Join Kelsey Johnson, a professor of astronomy and former president of the American Astronomical Society, as she unravels cosmic mysteries. She explores profound questions from the Big Bang to the nature of existence and the philosophical implications of 'nothingness.' Delve into the challenges of merging quantum mechanics with general relativity and the tantalizing possibility of extraterrestrial life. Johnson encourages intellectual humility and reflects on humanity's place in the universe, inspiring awe and curiosity in the face of the unknown.
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Kelsey Johnson's Path to Astronomy
Kelsey Johnson grew up poor with a single parent and found solace in nature and religion.
These experiences sparked her curiosity about her place in the universe and led her to astronomy.
insights INSIGHT
Telescopic Views
Seeing celestial objects through a telescope is a unique experience.
It connects us directly to the universe, even if the view isn't as polished as online images.
insights INSIGHT
Expanding Universe, Expanding Perspectives
The history of science suggests a pattern of expanding perspectives about the universe.
This supports the possibility of a multiverse.
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The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
Dacher Keltner
In 'Awe', Dacher Keltner presents a sweeping investigation and deeply personal inquiry into the elusive feeling of awe. The book reveals new research alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within Keltner's own life. It shows how awe transforms thoughts of self, one’s relationship to the world, and physical reactions to it. Keltner also explores how awe has propelled human evolution, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and can heal grief, build communal bonds, and humble us by making us feel part of something larger than ourselves.
The Bible
Various Authors
The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread. The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles[2][3][5].
Just six numbers
The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe
Martin Rees
In 'Just Six Numbers,' Martin J. Rees discusses six cosmic numbers (N, epsilon, omega, lambda, Q, and D) that are crucial for the universe's structure and the emergence of life. These numbers, defined during the Big Bang, govern the universe's shape, size, and texture. Rees explains how slight changes in these numbers would make life as we know it impossible. He considers the fine-tuning of these parameters and discusses the multiverse hypothesis as a possible explanation for their values, although he acknowledges that science cannot fully explain this fine-tuning[2][3][4].
Into the Unknown
The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos
Kelsey Johnson
In 'Into the Unknown,' Kelsey Johnson takes readers on a journey to the edge of scientific understanding about the universe. She addresses big questions such as the cause of the Big Bang, what happens inside black holes, and the possibility of other dimensions. Johnson explores the convergence of science, philosophy, and theology, arguing that we must reckon with possibilities that may be beyond human comprehension. The book invites readers to join in the great quest for knowledge, pondering matters from the meaning of life to the nature of time.
Journey to the frontiers of human knowledge with astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson as she explores mind-bending questions about the cosmos. Rather than just celebrating what we know, Johnson delves into the profound mysteries that remain unsolved—from the Big Bang to black holes—and examines how these uncertainties intersect with philosophy, theology, and human understanding.
Kelsey Johnson is a professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, former president of the American Astronomical Society, and founder of the award-winning Dark Skies, Bright Kids program. She has won numerous awards for her research, teaching, and promotion of science literacy. She lives in rural Virginia with her family, including two very large dogs. Her new book is Into the Unknown: The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos.
Shermer and Johnson engage in a wide-ranging discussion covering fundamental questions about knowledge, existence, and the nature of our universe. Their conversation spans from the origins of the cosmos and the mysteries of dark matter to the possibilities of alien life and multiple dimensions. They explore philosophical concepts like free will, the mathematical nature of the universe, and the intersection of science with theology.
The Michael Shermer Show 
