The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

Neil Shubin, the Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and discoverer of Tiktaalik, shares his incredible journey from veterinary medicine to paleontology. He recounts thrilling Arctic expeditions, emphasizing the patience and risk involved in fossil hunting. Shubin discusses the implications of climate change as ancient viruses threat surface, and he explores how extreme environments reveal secrets about life's adaptability and our planet's history. A captivating blend of science, exploration, and resilience awaits!

Six months or so ago, I had a fascinating interview/discussion with Stephanie Canizales about her book, Sin Padres, Ni Papeles, which described her five year PhD project interviewing young people who had migrated from Central America as undocumented and unaccompanied minors in pursuit of a better future. These children were sent by their parents because they had no other choice, either to protect their lives from violence or because they had no means to support them at home. Once these children arrived in the US they were met by either impoverished relatives who often couldn’t support them. With no access to education or any legal means of supporting themselves they were forced to take low-wage jobs just to survive. I believe our society should be judged not by how well we keep people out, but how well we treat people when they are here. The story of these children is heart wrenching, and raises many complex issues, which may challenge previous notions you may have about such things as child welfare laws, about how we treat these young people who were driven here not out of choice, but through necessity, and who our society largely abandons once they arrive. Because of the vicissitudes of international affairs and other unexpected factors, we were not able to release this dialogue before now. But perhaps there could be no more opportune time to address this issue. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia came to this country as a 16 year old, a minor sent by his family to protect him from local gangs. In the intervening 14 years in the United States he was never charged or convicted of a crime, just as he had never been so charged or convicted in his home country of El Salvador. He had a job, and had several children with his US citizen wife. Nevertheless, he was recently illegally deported, without any trial, back to a maximum security prison in El Salvador, leading to a vigorous public debate. During the public discussions, Kilmar, and other illegal immigrants have been vilified for the acts of desperation that led them to enter the US illegally. But very little has been discussed about the harrowing challenges people like Kilmar met when they arrived here, alone, as children. My discussion with Stephanie will hopefully add a new dimension to the current public debate on this issue, focusing on real people rather than statistics, and on both the causes for the recent illegal migration to the US, and also the actual impact both on the country and on the immigrants while they live in the US. In so doing, I hope this expands your perspective of this complex problem, which is, after all, one of the purposes of this podcast, and of the Origins Project Foundation.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Sabine Hossenfelder, a theoretical physicist and author of 'Lost in Math', joins Lawrence Krauss to discuss groundbreaking science. They dive into the intriguing possibility that dark energy may be fluctuating over time and explore the impressive early findings from the Euclid space telescope. Quantum computing advancements are compared, spotlighting Amazon's new chip with error correction. The conversation also touches on harnessing the Earth's magnetic field for energy and mysterious structures beneath the Pyramids of Giza, blending skepticism with excitement for future discoveries.

The Origins Podcast began with a bang, a Big Bang. Over the first month of our recording, we traveled to two continents, and 4 cities and recorded 16 episodes in 22 days. It was a whirlwind, and one of the most amazing experiences I can recall. While in London, we took advantage of the amazingly gracious acceptance by Ricky Gervais to appear on the podcast. It was a day I will always remember. Ricky had appeared in our film, The Unbelievers, which followed me and Richard Dawkins around the world. Gus and Luke Holwerda, who directed and filmed that movie helped create The Origins Podcast, and for the first year, filmed all the episodes. Ricky graciously agreed to appear in front of their cameras one more time, and joined us at what was then New College of Humanities, where I was a visiting Professor. From the moment he arrived, it was clear it was going to be great. As he had been when we filmed The Unbelievers Ricky claimed to be nervous and was worried he would appear ignorant. He needn’t have worried. Maybe that is one of the reasons he is so good at what he does, because he worries about rising to the challenge. We discussed his early life, his love of science, his early interest in biology and then philosophy, then the science of comedy, the comedy of religion, and the need for free speech. He then proceeded to demand a mind-bending, personal science lesson from me. It was amazing. He was amazing. Enjoy this, our first rebroadcast of a classic Origins Podcast Episode that is worth watching once again. Enjoy. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

In this engaging discussion, theoretical physicist Sabine Hosenfelder joins Lawrence Krauss to dive into cutting-edge scientific developments. They explore the exciting advances in topological quantum computing and the implications of searching for water on the Moon. The duo also discusses the potential discovery of primordial stars that could reshape our understanding of the universe. With lively conversations on the role of AI in science and the impact of climate change on ocean currents, their insights both inform and entertain.

Elizabeth Weiss, an anthropologist and author of "On the Warpath," advocates for keeping ideology out of science. She discusses the absurdities in anthropology, like a session on skeleton sex being canceled due to gender debates. Weiss addresses the complications of repatriating ancient bones to tenuous genetic descendants, and how she lost her curatorial position over her stance. She critiques the mix of modern myth with scientific inquiry, emphasizing the need for open dialogue in the face of cancel culture and academic censorship.

In this discussion, physicist and science popularizer Sabine Hossenfelder shares her insights alongside Lawrence Krauss. They tackle the hype around quantum computing, clarifying misconceptions about superposition and the many-worlds interpretation. They critique climate policy, examining the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement while contrasting it with global renewable energy advancements. The conversation also explores the exciting potential of nuclear fusion and the challenges faced by startups in this evolving field.

Jonathan Rauch, a journalist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, dives into his newest book, "Cross Purposes," exploring the unexpected harmony between Christianity and democracy. He reflects on his journey as a Jew and an atheist, discussing how Christian moral foundations can contribute positively to democratic ideals. The conversation navigates the challenges of faith in modern society, the role of secularization, and the implications of integrating religious values in political contexts. Humor and deep reflections on identity and belief systems make for a captivating dialogue.

Cyan Banister, an acclaimed angel investor known for her early investments in SpaceX and Uber, shares her remarkable journey from being homeless at 13 to becoming a Silicon Valley legend. She explores how her challenging childhood shaped her resilience and innovative spirit. Cyan delves into her unique investing strategies, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and mentorship. The conversation touches on fearlessness in decision-making and embracing failure as a pathway to opportunity, revealing how her scientific approach influences both life and business.

Jennifer Doudna, a renowned biochemist and Nobel Prize winner, discusses her groundbreaking work on CRISPR, the revolutionary gene-editing tool born from pure scientific curiosity. She reflects on the serendipity of scientific discovery and shares personal anecdotes about her journey from chemistry to biology. Doudna delves into the ethical implications of CRISPR, the nuances of genetic transcription, and the transformative potential of gene editing in healthcare and agriculture. Her insights highlight the balance between innovation and responsibility in shaping humanity's future.