Physical Attraction

Latest Episodes:

Hiatus until 1st June May 14, 2021

Show notes

Folks, It's been over a year since we had a break from producing content and it just so happens that things are getting rather hectic in non-podcasting life. For that reason, we will be taking a short hiatus and returning with new episodes on June 1st. This will give me a bit of time to build up a reserve of new episodes - and you all a break. I may or may not release "repeat" episodes during the relevant Tuesdays for the next two weeks depending on how people feel about that. If you can't wait that long - subscribe to the Patreon, where there are loads of episodes! Thank you.

Why Should We Listen to Scientists? May 11, 2021

Show notes

Why should we listen to scientists? Well, because they're right a lot of the time. But also because - ideally - the institutions of science embody values that everyone can agree are good in a system for working out what's true.

Machine Learning and AI vs. Climate Change May 04, 2021

Show notes

How can machine learning and artificial intelligence help us in the fight against climate change? I explore literally dozens of ideas for possible applications of ML algorithms in this episode.

Attack of the 50ft Blockchain, with David Gerard Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

I interviewed David Gerard, author of the cryptocurrency blog and book of the same name "Attack of the 50ft Blockchain", as well as a new book "Libra Shrugged" about Facebook's attempt to develop cryptocurrencies. We talked about Bitcoin, its flaws, its origins, and its future.

Thermonuclear Takes: The Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Rant Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

I have generally held back on talking about bitcoin - because I'm super opinionated and it's one topic that generates a lot of heated discussions - but I finally let it all go in this one, lengthy rant episode. Think of it as therapy... and if you disagree, get in touch.

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency IV: Jevons' Paradox, and Conclusion. Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

In The Coal Question, Jevons - alongside realising that we needed a transition to renewable energy 150 years ago - posed the efficiency paradox. Using energy more efficiently motivates you to use more energy. Can energy efficiency "rebound" and backfire like this in real systems? That's the question we explore in this episode.

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency, Part 3: Industry Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of our series on energy efficiency, we are going to talk about industrial applications - how we can improve the way that high-energy industries and difficult-to-decarbonise sectors use energy.

Thermonuclear Takes: Climate News; Global Rebound, "Net" Zero, Green Homes, Cumbrian Coal Apr 04, 2021

Show notes

It's a smorgasboard of climate news as global emissions rebound, slippery definitions of Net Zero abound, the Green Homes Grant collapses, and there's controversy over a Cumbrian coal mine.

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency II: Buildings Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

In the second part of our series on energy efficiency and its role in combatting climate change, we talk about how buildings can be made more energy efficient... and some of the factors that prevent this from happening. Thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. To find out how you can find new sponsors for your podcast, head to podcorn.com/podcasters.

Thermonuclear Takes: Gamestop Post-Mortem, Way Too Late Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Sigh. Yeah I did a thing about the Gamestop, meme stocks, financial asset bubbles, and so on, if only so that these opinions don't have to rattle around in my head taking up space.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected