Into the Impossible With Brian Keating
Big Bang Productions Inc.
Think like a physicist. Wonder like a human. Into the Impossible is where Cosmic Conversations happen — uniting Nobel Prize winners, iconoclasts, authors, and technologists to explore reality’s deepest questions. From AI to aliens, from biophysics to the brain, from the cosmos to the multiverse, Brian Keating, Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego covers it all.If you’ve ever asked What’s out there? or What’s next?, this is where curiosity meets clarity.Learn to think like this. 🎙 Full episodes, notes & more: briankeating.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 30, 2023 • 27min
Q&A with John Mather on the James Webb Space Telescope (#382)
John Mather, senior project scientist of the James Webb Space Telescope, answers frequently asked questions about the telescope. Topics include potential for discovering rocky planets, uniformity of the universe, viewing the TRAPPIST-1 system, future self-replicating telescopes, studying Europa, and Webb's role in exoplanet detection.
Dec 26, 2023 • 49min
Searching for ALIENS with Sarah Rugheimer (#381)
Renowned astrophysicist and astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer discusses the private sector space race, the search for intelligent ET vs microbial life, Avi Loeb's theories about Oumuamua, the Drake Equation, and the possibility of alternative forms of life. Discover the impact of finding microbial ET and the risk of error in science. Tune in to this otherworldly edition!
Dec 24, 2023 • 34min
Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland: Experimental Physics Is Fun! (#380)
Donna Strickland, renowned physicist and 2018 Nobel laureate, discusses topics such as pedagogy, the experimental minimum, scientific breakthroughs, laser technology, gender inequality in science, and scientists' moral obligation to communicate.
Dec 19, 2023 • 45min
How Will AI Change Science? | Brian Keating & Cassandra Vieten (#379)
Cassandra Vieten, a researcher in artificial intelligence, joins Brian Keating to discuss how AI is changing science. They explore unconventional research methods, the possibility of AI replacing educators, the concept of AI consciousness, and whether AI brings us closer or further from the truth. They also touch on AI's role in spiritual insights.
Dec 15, 2023 • 1h 12min
Gad Saad: How to Stay Resilient and Happy After the October 7 Massacre (#378)
Dr. Gad Saad, marketing genius renowned for applying evolutionary psychology to consumer behavior, discusses his latest book, The Saad Truth about Happiness, and how to apply his theory of happiness in times of war. Topics include the relativity of happiness, the problem with social media, evolutionary dynamics of families, and balancing short-term pleasure with long-term happiness.
Dec 13, 2023 • 1h 10min
Avi Loeb Strikes Back! (#377)
Avi Loeb, professor of science at Harvard University, joins Brian Keating to discuss interstellar travel, the Galileo Project expedition to retrieve interstellar meteor samples, and the search for alien life. They address Avi's claims about iron ratios in spirals and explore the implications of crashed alien spacecraft. The chapter also reflects on the courage, curiosity, and the pursuit of truth in science.
12 snips
Dec 11, 2023 • 52min
Peter Diamandis: Are We Moving Too Fast With AI?! (#376)
Peter Diamandis, a serial entrepreneur and futurist, discusses the current state of AI, its potential dangers, and the areas it will disrupt the most. Topics include whether we should fear AI, the preparedness of future generations, opportunities and pitfalls for AI in education, the capabilities of AI assistants, and the possibility of a caste system based on digital access to AI.
Dec 8, 2023 • 56min
What Happened AFTER the Big Bang? Bruce Partridge (#375)
Discover what happened after the Big Bang with Bruce Partridge, a true pioneer in the field of cosmic microwave background. Topics include the discovery of the microwave background, patience in scientific research, the dominance of a theoretical paradigm, the lithium abundance problem, and anomalies in the cosmic microwave background. Plus, explore the philosophy of doing science and get introduced to a new entertaining podcast.
Dec 5, 2023 • 49min
Exploring Curiosity With Nobel Prize Winner Barry Barish (#374)
Barry Barish, Nobel Laureate and experimental physicist, reflects on his life in science, imposter syndrome, and working in the field of physics. Key topics include exploring curiosity, the art of science, the probability of a quantum theory of gravity, and the potential of creating an AI physicist.
Dec 2, 2023 • 1h 2min
David Brin: Privacy, AI and the Values of a Transparent Society (#373)
David Brin, award-winning sci-fi author and astrophysicist, discusses topics like AI, the origin of the Universe, privacy, and the values of a transparent society. Key takeaways include the distinction between artificial and augmented intelligence, the potential for sentient AI, plasma cosmology, and raising AIs like children. The podcast also covers the upcoming Artemis moon missions and the importance of privacy and accountability.
