraordinary honor of discussing this with two outstanding scientists, Mario Livio and Jack Szostak. Mario and Jack just released their new book, Is Earth Exceptional?, which seeks to answer whether life is a freak accident or a chemical inevitability.
Tune in and join us for this mesmerizing exploration!
Mario Livio is an astrophysicist and author known for his work in cosmology and his popular science books. Livio has significantly contributed to our understanding of dark energy, black holes, and other cosmic phenomena.
Jack Szostak is a prominent biologist and Nobel Laureate known for his significant contributions to understanding life's fundamental processes. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009, along with Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider, for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase.
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:33 “Life existing only on Earth is arrogant.”
00:04:09 Miller–Urey experiment
00:08:35 Does extraordinary evidence exist?
00:10:12 Judging a book by its cover
00:14:11 The origin of life
00:22:18 Thoughts on Rare Earth by Ward and Brownlee
00:24:59 The role of magnetite in the origin of life
00:31:30 Life on Mars?
00:55:15 Drake equation
00:58:54 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Mario Livio:
💻 Website: https://www.mariolivio.com/
➡️ Learn more about Jack Szostak:
💻 Website: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2009/szostak/facts/
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What is the connection between the origin of life on Earth and the search for extraterrestrial life? Could a revolutionary new theory guide us in our search for aliens? And is consciousness an inevitable outcome of life’s complexity, or is it something more mysterious?
I had the pleasure of discussing these fascinating issues with the incredible astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Walker. Sara has greatly contributed to our understanding of how life emerges from non-living matter and how information processing in biological systems differs from that in non-living systems. Her work often explores the intersections of physics, biology, and information theory, seeking to uncover the fundamental principles that govern the transition from chemistry to biology.
In this episode, we dive deep into the mysteries of life, assembly theory, consciousness, and life beyond Earth.
Tune in!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:40 The origin of life and our search for aliens
00:05:31 Judging a book by its cover
00:10:04 Assembly theory and consciousness
00:15:33 What’s the testable hypothesis?
00:21:25 Is life a miracle?
00:30:47 Criticisms of assembly theory
00:43:35 Intelligent design
00:46:35 The concept of time in physics
00:51:08 The future of assembly theory
00:58:30 Predicting life on other planets using assembly theory
01:04:05 What if life didn’t originate on Earth?
01:07:19 Issues with assembly theory and Johannes Jäger
01:21:19 The day after aliens
01:26:44 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Connect with Sara Walker:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/Sara_Imari/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alien_matter/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Do we need new laws of physics to explain the origins of life?
I had an amazing discussion about this with the one and only Lee Cronin on Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal. We talked about life, consciousness, physics, chemistry, assembly theory, the Drake equation, and more!
Lee Cronin is a chemist and the Regius Chair of Chemistry in the School of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on synthetic life forms, the self-assembly of molecules, and the origin of life. He’s also a leading expert in the field of digital chemistry, pushing the boundaries of chemistry using advanced robotics and AI.
Curt Jaimungal is the host of the popular podcast and YouTube channel "Theories of Everything," known for exploring theoretical physics, consciousness, Ai, and God in a technically rigorous manner.
Tune in!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:43 My opening statements
00:04:07 Lee’s opening statements
00:09:26 Why defining "life" is difficult
00:19:50 Disagreements on the origin of life
00:31:51 Is the definition of entropy wrong?
00:50:45 Order that doesn’t involve entropy
00:56:22 Abundance of life in the universe
01:10:36 An answer to the Fermi Paradox
01:19:17 Assembly theory explained
01:36:32 Searching for UFOs
01:50:14 Lee's gripes against the Galileo Project and Avi Loeb
02:08:27 Audience questions
02:15:39 Should UAP data be given to scientists?
02:25:56 Do we need new laws for life?
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Follow Lee Cronin:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/leecronin/
💻 Website: https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/
➡️ Check out Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal:
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w
💻 Website: https://www.curtjaimungal.org/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What is the current state of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)? Why do scientists often raise their eyebrows at UFO sightings? And what might the future of SETI look like with ongoing technological advancements?
I had the privilege of diving into these fascinating topics with the professional alien hunter Seth Shostak!
Seth Shostak is an astronomer and author who directs the search for extraterrestrials at the SETI Institute in California—trying to find evidence of intelligent life in space. He is also committed to getting the public, especially young people, excited about astrobiology and science in general.
Seth hosts “Big Picture Science,” the SETI Institute’s weekly radio show. The one-hour program uses interviews with leading researchers and lively and intelligent storytelling to tackle big questions like: What came before the Big Bang? How does memory work? Will our descendants be human or machine? What’s the origin of humor? Big Picture Science can be found on iTunes and other podcast sites.
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
02:05 Judging a book by its cover
06:49 The Carl Sagan Directors Award and the reorganization of the SETI Institute
09:45 Area 51, Harry Reid and the resurgence of interest in UAPs
11:59 What do you think about new scientific pursuits around UAPs and SETI?
16:47 What do you think about the Drake Equation?
21:18 When can we stop looking?
24:52 What technology could alien civilizations be using?
30:34 How do you handle the criticisms that you are anti-alien?
33:26 What are the latest SETI projects?
37:22 Final questions
44:09 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Seth Shostak:
💻 Website: https://sethshostak.com/
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/SethShostak
📚 Confessions of an Alien Hunter: https://a.co/d/da0IGpk
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Will physics ever be able to explain consciousness? What if our entire understanding of reality is just an illusion shaped by evolution? Could the universe be a sophisticated virtual reality created by our own minds for our own good? And does free will exist after all?
