Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Arthur

Podcast by Isaac Arthur

  1. The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life?

    22 HR AGO

    The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life?

    Could the origins of life on Earth trace back to a natural nuclear reactor? Long before humanity split the atom, nature itself may have done it first. In this episode, we explore the astonishing possibility that self-sustaining fission reactions—like the Oklo natural reactor in Gabon—once powered the chemical engines of creation. From radioactive geysers and mineral-rich pools to the first self-replicating molecules, we’ll examine how nuclear energy might have provided the spark that turned chemistry into biology. Along the way, we’ll connect this mystery to the Fermi Paradox, asking whether such rare, radioactive beginnings might explain why intelligent life seems so scarce in the universe. Join us for a journey that blends cosmic mystery, geochemistry, and the science of life’s origins. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life? Written by Isaac Arthur & Philip Kramer, PhD Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:39 The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter 6:41 The Rare Earth Hypothesis & LUCA 11:42 Natural Nuclear Reactors – Earth’s First Fission Furnace 16:00 The Nuclear Geyser Hypothesis 21:27 Nebula 23:02 Implications for Alien Life 29:39 Fictional Exploration See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min
  2. The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life? (Narration Only)

    22 HR AGO

    The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life? (Narration Only)

    Could the origins of life on Earth trace back to a natural nuclear reactor? Long before humanity split the atom, nature itself may have done it first. In this episode, we explore the astonishing possibility that self-sustaining fission reactions—like the Oklo natural reactor in Gabon—once powered the chemical engines of creation. From radioactive geysers and mineral-rich pools to the first self-replicating molecules, we’ll examine how nuclear energy might have provided the spark that turned chemistry into biology. Along the way, we’ll connect this mystery to the Fermi Paradox, asking whether such rare, radioactive beginnings might explain why intelligent life seems so scarce in the universe. Join us for a journey that blends cosmic mystery, geochemistry, and the science of life’s origins. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: The Fermi Paradox - Did a Natural Nuclear Reactor Spark All Life? Written by Isaac Arthur & Philip Kramer, PhD Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:39 The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter 6:41 The Rare Earth Hypothesis & LUCA 11:42 Natural Nuclear Reactors – Earth’s First Fission Furnace 16:00 The Nuclear Geyser Hypothesis 21:27 Nebula 23:02 Implications for Alien Life 29:39 Fictional Exploration See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min
  3. Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star

    4 DAYS AGO

    Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star

    Solar storms are inevitable; disaster isn’t. We explore the physics of flares and CMEs, historical extremes, and realistic defenses—detection, delay, and planetary-scale shielding—to weather the Sun’s worst days. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Graphics: Mafic Studios, Sergio Botero Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Aerium, Stellardrone, Chris Zabriskie, and Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    24 min
  4. Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star (Narration Only)

    4 DAYS AGO

    Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star (Narration Only)

    Solar storms are inevitable; disaster isn’t. We explore the physics of flares and CMEs, historical extremes, and realistic defenses—detection, delay, and planetary-scale shielding—to weather the Sun’s worst days. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections - Defending Earth from Our Own Star Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Graphics: Mafic Studios, Sergio Botero Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Aerium, Stellardrone, Chris Zabriskie, and Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
  5. After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next

    2 OCT

    After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next

    Mars may be humanity’s next great home—but it’s not the finish line. From floating cities above Venus to mining Mercury and the Asteroid Belt, to building bases on the Jovian moons and Titan, we explore which destinations might follow Mars and how each could shape our future in space. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g/join Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:02 Why the Moon Should Come First 3:47 Candidate #1: Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) 7:52 Candidate #2: Venus 11:35 Candidate #3: Mercury 15:16 Candidate #4: Lagrange Points & Earth-Orbit Infrastructure 17:51 Candidate #5: Jovian Moons 20:26 Nebula 22:06 Candidate #6: Titan (Saturn’s Moon) 23:46 Candidate #7: The Asteroid Belt 25:44 Candidate #8: Comet Mining & Outer System Expansion 27:56 Cross-Support: Who Helps Whom? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min
  6. After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next (Narration Only)

    2 OCT

    After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next (Narration Only)

    Mars may be humanity’s next great home—but it’s not the finish line. From floating cities above Venus to mining Mercury and the Asteroid Belt, to building bases on the Jovian moons and Titan, we explore which destinations might follow Mars and how each could shape our future in space. Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox - Civilization Extinction Cycles: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-civilization-extinction-cycles Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g/join Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:02 Why the Moon Should Come First 3:47 Candidate #1: Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) 7:52 Candidate #2: Venus 11:35 Candidate #3: Mercury 15:16 Candidate #4: Lagrange Points & Earth-Orbit Infrastructure 17:51 Candidate #5: Jovian Moons 20:26 Nebula 22:06 Candidate #6: Titan (Saturn’s Moon) 23:46 Candidate #7: The Asteroid Belt 25:44 Candidate #8: Comet Mining & Outer System Expansion 27:56 Cross-Support: Who Helps Whom? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min
  7. New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future?

    30 SEPT

    New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future?

    The discovery of 2017 OF201 reminds us that even small worlds can hold vast potential — not just as frozen orbs, but as stepping stones for interstellar civilization. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future? Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:11 What Counts as a Dwarf Planet? 3:47 The New Arrival: 2017 OF201 4:47 From Iceball to Megastructure 6:03 Waypoint to the Stars 8:38 Lessons from Pluto and the Dwarf Planet Census 9:43 Engineering Challenges & Opportunities 10:50 Extrapolating the Frontier See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min
  8. New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future? (Narration Only)

    30 SEPT

    New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future? (Narration Only)

    The discovery of 2017 OF201 reminds us that even small worlds can hold vast potential — not just as frozen orbs, but as stepping stones for interstellar civilization. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: New Dwarf Planet Discovered: A Minor Planet With a Major Future? Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:11 What Counts as a Dwarf Planet? 3:47 The New Arrival: 2017 OF201 4:47 From Iceball to Megastructure 6:03 Waypoint to the Stars 8:38 Lessons from Pluto and the Dwarf Planet Census 9:43 Engineering Challenges & Opportunities 10:50 Extrapolating the Frontier See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min
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