logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
1h 8m

Can we really break physics?

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

"Why does stuff happen? Can we predict it -- and if so, what do these predictions tell us?" Loosely described, the concept of "physics" is the First Science of human civilization. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore recent discoveries that may well upend humanity's understanding of reality (also, spoiler: check out our upcoming episode on dreams).

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
CLASSIC: What the Heck is an NFT?
In tonight's Classic episode: a new player has entered the strange, often confusing world of Bitcoin -- the non-fungible token, or NFT. This digital token, which can be virtually anything, is technically unique. It's a one-of-a-kind thing existing in an entirely intangible state. ... Show More
1h 7m
Sep 14
Strange News: The DHS Traces Your Finances, No Water For You! Plus: You Can See Everything, Drone Shenanigans, and More
Recent revelations confirm that the Department of Homeland Security and other parts of law enforcement are secretly accessing your financial records -- and taking you in, even if you haven't committed a crime. Plus, US courts rule people have no right to clean water. A sinister C ... Show More
59m 48s
Sep 11
Exploding Mics: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk, Chapter One
A year and a day ago, American political activist Charlie Kirk was murdered during a public debate at Utah Valley University. While his name was unfamiliar to many, he was a rising superstar in the world of U.S. conservatives. In the first chapter of this special two-part series, ... Show More
50m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
What is energy anyway?
Physics, while absolutely fascinating, can be impenetrable. And it isn't just cutting-edge ideas that can melt our brains, often we accept basic principles and ideas without really knowing how they work or even what they are. This week, Jonathan is joined by Sean Carroll, physi ... Show More
48m 31s
May 2024
Cosmic Queries – Physics All Around Us
<p>What would aliens think of our inventions? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer fan questions on Maxwell’s Equations, the symmetry of the universe, and the physics around us all the time. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial ... Show More
49m 17s
Aug 2021
Ep. 277: Hegel on Our Understanding of Physics (Part One)
On The Phenomenology of Spirit, ch. 3, "Force and the Understanding." What is "force" as physics describes it? And scientific law? Do these terms denote objects in the world, or models for how we describe the world? Part two of this episode is only going to be available to you if ... Show More
53m 53s
Nov 2025
95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)
<p>If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today&apos;s episode. For more, check out his new book, <em>Do Aliens Speak Physics?</em></p><p>For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a ... Show More
43m 10s
May 2025
“Don’t Talk About Physics Fight Club” Eric Weinstein vs Sean Carroll Science Showdown
For centuries, scientists have grappled with the most fundamental question of them all - what is reality? Is it a matter of common sense? Or can God or some higher being only know? And what was there before the Big Bang created the world we live in? Einstein revolutionised our wa ... Show More
1h 1m
Feb 2021
#238 — How to Build a Universe
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks with Frank Wilczek about the fundamental nature of reality. They discuss the difference between science and non-science, the role of intuition in science, the nature of time, the prospect that possibility is an illusion, the cu ... Show More
59m 13s
Nov 2018
Physics Experiments
Surprisingly the field of particle physics poses a handful of existential threats, not just for us humans, but for everything alive on Earth – and in some cases, the entire universe. Poking around on the frontier of scientific understanding has its risks. (Original score by Point ... Show More
1h 13m
Jan 2020
What is infinity?
<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
33m 45s