Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Big Bang Productions Inc.
  • 4.7 (989)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
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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. How Strange Anomalies Lead to World-Changing Discoveries with Harry Cliff

    3 DAYS AGO

    How Strange Anomalies Lead to World-Changing Discoveries with Harry Cliff

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 If we look back at the history of physics, many of the biggest discoveries were triggered by strange anomalies that sparked curiosity in the minds of great scientists.  But how do anomalies drive scientific discovery? What are some anomalies that are currently reshaping our understanding of the universe? And are we on the brink of discovering new physics?  Here today to shine a light on this fascinating topic is none other than Harry Cliff. Harry is an experimental physicist at CERN and renowned science communicator who recently published “Space Oddities: The Mysterious Anomalies Challenging Our Understanding of the Universe.” In it, he examines a catalog of weird phenomena that simply can’t be explained by our long-established theories of the universe. Are these anomalies just accidents, or are they pointing us to new discoveries like they did many times in the past? Find out in our exciting conversation! — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:34 Judging a book by its cover  02:25 From anomalies to discoveries  05:03 Understanding sigma and confidence in science  13:30 Muon g-2 and its implications  19:18 Neutrinos and the search for new physics  21:58 Hubble tension and the future of cosmology  24:58 LHCb experiment  33:37 The matter-antimatter asymmetry problem  37:39 Harry’s gut feeling on dark matter 42:10 The role of anomalies in scientific discovery  46:10 Black hole information paradox 46:57 The importance of skepticism  49:13 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Harry Cliff: 💻 Website: https://www.harrycliff.co.uk/  📚 Space Oddities on Amazon: https://a.co/d/eV4xhAv ➡️ 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

    50 min
  2. How Marie Curie’s Genius Shaped the Future of Science with Dava Sobel

    FEB 9

    How Marie Curie’s Genius Shaped the Future of Science with Dava Sobel

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 How did Marie Curie go from being rejected by the French Academy to winning two Nobel Prizes?  In this episode of Into The Impossible, Dava Sobel, author of “The Elements of Marie Curie,” takes us on a journey through Curie’s life, from having an angry mob outside her house to making revolutionary discoveries that would change the course of history.  Dava Sobel is an acclaimed author with a particular talent for telling the stories of historical figures in science and highlighting the human elements behind their groundbreaking achievements. Through Sobel’s incredible storytelling, we gain insight into the resilience and brilliance of one of history’s most iconic figures.  Join us as we explore how Marie Curie’s legacy still shines today! — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:26 Marie Curie’s scandal and public backlash in 1911 02:07 Her wartime efforts creating mobile X-ray units 04:28 Judging a book by its cover 07:40 Marie Curie’s work on magnetism  09:52 Explaining the names of the chapters 17:14 Curie’s success in breaking gender barriers 20:22 Dangerous misconceptions surrounding radium 23:10 Marie and Pierre Curie’s work  29:15 The distinctions between physics and chemistry  30:54 Galileo’s daughter and the human side of scientists  42:26 Galilean moons and solving the longitude problem  45:02 The Pope’s argument  50:46 What’s next for Dava Sobel  56:37 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Dava Sobel: 📚 The Elements of Marie Curie: https://a.co/d/gEyX6qI  💻 Website: https://www.davasobel.com/ 📚 Galileo’s Daugther: https://a.co/d/fVkwQLW ➡️ 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
  3. JWST: The Telescope That Changed How We See the Universe with Richard Panek

    FEB 2

    JWST: The Telescope That Changed How We See the Universe with Richard Panek

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been making headlines since its announcement. But what makes the telescope so special? How do astronomers create the captivating images we see online? And is the $10 billion gamble actually paying off? Here today to invite us into the intricacies of the controversial telescope is none other than Richard Panek, an award-winning science writer who specializes in astronomy and telescopes.  Panek is known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to general audiences by blending them with his excellent storytelling. In his latest book, Pillars of Creation, he tackled the JWST and detailed its story from the very beginning. Join us as we dive into the telescope’s groundbreaking design, the controversies surrounding it, the remarkable discoveries it has already made, the science behind the stunning images we see, and what the future of astronomy looks like. — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:29 Panic! at the Discs  02:13 Hubble vs. Webb  05:05 Judging a book by its cover 09:26 The discovery of dimethyl sulfide on Kepler K2-18b 11:27 Exoplanet detection and scientific goals  13:33 Historical rhymes in astronomy  16:56 The process and costs of running JWST  21:21 Controversy around naming JWST  28:25 How JWST images are made 37:43 Margin beyond the margin of error  40:11 Assigning colors to infrared images  43:26 The future of NASA’s giant observatories  45:08 The 4-Percent Universe and what’s next for Richard 48:33 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Richard Panek: 📱 Website: https://www.richardpanek.net/  📚 Pillars of Creation: https://a.co/d/d86haI5  📚 The 4-Percent Universe: https://a.co/d/hBlWtol ➡️ 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

