Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Kaixuan Ni, a leading experimental physicist from UC San Diego focused on dark matter detection, discusses groundbreaking work in the field. He highlights liquid xenon detectors that fingerprint atomic collisions, revealing potential insights into dark matter and how these technologies can also monitor nuclear reactors. The debate around the DAMA/LIBRA experiment’s unconfirmed findings sparks intrigue. Kaixuan shares unexpected discoveries like solar neutrinos and rare nuclear decays, illustrating how the search for dark matter intertwines with vital global safety efforts.

George Church, a Harvard genetics professor and synthetic biology pioneer, discusses his groundbreaking achievement of making living cells immune to every virus on Earth. By simply removing certain genetic letters, Church’s team has created a virus-proof cell, promising revolutionary advancements in medicine. He explores the potential to engineer human cells for virus resistance, the ethical considerations involved, and even dreams of de-extinction and gene-edited astronauts for Mars missions. It's a fascinating blend of science fiction and reality.

Avi Loeb, a Harvard professor and director of the Galileo Project, dives into the intriguing realms of extraterrestrial life and interstellar objects. He shares insights from his latest book, discussing the need for humanity to become an interstellar species. The conversation highlights his expedition to retrieve spherules from the interstellar meteor IM1 and investigates whether they present evidence of alien technology. Loeb also addresses public skepticism, critiques of current theories, and the potential for future discoveries using advanced telescopes.

Brian Keating, an experimental cosmologist and author, dives into a captivating discussion about the balance of humility and audacity necessary for scientific success. He and James Altucher explore the imposter syndrome faced by Nobel winners and the duality of confidence and humility in the writing process. Brian shares insights on Chern–Simons theory and its implications on time and space, alongside the challenges of publishing science books in today's market. Their lively exchange highlights the joy of obsessive quests toward knowledge.

Former astronaut Chris Hadfield discusses his thrilling new book, Final Orbit, and the fascinating Cold War era that inspires it. He reflects on UAPs, the moon landing hoax, and the essential role of humans in space exploration. Hadfield shares insights into checklists for safety, the historical impact of figures like Wernher von Braun, and the complexities of international space rivalries, particularly with China. He emphasizes the importance of human agency in storytelling and exploration beyond mere robotic missions.

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.