Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 210 | Randall Munroe on Imagining What If...?
Sep 12, 2022
Randall Munroe, creator of the xkcd webcomic and author of the What If? books, dives into the world of absurd hypothetical questions with humor and scientific insight. He discusses the fastest way to get a human around a racetrack, the challenge of absorbing government laws, and the intriguing nature of colossal skyscrapers. Munroe also explores how to simplify complex physics while communicating effectively, making science engaging for all. His unique blend of curiosity and creativity showcases the joy of questioning the universe.
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Relativistic Baseball
- Randall Munroe's first "What If?" question involved hitting a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light.
- Research led him to explore particle physics and nuclear fusion, with MIT scientists later contributing simulations.
Detail is Key
- Taking the right level of detail is crucial for these questions.
- You must ignore impossibilities like throwing a ball at 0.9c but consider air resistance.
Billion-Story Building
- A child asked about a billion-story building, a seemingly simple question.
- The answer involves centrifugal force exceeding gravity, moon collisions, and atmospheric destruction.
