The UIUC Talkshow The UIUC Talkshow

Charles Gammie is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Born with an insatiable curiosity and a love for mathematics, Dr. Gammie's journey to the forefront of astrophysics was anything but ordinary.

Despite initially having ambitions of becoming a lawyer, a serendipitous encounter with a wise advisor steered him toward statistics and physics. Little did he know, this fateful decision would set him on a path toward the cosmos, propelling him into the world of astrophysics and a PhD he never envisioned.

Today, Dr. Gammie stands as a theoretical and computational astrophysicist whose research focuses on black holes, and the formation of stars, moons, and planets, where he has developed numerical methods for modeling relativistic plasmas, relativistic radiation magnetohydrodynamics, and radiative processes in hot plasmas.

Notably, Dr. Gammie co-led the theoretical modeling efforts for the Event Horizon Telescope (ETH) project, enabling the interpretation of the EHT data and the groundbreaking first-ever image of a supermassive black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy. This unprecedented collaboration across continents and disciplines showcased human ingenuity and the pursuit of knowledge.

In this conversation, Dr. Gammie shared profound insights into black holes, their mechanics, spinning nature, and implications for understanding time and space. He also explored existential topics like extraterrestrial life and reconciling science with religious beliefs, offering inspiring advice for young minds to embrace curiosity and the unconventional.

From the origins of "black holes" to the nature of time itself, this conversation was a captivating odyssey through the cosmos, guided by a brilliant scientific mind.

This is The UIUC Talkshow, and this is our conversation with Dr. Charles Gammie.

EPISODE LINKS:

Charles Gammie's Website: https://rainman.astro.illinois.edu/gammie/

Charles Gammie's UIUC Website: https://physics.illinois.edu/people/directory/profile/gammie

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Introduction

1:01 - Accretion disk

2:27 - How to model accretion disks

3:34 - How Graduate School works

5:09 - From Law to Astrophysics

10:42 - College: An Opportunity to Explore

16:01 - Childhood

21:43 - Bell Labs

25:10 - Golden Age of Astrophysics

28:02 - NASA

33:47 - Mars

41:13 - Interstellar Travel

45:52 - Gravity

50:57 - Black Holes

55:22 - Black Hole Formation

58:28 - Black Hole Image

1:02:28 - How to Make a Black Hole?

1:07:08 - Stephen Hawking

1:09:47 - Origin of "Black Hole"

1:12:03 - Time

1:19:47 - Advice for young people

1:24:52 - Dinosaurs

1:28:40 - The Story of the Black Hole Image

1:33:04 - Black Hole Videos

1:35:23 - Putting the Black Hole Picture Together

1:37:40 - Black Hole Spinning

1:41:11 - Moon Telescope

1:45:29 - Aliens

1:53:31 - Religion

🚥Overrated or Underrated Section 🚥

2:02:21 - ⚫️ The Black Hole from Interstellar

2:06:22 - 🎩 Generative AI

2:16:28 - 🐛 Wormholes

2:20:16 - Closing Words

Join Aaryaman and Juan David on a journey to Carbondale, Illinois, where they step inside Buckminster Fuller's iconic geodesic dome.


In this special episode of The UIUC Talkshow, we have a conversation with Cornelius Crane, former president of RBF Dome, and the late Jon Davey, within the Fuller Dome itself.


Buckminster Fuller was far more than just an architect and inventor - he was a boundless thinker driven by a profound philosophical quest.


After a period of intense self-reflection and an almost "out-of-body" experience, Fuller dedicated himself to uplifting humanity by "doing more with less." His inventions like the Dymaxion Car, House, Map, and geodesic domes were mere demonstrations of his ambitious 4D vision to unlock the fundamental geometric codes underpinning the universe itself.


Buckminster Fuller understood that true progress required holistic solutions that transcended individual disciplines. His concept of "Spaceship Earth" envisioned the planet as a single, interconnected entity, highlighting the need for cooperation and sustainability.


Fuller's mission transcended worldly success - he sought to rapidly create a sustainable world benefiting 100% of humanity through spontaneous cooperation without disadvantaging anyone. An unconventional genius centuries ahead of his time, Fuller's legacy continues to inspire.


Words cannot encapsulate the transcendent experience of being inside Fuller's dome. It evokes a profound sense of boundless creativity, where ideas flow uninhibited, and the mind is consumed by profound thoughts. The unique dome design allows natural light to illuminate the interior, cultivating a warm and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of being cocooned within a giant seashell imbued with an aura of ingenuity.


This geodesic dome house served as the residence of Buckminster Fuller and his wife Anne Hewlett Fuller from 1960 to 1971. It was the only dome he called home and where he was awarded 9 patents, published 11 books, and designed iconic works like the Montreal Biosphere during his most prolific years. Now a historic landmark, it preserves his radical humanitarian legacy for generations to come.


The home has been rightfully added to the National Register of Historic Places.


