Jim Al-Khalili

Physics professors Jim Al-Khalili and Sara Imari Walker discuss the emergence of life from non-living matter and the challenges of understanding consciousness. They explore concepts such as entropy, proton tunneling in DNA, quantum consciousness, and the role of information theory in understanding life. They also delve into the evolution of objects and theories like quantum biology and non-equilibrium physics that could unravel the mysteries of life and consciousness.

Jim Al-Khalili, a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Surrey, shares insights into the bizarre nature of reality. He discusses why you can’t walk through walls and the critical matter-antimatter imbalance after the Big Bang. Jim explores the scientific journey, the significance of evidence over opinion, and the challenges of reconciling quantum mechanics with general relativity. He also tackles the debate over Mars exploration and the ethical risks of advanced technologies, all while advocating for intellectual humility in a polarizing digital age.

Robert Sapolsky, professor i biologi och känd för sitt arbete kring stress och beteende, och Jim Al-Khalili, professor i fysik och populärvetenskapsförfattare, utforskar den komplexa frågan om fri vilja. De diskuterar hur våra beslut kan vara påverkade av hjärnans aktivitet och miljöfaktorer, vilket ställer frågan om verklig kontroll över våra handlingar på sin spets. Genom att koppla samman neurovetenskap och kvantfysik belyser de utmaningarna i att förstå moraliskt ansvar i ett kanske deterministiskt universum.

In this discussion, theoretical physicist and science communicator Jim Al-Khalili shares his insights on the transformative power of science. He tackles misconceptions about science being elitist, emphasizing its role in enhancing our appreciation of reality. The conversation navigates the blurry lines of truth in today's digital age and the importance of critical thinking amidst misinformation. Al-Khalili also highlights the spiritual joy derived from scientific discovery, encouraging openness to evolving beliefs and understanding complex concepts.

Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist, discusses the connection between science and poetry, the scientific method variations, and the need to temper expectations in physics. They explore the relationship between knowledge and wisdom and the role of models in science, addressing concerns about politicians misusing the phrase 'follow the science'. They emphasize the importance of questioning scientific claims and highlight the sobering realization that there is still much more to understand in theoretical physics.

Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and author from the University of Surrey, delves into the intriguing world of quantum biology. He explains how animals like the European Robin navigate using quantum mechanics, shedding light on concepts like quantum tunneling and decoherence. The discussion also touches on the connection between quantum phenomena and biological processes, as well as how these might influence evolution. Al-Khalili's insights provide a fascinating bridge between the realms of physics and the complexities of life.

Join the insightful Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and popular science communicator, as he explores the intersection of science and everyday life. He discusses Plato's allegory of the cave, emphasizing the journey from ignorance to knowledge. The conversation delves into the challenges of misinformation in the digital age and the importance of scientific literacy. Al-Khalili shares his experiences bridging science with personal beliefs and highlights the enriching joy that scientific discovery brings to understanding our universe.

Join Jim Al-Khalili, a renowned professor of physics and BBC science communicator, as he delves into the essential pillars of modern physics: quantum theory, relativity, and thermodynamics. He explains why understanding these concepts is key to grasping our universe. Discover the intersection of physics and philosophy, the revolutionary future of quantum technologies, and how theoretical physics contributes to our battle against COVID-19. Al-Khalili emphasizes the importance of collaboration in science and the need to inspire curiosity in future generations.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the flourishing of maths in the early Islamic world, as thinkers from across the region developed ideas in places such as Baghdad's House of Wisdom. Among them were the Persians Omar Khayyam, who worked on equations, and Al-Khwarizmi, latinised as Algoritmi and pictured above, who is credited as one of the fathers of algebra, and the Jewish scholar Al-Samawal, who converted to Islam and worked on mathematical induction. As well as the new ideas, there were many advances drawing on Indian, Babylonian and Greek work and, thanks to the recording or reworking by mathematicians in the Islamic world, that broad range of earlier maths was passed on to western Europe for further study.With Colva Roney-Dougal Reader in Pure Mathematics at the University of St AndrewsPeter Pormann Professor of Classics & Graeco-Arabic Studies at the University of ManchesterAndJim Al-Khalili Professor of Physics at the University of SurreyProducer: Simon Tillotson.

Physicist Jim al-Khalili and other scientists discuss the beauty and power of equations in describing the physical world. They explore Einstein's theory of general relativity, the Dirac equation, and the application of mathematics to the real world. The podcast highlights the emotional depth and aesthetic beauty found in equations, emphasizing their transformative power in understanding the universe.