Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Latest Episodes:

What Elon Musk Isn't Telling You About Colonizing Mars w/ Zach Weinersmith [Ep. 434] Jun 30, 2024

Show notes

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Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?

The allure of a fresh start on a new planet has captivated humans for a very long time, and now, public figures like Elon Musk are trying to make it a reality. But should we? Is it even possible? And how would life on Mars even look like?

These are the questions Zach and Kelly Weinersmith tackled with a deep expertise and winning sense of humor in their new book, A City on Mars, which has become an instant bestseller.

Zach is a cartoonist and writer best known for his webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC). Outside of SMBC, he has worked on a sketch comedy series, a podcast, and multiple other webcomics. Kelly, on the other hand, is a biologist, writer, and podcaster. She is a faculty member in the Department of BioSciences at Rice University and an alumni collaborator with the Parasite Ecology Group at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Today, Zach is joining me on Into the Impossible to discuss whether and how to become multi-planetary.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:22 Elon Musk’s obsession with Mars
00:04:38 Why Mars?
00:12:11 Why not just build bunkers underground?
00:18:03 Judging a book by its cover
00:19:37 Space psychology
00:29:16 The hard physics of colonizing space
00:36:22 The economics of space exploration
00:43:34 Audience questions
00:56:35 Elon Musk’s bizarre notions about space
01:01:17 Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Zach Weinersmith:

💻 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zachweinersmith

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZachWeiner/

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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David Albert: Einstein Was Right About Quantum Mechanics! [Ep. 433] Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

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Could physics serve as our best guide to metaphysics? What fundamental metaphysics is best motivated by quantum mechanics? And what’s the deal with the age-old feud between philosophers and physicists?

Here to shed light on all these questions and more is none other than David Z. Albert, professor of philosophy and director of the MA program in The Philosophical Foundations of Physics at Columbia University in New York. David is a prominent American philosopher and physicist widely recognized for his contributions to the philosophy of quantum mechanics and the foundations of physics. He has published four popular books and numerous articles on quantum mechanics.

In our stimulating conversation, we talked about his controversial PhD proposal, the truth about quantum mechanics, Einstein's affection for Ernst Mach, and who would win in a fight: a physicist or a philosopher?

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:59 Judging a book by its cover
00:10:25 Department's opposition to David's PhD
00:19:09 Physics and philosophy
00:28:41 The experimental minimum
00:36:11 The past hypothesis
00:47:15 Other forms of logic in other universes
00:53:47 Popper’s falsification criteria
01:03:59 Physics and narrative
01:06:11 Audience questions
01:22:26 Existential questions
01:26:43 Outro

—

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➡️ Learn more about David Z. Albert:

💻 Closer to Truth: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/david-albert/

📚 The Wave Function by David Z. Albert: https://a.co/d/hNiphE8

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Are Aliens Artificial Intelligence? w/ Chris Sweat Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

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Are aliens artificial intelligence? What’s the deal with string theory? And how are campus politics affecting our classrooms?

I had the pleasure of discussing all of this and more with Christopher Sweat, a highly opinionated thinker and analyst. Christopher started his career as a tinkerer, fascinated by computers, flights, and racing simulators.

His practical and theoretical understanding of AI, computer science, and cybersecurity led him to become a tech consultant for large enterprises. He’s also the host of A Rant, a podcast for impromptu intellectual dialogue.

This is our second interview, this time led by Chris and with me in the hot seat. Accordingly, we talked about things close to my heart – string theory, God, spacetime, aliens, Israel, and more.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Intro
00:30 What’s it like to be a guest on Joe Rogan Experience
02:55 What is cosmology?
06:18 God and physics
11:27 Biggest crises in modern cosmology
14:51 What is space-time?
18:27 Do aliens exist, and are they AI?
24:52 Eric Weinstein’s critique of string theory
35:56 Campus politics
40:52 Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Chris Sweat:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweatem

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Rajendra Gupta On Tired Light and the REAL Age of the Universe [Ep. 431] Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

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Is the universe twice as old as we thought?

Current estimates suggest that the Big Bang occurred 13.8 billion years ago. But today, we’re joined by Rajendra Gupta, a luminary in the field of cosmology who claims that the universe is actually 26.7 billion years old. I've invited him on the show so he can make a case for his claims!

