Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Arthur
undefined
Jun 19, 2025 • 38min

Space Elevator Economics - Building And Operating A Superhighway To Space

Explore the real economics of building and operating a space elevator—from ship-launched ribbons to megaton climbers—and how this infrastructure could change the world.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Space Elevator Economics: Building And Operating A Superhighway To Space Episode 726; June 19, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurEdited by:Adrian NixonLudwig LuskaPeter SwanGraphics:AnthrofuturismAtlantis ProjectKatie ByrnePhil SwanSergio BoteroUdo SchroeterSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorChris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector"Aerium, "Deijocht"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"Lombus, "Hydrogen Sonata", "Cosmic Soup"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 17, 2025 • 19min

How Hard Would It Be to Terraform Venus?

Everyone talks about terraforming Mars, but Venus might be the real prize. Discover the surprising ways we could cool, reshape, and colonize this hostile world.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:How Hard Would It Be to Terraform Venus?June 17, 2025; Episode 725.1Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics:Ken YorkMafic StudiosSergio BoteroSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 15, 2025 • 2h 17min

The Terraforming Compendium - From Barren Rocks to Living Worlds (Narration Only)

Could we sculpt dead planets into living worlds? From artificial crusts and orbital mirrors to taming tectonics and engineering biospheres, this is your definitive guide to turning alien rocks into second Earths.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey?Episode 725; June 15, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics:Jarred EagleyJeremy JozwikKen York YD VisualMafic StudiosSergio BoteroSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorChris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden", "Wonder Cycle"Kai Engel, "Endless Story About Sun and Moon"Taras Harkavyi, "Alpha and..."Dark Future, "Staring Through" pt1Miguel Johnson. "The Commanders", "Far From Home"Lombus, "Hydrogen Sonata", "Cosmic Soup"Aerium, "Deijocht"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Solar Eclipse", "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 15, 2025 • 2h 18min

The Terraforming Compendium - From Barren Rocks to Living Worlds

Could we sculpt dead planets into living worlds? From artificial crusts and orbital mirrors to taming tectonics and engineering biospheres, this is your definitive guide to turning alien rocks into second Earths.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey?Episode 725; June 15, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics:Jarred EagleyJeremy JozwikKen York YD VisualMafic StudiosSergio BoteroSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorChris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden", "Wonder Cycle"Kai Engel, "Endless Story About Sun and Moon"Taras Harkavyi, "Alpha and..."Dark Future, "Staring Through" pt1Miguel Johnson. "The Commanders", "Far From Home"Lombus, "Hydrogen Sonata", "Cosmic Soup"Aerium, "Deijocht"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Solar Eclipse", "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 12, 2025 • 34min

Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive the Long Journey? (Narration Only)

Interstellar travel may one day take us to the stars, but surviving the journey could be the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. In this episode, we explore the physical, psychological, and societal trials of a voyage that could span centuries—or forever.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey?Episode 724; June 12, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics:Bryan VersteegJarred EagleyJeremy JozwikMelanvoisUdo SchroeterSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorChris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden", "Wonder Cycle"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 12, 2025 • 34min

Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive the Long Journey?

Interstellar travel may one day take us to the stars, but surviving the journey could be the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. In this episode, we explore the physical, psychological, and societal trials of a voyage that could span centuries—or forever.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey?Episode 724; June 12, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics:Bryan VersteegJarred EagleyJeremy JozwikMelanvoisUdo SchroeterSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorChris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden", "Wonder Cycle"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 10, 2025 • 16min

Could We See a Second Big Bang?

From quantum tunneling to cosmic inflation, we journey through the theories behind the Big Bang and beyond — and ask the big question: could another Big Bang be in our cosmic future?Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Could We See a Second Big Bang?Episode 724.1; June 10, 2025Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator0:00 Intro1:59 Why Did the Big Bang Happen?3:01 Quantum Fluctuations5:20 Inflation and False Vacuum Decay7:56 Cyclic Models and the Ekpyrotic Universe9:43 Big Bounce Cosmology 12:35 Tunneling from Nothing 14:04 Beginnings, Endings, and EchoesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 8, 2025 • 33min

How Many Alien Civilizations Are There?

Are we alone in the universe—or just early to the party? We’ll explore the math, models, and megastructures that might answer how many alien civilizations are out there, and why the night sky remains so quiet.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:How Many Alien Civilizations Are There?Episode 723; June 8, 2025 Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurEditor: Ludwig LuskaGraphics: Ken York YD VisualSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty ImagesMusic Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorPhase Shift, "Forest Night" Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment" & "A New Day in a New Sector" Koalips, "Kvazar" Stellardrone, "Red Giant" & "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 8, 2025 • 32min

How Many Alien Civilizations Are There? (Narration Only)

Are we alone in the universe—or just early to the party? We’ll explore the math, models, and megastructures that might answer how many alien civilizations are out there, and why the night sky remains so quiet.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:How Many Alien Civilizations Are There?Episode 723; June 8, 2025 Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurEditor: Ludwig LuskaGraphics: Ken York YD VisualSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty ImagesMusic Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorPhase Shift, "Forest Night" Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment" & "A New Day in a New Sector" Koalips, "Kvazar" Stellardrone, "Red Giant" & "Billions and Billions"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
undefined
Jun 5, 2025 • 52min

Orbital Shipyards - Building Fleets in Space (Narration Only)

A new industrial revolution is coming—not on Earth, but above it. This episode delves into how orbital shipyards will produce everything from shuttles to megastructures, changing how we explore and inhabit space.Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships - Water As Shielding - https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-fishbowl-starships-water-as-shieldingGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:Orbital Shipyards: Building Fleets in SpaceEpisode 722; June 5, 2025; Nebula ExclusiveWritten, Produced, & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics: AnthrofuturismBryan VersteegFishy TreeJeremy JozwikMelanovisSergio BoteroSpaceResourcesCGIUdo SchroeterSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorPhase Shift, "Forest Night"Kai Engel, "Endless Story of Sun and Moon"Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden"Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"Chapters0:00 Intro0:15 Why Build in Orbit?1:29 The Gravity Well Problem3:22 Material Sourcing – The Importance of ISRU5:44 Early Orbital Shipyards – Existing & Near-Future Projects6:37 Lessons from Space Stations & Prototypes8:22 Port George & Linus Scrapyard – Revisiting Fictional Shipyards13:08 Infrastructure & Logistics of Orbital Shipyards23:39 Constructing Different Types of Ships31:58 Challenges of Large-Scale Shipbuilding34:10 Maintenance, Repairs, and Refits – Sustaining a Spacefaring Fleet39:25 Salvage and Recycling40:37 The Future of Orbital Shipyards – Expanding Beyond Earth43:03 The Rise of Megastructure Shipyards44:29 Privatization and the Spacefaring Economy46:12 Shipyards as Strategic Military and Political Assets47:54 The Role of AI, Automation, and Post-Human WorkforcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app