Join us as we learn from the dome's former caretakers about Fuller's paradigm-shifting ideas and tireless efforts to create an enduring planet that uplifts all beings without compromise. An immersive experience inside the physical manifestation of a mind that transcended conventional dimensions.




Explore the full behind-the-scenes story at: https://juandavidcampolargo.substack.com/p/juan-davids-newsletter-january-29th






EPISODE LINKS:
Buckminster Fuller's Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller


The Fuller Dome Home: https://fullerdomehome.com/


Buckminster Fuller Institute Website: https://www.bfi.org


Bill Perk: https://www.bfi.org/2022/12/19/the-passing-of-bill-perk/


Bertrand Goldberg (Architect of Marina City, Chicago): http://bertrandgoldberg.org/





OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction

1:34 - Suicide

2:16 - Dome

6:04 - Bucky and Carbondale

14:15 - CIA

17:17 - Bill Perk

36:02 - Bucky's Seeds

40:58 - The Unique Nature of the Dome

45:40 - Global Cooperation

55:00 - Trust Your Intuition

58:42 - Buckminster Fuller's Life Mission

1:01:29 - Dymaxion Map

1:05:16 - Dymaxion House

1:08:41 - Public Perception

1:12:17 - Manufacturing

1:14:44 - Ideas never die

1:17:23 - Synergy





🎥 Thanks to Devarsh Patel for helping us film the introduction.




SOCIAL:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/uiuctalkshow⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/uiuctalkshow⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@uiuctalkshow⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3ezoc4xJa4DrGq7N4lhqQn⁠

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-uiuc-talkshow/id1611427075⁠

Full episodes playlist: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1H9UJqXvJXr3qlx9c89Rv76c6IpnwGeC

In this special episode of The UIUC Talkshow, Aaryaman gets a chance to sit down and have a conversation with a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and environmentalist, Mr. Firdos Cambatta, from India.



From leading a pioneering role in the textile industry for the last five decades, Mr. Cambatta's journey is one of profound impact. Since retiring from his company, he has redirected his efforts to reforesting the city he grew up in, planting 50,000 trees every year since 2017.

In this episode, we dive into his lessons in practical engineering, his beginnings working on a shop floor in a textile factory, making good investments, learning by doing, starting a fund for education and nature, and the countless life lessons he learned along the way.



EPISODE LINKS:
The Serenity Trust: https://theserenitylibrary.com/



OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction


2:25 - Lessons from a Father


6:11 - Studying in Germany


11:16 - Diversification


13:26 - Reading


13:59 - Entrepreneurship


17:14 - Making good investments


20:53 - The Serenity Trust


22:00 - Nature and Preservation


26:14 - How to Solve Your Problems


29:36 - Advice for Young People








SOCIAL:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/uiuctalkshow⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/uiuctalkshow⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@uiuctalkshow⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3ezoc4xJa4DrGq7N4lhqQn⁠

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-uiuc-talkshow/id1611427075⁠

Full episodes playlist: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1H9UJqXvJXr3qlx9c89Rv76c6IpnwGeC⁠

Clips Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UIUCTalkshowClips⁠

What is the UIUC Talkshow?

Our goal with this show is to introduce you to the most interesting people with the most interesting ideas from the UIUC campus.


Learn more about Juan David & Aaryaman:

Aaryaman

Website: ⁠https://www.aaryamanpatel.com/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaryamanpatel/⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/aaryamanpatel⁠



Juan David

Website: ⁠https://www.juandavidcampolargo.com/⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/jdcampolargo⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdcampolargo⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jdcampolargo/

Robert J. Jones is the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.





OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction

0:58 - What Drives Chancellor Jones?

2:28 - Becoming The Chancellor

5:04 - Mentors

8:30 - Student Hardships

13:11 - How UIUC Raised $2.7 Billion

19:29 - Is College Worth it?

26:45 - Should Colleges be Accountable for Student Debt?

29:10 - Is College about Getting a Job?

35:13 - Interdisciplinarity

40:41 - Milk on Cereal or Cereal on Milk? 🥛🥣

42:10 - Memories

45:16 - Dreams

46:49 - Singing & Grammy Awards

48:49 - Advice for young people

🚥Overrated or Underrated Section 🚥

50:21 - 🐢 Galápagos Islands

50:45 - 🎨 Modern Art

51:47 - 🎬Acting

53:32 - Closing Words









SOCIAL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uiuctalkshow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/uiuctalkshow

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uiuctalkshow

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ezoc4xJa4DrGq7N4lhqQn

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-uiuc-talkshow/id1611427075

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1H9UJqXvJXr3qlx9c89Rv76c6IpnwGeC

Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UIUCTalkshowClips

What is the UIUC Talkshow?

Our goal with this show is to introduce you to the most interesting people with the most interesting ideas from the UIUC campus.






Learn more about Juan David & Aaryaman:

Aaryaman

Website: https://www.aaryamanpatel.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaryamanpatel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaryamanpatel








Juan David

Website: https://www.juandavidcampolargo.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdcampolargo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdcampolargo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdcampolargo/

Karrie Karahalios is a Computer Science Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she conducts research on the impact of computer science on society, including areas like algorithmic auditing, community-centered computing, social media, and human-computer interaction.



