The Giants Shoulder #79 Adam Frank: Consciousness, Quantum Mechanics, AI & Search for Alien Civilisations!
Dr. Adam Frank is a theoretical astrophysicist, NPR science commentator, and professor at the University of Rochester whose work spans the cosmos—from dying stars to the deep nature of consciousness.In this episode, we explore why life—not black holes—is the most mind-blowing problem in physics, how bacteria challenge our view of machines, and why the science of the future must take subjective experience seriously. We break down why LLMs aren’t even in the right stadium when it comes to sentience, how quantum mechanics reveals the blind spots of reductionism, and what it would take to detect intelligent life on distant worlds. Plus, a journey through Zen meditation, alien technosignatures, and the real problem with Skynet.Expect to learn why science needs a reboot, why your brain isn’t just code, and how a planet’s lights might give away its civilization.Timestamps: 02:30 The Emergence of Life Beyond Reductionism 05:33 The Journey from Physics to Consciousness 08:28 Interrogating Inner Experience 11:25 The Role of Subjectivity in Science 14:25 AI and the Misconceptions of Consciousness 17:23 Quantum Mechanics and the Measurement Problem 23:18 Life as an Emergent Phenomenon 29:26 Rethinking Cognition and Experience 32:30 The Challenge of Subjective Experience in Science 36:26 Agency and the Physics of Life 38:57 Astrobiology and the Search for Life 45:25 Technosignatures and the Search for Intelligent Life 51:59 Mars Discoveries and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Life...Download my FREE EBook 26 Neuroscience Books for 2026 HERE: https://thegiantsshoulder.com/Get Adam Franks Books: The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience: https://amzn.to/4p56MDUThe Little Book of Aliens: https://amzn.to/3KbkBBJ