Myoclonic Jerk Episode 11 - The Long View
Jan 20, 2016
Guest
Michelle Thaller
Guest
Sean Carroll
Guest
Dan Carlin
Guest
Annie Duke
Guest
Gabrielle Oettingen
Guest
Jimmy Dore
Michelle Thaller, a NASA astronomer, explores the Big Bang and our universe's expansion, while Sean Carroll discusses baby universes and the nature of time. Historian Dan Carlin reflects on how large narratives shape history, and poker champion Annie Duke emphasizes the balance of skill and luck in decision-making. Gabrielle Oettingen introduces the WOOP method, revealing how daydreaming can hinder motivation. Comedian Jimmy Dore shares a humorous encounter with an audience member, shedding light on live performance dynamics.
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Episode notes
Our Laws Break Down At Extremes
- Physics extrapolated to the Big Bang compresses unimaginable amounts of matter into tiny volumes but our theories likely break down there.
- Sean Carroll highlights tensions between general relativity and quantum particle behavior near extreme densities.
History Compresses Big Events
- Big historical events compress when viewed from afar, making intervening daily life invisible in timelines.
- Dan Carlin argues historians must balance explosive events with ordinary life to avoid a skewed picture.
The Flitcraft Parable
- Daniel Kaufman recounts the Flitcraft parable from The Maltese Falcon about a man who flees after seeing a falling beam narrowly miss him.
- The parable illustrates how a single startling event can reshape one person's life and choices temporarily or permanently.