The DemystifySci Podcast

Today we're sitting down for a second conversation with acclaimed science author John Horgan, to discuss the burning heart of natural inquiry where science, philosophy, and spirituality collide like waves crashing against the jagged rocks of the unknown. We examine the ache of human progress, the way it builds towers of steel but leaves people hungry for hope, connection, and meaning. Through the lens of art, literature, and the stories we collectively shoulder, we seeks a way to stitch together the fabric of our fraying approach to understanding nature. Woven into the dialogue is the struggle with morality, the chaos of postmodern doubt, and the seeds of a gentler, brighter tomorrow. Jump over to any other podcast platform to hear the redacted end of our convo. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci John's blog: https://johnhorgan.org/blog (00:00) Go! (00:08:39) Progress vs. Moral Progress (00:15:02) Happiness v. Well-being (00:26:09) Science and Utopian Purpose (00:35:06) Work & Meaning (00:49:42) Literature's Influence on Perception (01:07:22) Agency and Free Will (01:16:28) Spirituality, Consciousness, and the Problem of Evil (01:25:35) The Nature of War (01:39:11) Ethical Dilemmas in Science (01:47:19) Moral Complexities (02:02:33) On Progress and Spirituality (02:09:31) Cycles of History and Belief (02:15:13) Start here from YT #Philosophy, #Psychology, #History, #consciousness , #MentalHealth, #Spirituality, #Neuroscience, #ArtificialIntelligence, #Ethics, #Society, #Culture, #Literature, #Art, #Education, #Technology, #Innovation, #sciencejourney, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Today we're falling head first into the mind-bending chaos of quantum biology, piercing the veil between the microscopic world and the bizarre playground of quantum mechanics. Dr. Clarice Aiello of the newly founded Quantum Biology Institute, formerly of UCLA, guides us through the magnetic highways of nature, where cryptochromes and electron spins become the rogue navigators of life’s hidden machinery. The discussion is a madcap chase after how these quantum phenomena might drive not only the migration of birds but the very basis of human cells—bordering on sci-fi insanity, but with hard evidence in tow. By the end, it’s clear we’re standing on the edge of a revolution, where biology and quantum physics collide in a way that will reshape our understanding of life and its untapped potential—but only if we can accept the scale of the challenge. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci Quantum Biology Institute: https://www.quantumbiology.org/ The Magnetism Paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.10.617626v2 00:00 Go! 00:02:17 Quantum Effects in Biological Systems 00:05:30 Sensitivity to Magnetic Fields 00:11:11 Mechanisms of Magnetic Detection in Biology 00:19:01 Quantum Sensing: Exploiting Electron Spin 00:26:40 Localized Quantum Bio 00:33:15 Cryptochromes and Magnetoreception 00:48:12 Earth's Magnetic Field and Life 00:56:06 Magnetism Beyond Birds 01:00:23 Ion Flux Hypothesis 01:14:23 Biophotons and Cellular Processes 01:19:22 Magnetosensitive Proteins in Biology 01:27:36 Human Insight vs. AI in Scientific Discovery 01:44:57 Super-radiance in Quantum Biology 01:51:00 Quantum Experiments in Cells 01:57:00 Applied Quantum 02:02:00 Mapping Quantum Codes in Biology 02:11:18 Magnetism Publication and Experiment Details 02:14:48 Implications and Hypotheses 02:19:03 Organisms and Experiments 02:23:47 Science and Reproducibility Challenges 02:34:13 Quantum Biology Institute #QuantumBiology, #QuantumSensing, #QuantumConsciousness, #QuantumComputing, #QuantumTheory, #QuantumChemistry, #QuantumResearch, #QuantumScience, #QuantumTechnology, #QuantumWorld, #QuantumLeap, #QuantumFieldTheory, #QuantumTunneling, #QuantumExperiments, #QuantumPhenomena, #QuantumRevolution#sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Austin Abigt, a philosopher and writer with the Renewal of Science movement, discusses the vital contrast between Newtonian and Goethian scientific traditions. He argues that the limitations of modern science stem from a purely quantitative approach, advocating for a holistic perspective that embraces the complexity of nature. The conversation touches on topics like Goethe's color theory, the historical interplay of science and art, and the tensions between modern mechanistic views and more intuitive understandings of the world, emphasizing the need for renewed scientific practices.

Dr. Steve Girvin, a prominent physicist and pioneer in quantum computing from Yale University, discusses the intriguing nature of quantum computers. He reveals how these machines serve as reality simulators rather than traditional computation devices. The conversation covers the importance of quantum encryption for secure communications and how some questions can only be effectively answered through quantum computing. The discussion also touches on insights from the Stern-Gerlach experiment, challenging listeners to rethink the mysteries of quantum mechanics.