    54 min

  4. JAN 30

    300K SUBSCRIBERS SPECIAL: Your Questions Answered + BIG Announcement

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Five years ago, I started this podcast from scratch.  My idea was simple: create a platform to interview the world’s most brilliant scientists and make their genius known to as many people as possible.  Since then, I’ve released nearly 500 episodes, interviewed some of the world’s brightest minds, and gained over 300K subscribers! I never thought it was possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to all of my guests and to every single one of you. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible.  To celebrate this incredible milestone, I’m answering all the questions you left for me across different platforms and reflecting on this journey and the lessons I’ve learned.  P.S. I also share a BIG announcement in this episode, so don’t miss out! — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:42 The beginning of my podcasting journey 04:55 Reflecting on community building and limited reach 09:26 Why you should join me on Web 3.0  11:00 Pleasing the algorithm 14:13 On theories of everything and publishing your ideas  20:20 The existence of higher dimensions  23:31 Thoughts on the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics  25:59 What happens when things overlap?  28:20 Big announcement!! 31:37 My biggest lesson on YouTube  35:43 My favorite topics to discuss  41:52 Appreciation comments  43:44 Biology and astrobiology  48:02 Roman Goddess of the CMB?  49:43 Balancing fatherhood with having a podcast 54:01 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Check out the videos mentioned: 🪄 Felix Flicker: The Magic of Physics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJJGv-5Rk4I  🧵 Brian Greene: The Truth About String Theory & TOEs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpsxH7mOopM  📚 What Is A Theory of Everything? Featuring Sabine Hossenfelder, Lee Smolin, & Eric Weinstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saamEkrBZfM  🤯 Stephen Wolfram: My Discovery Changes Everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-RO3vM10Ok  🧬 The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq__JpieNQ  🔬 Life's Catalyst: RNA with Nobel Prize Winner Tom Cech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y2knbUnpN0  👽 Is Earth Unique? Mario Livio and Jack Szostak on the Odds of Alien Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPUS-V6XX8E  🛸 Aliens Existed (Now They’re Dead): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl8N_aK_q0Y ➡️ 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

    59 min

  5. TRAILER

    Into The Impossible: Unleash Your Curiosity

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 min

  6. JAN 24

    Can you be a "real" scientist and believe in God? Brian Keating & Michael Dennin Debate

    Can a "real" scientist believe in God? Physics professors Brian Keating and Michael Dennin engage in a fascinating discussion about the existence of God, exploring the intersection of science and faith. From cosmic origins to the nature of miracles, these two accomplished scientists examine different perspectives on religion, including insights from Judaism and Catholicism. They tackle challenging questions about the Big Bang theory, multiple universes, and whether scientific evidence can prove or disprove God's existence. The conversation features reactions to arguments from both William Lane Craig and Neil deGrasse Tyson, offering a balanced and nuanced exploration of one of humanity's most fundamental questions. This inaugural episode of The God Question brings together scientific expertise and personal faith journeys, demonstrating how two physicists with similar backgrounds can arrive at different but respectful conclusions about the divine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  7. Can ChatGPT Truly Reason? Terry Sejnowski Clears the Confusion

    JAN 19

    Can ChatGPT Truly Reason? Terry Sejnowski Clears the Confusion

    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Can AI tools like ChatGPT actually "think," or is it just really good at mimicking human conversation? How much of what AI spits out is a reflection of our own ideas and intentions? And where's all this tech headed in the future? Today, I’m joined by Terry Sejnowski, a renowned computational neuroscientist and pioneer in AI and deep learning. Based at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of California, San Diego, he bridges neuroscience and AI to explore how biological brains and artificial systems learn and process information.  Terry is also the co-creator of the Boltzmann Machine, a game-changing algorithm that has shaped today’s​​ AI and is a foundation for modern neural networks. He has also written some incredible books, including The Deep Learning Revolution” and “ChatGPT and the Future of AI.  In our conversation, we discuss the current state of AI, what’s next, the ins and outs of prompt engineering, the mirror hypothesis (how AI reflects us), its impact on productivity, and the ethical challenges we must tackle. Tune in to discover the truth about AI! — Key Takeaways:  00:00 Intro 00:36 Judging a book by its cover  07:05 The impact of AI on human capabilities 12:32 Einstein's happiest thought and can AI think?  16:51 Can AI come up with something novel?  24:20 The role of learning and neural networks in AI  32:37 The future of AI and its potential impact 46:43 The mirroring effect  50:52 Practical applications of AI  54:00 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Terry Sejnowski: 📚 ChatGPT and the Future of AI: https://a.co/d/cZnuZbs  ➡️ 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

    1 hr

  8. JAN 14

    An Astronomer and a Philosopher Search for Truth in the Infinite | Jordan B. Peterson

    Jordan Peterson sits down with experimental cosmologist Dr. Brian Keating. They discuss the importance of awe for the human spirit, the fundamental ethos behind all true science, the idea of the useless genius, and the necessity of sacrifice for improvement of the self and the broader community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 43m
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4.7
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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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