Professor Gupta is a theoretical physicist currently teaching astrophysics to senior undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on astrophysics, cosmology, general relativity, the dynamics of the universe under evolutionary physical constants beyond the standard model, CMB, JWST, BAO, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the large-scale structure and formation of galaxies, dark matter, and dark energy.

To say I am thrilled to have him on the show for the second time would be an understatement.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Intro
01:50 Judging Rajendra’s paper
05:34 Changing cosmic constants
10:45 Tired light hypothesis
13:58 Falsifying the notion that the universe is 26 billion years old
18:57 Falsifying tired light
21:41 The Big Bang and galaxy formation
28:31 Hybrid model of dark energy
33:27 The expanding universe
36:41 Audience questions
44:20 Outro

—

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➡️ Learn more about Rajendra Gupta:

💻 University website: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-science/professors/rajendra-gupta

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Astrophysicist Exposes UFO Whistleblower David Grusch Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

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How likely is it that aliens exist? How credible are the testimonies of David Grusch, Ryan Graves, and other UFO whistleblowers? Does antigravity defy the laws of physics? And do US universities have a problem with free speech?

I had the pleasure of exploring these issues on The Danny Jones Podcast. A podcast that exists to bring fringe cultures to a broad audience through thoughtful storytelling and beautiful cinematography.

In our thought-provoking conversation, Danny and I challenged the boundaries of free thinking. And let me tell you, whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this episode is worth a listen.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 - Harvard, Hamas, and Israel
00:14:49 - Keating vs. Jack Sarfatti on string theory
00:17:44 - Physics can't prove anything
00:20:06 - David Grusch
00:26:36 - Existence of alien life
00:34:16 - Radar spoofing technology
00:43:27 - Likelihood ratio test
00:50:56 - UFO "Zoo hypothesis"
00:54:56 - Ryan Graves's account of "Cube inside a Sphere" UFO
01:01:30 - Radar reflectors or UFOs?
01:08:33 - Antigravity research went dark
01:12:03 - Does antigravity defy the laws of physics?
01:20:06 - Tic Tac UFO physics
01:28:18 - Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Danny Jones:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonesDanny/

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Koncrete?sub_confirmation=1

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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This New Method of Teaching Physics Changes EVERYTHING! w/ Eric Mazur [Ep. 428] Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

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Imagine walking into a classroom where the students are the ones driving the discussion. Where curiosity and collaboration have replaced rote memorization. A place where traditional education has been turned on its head, and the power of learning is placed directly in the hands of those who seek it.

It's almost hard to imagine such a classroom after having studied in our current education system, right? But today’s guest on Into the Impossible has turned this unlikely fantasy into a reality by developing an active learning system that engages students rather than just lecturing them.

Meet Eric Mazur, physicist, educator, and mastermind behind peer instruction. Eric is a professor of physics and applied physics at Harvard University, and today, he’s here to discuss the past, present, and future of our education system.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Intro
01:02 What is peer instruction?
10:54 Are professors necessary in the classroom?
17:37 Are lectures an effective way to teach?
23:39 Using technology in the classroom
28:11 Hiring good teachers and professors
31:41 The problem with grading
36:56 Tenure system in academia
41:36 Which subjects would Eric make compulsory
44:41 Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Eric Mazur:

💻 Website: http://ericmazur.com/

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eric_mazur/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Adam Frank: Are We About to Discover Alien Life? [Ep. 425] Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

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Are we alone in the universe?

This question has intrigued thinkers for centuries. Now, we finally have the tools and theoretical frameworks to explore the possibility of alien life scientifically. But how far have we come in our search? And are we close to finally finding our otherworldly neighbors?

Here today to help us answer these questions is none other than Professor Adam Frank. Adam is an astrophysicist and astrobiologist at the University of Rochester. His ground-breaking work has transformed our understanding of the universe and life itself.

In this episode of Into the Impossible, we explore the scientific frontier of detecting aliens, the incredible potential of new technologies like the JWST, and how to evaluate extraordinary claims about UFOs and other phenomena.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:18 Does Adam agree with Carl Sagan?
00:04:44 Judging a book by its cover
00:08:51 What are the odds?
00:15:09 Does space equal life?
00:27:02 Addressing the replication crisis in astrobiology
00:31:49 Theoretical frameworks for understanding extraterrestrial life
00:34:38 Technology for discovering extraterrestrial life
00:39:38 There is no Fermi paradox!
00:44:59 Rare Earth hypothesis
00:48:55 Video “evidence” of UFOs
00:54:34 Audience questions
01:08:21 Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Adam Frank:

💻 Website: https://www.adamfrankscience.com/

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamFrank4/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Is There a CRISIS in Cosmology? with Abhijit Chavda [Ep. 424] Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

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Is there a crisis in cosmology?!

