Into The Impossible

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 H

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:

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

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? 00:4

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:

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:

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 

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 J

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:

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

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

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

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 podcas

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

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 Pri

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:

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: 

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 Na

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:

Getting it right is the hallmark of any great scientist. And when we don’t, we should be able to say we were wrong. In part 2 of debunking all the claims Terrence Howard made on the Joe Rogan Experience, I start by first apologizing for misrepresenting the number of patents Howard has. Even though he doesn’t have the 97 patents he claimed to have, he does hold quite a few, contrary to my earlier assertions.  But this episode is not all sunshine and rainbows. I actually go through 17 different newfound complaints about that conversation. This video will go through each one of those points, and we'll even take a deep dive into one of Eric Weinstein's favorite hobby horses, peer review. Tune in! — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:46 Apology for errors about Howard's patents 01:48 Overview of Howard's actual patent portfolio 06:48 Importance of precise scientific communication 14:37 Is there north and south in space? 15:28 Penrose stairs, scientific collaboration, quantum entanglement 19:36 The role of patents i