Why This Universe? - Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Latest Episodes:

49 - When the Universe Changed in an Instant Jun 27, 2022

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Just like water changing to ice when it freezes, there were times in the universe's early history when reality changed in almost an instant. Today we dive into these cosmological phase transitions, and speculate about the strange objects these types of instant changes can create.
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48 - A Wrong Picture Of Cosmology May 23, 2022

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When cosmology was still an infant science, a daring physicist wrote a theory of the beginning of time. We revisit this theory and see what value we can still glean from it today.

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13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? (Rebroadcast) May 09, 2022

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Today we explore different interpretations of quantum mechanics, from Copenhagen to the many-worlds hypothesis, in an attempt to uncover what quantum reality really is. This episode is a rebroadcast of one of our early favorites.
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47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? Apr 25, 2022

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A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain?
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46 - The Cosmic Rays Raining Down On Us Apr 04, 2022

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Here on Earth, we are constantly being showered by particles from outer space called cosmic rays. What do we know about where these particles really come from?
For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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25 - Do Extra Dimensions Exist? (Rebroadcast) Mar 14, 2022

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Today we are rebroadcasting an earlier episode all about extra dimensions - How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view?
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45 - The Wide World of Exoplanets (ft. Diana Powell) Feb 28, 2022

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Special guest Dr. Diana Powell gives us the lay down on the field of exoplanet research, and on how these recent discoveries may shed light on the question of extraterrestrial life.
For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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44 - Our Deepest Theory: Quantum Field Theory Feb 14, 2022

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Today we attempt to break down the basics of quantum field theory - our deepest theory of physics yet.
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43 - Is Physics the Most Fundamental Subject? Jan 31, 2022

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Some people like to claim that psychology is just applied biology, which is just applied chemistry, which is just applied physics, and so on. Is there any truth to this? Or is it just our egos getting the better of us?
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42 - The Signal That Could Be the Dark Matter Jan 17, 2022

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Dan shares one of the biggest stories of his career - his discovery of an excess of gamma rays at the center of the Milky Way. Is this a sign of dark matter, or is it something less mysterious?

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Why This Universe? – Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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