AMA | March 2024

In this episode, Sean Carroll reflects on the concept of immortality, exploring whether it is an attractive idea and if the laws of physics allow for it. He discusses how our understanding of the universe impacts our views on mortality and immortality.

In this book, Sean Carroll delves into the world of quantum mechanics, explaining how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. Starting with the basics of quantum mechanics, Carroll discusses measurement, entanglement, and how the world is made of fields. He covers fundamental ideas such as spin, symmetry, Feynman diagrams, and the Higgs mechanism, providing a clear and accessible explanation of complex theories. The book is part of Carroll's series 'The Biggest Ideas in the Universe', aimed at making advanced physics concepts understandable for a broad audience.

This book by Sean Carroll delves into the global hunt for the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. It recounts the story from ancient Greek philosophers to the modern-day scientists involved in the discovery. Carroll explains the science behind the Higgs boson, its role in giving mass to particles, and the broader implications for our understanding of the universe, including the realms of dark matter and beyond. The book also touches on the human aspects of scientific discovery, including politics, jealousy, and the immense efforts required for such a groundbreaking find.

The Coming Wave delves into the impending technological revolution driven by AI and synthetic biology, arguing that this wave will have a more dramatic impact on humanity than any previous technological advancement. Suleyman discusses how these technologies will create immense prosperity but also threaten the nation-state and global order. He examines historical technological waves and their societal implications, proposing the 'containment problem' as the essential challenge of our age. The book explores the potential for catastrophic harms, overbearing surveillance, and the need to forge a path between catastrophe and dystopia. Suleyman offers 10 steps to contain the rapid expansion of these technologies, though he acknowledges the complexity and potential failure of such containment efforts.