Joining me today to explore these profound questions is none other than Donald Hoffman! Donald Hoffman is a renowned philosopher, famous TED talk speaker, cognitive scientist, and deep thinker.
He is a professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine, and the author of the provocative book The Case Against Reality. This is his third time on my show because we simply never run out of topics, and it’s always refreshing to hear his thoughts and ideas!
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:11 Sam Harris, Robert Sapolsky, and free will
00:07:59 Positive geometries of consciousness
00:17:17 Will physics ever be able to explain consciousness?
00:26:05 Stepping outside of spacetime
00:36:51 Markovian dynamics
00:48:10 Theory of perception
00:52:37 Audience questions
01:05:44 The future of academia
01:13:24 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Don Hoffman:
📚 The Case Against Reality: https://a.co/d/dy3tfCc
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What does it mean to live a fulfilling life? Why should we commit to one person? Why are we as a society so obsessed with wealth? And why do I consider being a parent the most important role in my life?
I had the pleasure of chatting about these profound topics with Candy Ken on his show. Enjoy!
Candy Ken is an Austrian rapper, model, and social media personality known for his flamboyant, colorful style and hyper-masculine persona that challenges traditional gender norms. He gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where he combines elements of kawaii culture, macho aesthetics, and pop culture references. He’s the host of The Candy Ken Show.
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:13 Committing to one person
02:34 Chasing external achievements
04:00 The most important role in life
12:18 Cultural obsession with wealth
24:47 The importance of male role models
33:21 Are you a slave to work?
43:29 Losing the Nobel Prize
48:39 Into the Impossible
51:25 The politicization of the Nobel Prize
01:01:08 Aliens, ancient civilizations and religion
01:21:49 Finding happiness
01:29:51 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Candy Ken:
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzxn731KM8sfH_LS7-ekbTg
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What’s it like to almost win and then lose the Nobel Prize?
In 2014, using the BICEP2 telescope, we believed we had caught a glimpse of the spark that ignited the universe. Millions watched our announcement live from Harvard, sparking rumors of a Nobel Prize. But were we truly seeing the cosmic prologue, or were we deceived by a galactic mirage?
I had the pleasure of discussing BICEP2's discovery, the intense scientific drama that followed, and what I learned from the whole experience with Jordan Harbinger on his show. Enjoy!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:47 The discovery that almost won me the Nobel Prize
03:30 Why I didn’t end up getting the Nobel Prize
10:41 Everything wrong with the Nobel Prize
16:36 Ethical wills
24:02 Deprogramming yourself
37:20 Reframing losses
46:37 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out The Jordan Harbinger Show:
💻 Website: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
If we can censor one person, we can censor everyone.
Our freedom is strongly linked to other people's freedom ... Even those with whom we disagree.
This idea has been explored in great detail by Dr Michael Shermer in his book Giving the Devil His Due. I had the pleasure of reading the book and discussing it with Michael in the early days of the pandemic. So here is a little throwback episode for you!
Enjoy.
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:01 Abducted by aliens
00:11:51 Judging a book by its cover
00:22:36 Free speech and campus culture
00:32:20 How should we govern Mars?
00:42:31 Science, religion, and mortality
00:55:19 Scientists as public figures
01:03:16 Challenges of teaching at a university level
01:12:44 Meaning and purpose in the universe
01:30:58 Skepticism as a movement
01:40:48 Final thoughts
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Michael Shermer:
📚 Giving the Devil His Due: https://a.co/d/8q3Gzs1
💻 Website: https://michaelshermer.com/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why are men's sex drives so strong? Can genetic information be destroyed? And why does the desert lizard have such intricate patterns?
I had the extraordinary privilege of exploring these topics with Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most influential and thought-provoking scientists!
Dawkins is a renowned evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author. He is also a prominent figure in New Atheism alongside Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens and is well known for his criticisms of creationism and intelligent design.
In our wide-ranging conversation, we explored the evolution of sex drive and aesthetic appreciation, genetics, the intersection of theoretical and experimental science, the potential of artificial intelligence, and more.
Tune in!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:56 Why is the sex drive in men so strong?
04:44 DNA, origin of life and panspermia
10:28 Is there life elsewhere in the universe?
14:58 Memes and their evolution
21:13 Homage to Daniel Dennett
23:20 Natural selection and evolution
26:59 The threats and opportunities of AI
31:05 A shifting moral zeitgeist
35:15 Science communication
43:02 Audience questions
47:01 Technology, magic, and time capsules
56:22 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Richard Dawkins:
✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/RichardDawkins/
💻 Website: https://richarddawkinstour.com/
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What does it take to achieve great breakthroughs in science? What makes Galileo’s approach to science still relevant today? And why is it essential for scientists to communicate their work to the general public?
Last month, I was invited to Rick Walker's podcast to give his listeners insight into the mind of a scientist. We also discussed the cosmic microwave background, unifying the laws of gravity and quantum mechanics, and more.
Tune in!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:18 Science, curiosity, and creativity
08:46 Entertainment scientists
12:59 The relationship between mathematics and science
20:22 Einstein’s unfinished dream
24:17 Heisenberg uncertainty principle
29:09 Galileo’s approach to science
34:51 My content creation process
39:49 The cosmic microwave background
48:16 Quickfire
52:25 Outro
—
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Rick Walker’s Podcast:
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3V74xC3Qv8HZchgn_tYWoA
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rick-walker-podcast/id1667818152
—
➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
—
Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.
Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Daha fazla göster
