

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
Isaac Arthur
Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur explores humanity’s long-term future through space exploration, advanced technology, and big-picture science. Hosted by National Space Society President Isaac Arthur, each episode uses real science and careful speculation to examine space colonization, megastructures, artificial intelligence, post-scarcity economies, and the physics shaping civilization beyond Earth.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 12, 2019 • 28min
Springtime On Mars (Narration Only)
Colonizing Mars and terraforming it to be a comfortable future home for humanity is quite the challenge. How would we go about it and how close is close enough for our purposes? How would we let life grow on the open surface of Mars and how would we give air and water and potentially even alter its day, year, and gravity?
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/RcXBuYwm3xk
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Springtime on Mars
Episode 203, Season 5 E37
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Darius Said
Jerry Guern
Keith Blockus
S. Kopperud
Cover Art
Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier
Graphics by
Bryan Versteeg http://spacehabs.com
Fishy Tree https://www.deviantart.com/fishytree/
Jarred Eagley
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
KrisHolland (Mafic Studios) www.maficstudios.com
Sam McNamara of Rapid Thrash
Sergio Botero https://www.artstation.com/sboterod?fref=gc
Space Engine http://spaceengine.org
Tristan3D
Produced & Narrated by
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Hail the Victorious Dead" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Aerium, "The Islands moved while I was asleep" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRnUJY3l5vIJFGsY3XvW4dQ
Dan MacLeod, "Lucky" https://soundcloud.com/neptuneuk
Markus Junnikkala, "The men would love a good fight" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Lombus, "Doppler Shores" https://lombus.bandcamp.com
Paradox Interactive, "In Search of Life" https://www.paradoxplaza.com
Ross Bugden, "Revelation" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 5, 2019 • 24min
Space Sports
Humanity has a long and inventive history of sports and games, and the future will offer us many new options for athletics as we move out in space, be it racing around the Moon, climbing the mountains of Mars, hang gliding on Venus, or zero-g gymnastics. We'll also explore potential challenges and opportunities offered by genetic enhancement, cybernetics, and virtual reality.
Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/q11w9UF5vKM
Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Space Sports
Episode 202, Season 5 E37
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Keith Blockus
S Graham https://beyondnerva.wordpress.com
Matthew Campbell
Olly Epsom
S. Kopperud
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier
Graphics by:
Bryan Versteeg http://spacehabs.com
Fishy Tree https://www.deviantart.com/fishytree/
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Katie Byrne
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Sergio Botero https://www.artstation.com/sboterod?fref=gc
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Hail the Victorious Dead" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Dan MacLeod, "Battle Formation" https://soundcloud.com/neptuneuk
Kai Engel, "Endless Story About Sun and Moon" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Paradox Interactive, "Synthetic God" https://www.paradoxplaza.com
Markus Junnikkala, "Always Tell Me The Odds" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Ross Bugden, "Notturno" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 5, 2019 • 24min
Space Sports (Narration Only)
Humanity has a long and inventive history of sports and games, and the future will offer us many new options for athletics as we move out in space, be it racing around the Moon, climbing the mountains of Mars, hang gliding on Venus, or zero-g gymnastics. We'll also explore potential challenges and opportunities offered by genetic enhancement, cybernetics, and virtual reality.
Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/q11w9UF5vKM
Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Space Sports
Episode 202, Season 5 E37
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Keith Blockus
S Graham https://beyondnerva.wordpress.com
Matthew Campbell
Olly Epsom
S. Kopperud
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier
Graphics by:
Bryan Versteeg http://spacehabs.com
Fishy Tree https://www.deviantart.com/fishytree/
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Katie Byrne
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Sergio Botero https://www.artstation.com/sboterod?fref=gc
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Hail the Victorious Dead" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Dan MacLeod, "Battle Formation" https://soundcloud.com/neptuneuk
Kai Engel, "Endless Story About Sun and Moon" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Paradox Interactive, "Synthetic God" https://www.paradoxplaza.com
Markus Junnikkala, "Always Tell Me The Odds" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Ross Bugden, "Notturno" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 1, 2019 • 22min
The Paperclip Maximizer (Narration Only)
A Paperclip Maximizer is an example of artificial intelligence run amok performing a job, potentially seeking to turn all the Universe into paperclips. But it's also an example of a concept called Instrumental Convergence, where two entities with wildly different ultimate goals might end up acting very much alike. This concept is very important to preparing ourselves for future automation and machine minds, and we'll explore that today.
