Physical Attraction

Thomas

Physical Attraction is the show that explores topics in science, technology, and the future - from a physicist's perspective. From the birth of stars to the end of the world, from interviews with experts to meticulously-researched deep dives, we'll explore the topics that shape our world.

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247 episodes
Updated Mar 9, 2022

Episodes247

Newest first

Jul 26, 2021 · 27 min
Thermonuclear Takes: Muon Madness Melting Models... Maybe?
In this news episode, I discuss recent anomalies around the muon - B-particles decaying into muons, and the muon's anomalous magnetic moment - and whether they herald the glorious dawn of a new era of physics, or are just a mistake.
Jul 23, 2021 · 33 min
Thermonuclear Takes: Show updates, cosmology feedback, particle physics
In this news-y episode, I will give you some updates on how the show is progressing, share some listener emails on our cosmology series, and set up next episode's discussion of some recent results in high-energy physics.
Jul 20, 2021 · 30 min
Cosmology VI: Cosmic Eggs and the Edge of the Universe
In this episode, we cover the different kinds of universal horizon, whether the Universe has an edge, and talk about how theoretical physicists pondered how it all might've began.
Jul 13, 2021 · 42 min
Cosmology, Episode V: Einstein's Mistake
At the dawn of theoretical cosmology, Einstein introduced the so-called "Cosmological Constant" into his equations to explain how the Universe could be static and unchanging in time. He would later say that it was his greatest mistake.
Jul 6, 2021 · 33 min
Cosmology IV: Einstein's Cosmos
In this episode, we look at how Einstein's theory of general relativity gave rise to a theoretical framework for examining cosmology - the evolution of space, time, and the Universe in general - as a whole.
Jun 29, 2021 · 28 min
Cosmology III: Hubble's Law
In 1929, Edwin Hubble published his findings. The redshifts from distant galaxies were proportional to their distance away from us. Theoretical cosmologists would pounce on them as evidence that the Universe must be expanding.
Jun 21, 2021 · 24 min
Cosmology II: Starting From Nothing
Everything we have been able to infer about the Universe began in total ignorance. Many early theories about how the Universe was structured were wildly incorrect - but astronomers were building up the toolkits that would later allow us to understand.
Jun 15, 2021 · 23 min
Cosmology, Episode I: In The Beginning
When you're trying to narrate the history of the entire Universe, where do you begin? I decided to start in a radio studio in London in March 1949, when the term "Big Bang" was first coined, in the first on our series on cosmology.
Jun 7, 2021 · 43 min
Climate 201: Discourses of Climate Delay II
Arguments surrounding climate change have become subtler. Outright denial is gradually shifting to rhetoric that supports delaying urgent action. In this review of a paper by Steinberger, Lamb et al, I run down the new "discourses of climate delay".
May 31, 2021 · 46 min
Climate 201: Discourses of Delay, p1
As the climate change debate has advanced, the arguments surrounding it have become more subtle. Outright denial of the climate problem is rare - so rhetoric has shifted to delaying urgent action. In this review of a paper by Steinberger, Lamb et al, I run down the new "discourses of climate delay"
May 11, 2021 · 16 min
Why Should We Listen to Scientists?
Why should we listen to scientists? Well, because they're right a lot of the time. But also because - ideally - the institutions of science embody values that everyone can agree are good in a system for working out what's true.
May 4, 2021 · 38 min
Machine Learning and AI vs. Climate Change
How can machine learning and artificial intelligence help us in the fight against climate change? I explore literally dozens of ideas for possible applications of ML algorithms in this episode.
Apr 27, 2021 · 1 hr 31 min
Attack of the 50ft Blockchain, with David Gerard
I interviewed David Gerard, author of the cryptocurrency blog and book of the same name "Attack of the 50ft Blockchain", as well as a new book "Libra Shrugged" about Facebook's attempt to develop cryptocurrencies. We talked about Bitcoin, its flaws, its origins, and its future.
Apr 20, 2021 · 1 hr 28 min
Thermonuclear Takes: The Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Rant
I have generally held back on talking about bitcoin - because I'm super opinionated and it's one topic that generates a lot of heated discussions - but I finally let it all go in this one, lengthy rant episode. Think of it as therapy... and if you disagree, get in touch.
Apr 13, 2021 · 38 min
Climate 201: Energy Efficiency IV: Jevons' Paradox, and Conclusion.
In The Coal Question, Jevons - alongside realising that we needed a transition to renewable energy 150 years ago - posed the efficiency paradox. Using energy more efficiently motivates you to use more energy. Can energy efficiency "rebound" and backfire like this in real systems? That's the question we explore in this episode.
Apr 6, 2021 · 30 min
Climate 201: Energy Efficiency, Part 3: Industry
In this episode of our series on energy efficiency, we are going to talk about industrial applications - how we can improve the way that high-energy industries and difficult-to-decarbonise sectors use energy.
Apr 4, 2021 · 44 min
Thermonuclear Takes: Climate News; Global Rebound, "Net" Zero, Green Homes, Cumbrian Coal
It's a smorgasboard of climate news as global emissions rebound, slippery definitions of Net Zero abound, the Green Homes Grant collapses, and there's controversy over a Cumbrian coal mine.
Mar 30, 2021 · 40 min
Climate 201: Energy Efficiency II: Buildings
In the second part of our series on energy efficiency and its role in combatting climate change, we talk about how buildings can be made more energy efficient... and some of the factors that prevent this from happening. Thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. To find out how you can find new sponsors for your podcast, head to podcorn.com/podcasters.
Mar 26, 2021 · 30 min
Thermonuclear Takes: Gamestop Post-Mortem, Way Too Late
Sigh. Yeah I did a thing about the Gamestop, meme stocks, financial asset bubbles, and so on, if only so that these opinions don't have to rattle around in my head taking up space.
Mar 23, 2021 · 37 min
Climate 201: Energy Efficiency I: Transport
In this episode, we discuss the vital role of energy efficiency in reducing carbon emissions, and the potential to reduce energy consumption in transportation. Thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. To find out how you can find new sponsors for your podcast, head to podcorn.com/podcasters.