Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Lou Ignarro, a Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist, shares his fascinating journey from a pipe-bomb-making teen to a scientific pioneer. He discusses the groundbreaking discovery of nitric oxide, its crucial role in cardiovascular health, and its surprising connection to Viagra. Lou reveals how curiosity drives scientific breakthroughs and highlights the molecule's varied applications across different organs. He also touches on his heart-healthy diet and offers advice to young aspiring scientists.

Avi Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist and director of the Galileo Project, shares groundbreaking insights on the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS recently observed by NASA's HiRISE camera. He discusses the significance of these images for planetary science and why this rare visitor may reshape our understanding of cosmic phenomena. Loeb highlights intriguing anomalies such as its extreme polarization and potential technosignatures. He emphasizes the importance of observing these mysteries and warns against the dangers of scientific complacency in the face of the unknown.

Blaise Agüera y Arcas, a senior researcher at Google and author, and Benjamin Bratton, a philosopher and theorist, dive into the evolving relationship between AI and humanity. They discuss whether AI can truly learn from us or if we’re the ones being trained. The duo explores AI's potential in enhancing education, medicine, and creativity, alongside the ethical implications of its use. They also debate the significance of randomness in human and machine creativity and propose the idea of 'universal basic compute' as a pathway to collective intelligence.

Explore the intriguing world of Lord Kelvin, whose groundbreaking ideas gave rise to the concept of absolute zero and the Kelvin scale. Discover how his work on thermodynamics connects to the cosmic microwave background, showcasing the universe's coldest temperatures. Delve into his early achievements at Glasgow, the evolution of physics, and the historical clash between Kelvin and Darwin over Earth's age. Despite some missteps, Kelvin's inventions and innovations continue to shape science and technology today.

Steven Pinker, a renowned cognitive psychologist and author, delves into the intricacies of common knowledge and its impact on society. He explains how misconceptions can lead to social discord and explores the tension between expert knowledge and public perception. Pinker discusses the role of common knowledge in everything from markets to cancel culture, highlighting how social norms can dictate individual behavior. He also sheds light on how AI struggles with common knowledge, emphasizing its unpredictable effects in technology and society.

Dive into a riveting exploration of science, skepticism, and the allure of conspiracy theories. Brian and Julian discuss NASA, the moon landing, and personal encounters with Terrence Howard. They tackle the credibility crisis in science, fueled by misinformation and shifting trust in experts. The conversation also navigates the fierce competition of historical Antarctic exploration and intriguing insights about dark matter and gravity. Expect a blend of humor, insight, and candid reflections on the struggles within scientific discourse.

In this engaging conversation, Brian Keating, a Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego and author, shares insights drawn from his interactions with Nobel Prize winners. He introduces the 'Keating Test' for AI, emphasizing that communication skills are vital for scientific impact. They discuss striking a balance between focus and curiosity, the art of guarding your time against distractions, and the importance of questioning established norms. Expect a blend of humor and profound lessons on what it takes to achieve greatness in both science and life.

Niayesh Afshordi, a professor of astrophysics at the Perimeter Institute and co-author of "Battle of the Big Bang," challenges our understanding of the universe’s origins. He questions the Big Bang as the definitive start of time and explores the intriguing concept of singularities, where our current theories break down. The discussion dives into the diverse interpretations of the Big Bang, the unresolved black hole information paradox, and the importance of observational science. Afshordi also highlights how funding influences scientific exploration.

Riz Virk, an MIT graduate, gaming entrepreneur, and author of The Simulation Hypothesis, invites listeners to ponder a startling question: Is our reality a simulated construct? He delves into quantum mechanics, AI, and how ancient wisdom traditions align with modern theories about the universe. The conversation explores the concept of déjà vu as a glitch in the matrix, the ethical implications of creating realistic simulations, and the philosophical intersections of science and spirituality, all while challenging our perceptions of existence.

Fred Hoyle, who famously coined the term 'Big Bang,' paradoxically despised the theory it represented while advocating for the steady state universe. Explore his groundbreaking contributions to stellar nucleosynthesis and the fascinating 'Hoyle state' essential for life. Delve into the injustices he faced, notably his exclusion from the Nobel Prize. The discussion also touches on Hoyle's daring speculations around panspermia and cosmic design, showcasing a life defined by scientific courage and intellectual integrity.