logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
53m 2s

The musical structure of the universe

Vox
About this episode
If matter is a result of vibration, what causes the vibration? Our friends at The Gray Area ask, “Is the universe behaving like an instrument?” Guest: Stephon Alexander, theoretical physicist at Brown University For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtranscripts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unexplainable⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And please email us! ⁠⁠un ... Show More
Up next
Jul 29
The Godzilla El Niño
This global weather phenomenon could help make 2027 the hottest year on record. Our friends at The Gray Area explore what the upcoming El Niño season could reveal about the future of our climate. Guests: Sean Illing, host of The Gray Area; David Wallace-Wells, New York Times clim ... Show More
44m 14s
Jul 27
An argument for the sun
It can be hard to know how to interact with the sun. Some people have swung to opposite ends of the spectrum — either over-tanning or avoiding the sun entirely. But what would a middle ground look like? Guest: Rowan Jacobsen, author of In Defense of Sunlight For show transcripts, ... Show More
30m 59s
Jul 22
What the Odyssey is hiding
The Late Bronze Age, when the Trojan War supposedly took place, was way more modern than Homer made it seem. But around 1177 BCE, a vast network of interconnected societies suddenly collapsed. What caused arguably the greatest societal collapse in the history of the world? Hint: ... Show More
25m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Is there an explanation for the Universe, or is it random?
Daniel and Katie explore the anthropic principle and whether it can provide some understanding of why the Universe is the way it is. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
58m 12s
Jun 2023
Cosmic Queries – The Fabric of Spacetime
<p>Is it time to rethink string theory? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore a mix of questions about the fundamental properties of the universe, particles, the speed of light and more!</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free ... Show More
48m 32s
Jun 2025
Cosmic Queries – Dimensional Leaking
<p>Is the whole universe actually a jinn particle? Neil deGrasse Tyson and cohosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly hang out with astrophysicist Charles Liu to answer questions about the nature of gravity, dark matter, and why we don’t actually know how the solar corona gets hot. </p ... Show More
44m 44s
Apr 2025
Cosmic Queries – Dark Matter, Aliens, End of the Universe
<p>Could it be that another universe’s gravity is bleeding into our universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and  Chuck Nice answer grab bag questions ranging from dark matter to the end of the universe. </p><p><i>(Originally Aired February 8, 2021)</i></p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can lis ... Show More
46m 30s
Apr 2023
Cosmic Queries – Understanding Infinity with Stephon Alexander
<p>What is infinity? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Negin Farsad explore whether we are in a finite universe, the issues with infinity, string theory, and more with theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander. </p><p><a href="https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-understand ... Show More
45m 33s
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
Sep 2024
88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll)
Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse.Our merch is available here: https:// ... Show More
28m 1s
Oct 2024
What is space?
Daniel and Kelly wrestle with the the fabric of the Universe itself. What is it, what can it do and why do we have it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
54m 13s
Nov 2023
72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
<p>Where does the musical octave come from? What makes a C note a C? Why do different instruments sound different? Special guest Tim Cohen comes on to answer these questions and more.<br/>For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: h ... Show More
43m 31s
Jul 2020
Listener Questions 11: Deep questions about gravity and particles.
tail spinning
42m 44s