Short Wave

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's Disordered Cosmos

Mar 3, 2023

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical physicist at the University of New Hampshire and author of 'The Disordered Cosmos', dives into the wonders of the universe and our connection to it. She reveals how cosmic events influence life on Earth, emphasizes the importance of identity, and advocates for greater accessibility to the night sky. Chanda also discusses the mysteries of quarks in particle physics and the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in STEM, inspiring a vision for inclusivity and curiosity in scientific inquiry.

15:51

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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

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Episode notes

The Disordered Cosmos: Black Lives Matter and the Quest for Understanding

01:39

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Intro

1min

Cosmic Origins and the Value of Identity

2min

Exploring the Wonders of Particle Physics and Cosmology

2min

Exploring the Hidden World of Quarks

3min

Redefining STEM Inclusion

9min

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is a theoretical physicist at the University of New Hampshire. It's her job to ask deep questions about how we — and the rest of the universe — got to this moment.

Her new book, The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred, does exactly that. It's an examination of the science that underpins our universe and how the researchers seeking to understand those truths, in turn, shape the science.

As we close out Black History month, we revisit this conversation between Chanda and former Short Wave host, Maddie Sofia. Chanda explains that what she wants most is for every single person to have equal access to the same night sky that has mesmerized her all these years.

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