A podcast about how we understand the world, scientifically and as humans. Each conversation brings together visionaries from the worlds of arts, sciences, huma...
Neil deGrasse Tyson Delivers a Harsh Reality Check on Elon Musk’s Mars Plan
Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥
Is Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars realistic? How does cosmic insignificance shape our understanding of humanity? And why do science and astrology clash so fundamentally?
Here to dive deep into some of humanity's most profound questions is none other than Neil deGrasse Tyson! Tyson, of course, needs no introduction. He’s a renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator who frequently appears in the media to discuss topics ranging from the universe to the intersection of science and culture. His charismatic style and passion for education have made him one of the most recognizable figures in the scientific community.
In this in-depth interview, we explore cosmic insignificance, Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions, astrology, our obsession with politics, social media, AI, journalistic integrity, and much more.
Tune in to discover what Neil really thinks about some of the most pressing questions of our time!
—
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:16:38 Cosmic insignificance therapy
00:27:39 Judging a book by its cover
00:49:04 Debunking astrology
00:55:15 Life on Mars and panspermia
01:02:55 The giant-impact hypothesis
01:09:04 Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars
01:23:45 Journalism, social media, and our obsession with politics
01:40:10 Audience questions
01:45:02 The impact of AI on education
01:51:02 Fusion ignition and its implications
01:56:25 The great filter
02:02:03 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Neil deGrasse Tyson:
📱 Website: https://neildegrassetyson.com/
🔔 StarTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarTalk
📚 Merlin’s Tour of the Universe Revised: https://a.co/d/3cBz3m8
➡️ 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
--------
2:07:00
How Poetry Can Enhance Our Knowledge of Cosmology with Joseph Conlon
Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥
How should we communicate big ideas? How do science and poetry differ in their communication of knowledge? And can poetry enhance our understanding of cosmology?
Today, I’m joined by the renowned theoretical physicist and author of the thought-provoking book “Origins,” Joseph Conlon. In his book, Joseph reveals the origins of our universe through two long-form poems. With his extensive expertise in cosmology and philosophical thought, he sheds light on how the language of science not only explains the cosmos but also inspires us to reflect on the deeper meanings behind the laws that govern it. We also dive deep into string theory, string theory alternatives, and the current state of physics.
Tune in to learn more about the intersection of poetry and science!
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
00:50 How science and poetry communicate
04:10 Judging a book by its cover
07:04 How can poetry enhance our understanding of cosmology?
08:26 Why are physicists condescending to art?
10:35 Elements and structures in Origins
15:27 String theory and string theory alternatives
22:27 String theory, extra dimensions, and dark matter
28:12 The philosophy of science and science communication
32:16 How AI is changing education and art
34:30 Whitman or Feynman?
38:40 Joseph’s personal journey with physics and poetry
40:49 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Learn more about Joseph Conlon:
📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-conlon-338aaa23/
📚 Origins: https://amzn.eu/d/2hybmbq
➡️ 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
--------
44:03
How Kepler Found One Planet Every Day: Jason Steffen
Get ready to embark on a cosmic journey with Jason Steffen, author of Hidden in the Heavens and one of the brilliant minds behind the groundbreaking Kepler Mission. This live episode of The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast promises to be an unmissable masterclass in exoplanet science, filled with awe-inspiring discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and lessons that redefine our place in the cosmos.
What You’ll Discover:
🚀 The Kepler Mission’s Epic Journey: Learn how a team of visionaries overcame two decades of challenges to launch a space telescope that revolutionized planetary science.
🌍 Earth’s Place in the Universe: What have 5,000+ exoplanets taught us about the possibility of finding Earth-like worlds—and the uniqueness of our own planet?
💡 Breakthroughs That Changed Science Forever: From “hot Jupiters” to the unexpected diversity of planetary systems, explore how Kepler rewrote the rulebook on planetary formation.
👩🔬 Inspiration for Aspiring Scientists: Hear Jason’s advice for navigating uncertainty, thriving in collaborative missions, and turning curiosity into impactful discoveries.
🔭 The Future of Exoplanet Research: With the James Webb Space Telescope building on Kepler’s legacy, what’s next in the search for life beyond Earth?
Why You Can’t Miss This:
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s an educational experience for anyone fascinated by the cosmos, science, or humanity’s eternal quest to answer the biggest questions. Whether you’re a seasoned scientist, a student of the stars, or simply curious about our place in the universe, this episode will leave you inspired and enlightened.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:29:32
Max Tegmark: Will AI Surpass Human Intelligence? [Ep. 469]
Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥
Will AI ever surpass human intelligence, discover new laws of physics, and solve the greatest mysteries of our universe?
This week on Into the Impossible, I explore the potential and dangers of artificial intelligence with none other than Max Tegmark!
Max Tegmark is a renowned physicist and machine learning expert who dedicated his career to uncovering the mathematical fabric of reality, proposing that our universe itself might be a vast mathematical structure and that we could be living in a multiverse of endless possibilities. His work goes beyond physics to tackle the transformative power and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, an area where he believes humanity must tread carefully.
In the second part of our fascinating interview, we discuss the development of AI, the impact it will have on science, and our role in all of this.
Tune in to discover if AI will ever surpass human intelligence!
Check out the first part of our interview, where we discuss his mathematical universe hypothesis, the search for extraterrestrial life, and AI’s role in science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFO5lzA_0Og
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Is AI limited by embodiment?
10:52 The challenges in AI research
14:53 The role of regulation in AI development
29:53 How AI is going to impact education and science
39:20 Do we need quantum computation for human intelligence?
44:50 Fantastic final four
50:45 Outro
Additional resources:
📚 Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark: https://a.co/d/d08r0FJ
➡️ 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
--------
53:15
What is Time? Stephen Wolfram’s Groundbreaking New Theory [Ep. 468]
Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥
What is time? Is it just a ticking clock, or is it something more profound?
In this thought-provoking episode of Into the Impossible, Stephen Wolfram challenges everything we know about time, offering a revolutionary computational perspective that could forever change how we understand the universe.
Stephen Wolfram is a computer scientist, physicist, and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research and the creator of Mathematica, Wolfram Alpha, and Wolfram Language. Over the course of 4 decades, he has pioneered the development & application of computational thinking. He has been responsible for many discoveries, inventions & innovations in science, technology, and business.
He argues that time is the inevitable progress of computation in the universe, where simple rules can lead to complex behaviors. This concept, termed computational irreducibility, implies that time has a rigid structure and that our perception of it is limited by our computational capabilities. Wolfram also explores the relationship between time, space, and gravity, suggesting that dark matter might be a feature of the structure of space.
Tune in to discover the true nature of time.
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:06 The true nature of time
00:24:57 The role of computational irreducibility in thermodynamics
00:30:07 The Ruliad and the nature of observers
00:53:40 The role of gravity in the computational universe
01:06:27 Dark matter and the discreteness of space
01:13:06 Paradigm shifts in science and technology
01:20:33 Exploring the cosmic microwave background (CMB)
01:31:47 Outro
Additional resources:
➡️ Check out Stephen Wolfram:
💻 Website: https://www.stephenwolfram.com/
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephen_wolfram
➡️ 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
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