Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

In this engaging discussion, guests Kyle Dawson, a leading physicist from the University of Utah, and Daniel Green from UC San Diego, delve into groundbreaking results from the DESI project. They explore how new data challenges the Lambda-CDM model, raises questions about evolving dark energy, and introduces the intriguing concept of negative neutrino masses. Their insights on cosmic expansion and baryon acoustic oscillations promise to reshape our understanding of the universe, making this a must-listen for anyone fascinated by cosmic mysteries.

Explore the impactful legacy of Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg and his pivotal work in cosmology. The discussion weaves personal anecdotes about the trials of academic rejection and the inspiration sparked by Weinberg's writings. Delve into the complex interplay between science and religion, challenging paradigms of belief while honoring the quest for deeper understanding. Journey through significant cosmic theories and reflect on what makes life—and science—truly impossible to ignore.

How are recent DESI experimental results challenging the traditional view of dark energy as a fixed cosmological constant? Are foundational assumptions in Einstein’s general relativity limiting progress in theoretical physics? And how do tensions in cosmological measurements, like the Hubble constant discrepancy, reflect deeper issues in physics? In this episode, we’ll explore these fundamental questions with none other than Eric Weinstein! Eric is one of the most revered thinkers of our generation. Though not an academic physicist, he proposed a unified theory of physics in 2013, which is supposed to have the potential to explain phenomena that string theory cannot. In a lecture held live at UCSD in April 2025 at the prestigious Astrophysics and Cosmology Seminar, Eric presented an update to his groundbreaking theory. Today, we’ll discuss his fascinating theory, the future of physics and academia, and much more.  Eric is an investor, financial executive, and host of The Portal. He and his brother, Bret Weinstein, coined the term Intellectual Dark Web to refer to an informal group of pundits. Eric is a vocal critic of modern academic hierarchies and advocates for advances in scientific theory over an emphasis on experimental results. He proposed a new unified theory of physics in 2013 and has been an active member of the physics community since then.  — Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 — Key Takeaways:  00:00:00 Intro  00:00:29 DESI results and the cosmological constant  00:08:33 Why general relativity is fundamentally limited 00:16:11 Elon Musk’s obsession with Mars 00:26:01 Sharing ideas with broader audiences  00:30:56 Dark energy’s evolving nature 00:34:16 Discrepancies in cosmological measurements 00:43:02 Freeing dark energy from constancy  00:50:16 Einstein’s happiest thought, LLMs and physics  00:59:09 Eric’s thoughts on Lenny Susskind, Joe Rogan, and Terrence Howard 01:04:44 Pseudoscience and the debunking community  01:23:55 The future of academia and academic freedom  01:48:45 Political polarization in the United States 01:56:43 October 7th  02:00:50 Remembering Jim Simons and Chern-Simons theory  02:21:10 Outro — Additional resources:  ➡️ Learn more about Eric: 🎙️ Website: https://ericweinstein.org/ ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  🔔 YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  📝 Join my mailing list:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ✍️ Check out my blog:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  🎙️ Follow my podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  — Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the incredible journey of Carl Sagan, from his humble Brooklyn roots to becoming a legendary science communicator. Discover his five guiding principles that inspire curiosity and responsibility in science. The discussion touches on Sagan's commitment to making complex ideas accessible, his role during the Cold War, and the profound impact of his media presence. Reflect on the delicate balance between science and skepticism, faith and ethics, while embracing the wonder of the universe.

Dive into the mysteries of the universe as light polarization reveals secrets from the Big Bang. Explore the search for life beyond Earth and the philosophical questions about existence. Delve into the multiverse theory and the debates it sparks. Discover how advanced telescopes enhance our understanding of cosmic history. Finally, ponder the relationship between AI, creativity, and the essence of being human, all while grappling with the intersection of science and spirituality.

Steve Fuller, a respected sociologist of science from the University of Warwick, dives into thought-provoking discussions on the intersection of science and society. He challenges listeners to rethink how societal influences shape scientific knowledge, especially in contentious debates like the teaching of creationism. Fuller emphasizes the need for transparency in scientific communication and the role of philosophers in enriching scientific inquiry. He also explores the legacy of Thomas Kuhn and the importance of adapting higher education to evolving societal demands.

Join legendary evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, renowned for his critique of religion and advocacy for science, as he tackles thought-provoking questions from a live audience. He discusses the acceleration of evolution, the beauty of life in a godless universe, and the fascinating implications of artificial intelligence. Dawkins challenges perceptions of hope and faith while exploring the uniqueness of human existence and the impact of evolutionary biology on morality. A captivating exploration that inspires a deeper appreciation for science and our place in the cosmos.

Dive into a thought-provoking reflection on what we truly leave behind. Explore the intriguing idea of the 'giving valve,' emphasizing the importance of values over genetic legacy. Consider whether passing on knowledge and wisdom holds more weight than our genes. Personal anecdotes blend with philosophical insights, challenging us to rethink our influence on future generations. This discussion also contrasts career accomplishments with how we are remembered, urging a deeper connection to our ethical frameworks.

Join Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, director of the Carl Sagan Center at SETI, as she challenges our assumptions about extraterrestrial life. With a focus on Earth’s extreme environments, she questions whether life is dependent on our traditional ideas like water and warmth. The discussion touches on the rarity of intelligent life, the implications of broadcasting our existence, and the possibility of non-carbon-based life forms. Cabrol compellingly argues that we may be looking for aliens in all the wrong places and reflects on the survival of our own civilization.

In this engaging discussion, Eric Weinstein, an investor and host of The Portal, revisits his groundbreaking unified theory of physics proposed in 2013. He critiques Einstein's cosmological constant and advocates for geometric unity to tackle dark energy's mysteries. Delving into complex topics like quantum gravity and higher-dimensional space, Weinstein challenges traditional views and suggests a fresh framework for understanding the universe. His insights promise to reshape perspectives on the fundamental forces at play.