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/3mk7NVFz_88
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
The Paperclip Maximizer
Episode 201a, Season 5 E36a
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Mark Warburton
Editors
Darius Said
Keith Blockus
Konstantin Sokerin
Matt Campbell
Graphics by:
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Tristan3D
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Fate of Our People" & "A Memory of Earth" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Chris Zabriskie, "Cylinder 9" & "The Ocean Continue to Rise" http://chriszabriskie.com
Denny Schneidemesser, "Novus Aeterno (Main Titles)" https://soundcloud.com/denny-schneidemesser
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 1, 2019 • 23min
The Paperclip Maximizer
A Paperclip Maximizer is an example of artificial intelligence run amok performing a job, potentially seeking to turn all the Universe into paperclips. But it's also an example of a concept called Instrumental Convergence, where two entities with wildly different ultimate goals might end up acting very much alike. This concept is very important to preparing ourselves for future automation and machine minds, and we'll explore that today.
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/3mk7NVFz_88
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
The Paperclip Maximizer
Episode 201a, Season 5 E36a
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Mark Warburton
Editors
Darius Said
Keith Blockus
Konstantin Sokerin
Matt Campbell
Graphics by:
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Tristan3D
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Fate of Our People" & "A Memory of Earth" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Chris Zabriskie, "Cylinder 9" & "The Ocean Continue to Rise" http://chriszabriskie.com
Denny Schneidemesser, "Novus Aeterno (Main Titles)" https://soundcloud.com/denny-schneidemesser
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 29, 2019 • 24min
Space Derelicts
Science fiction delights in showing us brave adventurers boarding abandoned spaceships, exploring ancient alien worlds and space hulks, or surviving on planets turned into giant garbage dumps, but how realistic is this idea? And what sort of civilizations and cultures might spring up around such efforts?
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/xMrWF4nOyC8
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Space Derelicts & Trash Worlds
Episode 201, Season 5 E36
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Keith Blockus
S. Kopperud
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier
Graphics by:
Bryan Versteeg http://spacehabs.com
Fishy Tree https://www.deviantart.com/fishytree/
Jarred Eagley
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
LegionTech Studios https://hades9.com
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Mihail Yordanov
Sergio Botero https://www.artstation.com/sboterod?fref=gc
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Scott Buckley, "Red" http://www.scottbuckley.com.au
Marcus Warner, "In Arcadia"
Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment Revealment Evolution Exposition Integration Arson" http://chriszabriskie.com
Serena Elis, "Science" https://soundcloud.com/serenaelis
Kai Engel, "Soli" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Denny Schneidemesser, "Luminous Rays" https://soundcloud.com/denny-schneidemesser
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 29, 2019 • 24min
Space Derelicts (Narration Only)
Science fiction delights in showing us brave adventurers boarding abandoned spaceships, exploring ancient alien worlds and space hulks, or surviving on planets turned into giant garbage dumps, but how realistic is this idea? And what sort of civilizations and cultures might spring up around such efforts?
