In 'Losing the Nobel Prize,' Brian Keating recounts the story of the BICEP2 experiment's detection of what was initially believed to be evidence of gravitational waves from the Big Bang. However, the findings were later disputed due to potential interference from intergalactic dust. Keating reflects on the competitive and often ruthless world of modern science, arguing that the Nobel Prize system hampers scientific progress by encouraging speed, competition, and greed over collaboration and innovation. He proposes reforms to the Nobel Prize criteria, including the possibility of posthumous awards and greater recognition for serendipitous discoveries. The book is a blend of personal history, scientific narrative, and a critical examination of the Nobel Prize's impact on science.
In 'Space Oddities', Harry Cliff delves into the strange and unexplained phenomena in the cosmos that defy our current understanding of the universe. The book covers anomalies such as particles with extraordinary energies bursting from beneath the Antarctic ice, unknown forces affecting the basic building blocks of matter, and stars moving at inexplicable speeds. Cliff takes readers on a global journey, from the Atacama Desert to the South Pole, meeting scientists who are dedicated to solving these puzzles. With clarity, humor, and a sense of wonder, Cliff investigates whether these anomalies are mere data tricks or hints at vast, hidden worlds, offering a fresh and engaging perspective on the evolving fields of physics and cosmology.
Please join my mailing list here đ https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite đĽ
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 âSpace Oddities: The Mysterious Anomalies Challenging Our Understanding of the Universe.â In it, he examines a catalog of weird phenomena that simply canât 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!
â
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 Harryâs 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
â
Additional resources:
âĄď¸ Learn more about Harry Cliff:
đť Website: https://www.harrycliff.co.uk/
đ Space Oddities on Amazon: https://a.co/d/eV4xhAv
âĄď¸ Follow me on your fav platforms:
âď¸ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating
đ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
đ Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list
âď¸ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/
đď¸ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast
â
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
Into the Impossible With Brian Keating 
