Access Reality Ali Cadili

A discussion with Matt Stoller, Author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy. Matt is a former senior policy advisor to the US Senate Budget Committee where he helped create legislation on Federal Reserve policy. Matt is also a former producer at MSNBC and political comedy show co-host with Russell Brand. Topics discussed include:

-Definition of the "left" in the American political spectrum

-Is a radical realignment under way in the American political structure vis a vis the reemergence of populism?

-US global trade policy and the commerce relationship with China

-Origin of the trade war between the United States and China

-Is Trump attempting to reverse the de-industrialization of the United States? 

-Should giant tech and social media platform monopolies be considered public utilities?

Dr. Julia Kregenow is an Associate Teaching Professor at the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at Penn State University. She has authored several books including A Student's Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy, ABCs of Space, and Astrophysics for Babies. Issues discussed include:  -How does propulsion and fuel work in space? 

-Why is the speed of light constant?

-Can we move faster than the speed of light? 

-Directionality in space 

-How does gravity work for Jupiter and moons around planets? 

-What are the effects of dark energy and dark matter in space? 

-Space rumours: is there another sun in our solar system? is there a planet number 9? is there a planet Vulcan?

A conversation with Jatan Mehta on the current status and future goals of the Indian Space Research Organization programs. Jatan is a science writer and former science officer at the Teamindus Moon Mission. His writings can be found on his public website Japan.space. Issues discussed include:

-The scope and purpose of the Indian space program

-Successes and failures of past Indian space missions

-Future plans and goals of the Indian space program

-Budget and public perceptions of the Indian space program

-How does the Indian space program compare to its International counterparts?

-Prevalence and nature of space-related conspiracy theories and thinking in India compared to the west

Dr. Robert Zubrin, former engineer at Lockhead Martin and president and founder of the Mars Society joins us today for a groundbreaking conversation. We discuss the obstacles and opportunities with a fully functional human Mars colony. Questions discussed include:

-Can Mars be terraformed and, if yes, how and how long would that take? 

-What key requirements need to be met for a Mars colony to be successful?

-The merits and issues with underground bases on Mars

-What will be the main export of a Mars colony to Earth?

-Can Mars soil grow plants?

-What would be the best political system to run a Mars colony?

-What currency will be used in Mars colony?

-Whatever 

-Is Saturn's moon Titan a better option for human colonization than Mars?

Dr. Phillip Ball, is a past editor for Nature and author of multiple works on subjects which include quantum physics, patterns in nature, molecular biology, complexity, history of science, and the science and psychology of colour.

Topics discussed included:

-The past, present, and future of the interdisciplinary approach to knowledge

-Quantum mechanics and what it may or may not tell us about the true nature of reality

-The meaning of, and evidence for, Quantum Biology

-Many Worlds Theory: where did it come from and what does it imply to our existence

-What is the place and validity of the Simulation Hypothesis?

-Where does colour from?

-Why is symmetry a prevalent feature in animals?

-How can Entropy, the third law of thermodynamics,  be reconciled with the existence of living biological organisms?

Dr. Ryan Watkins is a planetary scientist who focuses on moon exploration. She is also on the science advisory board for Blue Origin's moon lander program. Our discussion addressed the following questions:

-What is the makeup and composition of the moon surface?

-What are the barriers to long-term bases or settlements on the moon?

-What are the current and future missions planned for the moon?

-Did the US government actually nuke the moon?

-What are the existing/planned regulations for companies and countries going to the moon?

-How does the moon compare to other moons in our solar system?

-Why is there a dark side of the moon?

-What are the geological differences between the near and far sides of the moon?

-Is the moon originally a part of earth?

-What are Blue Origin's current and future plans for space exploration?

-What is the future of humanity's presence on the moon?