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/xMrWF4nOyC8
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Space Derelicts & Trash Worlds
Episode 201, Season 5 E36
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Keith Blockus
S. Kopperud
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier
Graphics by:
Bryan Versteeg http://spacehabs.com
Fishy Tree https://www.deviantart.com/fishytree/
Jarred Eagley
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
LegionTech Studios https://hades9.com
Ken York https://www.facebook.com/YDVisual/
Mihail Yordanov
Sergio Botero https://www.artstation.com/sboterod?fref=gc
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Scott Buckley, "Red" http://www.scottbuckley.com.au
Marcus Warner, "In Arcadia"
Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment Revealment Evolution Exposition Integration Arson" http://chriszabriskie.com
Serena Elis, "Science" https://soundcloud.com/serenaelis
Kai Engel, "Soli" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Denny Schneidemesser, "Luminous Rays" https://soundcloud.com/denny-schneidemesser
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 22, 2019 • 29min
Things Which Will Never Exist
It's popular to say nothing is impossible, especially in regard to the future and our Universe, but are there somethings which might turn out to be impossible or at least so impractical they never occur?
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/KIvaPRzDJwo
SFIA Episode List (Chronological): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E7UTCFWSRk1vuyjmYhSvtmvINVSU9tWy5LabQeHW9t8/edit?usp=sharing
Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Things Which Will Never Exist
Episode 200, Season 5 E35
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Darius Said
Evan Schultheis
Keith Blockus
Mark Warburton
Victoria Kelly
Olly Epsom
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier
Graphics by:
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Always Tell Me The Odds" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Aerium, "The Islands moved while I was asleep" & "Parks" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRnUJY3l5vIJFGsY3XvW4dQ
Lombus, "Hydrogen Sonata" https://lombus.bandcamp.com
Kai Engel, "Soli" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Brandon Liew, "Into the Storm" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ2I19QUIXA
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 22, 2019 • 28min
Things Which Will Never Exist (Narration Only)
It's popular to say nothing is impossible, especially in regard to the future and our Universe, but are there somethings which might turn out to be impossible or at least so impractical they never occur?
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/KIvaPRzDJwo
SFIA Episode List (Chronological): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E7UTCFWSRk1vuyjmYhSvtmvINVSU9tWy5LabQeHW9t8/edit?usp=sharing
Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Things Which Will Never Exist
Episode 200, Season 5 E35
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Darius Said
Evan Schultheis
Keith Blockus
Mark Warburton
Victoria Kelly
Olly Epsom
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier
Graphics by:
Jeremy Jozwik https://www.artstation.com/zeuxis_of_losdiajana
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa - lucaderosa2@live.com
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "Always Tell Me The Odds" https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Aerium, "The Islands moved while I was asleep" & "Parks" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRnUJY3l5vIJFGsY3XvW4dQ
Lombus, "Hydrogen Sonata" https://lombus.bandcamp.com
Kai Engel, "Soli" https://www.kai-engel.com/
Brandon Liew, "Into the Storm" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ2I19QUIXA
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 15, 2019 • 34min
Megastructure Maintenance & Space Janitors
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/
In the future humanity might build structures of incomprehensible size and splendor, megastructures and artificial worlds, but somebody is going to have to build and maintain these feats of science and engineering and clean up all the orbital debris.
Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2Tbffv7ZCz8
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
SFIA Merchandise available: https://www.signil.com/sfia/
Social Media:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
Megatructure Maintenance & Space Janitors
Episode 199, Season 5 E34
Written by:
Isaac Arthur
Editors:
Jerry Guern
Keith Blockus
Mark Warburton
Olly Epsom
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier
Graphics by:
Bryan Verteeg
Darth Biomech
Fishy Tree
Jarred Eagley
Jeremy Jozwik
Justin Dixon
Katie Byrne
Ken York
LegionTech Studios
Mike Munt of Apogii
Sergio Botero
Produced & Narrated by:
Isaac Arthur
Music Manager:
Luca DeRosa
Music:
Markus Junnikkala, "We Roam the Stars"
Lombus, "Amino"
Ross Bugden, "Ascension & "Interstellar"
Stellardrone, "On A Beam Of Light"
Aerium, "The Islands moved while I was asleep" Markus Junnikkala, "Always Tell Me The Odds"
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


