The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

Saul Permutter won the Nobel Prize for his eventual role in the discovery of dark energy. In 1996 when I was lecturing at LBL he bet me that he would show dark energy didn't exist. His group had been measuring supernova distances for years, in hopes of determining the deceleration rate of the universe. Instead, after recalibrating some of his earlier data, his group and an independent group discovered the universe was actually accelerating. That is the beauty of science, it supersedes any individual prejudices, and scientists actually change their minds if the data requires it. This is one of the many important characteristics of science that Saul and his collaborators discuss in their recent book, Third Millennium Thinking. It is a good read, full of useful examples about how scientific thinking is important in the world beyond just science. Saul and I had a lively conversation about science, the scientific method, and his own experiences as a scientists. It was an enriching and enlightening discussion, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 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

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING NOW TO SAVE THIS FAMILY!There are many tragedies in Afghanistan, and thousands of people who need help. We cannot right all the wrongs, but we can save these 8 people. We can save a woman who fought for human rights and now faces execution in Afghanistan if she were to return. We can save 5 young girls who have no access to education, or freedom if they were to return to Afghanistan. Already, during the past 2 years in Afghanistan, they have learned much English, and one of the young girls has been selected for a prestigious online scholarship to study at an English speaking Afghan University now run outside of that country. We can do something concrete and positive to help them.It isn’t everything, but it is something. I can tell you from my last experience of saving the life of a young girl from Afghanistan so she could study in the United States and eventually pursue and advanced degree that not a day goes by when I don’t think about how that feels to me like one of the most important things I have done. I hope you will consider donating, and if you cannot, that you will pass this podcast along to others who may be interested. DONATIONS:The JIAS has kindly created two different direct PayPal donation links.* The first is specifically linked to the family, and if for some horrible reason the family were not able to arrive in Canada under this program, all funds would be returned to donors. Because the funding relates to this family uniquely, any donations made to this site are not tax deductible for Canadian residents. This is the preferred site for all those who are not concerned about receiving a Canadian tax receipt for their donations.Here is the direct link:  https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=VBKBGBFZ5G5FE* The second is a link to a fund which will provide for the family if they arrive, but if for some reason they cannot arrive, the funds will not be returned but will be allocated to others on the sponsor’s waiting list. Donations to this fund are however tax deductible for Canadian residents, and donors will receive a tax receipt.Here is the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=H49YGR3E5QMBY Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Helen Pluckrose is a prominent voice in debates on critical social justice, liberalism, and free speech. In this intriguing discussion, she shares insights from her new book, providing practical strategies for navigating workplace challenges posed by critical social justice ideologies. Helen recounts her journey from caregiving to literature and her role in the Grievance Studies Affair, revealing systemic flaws in academia. The conversation also tackles the complexities of free speech, the significance of lived experience, and the urgent need for thoughtful dialogue amid polarization.

Wendy Freedman, a distinguished professor at the University of Chicago and a leading figure in observational cosmology, discusses her groundbreaking work on measuring the Hubble Constant. She shares insights into the historical discrepancies in its value and her team's innovations that brought clarity to these cosmic measurements. Freedman delves into the challenges of using Cepheid variable stars and highlights advancements in telescopes like Hubble and Webb. She also reflects on the future of astronomy, focusing on inclusivity and the role of women in science.

Lenny Susskind, a theoretical physicist renowned for his pioneering work in string theory and quantum gravity, shares his fascinating journey from a plumbing background to the forefront of physics. He discusses the mysteries of black holes and the concept of information erasure, challenging conventional quantum mechanics. Susskind also delves into the evolution of string theory, exploring its implications for particle physics and the holographic universe. His passion for science communication reveals the unexpected motivations behind his successful writing career.

Filmmaker Werner Herzog shares riveting stories from his new autobiography in a captivating conversation covering destiny, duty, endurance, leadership, courage, love, childhood memories, survival tales, and societal ethics. From poignant accounts of Holocaust survivors to contemplations on the significance of walking, heroes, religion, language, and unforgettable first-time experiences, this episode offers a multifaceted glimpse into Herzog's extraordinary life.

Many of you will have been waiting for this podcast after my brief review of Annie Jacobsen’s new book Nuclear War: A Scenario on Critical Mass. I took advantage of our discussion to flesh out some of the harrowing details of her remarkable fictional account of a plausible 72 minutes which began with the launch of a single nuclear missile from North Korea and concludes effectively with the end of modern civilization on the planet. As I indicated in my review, as former Chair of the Board of Sponsors of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for over a decade, the horrors of nuclear war were well-known to me, but the realization of how quickly a scenario such as Jacobsen envisages might actually play out was something I had never really imagined. Jacobsen is no stranger to thinking about defense issues and has penned numerous books on defense-related issues, including a history of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in history. She is also a seasoned fiction writer for television, penning three episodes of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. Her new book combines her interest in nuclear war related issues, and interviews with a host of military officials involved in nuclear war planning over the past five decades, with her skill in framing a tense dramatic narrative. The result is compelling. I know from experience that most people would rather avoid thinking about the threat of nuclear war. But it is only by confronting it directly that the public might have a possibility of at least slowing the military juggernaut, powered by a combination of a huge bureaucracy that works effectively to maintain its existence, and a cold war mentality the drives efforts to continue to grow and modernize our nuclear weapons establishment—all the while in spite of the fact that everyone who has seriously thought about nuclear war knows it is unwinnable. As Einstein, who helped found the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors said over 60 years ago, with the creation of Nuclear Weapons “Everything has changed, save the way we think”. My hope is that discussions like this one may help us change even that. 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

Join Lawrence Krauss and guest Michael Turner as they dive into cosmic mysteries like dark matter, dark energy, and the Big Bang. Turner shares insights from his 40-year research collaboration with Krauss, exploring the evolution of the universe, the importance of wrong ideas in science, and the quest to understand dark matter and dark energy. They also discuss the concept of inflation theory, the origins of matter in the universe, and ongoing debates in cosmology and particle physics.

Prominent economist Jeffrey Sachs discusses economic solutions to global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy over military actions. They explore Sachs' journey into economics, complexities of shock therapy, global governance challenges, complexities of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, geopolitical issues, US foreign policy, and the impact of the National Security Act on the US military-industrial complex.

Neuroscientist Mark Mattson discusses the crucial role of Glutamate in brain growth, neuroplasticity, and Alzheimer's. They explore the importance of studying glutamate for understanding brain formation, learning, and memory. The conversation delves into the significance of glutamate in neuronal development, brain function, energy efficiency, and its potential for life on Titan. Mattson also touches on the role of glutamate in neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's, highlighting the complexities of brain processing and consciousness.