Breaking Math Podcast

Anil Ananthaswamy, an esteemed author and science writer, delves into the beautiful intersection of mathematics and machine learning. He discusses his book, highlighting how storytelling and history can illuminate complex concepts. The conversation covers the evolution of key algorithms like neural networks and support vector machines, emphasizing the backpropagation algorithm's role in AI. Anil stresses the importance of societal understanding as a gatekeeper for AI, making a compelling case for why embracing the math behind machine learning matters.

This discussion Autumn and Gabe delves into Ismar Volic's personal background and inspiration for writing the book, “Making Democracy Count” as well as the practical and theoretical aspects of voting systems. Additionally, the conversation explores the application of voting systems to everyday decision-making and the use of topological data analysis in understanding societal polarization. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including data visualization, gerrymandering, electoral systems, and the intersection of mathematics and democracy. Volic, shares insights on the practical implications of implementing mathematical improvements in electoral systems and the legal and constitutional hurdles that may arise. He also discusses the importance of educating oneself about the quantitative underpinnings of democracy and the need for interdisciplinary discussions that bridge mathematics and politics.Keywords: math podcast, creativity, mascot, background, Matlab, ranked choice voting, elections, author's background, inspiration, voting systems, topological data analysis, societal polarization, mathematics, democracy, data visualization, gerrymandering, electoral systems, interdisciplinary discussions, practical implications, legal hurdles, constitutional considerationsYou can find Ismar Volic on Twitter and LinkedIn @ismarvolic. Please go check out the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy and Volic’s new book “Making Democracy Count”Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

In this conversation, Gabe and Autumn celebrate the 101st episode of Breaking Math and discuss the evolution of the podcast. They highlight the importance of creativity in teaching mathematics and share their plans to expand Breaking Math into Breaking Math Media. They also discuss the history of physics and the big questions that inform the podcast. The hosts express their desire to collaborate with listeners and explore practical applications of math in different fields. They also mention books like 'A Quantum Story' and 'Incomplete Nature' that delve into the mysteries of quantum mechanics and consciousness. The hosts highlight the unique and creative nature of their podcast, inviting listeners to join them in the Math Lounge, a metaphorical nightclub where math and creativity intersect.Keywords: Breaking Math, podcast, creativity, mathematics, Breaking Math Media, physics, history, quantum mechanics, book discussion, double-slit experiment, quantum mechanics, interdisciplinary discussions, machine learning, neuroscience, gamification of math, collaboration, practical applications, consciousness, Math LoungeSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTubeFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Gabe explore the concept of nothingness and its significance in various fields. They discuss the philosophical, scientific, mathematical, and literary aspects of nothingness, highlighting its role in understanding reality and existence. They mention books like 'Incomplete Nature' by Terence Deacon and 'Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea' by Charles Seife, which delve into the concept of absence and zero. The episode concludes by emphasizing the complexity and versatility of nothingness, inviting listeners to think deeper about its implications.Keywords: nothingness, philosophy, science, mathematics, literature, reality, existence, absence, zeroSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Have suggestions or want to come on the show? Fill out the form here.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

In this conversation, Autumn Phaneuf interviews Zach Weinersmith, a cartoonist and writer, about the feasibility and implications of space settlement. They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding space colonization, including the idea that it will make us rich, mitigate war, and make us wiser. They explore the potential of the moon and Mars as settlement options, as well as the concept of rotating space stations. They also touch on the physiological effects of space travel and the need for further research in areas such as reproduction and ecosystem design. The conversation explores the challenges and implications of human settlement in space. It discusses the lack of data on the long-term effects of space travel on the human body, particularly for women. The conversation also delves into the need for a closed-loop ecosystem for sustainable space settlement and the legal framework surrounding space exploration and resource extraction. The main takeaways include the importance of addressing reproductive and medical challenges, the need for a better legal regime, and the debunking of misconceptions about space settlement.Follow Zach Weinersmith on his website and TwitterSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFolllow Gabe on Twitter.Have suggestions or want to come on the show? Fill out the form here. email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.comA City on Mars, Keywords space settlement, feasibility, challenges, misconceptions, moon, Mars, rotating space stations, reproduction, ecosystem design, space settlement, human reproduction, closed-loop ecosystem, space law, resource extraction, logistics, math.

In this conversation, Autumn Phaneuf and Zach Weinersmith discusses his new book, A City on Mars, which takes a humorous look at the challenges of building a Martian society. He explores the misconceptions and myths surrounding space settlement and the feasibility of colonizing Mars. He argues that space is unlikely to make anyone rich and that the idea that space will mitigate war is unsupported. He also discusses the potential benefits and limitations of settling on the Moon and Mars, as well as the technical challenges involved.Follow Zach Weinersmith on his website and TwitterSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFolllow Gabe on Twitter.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.comA City on Mars, space settlement, Mars colonization, misconceptions, myths, feasibility, space myths, space economics, war, Moon settlement, technical challenges, logistics, math.

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Breaking Math Podcast! Today's episode, titled "What is the Use?," features a fascinating conversation with the renowned mathematician and author, Professor Ian Stewart. As Professor Stewart discusses his latest book "What's the Use? How Mathematics Shapes Everyday Life," we dive deep into the real-world applications of mathematics that often go unnoticed in our daily technologies, like smartphones, and their unpredictable implications in various fields.We'll explore the history of quaternions, invented by William Rowan Hamilton, which now play a critical role in computer graphics, gaming, and particle physics. Professor Stewart will also shed light on the non-commutative nature of quaternions, mirroring the complexities of spatial rotations, and how these mathematical principles find their correspondence in the natural world.Furthermore, our discussion will encompass the interconnectivity within mathematics, touching upon how algebra, geometry, and trigonometry converge to paint a broader picture of this unified field. We also discuss the intriguing concept of "Fearful Symmetry" and how symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns govern everything from tiger stripes to sand dunes.With references to his other works, including "Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities" and "The Science of Discworld," Professor Stewart brings an element of surprise and entertainment to the profound impact of mathematics on our understanding of the world.So stay tuned as we unlock the mysteries and the omnipresent nature of math in this thought-provoking episode with Professor Ian Stewart!

Tom Chivers discusses Bayesian statistics and its applications in predicting outcomes across various fields. The conversation explores AI ethics, image classification challenges, and the impact of prior beliefs on forming opinions. It also delves into conspiracy theories, the role of AI in trading card art, and the relevance of Bayesianism in different settings.

Summary**Tensor Poster - If you are interested in the Breaking Math Tensor Poster on the mathematics of General Relativity, email us at BreakingMathPodcast@gmail.comIn this episode, Gabriel Hesch and Autumn Phaneuf interview Steve Nadis, the author of the book 'The Gravity of Math.' They discuss the mathematics of gravity, including the work of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, gravitational waves, black holes, and recent developments in the field. Nadis shares his collaboration with Shing-Tung Yau and their journey in writing the book. They also talk about their shared experience at Hampshire College and the importance of independent thinking in education.  In this conversation, Steve Nadis discusses the mathematical foundations of general relativity and the contributions of mathematicians to the theory. He explains how Einstein was introduced to the concept of gravity by Bernhard Riemann and learned about tensor calculus from Gregorio Ricci and Tullio Levi-Civita. Nadis also explores Einstein's discovery of the equivalence principle and his realization that a theory of gravity would require accelerated motion. He describes the development of the equations of general relativity and their significance in understanding the curvature of spacetime. Nadis highlights the ongoing research in general relativity, including the detection of gravitational waves and the exploration of higher dimensions and black holes. He also discusses the contributions of mathematician Emmy Noether to the conservation laws in physics. Finally, Nadis explains Einstein's cosmological constant and its connection to dark energy.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Book Overview08:09 Collaboration and Writing Process25:48 Interest in Black Holes and Recent Developments35:30 The Mathematical Foundations of General Relativity44:55 The Curvature of Spacetime and the Equations of General Relativity56:06 Recent Discoveries in General Relativity01:06:46 Emmy Noether's Contributions to Conservation Laws01:13:48 Einstein's Cosmological Constant and Dark EnergySubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFolllow Gabe on Twitter.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Summary:  The episode discusses the 10,000 year dilemma, which is a thought experiment on how to deal with nuclear waste in the future.  Today's episode is hosted by guest host David Gibson, who is the founder of the Ray Kitty Creation Workshop. (Find out more about the Ray Kitty Creation Workshop by clicking here).  Gabriel and Autumn are out this week, but will be returning in short order with 3 separate interviews with authors of some fantastic popular science and math books including: The Gravity of Math:  How Geometry Rules the Universe by Dr. Shing-Tung Yau and Steve Nadis.    This book is all about the history of our understanding of gravity from the theories of Isaac Newton to Albert Einstein and beyond, including gravitational waves, black holes, as well as some of the current uncertainties regarding a precise definition of mass.  On sale now!   EVERYTHING IS PREDICTABLE: How Bayesian Statistics Explain Our World by Tom Chivers.  Published by Simon and Schuster.   This book explains the importance of Baye's Theorem in helping us to understand why  highly accurate screening tests can lead to false positives, a phenomenon we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic; How a failure to account for Bayes’ Theorem has put innocent people in jail; How military strategists using the theorem can predict where an enemy will strike next, and how Baye's Theorem is helping us to understang machine learning processes - a critical skillset to have in the 21st century. Available 05/07/2024 A CITY ON MARS: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?  by authors Dr. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith.  Zach Weinersmith is the artist and creator of the famous cartoon strip Saturday Morning Breaking Cereal!  We've got a lot of great episodes coming up!  Stay tuned.