Big Picture Science

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That's So Random! Jan 15, 2011

Show notes

Random is as random does… makes sense doesn’t even that anyway in tune hear to randomness how lives rules.

Brain chaos the drives, restoration role of help insight ecology may into randomness the, numbers sense of make statistics can’t why we or, ants not seem of erratic behavior why the may but is.

Guests:

Leonard Mlodinow - Theoretical physicist and author of The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives (Vintage)
Jon Chase - Biologist and director of the Tyson Research center at Washington University in St. Louis
Lori Marino - Evolutionary biologist, Emory University
Deborah Gordon - Biologist, Stanford University
John Beggs - Physicist, Indiana University at Bloomington

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Do Computers Byte? Jan 15, 2011

Show notes

The march of computer technology continues. But as silicon chips and search engines become faster and more productive – can the same be said for us?

The creator of Wolfram Alpha describes how his new “computational knowledge engine” is changing – and improving - how we process information. Meanwhile, suffering from data and distraction burnout? Find out what extremes some folks take to stop their search engines.

Also, the Singularity sensation of humans merging with machines… and, why for the ancient Greeks all of this is “been there, done that.” A deep sea dive turns up a 2,000 year old computer!

Guests:

Jo Marchant - Freelance science journalist and author of Decoding the Heavens: A 2,000-Year-Old Computer-and the Century-Long Search to Discover Its Secrets
Stephen Wolfram - Mathematican, computer programmer, and founder of Wolfram Research and Wolfram Alpha
Fred Stutzman - PhD student at the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science
Peggy Orenstein - author and contributing editor to the New York Times Magazine, which is where we found her article “Stop Your Search Engines”
Ray Kurzweil - Inventor, futurist and author, most recently, of The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology

Descripción en español

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Seth's Storage Locker Dec 27, 2010

Show notes

It's always an adventure to go digging in Seth’s storage locker – who knows what we’ll find …

In this imposing pile of paraphernalia, tucked between boxes of socket wrenches and old 45s, we stumble upon the hunt for extrasolar planets, the evidence for water on moons of the solar system, theories of language, a controversial hypothesis for the peopling of the Americas, and a new dinosaur fossil.

Guests:

Steve Brusatte - Vertebrate paleontologist from the American Museum of Natural History in New York
Steven Pinker - Psychologist, Harvard University
Geoff Marcy - Astronomer, University of California, Berkeley
Adam Showman - Planetary scientist at the University of Arizona
Mike Collins - Associate Director, Texas Archeological Research Laboratory

Descripción en español

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Skeptic Check: Cell Phone Danger Dec 20, 2010

Show notes

Every ten microseconds, someone places a cell phone call. These portable gadgets are ubiquitous, and increasingly a take-for-granted part of everyday life.

But could cell phones be dangerous? Could holding a microwave transmitter up to your head for hours each day substantially increase the risk of cancer?

We investigate some of the latest thinking on the danger of cell phones, and also explain that everyone – even you – is a radio transmitter.

It’s Skeptic Check on Are We Alone. And we’ve got your number.

Guests:

James Geary - Author and journalist. Read "The Man Who Was Allergic to Radio Waves"
Richard Muller - Professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of The Instant Physicist: An Illustrated Guide
Devra Davis - Scientist, and author of Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family

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Method to Our Mathness Dec 13, 2010

Show notes

The language of science is mathematics. As incredible as it seems, the universe seems to run according to laws we can write down on chalkboards.

But it’s not just lab-coated researchers who wield the tool of math: Madison Avenue knows that if they tell you that a shampoo is 32 percent better, you’re likely to buy it.

Also, how scientists of the early twentieth century were forced to invent entirely new mathematical paradigms to describe the cosmos on big scales and small – the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

Plus, what about everyday arithmetic? Have pocket calculators and digital cash registers dumbed down the populace?

Guests:

Charles Seife - Professor of journalism at New York University, and author of Proofiness: The Dark Arts of Mathematical Deception
James Kakalios - Professor of physics at the University of Minnesota, and author of The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science that Made Our World
Leonard Mlodinow - Physicist, and author with Stephen Hawking of The Grand Design
Aimee Ellington - Professor of mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University

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Early Adapters Dec 06, 2010

Show notes

The times are a’changing – rising temperatures, growing population, and new technology coming at us faster than a greased cheetah.