Well, not exactly. You see, there’s not just one crisis in cosmology. There are many crises! But don’t worry, that’s a good thing. Crises are what scientists live for!

And what a time it is to be a cosmologist. We are at the forefront of uncovering the universe’s greatest mysteries, and we get to play with cutting-edge technology!

Recently, I got to share this passion of mine with Abhijit Chavda’s audience on his incredible show. We discussed the new and exciting breakthroughs that have been making headlines recently. But we also dove fearlessly into some of the most fundamental questions in cosmology that have been agitating the minds of thinkers for centuries.

It was delightful to discuss the current state and future of cosmology. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Tune in.

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:53 Recent breakthroughs in cosmology and galaxy clustering
00:06:22 Mission and impact of the Simons Observatory
00:12:05 Recent crises in cosmology
00:26:55 Insights from James Webb Space Telescope
00:34:41 Event Horizon Telescope and Sagittarius A* findings
00:38:21 Theoretical and observational challenges in cosmology
00:44:04 Is the multiverse theory dangerous for science and society?
00:47:03 Antisemitism on campuses and academic freedom
01:00:42 Israel's unlikely supporter, India
01:07:12 Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Abhijit Chavda:

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/abhijitchavda

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbhijitChavda/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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What’s the Relationship Between Matter and Space-Time? w/ Tevin Naidu Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

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What’s the relationship between matter and space-time? What’s the fundamental nature of reality? And how should we, as science communicators, push back against anti-scientific BS?

These are just some of the topics I had the pleasure of discussing with Tevin Naidu. Tevin is a medical doctor, philosopher, and ethicist whose academic work spans theories of consciousness, computational psychiatry, phenomenological psychopathology, values-based practice, moral luck, addiction, and the philosophy and ethics of science, mind, and mental health.

Tune in and join us for this thought-provoking conversation!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:36 - What are space, time, and matter?
00:07:11 - How I approach theoretical physics
00:12:43 - How my podcast changed my perspective
00:18:58 - How to "push back" against BS with respectful, open discourse
00:28:50 - Origin of the word podcast and inspiration for Into The Impossible
00:33:55 - Historic moments captured by humans
00:41:21 - Fundamental nature of reality
00:45:02 - Debunking Terrence Howard's JRE comments
00:57:25 - Religion & atheism
01:04:07 - My thoughts on the success of Into The Impossible
01:08:38 - Thoughts on trusting NASA, evidence for alien life, and extraterrestrial tech
01:14:54 - Outro

—

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➡️ Connect with Tevin Naidu:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Brian Keating Discusses Black Holes, Time Travel, and the Origin of the Universe w/ Jordan Peterson Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

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Enjoy this thorough conversation between me and the one and only Jordan Peterson, in which we discuss many long-standing cosmological theories, from the Big Bang to the expansion of the universe, and why we might be completely wrong… about everything!

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a renowned Canadian psychologist, best-selling author, public speaker, media commentator, and podcast host. He has lectured at prestigious universities, published numerous scientific papers, and developed online programs to help individuals explore their personalities and improve their lives.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:15 My primary focus of concern
00:05:06 How far back can we look?
00:07:36 Visible light vs. microwave radiation
00:15:31 Olbers paradox
00:21:32 The accelerating universe
00:32:59 What we know and don't know about the early universe
00:48:24 A consequence of dust
00:55:57 The initial state of the universe prior to the elemental state
01:01:52 Eintein’s happiest thought
01:09:21 Everything hinges on curvature
01:12:11 Inflation and the multiverse
01:21:39 Lean into that which would devastate you
01:26:47 Scientists and religion
01:34:02 What happened on the dust front?
01:42:54 The status of the quantum fluctuation field agglomeration theory
01:45:20 A little story from Exodus and outro

—

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➡️ Check out Jordan Peterson:

💻 Website: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/

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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices