Closer To Truth

Astrophysicist Paul Davies talks his new book, What’s Eating the Universe? And Other Cosmic Questions. In it, he covers teleology in the cosmos, the fine-tuning of our universe, multiple universes, how to understand reality, dark energy, dark matter, time travel, and much more.   Davies' book, What’s Eating the Universe?, is available for purchase now.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for free at www.closertotruth.com.

How are humans and animals different? Physically, humans and animals seem similar. Mentally, humans seem so superior. What's so special about human nature?   Featuring interviews with Colin Blakemore, Barry Smith, Nicholas Humphrey, Jared Diamond, and Julian Barbour.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for free at closertotruth.com.

Theoretical physicist and mathematician Frank Wilczek discusses his way of thinking about fundamental science, his writing and philosophy, humanity's place and purpose, what is and what could be in science, and the laws of physics.   Wilczek's latest book, Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality, is available for purchase now.   Frank Wilczek is a theoretical physicist, author, and intellectual adventurer. He has received many prizes for his work, including a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 and the Templeton Prize in 2022. Wilczek has made seminal contributions to fundamental particle physics, cosmology, and the physics of materials. His current theoretical research includes work on Axions, Anyons, and Time Crystals, concepts in physics which he named and pioneered.

Theoretical physicist and mathematician Frank Wilczek discusses humankind's place and purpose, what is and what could be in science, and the laws of physics.   Wilczek's latest book, Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality, is available for purchase now.   Frank Wilczek is a theoretical physicist, author, and intellectual adventurer. He has received many prizes for his work, including a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 and the Templeton Prize in 2022. Wilczek has made seminal contributions to fundamental particle physics, cosmology, and the physics of materials. His current theoretical research includes work on Axions, Anyons, and Time Crystals, concepts in physics which he named and pioneered.

What’s the relationship between the mental activity of our minds and the physical actions of our brain? It’s called The Mind-Body Problem. To many, it’s a perennial problem in philosophy of mind. Can art provide fresh insight?   Featuring interviews with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Chris Stewart, Gordon Graham, Nathan A. Jacobs, Anjan Chatterjee, and Raymond C. Tallis.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for a free account on closertotruth.com.

Neurologist Sara Manning Peskin discusses her book about the mysteries of the brain, including diseases caused by unruly molecules. The podcast covers intriguing stories of patients battling zombies, the role of misfolded proteins in infectious diseases, and the search for Vitamin B3. It also explores the connection between consciousness and the physical brain, emphasizing the remaining mysteries in this field.

Science explores how the world works. Breakthroughs drive science, challenging conventional wisdom, changing ways of thinking. Physics is foundational. What are Breakthroughs in physics? What characterizes Breakthroughs in physics?   Featuring interviews with Robbert Dijkgraaf, Edward Witten, Karen Uhlenbeck, and Sabine Hossenfelder.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for free at closertotruth.com.

Experts like Andreas Albrecht, Anthony Aguirre, and Rodney Holder discuss if the universe had a beginning. They cover topics like Big Bang cosmology, inflation theory, God as the creator, and modern physics theories challenging traditional views.

What can we learn when people deceive? There are all kinds of deception: from lying, duplicity, and disguises, to propaganda, disinformation, and deep fakes. Self-deception, too, offers insight. Why would evolution select for deceiving ourselves? Is deception bred into us, affecting all humans?   This episode features interviews with Joshua Greene, V.S. Ramachandran, Robert Trivers, and Max Tegmark.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for free at www.closertotruth.com.

Tim Palmer discusses his new book, The Primacy of Doubt: From Quantum Physics to Climate Change, How the Science of Uncertainty Can Help Us Understand Our Chaotic World. In it, he challenges conventional wisdom on quantum mechanics, free will, and more.   For subscriber-only exclusives, register for free at closertotruth.com.   Tim Palmer is a Royal Society Research Professor in the department of physics at the University of Oxford. Trained as a mathematical physicist, he pioneered the development of operational ensemble weather and climate forecasting, which are now standard practice globally. He contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.