Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Big Bang Productions Inc.
  • 4.7 (39)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

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

  1. Inside Kelsey Johnson’s Daring Quest to Decode the Universe’s Secrets

    24 NOV

    Inside Kelsey Johnson’s Daring Quest to Decode the Universe’s Secrets

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Can science, philosophy, and religion work together to address humanity's biggest questions? What lessons can the cosmos teach us about our place in the universe and the future of humanity? And how do we bring back that sense of curiosity that seems to have faded among professionals? Here today to invite us into her daring quest to decode the universe’s secrets is the brilliant Kelsey Johnson. Kelsey is an accomplished astronomer, professor, and science communicator known for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics and her unique approach to blending science with philosophy and existential inquiry. She is a faculty member at the University of Virginia, where she has made significant contributions to the understanding of starburst galaxies, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the universe. Kelsey also founded the Dark Skies, Bright Kids program, which introduces rural communities to the wonders of astronomy.  Tune in to learn more about curiosity, the intersection of science and philosophy, and the universe’s mysteries.  Key Takeaways:  00:00:00 Intro 00:13:06 What inspired Kelsey to write Into the Unknown  00:16:23 Why scientists lose their curiosity  00:18:33 Judging a book by its cover 00:24:18 Balancing science and philosophy  00:31:55 The role of religion in understanding science 00:37:21 The cosmic marshmallow test  00:47:04 Dark Skies, Bright Kids 00:50:53 The Fermi paradox and the search for extraterrestrial life 01:00:55 Changing perspectives in cosmology  01:05:48 Starburst galaxies 01:08:03 Molecular clouds and feedback  01:10:38 Magnetic fields  01:12:59 Arthur C Clarke’s three laws 01:19:31 Outro Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Kelsey Johnson:  📚 Get Into the Unknown on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5XW0bmG  ✖️ Follow Kelsey on Twitter: https://x.com/ProfKelsey ➡️ 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

    1h 21m
  2. Is the Universe a Simulation? Andrew Pontzen

    17 NOV

    Is the Universe a Simulation? Andrew Pontzen

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 16m
  3. Our Universe Is A Math Problem! Max Tegmark’s Brilliant Theory of Reality

    11 NOV

    Our Universe Is A Math Problem! Max Tegmark’s Brilliant Theory of Reality

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 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

    44 min
  4. The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó

    3 NOV

    The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 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

    1h 6m
  5. Is Earth Truly One of a Kind? Exploring Exoplanets with Josh Winn

    27 OCT

    Is Earth Truly One of a Kind? Exploring Exoplanets with Josh Winn

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 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

    1h 1m
  6. What’s Holding Back Your View of the Stars? Common Eye Deficiencies Explained

    24 OCT

    What’s Holding Back Your View of the Stars? Common Eye Deficiencies Explained

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 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

    19 min
  7. Searching for a Theory of Everything with Max Tegmark, James Beacham & Stephon Alexander

    23 OCT

    Searching for a Theory of Everything with Max Tegmark, James Beacham & Stephon Alexander

    What are the leading theories of everything, and are we any closer to discovering the one true theory of everything? In this 90-minute summit, some of the world’s top physicists—Max Tegmark, James Beacham, Stephon Alexander—go beyond the hype to explore the very heart of physics.  Einstein began the monumental task of unifying quantum mechanics with general relativity, but will we ever succeed in unifying all the forces of the universe? Can it be done? If so, when? Join us for this thought-provoking discussion and find out! Key Takeaways:  00:00:00 Intro  00:00:45 What is a theory of everything? 00:05:25 State of the field and personal perspectives  00:20:42 Experimental challenges  00:34:13 Mathematical foundations, the multiverse, and theoretical beauty  01:05:12 Where do we go from here? 01:14:23 Audience questions 01:25:35 Outro Additional resources:  ➡️ 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

    1h 34m
  8. How Being Wrong in Science Can Lead to Great Breakthroughs w/ Rocky Kolb

    20 OCT

    How Being Wrong in Science Can Lead to Great Breakthroughs w/ Rocky Kolb

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 How can embracing mistakes, challenging common assumptions, and daring to be wrong lead to groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology? Here to talk about why being wrong might actually be a good thing is the legendary astrophysicist Rocky Kolb. Rocky, a professor at the University of Chicago, is known for his work on the early universe and dark matter. With decades of experience under his belt, Rocky explains the tricky balance between confidence and humility in science. Tune in to learn more about the interplay of ego, humility, and science! Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro  01:55 Judging a book by its cover 04:29 Humility, ego and science 14:50 Controversies in cosmology 21:06 Neutrinos and dark matter 24:26 The role of data in cosmology 35:46 Ethics and responsibility in science  43:48 Arthur C Clarke questions  48:01 Outro  Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Rocky Kolb:  📚 Blind Watcher Of The Sky: https://a.co/d/aw0qZDt  ➡️ 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

    53 min
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4.7
out of 5
39 Ratings

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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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