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

May 9, 2020 · 58 min
Coronavirus Updates (May, part I): Interview with a vaccine trial participant, risk factors, "herd immunity" thresholds and serology.
For the masochists who apparently can't get enough content about the coronavirus: => An interview with my friend who participated in the vaccine trials => Some discussion of the risk factors that are associated with deaths from COVID-19 => Updated discussion of "herd immunity" thresholds and the link between R0 and immunity fractions => Reports on serological testing that has taken place so far.
Apr 30, 2020 · 32 min
Technology, Inequality, and Catastrophic Risks: Solutions?
N/B: This series of episodes was written before the coronavirus pandemic. I've decided the best thing to do is to present them as was and maybe have another episode reflecting on what the pandemic means for their conclusions later on. ====================================== We've outlined a nexus between catastrophic risks, inequality, and accelerating developments in technology in the future. Is there a way out of the mire? Part IV in a series on Technology, Inequality, and global catastrophic risks.
Apr 26, 2020 · 8 min
BONUS: Walter Schiedel's Coronavirus Op-Ed
Given that we are in the midst of a series on technology, inequality, and global catastrophic risks inspired by Walter Scheidel's book on these subjects, and he's just written an op-ed on the topic, I thought I'd release the op-ed as a bonus.
Apr 23, 2020 · 43 min
Coronavirus Updates - The Vaccine
In this, the last of our short series of coronavirus updates, I will be telling you everything I've found out about the hunt for a coronavirus vaccine - when we can expect it to be ready, the testing that needs to be undergone, and some of the techniques that might be used. With thanks to Derek Lowe of Science Magazine whose blog post on this I used as a main source for many of the details.
Apr 17, 2020 · 33 min
Coronavirus Updates: Exit Strategy (For A Pandemic)
In the latest coronavirus episode, we discuss research that has been done into the viable exit strategies from lockdown, including the idea of a contact-tracing app, and discuss some early estimates as to how effective this might be and what would be required to make it a success.
Apr 16, 2020 · 23 min
Coronavirus Updates: Modelling, Uncertainties, and Antivirals
Some further updates in the latest therapy session/ramble: - Discussion of the various models that have been used to try to predict the impact of the coronavirus pandemic - Discussion of scientific uncertainty (and the importance of doing science anyway) - Concerns surrounding the politicisation of science... - And some discussion of drug trials for antiviral treatments for coronavirus.
Apr 15, 2020 · 33 min
Coronavirus Updates: Estimating R0, Serology, and Bayes' Theorem
The first of a few quick episodes where I continue going into coronavirus therapy by ranting on to you about all of the things I've learned about the current epidemic... with references to scientific papers so you can read them and find out how wrong I was. We discuss: Estimates for the rate of disease progression in different countries Results from the early serology (antibody) tests of the virus (sadly still thin on the ground) Why Bayes' theorem means that the accuracy of antibody tests is so important
Apr 11, 2020 · 23 min
Technology, Inequality, and Catastrophic Risks III: How technology can fuel inequality
N/B: This series of episodes was written before the coronavirus pandemic. I've decided the best thing to do is to present them as was and maybe have another episode reflecting on what the pandemic means for their conclusions later on. ====================================== Increasing dependence on algorithms and other, more speculative developments in technology can serve to accelerate and exacerbate inequalities within society, potentially lining them up to be far more susceptible to catastrophic risks.
Apr 5, 2020 · 34 min
Technology, Inequality, and Global Catastrophic Risks II: Does Technology Help or Harm?
N/B: This series of episodes was written before the coronavirus pandemic. I've decided the best thing to do is to present them as was and maybe have another episode reflecting on what the pandemic means for their conclusions later on. ====================================== Inequality tends to increase unless there's a catastrophe. Does technology help us - either in addressing catastrophes, or in reducing inequalities?
Mar 31, 2020 · 39 min
Technology, Inequality, and Global Catastrophic Risks I: The Great Leveller
N/B: This series of episodes was written before the coronavirus pandemic. I've decided the best thing to do is to present them as was and maybe have another episode reflecting on what the pandemic means for their conclusions later on. ====================================================== Walter Schiedel's book The Great Leveller posits that in societies, economic inequality tends to inexorably increase over time until some catastrophe comes along that levels the entire population. Is this our fate?
