Why This Universe?

Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.

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115 episodes
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Episodes115

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May 13, 2024 · 31 min
83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)
Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Apr 29, 2024 · 35 min
82 - Science Vs. Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Apr 15, 2024 · 43 min
81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy
The first episode in a new mini-series on philosophical problems in cosmology - Today we start with the origins of Western science and learn what the ancient Greeks thought about the cosmos.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Apr 1, 2024 · 16 min
80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
Hear how a recent discovery of the motions of galaxies is changing how cosmologists are thinking about our universe.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Mar 18, 2024 · 41 min
79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)
Last year, an experiment called NanoGRAV made a surprising discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars around the universe. Special guest Chiara Mingarelli explains.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Mar 4, 2024 · 38 min
78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)
What's it like bringing science to the most general public audiences? How do you distill complex results into short news-worthy articles without getting lost in clickbait? Today we hear the perspective of New York Times science journalist Katrina Miller. 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://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
Feb 5, 2024 · 40 min
77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)
Quantum computing makes big promises, but how does it work? What is the real state of quantum computing today? Special guest Henry Lamm answers our questions. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Jan 22, 2024 · 37 min
76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?
Is the world around us real, or are we living in someone's computer program? Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Jan 8, 2024 · 42 min
75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)
We hear two physicists describe their lives collecting data in remote locations, from deep underground in an active mine and from the South Pole. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Dec 18, 2023 · 24 min
8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?
Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Dec 4, 2023 · 58 min
74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)
Today we visit a turning point in the history of science: the discovery that the Earth is not at the center of the cosmos. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Nov 20, 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)
Dan moderates a lively discussion on extraterrestrial life at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Nov 6, 2023 · 43 min
72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
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. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Oct 23, 2023 · 20 min
71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure
We tell the story of how the Universe developed large scale structure, starting from the Big Bang to today. It could have all turned out very differently, if not for some key players. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Oct 10, 2023 · 57 min
70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)
Why This Universe hosts it's first ever live episode taping featuring guests Daniel Holz and Diana Powell. We discuss the possibility of intelligent life out in the Universe, the existential risks faced by humans on Earth, and the chance the intelligent life can persist in the Universe. This conversation took place during the University of Chicago Podcast Network festival. For access to ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Support the show
Sep 28, 2023 · 9 min
Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
CORRECTION: We misspeak about the time of the event in the episode, we are really on at 3-4 pm CST! Apologies! Why This Universe is going live on October 3rd in Chicago, IL! RSVP for *free* here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ucpn-podcast-festival-tickets-717455076447?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Aug 28, 2023 · 47 min
69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)
While physicists overwhelmingly agree about the existence of dark matter, a select group of people aren't convinced. Instead, they believe we must be wrong about gravity, and claim we need a theory of modified gravity (MOND) instead. Recent press releases have claimed "smoking gun" evidence for this underdog theory, should we take them seriously? Did you know this episode was inspired by a Patreon question? For access to ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
Aug 14, 2023 · 29 min
68 - The Age of the Universe
Today we are debunking the recent paper that claims our universe is much older than previously thought. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse For fun dinosaur facts and research, check out I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast, on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-know-dino-the-big-dinosaur-podcast/id960976813?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2 Support the show
Jul 31, 2023 · 30 min
6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast)
We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary with a throwback to one of our earliest episodes! Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - here's a breakdown of the weirdest and wildest things about quantum mechanics. To support our show and access exclusive ask-us-anything segments and more, join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Support the show
Jul 17, 2023 · 42 min
67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman)
Special guest Alan Lightman takes us through a fascinating discussion of consciousness, and tells us how he reconciles spirituality with his materialist views. Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference. Visit ISSconference.org to register now. Support the show