47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be ...

An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, and how physicists like him are testing it.For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a mont ... Show More

Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger equation: how it works, what it says about nature, and why it revolutionized physics.For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anythi ... Show More

<p>In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider turning on, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about what they were about to discover. These moments were captured in the documentary Particle Fever, created by the particle physicist David Kapla ... Show More

Could our reality be an illusion? Startling evidence suggests the world as we know it may not be what it seems.Clues hidden in plain sight point to the mind-bending possibility that we're living in a simulation. Quantum experiments reveal the universe might exist in infinite para ... Show More

For thousands of years, philosophers, mystics, and scientists have whispered the same unsettling possibility: what if reality itself is a mirage? From Plato’s cave to The Matrix, from Hindu sages describing maya to neuroscientists calling perception a “controlled hallucination,” ... Show More

Can people actually read minds? Can we move objects with our brains like in the movies? We're exploring the history of shady psychics, sketchy seances, and secret superpower studies. Plus, hear from a scientist who is helping people regain the ability to pick up and move objects ... Show More

Will scientists ever fully understand the human brain? In their quest for knowledge, they’ve tried knives, magnets, computers, blood, and even a good metaphor. For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics ... Show More

Two SciAm editors duke it out to see if wormholes and multiverses could in fact exist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

What if everything around you, the people, the places, even your own thoughts, was coded into existence?The simulation theory isn't just science fiction anymore. Some of the greatest minds in physics, philosophy, and technology believe there is a real probability that our entire ... Show More

This week, we tackle three listener questions — on sleepwalking, deja vu, and Earth’s magnetic field. Next time, we could be (not) answering yours. Email us at unexplainable@vox.com, or fill out this form. For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view sh ... Show More

<p>Is there something bigger than infinity? Does quantum mechanics affect how I think? And why can I suddenly do algebra? As ever, we’re not afraid to tackle the big questions on CrowdScience. After a previous episode about the relationship between mathematics and reality, we rec ... Show More