Mar 25, 2020 · 55 min
Coronavirus: The Next 18 Months
In this new episode, we do a deep dive into the Imperial College London paper that models the coronavirus epidemic in the UK and the effectiveness of mitigation and suppression measures, and we speculate wildly and prematurely on what the next 18 months might look like as we do battle with coronavirus globally. Also an update on the expected future of the show at the end.
Mar 25, 2020 · 36 min
Coronavirus: Serology, Misinformation, Uncertainty
A quick update on some news surrounding the coronavirus, including why some of the headlines you may have read recently are unlikely to be true, some public service announcements about what you can do to help, and a general urge to read scientific literature and pre-prints with a skeptical eye - especially when they've been digested by headline writers.
Mar 17, 2020 · 1 hr 20 min
The Coronavirus Pandemic
For weeks I've been debating in my mind whether or not to do an episode on the coronavirus pandemic, since it's essentially been all I have been able to think about for the last few weeks as my friends and relatives, long-suffering as they are, will attest. For someone who spent so long thinking about existential risks and catastrophes, both in my day job as a doomy climate scientist and in researching the TEOTWAWKI specials for this show where it all kicked off a few years ago, it's absolutely no fun at all to see them unfold in reality. This podcast summarises what I understand of what's going on at the moment. I am not an expert and make no claim to expertise, but I try to source my information in the facts. It's not an easy listen, as you might expect given the subject matter. This was mostly something I made as therapy for myself. I'm hoping to resume normal service as soon as I can, preferably with things that are a little more distracting for you to listen to, but I had to get this one off my chest. I hope that you get some value out of it, but if you don't think you will, put yourself first and don't listen. I care deeply for you all for somehow finding this life-raft in a sea of content that meant a lot to me for several years and I'm hoping to return to more regular content production very soon. Thank you and take care of each other.
Dec 18, 2019 · 1 min
Hiatus until the New Year
Apologies everyone... a quick note to explain why (due to illness and general exhaustion) I am putting the show on hiatus until the New Year. Watch this show for updates on future releases - we will return. Thanks for understanding + enjoy the holidays if you've got them!
Nov 14, 2019 · 1 hr 42 min
Interviewed by Richard Foster-Fletcher (Boundless AI)
Hi all - something a little different this week. I was recently interviewed by Richard Foster-Fletcher, of the Boundless AI podcast, on topics as varied as artificial intelligence, nuclear fusion, and self-driving cars. As a bonus for those that just can't get enough, this is the full, unedited interview, where you can hear just how good I am at responding to questions spontaneously...
Nov 7, 2019 · 25 min
Who Wants to Live Forever?
On this episode of Physical Attraction, we take a massively tangential dive into wild philosophical speculation. If I offered you the choice of immortality - but with no possibility of reversing the decision once you made it - would you? Answers on a postcard to www.physicspodcast.com
Nov 2, 2019 · 15 min
Bonus: Google Investigates Cold Fusion?
A recent review paper in Nature showed some Google-backed academic research, conducted across several institutions, which investigated the claims made by the Cold Fusion community. Agonisingly, it came out a day or two after I'd taped the Cold Fusion episode for our fusion series. But I decided to talk about it anyway. In this bonus episode, we'll discuss what they found (spoilers: not cold fusion) and describe the experiments in more detail.
Oct 24, 2019 · 35 min
Drexler and Xiaoice: Tales from AI
In this episode, we discuss Eric Drexler's model of "Comprehensive AI Services" as an alternative route towards artificial general intelligence, and Xiaoice, Microsoft's incredibly popular chatbot software. www.physicspodcast.com @physicspod
Oct 12, 2019 · 26 min
Fusion Conclusion: Building Cathedrals
27 episodes, spanning a hundred years of history and many months of this show, some wonderful plasma physics, some truly amazing machines, and a dream that's captivated thousands across the world for decades. The fusion series is over. And while it's hard to conclude something this monumental, I tried my best. www.physicspodcast.com @physicspod
Sep 26, 2019 · 38 min
Fusion's Dark Horses, Episode II
In this double-header, we examine the various startups that are trying to make commercial nuclear fusion a reality. What technologies are they using? Who's backing them? And do any of them have a prayer of beating ITER to the punch? Comments, questions, concerns? Find the contact form on the website, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. www.physicspodcast.com @physicspod