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Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Nurse defines the 5 core principles of life. What is the essence of being alive? This is the question that geneticist and cell biologist Paul Nurse dissects in his book What Is Life? At the core of life is the cell — an entity that can grow, divide, and reproduce. Using yeast as a model organism, Nurse discovered a similarity in cell reproduction mechanisms between yeast and humans, hinting at a shared ancestral origin for all life. This commonality extends to genes, the units of inheritance, first recognized in pea plants by Gregor Mendel. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection proposes that life adapts and evolves, favoring traits — and the genes that encode them — that are advantageous for survival. The essence of life, therefore, is a complex orchestration of chemistry and information management that allows organisms to adapt and persist through inheritance.
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Chapters:
0:00 The big question of biology
0:57 1. The Cell
2:41 2. The Gene
3:28 3. Evolution by natural selection
4:20 4. Chemistry
5:20 5. Information
6:27 What is life?
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Brian Klaas argues that the key to police reform is changing who wants to be a cop. Could revamping police recruitment strategies pave the way to a more accountable and community-oriented police force? Political scientist Brian Klaas thinks so. He contends that it's just as crucial to comprehend who is drawn to policing and the nature of recruitment processes as it is to oversee police conduct. He brings this idea to life by contrasting the militaristic recruitment approach of Doraville, Georgia, with New Zealand's community-focused strategy that led to a diverse influx of applicants. Klaas also highlights worrying statistics of high domestic abuse rates among US police officers, advocating for stricter screening during recruitment. Although such changes won't completely eliminate issues like police violence, Klaas believes they're significant steps toward meaningful reform.
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Chapters
0:00 Attitudes toward police reform
1:14 Police ad #1: America
2:06 Police ad #2: New Zealand
3:12 Who is attracted to policing?
4:09 “I’m not naive enough to think…”
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Discover Big Think | Smarter Faster™

Your top destination for expert-driven, educational content. Featuring thousands of episodes and insights from renowned figures like Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think accelerates your learning by delving into the pivotal concepts and essential skills shaping knowledge in the 21st century...

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When black holes disappear, what happens to the stuff that fell in? Physicist Brian Cox explains. Brian Cox explains the significance of black holes in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity and a deeper understanding of space and time. According to Cox, black holes are intriguing because they challenge the compatibility of quantum theory and general relativity, creating a fundamental clash in our understanding of nature. Unifying these two pillars of physics is a major goal for theoretical physicists, and black holes are crucial in this pursuit. He also delves into the characteristics of black holes, describing the event horizon as a boundary between the external universe and the interior of the black hole. In conclusion, he says, black holes play a pivotal role in our understanding of the universe, pushing scientists to explore the nature of space, time, and the fundamental laws of physics. They offer a glimpse into something deeply hidden, potentially leading to a profound shift in our comprehension of reality.
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chapters:-
0:00 introduction
1:29 the idea of black holes
2:54 what a black hole looks like
4:07 the singularity
5:42 hawking radiation
7:10 black hole information paradox
9:42 quatum theory of gravity
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Adam Grant's #1 phrase to unlock potential
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Discover Big Think | Smarter Faster™

Your top destination for expert-driven, educational content. Featuring thousands of episodes and insights from renowned figures like Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think accelerates your learning by delving into the pivotal concepts and essential skills shaping knowledge in the 21st century...

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What’s happening in Gaza and why? And how did we get here? Political scientist Ian Bremmer joins Big Think’s Editor-in-Chief, Robert Chapman-Smith, to discuss the historical and political context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and president of Eurasia Group, joins us to discuss the historical and political context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this conversation, Bremmer and our editor-in-chief, Robert Chapman-Smith, explore the current dynamics between Israel and Palestine, particularly during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure. They also delve into internal politics in Israel — including growing dissent against the government, how the conflict in Gaza is being handled, the influence of hard-right political parties, and the impact of these factors on the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Chapters:-
0:00 Palestinians forgotten
6:30 Israel’s domestic instability
13:17 Israel and Gulf states
19:28 Hamas’ strategy
27:06 Social media disinformation
37:20 Israel’s strategy and peace
44:40 U.S. support for Israel
49:32 World War 3?
54:07 Two-state solution
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About Ian Bremmer and Robert Chapman-Smith: Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm started in 1998. Today, the company has offices in New York, Washington, and London, as well as a network of experts and resources around the world. Bremmer has authored several books, including the national bestseller The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations? Robert Chapman-Smith is the Editor-in-Chief of Big Think. As Editor-in-Chief, Rob guides coverage and works with the Big Think team to explore the world’s biggest questions with the world’s biggest thinkers. He is based in Philadelphia...
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Nothing is real and everything is an illusion. Neuroscientist Heather Berlin explains why that’s not exactly a bad thing.
Neuroscientist Heather Berlin likens each person's perception to a unique box shaped by their own experiences. Perception, Berlin explains, arises from a blend of internal expectations and external sensory input, creating a subjective experience. Berlin believes our mental state can also profoundly affect our perception; a pessimistic mindset might skew it negatively, for example. The brain filters information, relying on preexisting schemas that can lead to cognitive biases. She notes that these biases can be altered through changing inputs over time, which can expand our empathy. Understanding perception's illusory nature empowers us to shape our experiences and find joy despite life's challenges. About Heather Berlin: Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and associate clinical professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. She explores the neural basis of impulsive and compulsive psychiatric and neurological disorders with the aim of developing novel treatments. She is also interested in the brain basis of consciousness, dynamic unconscious processes, and creativity. Clinically, she specializes in lifespan (child, adolescent, and adult) treatment of anxiety, mood, and impulsive and compulsive disorders (e.g., OCD), blending her neural perspective with cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and humanistic approaches
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Adam Grant's #1 phrase to unlock potential
The science of super longevity
Beat anxiety with the most addictive experience on Earth
Go Deeper with Big Think:
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Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business
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Discover Big Think | Smarter Faster™

Your top destination for expert-driven, educational content. Featuring thousands of episodes and insights from renowned figures like Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think accelerates your learning by delving into the pivotal concepts and essential skills shaping knowledge in the 21st century...

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A Cure For Burnout Suicide, addiction and depression rates have never been higher. Could a lack of spirituality be to blame? What if our innate spirituality was the antidote to the escalating rates of mental health issues in the world? Dr. Lisa Miller, a Columbia University professor, studies the profound interplay between spirituality and mental health. She argues that our modern obsession with achievement has led to neglect of our spiritual side, contributing to increased depression and despair. In contrast, "awakened awareness," a state where we are receptive to life's signals and guidance, can serve as a neuroprotective mechanism against such issues. Emphasizing the universality of spirituality, irrespective of religiosity, she suggests altruistic acts as a means to strengthen our spiritual core. Such acts, she argues, could ignite a journey of recovery and holistic wellness...
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Adam Grant's #1 phrase to unlock potential
The science of super longevity
Beat anxiety with the most addictive experience on Earth
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Discover Big Think | Smarter Faster™

Your top destination for expert-driven, educational content. Featuring thousands of episodes and insights from renowned figures like Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think accelerates your learning by delving into the pivotal concepts and essential skills shaping knowledge in the 21st century...

Unlock Knowledge, Faster....

With Insights from the World's Leading Minds

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