In a world often driven by haste and the urge to build for the sake of building, Dr. Karahalios stands out in her field, much like an oasis in a desert. She offers a refreshing perspective, advocating for more thoughtful approaches to technology and social tools.



Her philosophy entails not rushing to construct colossal empires at the expense of societal well-being but, instead, taking measured steps to avoid the perils of recklessness.

Dr. Karahalios explores the interaction between humans and technology from a viewpoint that transcends mere functionality and deeply considers the impact on individuals and communities. Her academic journey, from earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at MIT to her time in the MIT Media Lab, has uniquely equipped her to appreciate diverse perspectives and tackle complex problems.



Her research stands as a testament to her dedication to deciphering the intricate dynamics of networked electronic spaces. Yet, she also takes on the role of a champion and a relentless fighter against the tyranny of algorithms that increasingly govern our lives. In this era, where social media platforms wield the power to control who can access and broadcast to the public, where medical devices operate on proprietary algorithms that render their outcomes unquestionable, and where algorithms can even make legal decisions within courtrooms, Dr. Karahalios's work takes on paramount significance.



One of the significant and bold steps Dr. Karahalios has taken is suing the government to ensure that researchers can continue to investigate discrimination on the internet. Supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), their journey underscores the importance of pushing against self-helplessness and pursuing justice, even when the odds seem daunting.



After the interview, we found ourselves in Dr. Karahalios's classes, not just for learning but for the inspiring post-class discussions.



Dr. Karahalios, a fusion of brilliance and kindness, sets a remarkable example we hope others will follow. Her influence extends beyond academia, sparking our imaginations and guiding us to innovative projects. She embodies the future we aspire to create in technology and society.



EPISODE LINKS:

Karrie Karahalios's Website: http://www.karriekarahalios.com/

Karrie Karahalios's UIUC Website: https://cs.illinois.edu/about/people/faculty/kkarahal



Books Mentioned:

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: https://amzn.to/48Xrdv5

The Dream Machine: https://amzn.to/48UokLd



OUTLINE:

0:00 - Introduction

2:08 - The Ideal Social Media App

11:44 - Social Media: Unity or Division?

17:23 - The Tyranny of Algorithms

20:13 - Unexpectedness of Social Tools

22:19 - Profits over Ethics?

28:18 - The Social Dilemma

35:17 - Face-to-face social media

36:39 - Building What People Want?

44:13 - Move fast and break things

46:20 - How to know what people want?

50:45 - Personalization

53:22 - Network effects

59:45 - Scale

1:06:05 - Community & Power

1:13:03 - Starting a non-profit

1:16:25 - AI

1:24:00 - Algorithm Transparency

1:28:07 - Writing in the Age of AI

1:34:09 - Tech Inequality

1:37:41 - Greece

1:42:55 - Don't be scared of the future

1:44:27 - Future of Education

1:48:13 - Programming Jobs

1:50:58 - The Ideal College Major

1:54:53 - Innovation @ Illinois

2:00:25 - Are young people more complacent?

2:05:18 - Canvas & Coursera

2:11:27 - Advice for young people

2:20:05 - Healthcare

🚥Overrated or Underrated Section 🚥

2:23:58 - 👨‍⚖️ Suing the Government?

2:25:15 - 💬 Twitter/X

2:30:04 - 🇬🇷 Greek Yogurt

2:31:25 - 🚘 Self-driving cars

2:33:26 - 🐭 Engelbar

Timothy L. Killeen is the 20th president of the University of Illinois System, which includes universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield.

EPISODE LINKS:

https://ece.illinois.edu/about/directory/faculty/tkilleen

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Introduction

0:34 - Daily Schedule

2:28 - Physics

4:43 - From Soccer Player to President

6:37 - Surprises

10:50 - Affordability & College Debt

21:21 - Salary

31:06 - Assume Good Faith

37:30 - The Potential of the U of I

40:05 - Context

47:01 - Vision for the U of I

54:41 - Classic Guitar & Soccer

58:20 - The University as a Platform for Change

1:01:46 - Closing Words

SOCIAL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uiuctalkshow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/uiuctalkshow

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uiuctalkshow

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3ezoc4xJa4DrGq7N4lhqQn

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-uiuc-talkshow/id1611427075

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1H9UJqXvJXr3qlx9c89Rv76c6IpnwGeC

Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UIUCTalkshowClips

What is the UIUC Talkshow?
Our goal with this show is to introduce you to the most interesting people with the most interesting ideas from the UIUC campus.

Learn more about Juan David & Aaryaman:

Aaryaman

Website: https://www.aaryamanpatel.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaryamanpatel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaryamanpatel

Juan David

Website: https://www.juandavidcampolargo.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdcampolargo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdcampolargo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdcampolargo/