Alan Lightman
Physicist, novelist, and professor at MIT, exploring the intersection of science and spirituality in the age of AI. Author of Einstein's Dreams and The Miraculous from the Material.
Top 5 podcasts with Alan Lightman
Ranked by the Snipd community
10 snips
May 17, 2025 • 52min
683a English Country Gardens; On Becoming a Gardener; In Praise of Wasting Time
Catie Marron, author of 'Becoming a Gardener,' shares her heartfelt journey of cultivating a garden that helped her find belonging in her new home. She highlights how gardening evokes emotional connections and personal fulfillment. Meanwhile, Alan Lightman, a theoretical physicist from MIT, discusses the vital role of unstructured time in fostering creativity and well-being, urging listeners to embrace moments of 'wasting time' as a counterbalance to our fast-paced lives. Together, they explore the therapeutic power of nature and silence.
7 snips
Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 10min
Who Needs Miracles? On Nature and the Miraculous (with Alan Lightman)
Join physicist and author Alan Lightman as he navigates the fascinating interplay between science and spirituality. He advocates for cultivating awe in our lives by engaging with nature's wonders, from the mystery of ball lightning to the survival strategies of brightly colored animals. Lightman explores consciousness, questioning AI's grasp of human experiences, and discusses the impact of gravity on mountain heights. With a sense of connection to nature, he invites listeners to appreciate the miraculous elements of our universe.
4 snips
Mar 18, 2019 • 1h 17min
38 | Alan Lightman on Transcendence, Science, and a Naturalist’s Sense of Meaning
Alan Lightman, a renowned professor at MIT and author of 'Einstein's Dreams,' merges his scientific and literary insights to discuss transcendence without invoking the supernatural. He reflects on the creative interplay between science and art, sharing poignant experiences like witnessing adolescent ospreys take flight. Delving into consciousness, he considers how spirituality intersects with scientific understanding, encouraging an exploration of human experiences and meaningful connections, regardless of belief systems.
Nov 1, 2023 • 16min
Super Soul Special: Dr. Alan Lightman: How to Lead a Less Hurried Life
Dr. Alan Lightman, MIT professor, physicist, and bestselling author, discusses spirituality and the COVID-19 pandemic's opportunity for a less hurried life. He explores the distinction between physical and spiritual universes, the benefits of the pandemic reset, and rebuilding a broken world.
May 15, 2024 • 47min
115: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman
Author Alan Lightman discusses the concept of time through 'Einstein's Dreams'. They cover the hidden costs of immortality, the value of death in giving life meaning, and provocative literary opinions. Delve into the reflection on the impact of the book compared to others, and the intersection of philosophy, math, and physics. Also, explore upcoming travel plans and historical research related to World War I.
