A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain? This is a rebroadcast of a past favorite. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Aug 24
100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics
Modern physics tells us a lot about light; that it's both a wave and a particle, and that it sets the speed limit of the universe, for example. But how did we come to understand light in this way?In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us through theories of light through the ages, ... Show More
36m 41s
Aug 3
99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update
It's been a while! To make up for lost time, today's episode is a rundown of all the physics news you should know. Hear what is keeping physicists at the edge of their seat, and what physics news you should keep your eyes out for in the coming years.Also, this episode comes with ... Show More
36m 7s
Oct 2025
the world isn't real (and why that might actually be a good thing)
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
34m 28s
Apr 2023
Your questions, unexplained
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
27m 28s