A podcast about how we understand the world, scientifically and as humans. Each conversation brings together visionaries from the worlds of arts, sciences, huma...
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Simulations today are powerful tools for exploring the mysteries of our universe, but how close can they come to replicating reality? Can we recreate everything through simulations, or are there limits we can’t overcome? And how do today’s powerful simulations shape our understanding of everything from galaxies to climate change?
Here today, to answer all of these questions and more, is none other than Andrew Pontzen. Andrew is a cosmologist and professor known for his expertise in using computer simulations to understand the universe. He’s the author of The Universe in a Box, where he unpacks the complexities of cosmic simulations and their surprising limitations. Pontzen’s work is at the cutting edge of how we model and predict phenomena ranging from galaxy formation to climate change, bridging theoretical physics with practical, big-picture questions about reality.
As we head toward an era where simulations and AI are central to scientific discovery, these questions are more important than ever.
Tune in to learn about the power and limitations of simulation!
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
00:44 Is it possible to simulate reality?
04:49 Early simulation experiments
10:30 Fluid dynamics and weather simulations
13:51 Judging a book by its cover
16:01 End of the universe
19:13 Cosmic microwave background and spinning universes
24:11 Verification and validation
27:34 Big Bang controversy and the JWST
31:35 Galaxy simulations
42:23 Multiverse and quantum computing
48:58 Ethics and energy impact of high-performance computing
55:34 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Andrew:
📚 Get The Universe in a Box: https://a.co/d/2V7vuFR
✖️ Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://x.com/apontzen
➡️ 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!
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1:15:57
Our Universe Is A Math Problem! Max Tegmark’s Brilliant Theory of Reality [Ep. 465]
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Is reality fundamentally mathematical? Is our universe just one of many? And will we ever discover extraterrestrial life?
This week on Into the Impossible, I sit down with renowned physicist and machine learning expert Max Tegmark to discuss some of the most fundamental questions of our time! Tegmark has dedicated his career to uncovering the mathematical fabric of reality, proposing that our universe itself might be a vast mathematical structure and that we could be living in a multiverse of endless possibilities. His work goes beyond physics to tackle the transformative power and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, an area where he believes humanity must tread carefully.
In the first part of this mind-bending interview, we discuss his mathematical universe hypothesis, the search for extraterrestrial life, and AI’s role in science. Tune in!
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
00:49 The multiverse and mathematical structures
02:33 Theory of inflation and the multiverse
06:52 Levels of multiverses and mathematical structures
11:19 Quantum mechanics and classical mechanics
14:21 The relationship between theory and experiment
21:48 The search for extraterrestrial life
37:15 UFOs and military surveillance technology
41:19 Outro
Additional resources:
📚 Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark: https://a.co/d/03qjhLD
➡️ 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
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43:57
The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó [Ep. 464]
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What if the secret to saving millions of lives was hidden for years—overlooked, dismissed, and even rejected?
That’s the story behind the groundbreaking mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
Today’s remarkable guest, Dr. Katalin Karikó—a Nobel laureate whose persistence and vision changed the course of medical history—shares how she overcame countless setbacks to drive one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern medicine.
Discover how a humble butcher’s daughter from Hungary developed the foundation for the COVID-19 vaccine and why mRNA could hold the key to curing cancer and other deadly diseases.
Tune in to learn more about the mRNA revolution that almost didn’t happen!
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:06 Origin of the Hungarian phrase “Marslahok”
00:02:11 Judging a book by its cover
00:05:40 The definition of life and extraterrestrial life
00:09:28 Katalin’s early life and scientific curiosity
00:18:00 Understanding RNA and mRNA
00:24:43 Development of the COVID vaccine
00:28:44 The COVID vaccine controversy
00:35:41 Overcoming adversity and advice for young scientists
00:54:10 The future of mRNA research and dealing with pandemics
01:01:08 What was Katalin wrong about?
01:02:15 Outro
Additional resources:
📚 Get “Breaking Through: My Life in Science” by Dr. Katalin Karikó: https://a.co/d/cZjaFCw
➡️ 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
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1:06:09
Is Earth Truly One of a Kind? Exploring Exoplanets with Josh Winn [Ep. 463]
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Is Earth truly one of a kind?
This question has fascinated humans for decades, and with today's advanced technology, we're finally able to explore it scientifically. In this episode, renowned astrophysicist Josh Winn joins us to discuss the fascinating world of exoplanets, planetary systems, and the quest to discover other habitable planets.
Josh shares the latest breakthroughs in exoplanet research, from unexpected discoveries like hot Jupiters to the ongoing efforts to detect Earth-like planets around distant stars. He also explores the challenges of studying planets light-years away and the exciting future missions that could reveal more about the universe beyond our solar system.
Tune in to learn more about exoplanets and life beyond our solar system!
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:34 Rare Earth Hypothesis
00:06:04 The role of stars in exoplanet habitability
00:13:23 Judging a book by its cover
00:16:50 Could aliens detect Tokyo?
00:19:42 The Habitable Worlds Observatory
00:22:06 Methods for detecting exoplanets
00:25:21 The lazy method
00:30:03 Avi Loeb and Oumuamua
00:36:08 The nuts and bolts of Josh's work
00:44:29 The role of technology in detecting exoplanets
00:52:48 Why should young people be interested in exoplanets?
00:57:22 Outro
Additional resources:
📚 Get The Little Book of Exoplanets by Josh Winn: https://a.co/d/9PK4XFV
➡️ 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
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1:01:19
What’s Holding Back Your View of the Stars? Common Eye Deficiencies Explained
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Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if your eyes were enough to capture all it has to offer? Spoiler alert: They’re not!
While our eyes are absolutely amazing, they are also full of flaws. Nearsightedness, astigmatism, and even pesky floaters! But did you know these same flaws are mirrored in the world’s most advanced telescopes?
In this episode, I discuss common eye deficiencies and explain how they affect our ability to observe the stars. I compare them to the optical imperfections in telescopes, such as chromatic and spherical aberration.
Tune in to learn more about nature’s first telescopes!
This episode is part 2 of a series where we’ll uncover even more intriguing insights about the connections between our eyes and telescopes, so stay tuned!
Check out part 1: https://youtu.be/lSbyohV1XSE
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
01:29 Deficiencies of the human eye
05:42 Deficiencies in telescopes
13:59 Conclusion
15:37 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ 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
A podcast about how we understand the world, scientifically and as humans. Each conversation brings together visionaries from the worlds of arts, sciences, humanities, and technology discussing the nature of reality and how we collaborate to create the future. Hosted by Dr Brian Keating, Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. For show notes go to: https://briankeating.com/podcast
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