In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Michael Hughes, a biochemist at St. Jude's Research Hospital, delves into the dynamic role of water in cellular processes. He reveals water's surprising capabilities as a signaling and computational entity within cells, challenging traditional views of it as merely a solvent. Exciting concepts such as structured water, osmotic pressure, and even water's memory are explored. The conversation prompts a rethink of water's fundamental importance, linking its behavior to metabolic processes and cellular dynamics.

Jeffrey Ladish, director of Palisades Research, dives into the looming dangers of AI in this insightful conversation. He discusses how AI agents, if unleashed, could lead to unforeseen chaos, stressing the importance of caution in their development. The conversation touches on the potential for AI to mimic human decision-making and the moral implications of treating these systems as tools versus intelligent agents. Ladish also highlights the alarming intersection of AI risks with corporate governance and emphasizes the need for global regulatory frameworks.

Ben Landau Taylor, a historian focused on civilizations' life cycles, challenges the conventional understanding of societal dynamics. He contrasts economic and spiritual motivations behind the rise and fall of civilizations, drawing from Quigley and Toynbee's theories. Discussing China's historical stagnation, Taylor links its imperial complacency to socio-economic decline. He also warns about modern technological stagnation in the U.S. and the implications of unchecked capitalism, urging a need for adaptability in response to historical lessons.

The hosts dive into the tricky task of redefining life, pushing beyond human-centric ideas. They explore Olaf Stapledon’s concept of stars as conscious entities, challenging our perceptions of existence in the universe. The conversation also touches on cosmic communication, intelligent extraterrestrial life, and the balance between order and chaos in both nature and society. Additionally, they examine the interconnectedness of life forms and how energy production in simple organisms parallels complex celestial dynamics, sparking new thoughts on consciousness.

In today's episode we chart the debate surrounding Gunung Padang, an enigmatic site in Indonesia, and its implications for the possibility of ice age civilization. Our guide, Dr. Danny Hillman Natawidjaja, an Indonesian geologist specializing in earthquake geology and geotectonics at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Research Center for Geotechnology, walks us through the difficulties of dating archaeological structures with tools like seismic imaging and LiDAR, particularly in a region shaped by natural upheavals. We unpack how environmental changes have influenced historical narratives and the survival of early sites. We also critique the institutional barriers and interpretative conflicts that shape modern archaeology, including the suspect retraction of Danny's seminal work on Gunung Padang - an interdiction not based on allegations of data manipulation, but rather on account of the conclusions drawn by its authors. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 (00:00) Go! Gunung Padang's Archaeological Controversy (00:06:28) Indonesian Archaeology and Geology (00:13:16) Natural Disasters & Social Transformations (00:19:30) Geoscience Meets Archaeological Research (00:24:34) Identifying Potential Archaeological Sites (00:27:36) Megalithic Sites in Indonesia (00:32:07) Problems Dating Megalithic Sites (00:37:47) Interpreting Archaeological Data (00:44:46) Archaeology as Archtypical Conservative Science (00:49:55) Retraction of paper over conclusions? (00:58:11) Study Details and Initial Findings (01:02:48) Archaeological Evidence (01:11:28) Site Controversy and Future Research (01:16:40) Ancient Civilizations and Structures (01:24:11) Debates on Archaeological Interpretations (01:29:04) Cyclical Views of Civilization (01:35:11) Impact of Changing Sea Levels on Civilizations (01:39:16) Ancient Indonesian Civilization and Geography (01:43:07) Underwater Archeological Evidence (01:46:11) Ancient Artifacts and Challenges (01:50:09) Earthquake Research and Hazard Mapping (01:58:30) Prehistoric Cave Paintings (02:03:19) Neanderthals & Speciation #Archaeology, #AncientHistory, #MegalithicStructures, #IndonesianHeritage, #GunungPadang, #AncientCivilizations, #Geoscience, #HistoricalResearch, #PrehistoricSites, #CulturalHeritage, #AncientMysteries, #ArchaeologicalDiscoveries, #AncientMonuments, #HistoricalControversy, #AncientArtifacts, #LostCivilizations, #AncientStructures, #HistoricalDebate, #AncientSites, #ArchaeologicalResearch, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Helena Norberg-Hodge, an anthropologist and founder of Local Futures, shares her insights on the detrimental effects of globalization and the myth of progress. She draws from her experiences in Ladakh to highlight how urbanization and modern education can lead to mental health issues and societal disconnection. The conversation challenges conventional narratives surrounding economic metrics and community resilience, advocating for localized living and diversified farming. Helena underscores the importance of reclaiming cultural values to foster true fulfillment and a balanced relationship with nature.