So how will humans respond? Find out about future farming in the city – your vegetables might be grown in downtown, hi-rise greenhouses. Also, a population expert tells us how our planet can cope with billions more people, and the man who invented the term ‘cyberspace’ describes what the future might hold for the techno-savvy.

Darwinian evolution takes a long time to accommodate to new environments. But Homo sapiens can beat that rap by wielding the right technology – and becoming early adapters.

Guests:

Dickson Despommier - Emeritus professor of public health and microbiology at Columbia University, author of The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century
William Gibson - Author, most recently, of Zero History
Joel Cohen - Mathematician and biologist at Rockefeller University
David DeGusta - Paleoanthropologist at the Paleoanthropology Institute in California

Descripción en español

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Extreme Geology Nov 29, 2010

Show notes

We think of major geologic events as taking place a long time ago – but the Earth is just as active as it ever was. We’re a planet in motion. Discover why earthquakes might be increasing worldwide… descend into daring cave exploration… and take a trip to Hawaii where new volcanoes are gurgling up right now.

Plus – the supervolcano under Yellowstone Park... when might it erupt again?

Guests:

Robert Nadeau - Geologist, University of California, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and part of a team from Rice University researching the San Andreas Fault
Joel Achenbach - Reporter, author of “When Yellowstone Explodes”, August 2009 National Geographic cover story
Jim Kauahikaua - Scientist-in-Charge, United States Geologic Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Pat Kambesis - Geologist, Assistant Director of the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute at Western Kentucky University

Descripción en español

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Humans Need Not Apply Nov 22, 2010

Show notes

You are one-of-a-kind, unique, indispensible… oh, wait, never mind! It seems that computer over there can do what you do … faster and with greater accuracy.

Yes, it’s silicon vs. carbon as intelligent, interactive machines out-perform humans in tasks beyond data-crunching. We’re not only building our successors, we’re developing emotional relationships with them. Find out why humans are hard-wired to be attached to androids.

Also, the handful of areas where humans still rule… as pilots, doctors and journalists. Scratch that! Journalism is automated too – tune in for a news story written solely by a machine.

Guests:

Clifford Nass - Social psychologist at Stanford University and Director of the Communication Between Humans and Interactive Media Lab
Tom Jones - United States astronaut, space consultant, and veteran of four Space Shuttle flights
Chris Ford - Business director at Pixar Animation Studios
Eric Van De Graaff -Cardiologist at Alegent Health
James Bennighof - Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and professor of music theory at Baylor University in Texas
Kathy Abbott - Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Flight Deck Human Factors at the Federal Aviation Administration
Kristian Hammond - Co-founder, Narrative Science

Descripción en español

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Off to the Traces Oct 25, 2010

Show notes

If a tree fell on another planet, would we be able to detect it? Not quite yet – but we might be able to tell if the planet was habitable. A living-planet is the promise of newly-discovered Gliese 581g. But does the planet exist at all?

Discover how we learn a planet’s geology and chemistry from afar. Also, what we learn about a civilization from what it discards, beginning with our own sloppy habits.

Plus, the hunt for derelict alien spaceships… and a man who sketches alien creatures for a living - based on real science.

Guests:

Lisa Kaltenegger - Astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Brad Bebout - Biologist, NASA Ames Research Center
Robin Nagle - Anthropologist, New York University
Robin Hanson - Economist, George Mason University
Joel Hagen - Computer graphics instructor, Modesto Junior College

Descripción en español

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Aloha Astronomy Oct 18, 2010

Show notes

From Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the view of the cosmos is spectacular. Giant black holes, distant galaxies, and extrasolar planets have all been uncovered by the massive telescopes that perch on this volcanic cone.

Join the astronomers who use the Keck Telescopes to peer at objects so far away, their light started out before Earth was born.

Also discover how the new Thirty Meter Telescope will dwarf even the massive glass eyes now in place, and why some of the world’s most important astronomical discoveries are being made in the Aloha State.

Plus, why the building of telescopes on the volcano is controversial to some native Hawaiians.

Guests:

Charles Blue - Science writer, Thirty Meter Telescope Project
Richard Ellis - Astronomer, California Institute of Technology
Koa Rice – Hawaiian culture consultant
Julian Christou - Adaptive optics scientist, Gemini North Telescope
Ashley Yeager - Outreach manager, Keck Telescope
Taft Armandroff - Director of the W. M. Keck Telescope

Descripción en español

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