Sean Carroll

Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and philosopher of science, explains where scientific explanation stops and why some facts may be brute. He explores the multiverse and fine-tuning, the nature of physical laws, emergence and what counts as real higher-level objects. He also discusses consciousness on a physicalist view and what evidence could make him change his mind.

Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and philosopher, discusses complexity in physics, quantum mechanics interpretations, emergence, and challenges in academia. Topics include AI, scientific publishing, democracy, and what makes a great physicist.

In this discussion, renowned mathematician and economist Eric Weinstein, known for his unconventional theories, engages with Sean Carroll, a respected theoretical physicist and science communicator. They tackle the contentious claims that physics was 'hijacked' in 1983 and the implications of alternative theories like Geometric Unity. Their debate highlights the clash between popular science and rigorous academic standards, with Carroll emphasizing the importance of peer-reviewed research. Amidst the fervor, Piers Morgan injects a surprising argument for God, adding to the show's unexpected twists.

If you scale up an animal to twice its height, keeping everything else proportionate, its volume and weight become eight times as much. Such a scaling relation was used by J.B.S. Haldane in his famous essay, "On Being the Right Size," to help explain certain features of living organisms. But scaling relations go much deeper than that, and they are often much more subtle than the volume going as the cube of the length. Geoffrey West is a particle physicist turned complexity theorist, who studies how features from metabolism to lifespan change as we adjust the size of an organism -- or of other complex systems, from cities to computer networks. His insights have important implications for innovation, sustainability, and the best ways to organize life here on Earth. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/seancarroll/geoffrey-west.mp3" social_gplus="false" social_linkedin="true" social_email="true" hashtag="mindscapepodcast" ] Geoffrey West received his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. He is currently a Distinguished Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, where he served as President from 2005 to 2009. He has been listed as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. He is the author of Scale: The Universal Laws of Growth, Innovation, Sustainability, and the Pace of Life in Organisms, Cities, Economies, and Companies. Home page Wikipedia page Amazon page TED talk on "The Surprising Math of Cities and Corporations" Google Scholar publications Download Episode

In this engaging discussion, theoretical physicist Sean Carroll delves into the intricacies of the multiverse, revealing how quantum mechanics leads to infinite possible worlds. He explores profound questions of time and entropy, linking them to the structure of the universe and the emergence of life. Carroll also tackles free will, defending a compatibilist view and examining how human agency fits within a scientifically understood reality. His insights make complex concepts accessible and spark deep reflection on existence and decision-making.

Einstein's description of gravity as a curvature in space-time doesn't easily mesh with a universe made up of quantum wavefunctions. Theoretical physicist Sean Carroll (of the "Mindscape" podcast) tells Steven Strogatz about the mind-bending implications of the quest for quantum gravity.

Katie Clough, a Research Fellow at Queen Mary University, and Sean Carroll, a Natural Philosophy professor at Johns Hopkins, dive into the mind-bending world of relativity. They discuss how high-speed travel can alter aging and the quirks of time dilation. You'll learn why GPS satellites have to factor in time differences and hear hilarious theories about clowns on trains that simplify complex scientific ideas. Their engaging banter blends humor with cutting-edge physics, making the universe feel a bit more accessible and fun.

Join Sean Carroll, a physicist and cosmologist from Johns Hopkins, Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist known for her work on mindfulness, and Tamar Gendler, Yale's philosophy and cognitive science expert, as they dive deep into the enigma of consciousness. They challenge if science can ever truly unravel subjective experience and explore the philosophical nuances of materialism and dualism. The discussion also tackles external world skepticism and the fascinating mind-body connection, highlighting how evolving insights can impact our understanding of reality.

In this enlightening conversation, theoretical physicist Sean Carroll, a specialist in cosmology and quantum mechanics, joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice. They delve into concepts like Hawking radiation and what it would look like for a falling observer. Sean discusses the significance of invisible fields in tech, the mystery of dark matter, and the intriguing many-worlds theory. He also shares insights on entropy’s role in time and critiques the possibility of a complete theory of everything. A fascinating exploration of our complex universe!

Join Sean Carroll, a renowned physicist and podcast host, Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist and mindfulness expert, and Tamar Gendler, Yale’s philosophy dean. They dive into the limits of science in addressing consciousness. The trio debates how our language shapes reality and influences perceptions, particularly around mental experiences and chronic conditions. They tackle the dualism versus monism debate, questioning if materialism can truly capture the essence of our thoughts and feelings, all while pondering the profound connection between mind and body.