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A recent study shows that there's a quantum reason for why CO₂ is so good at trapping heat.

Physicists Pinpoint the Quantum Origin of the Greenhouse Effect

Jennifer Doudna changed the world.  She didn’t do it intentionally.  She pursued her curiosity about the structure and functioning of RNA as a research scientist, one who had been trained by some of the most impactful geneticists at the time, including two Nobel laureates.  In the process, however, she and her collaborators discovered a genetic tool that has dwarfed all others for its potential to change both the human condition, but also what it may mean to be human.  I am referring of course to CRISPR, the tool that Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier helped develop and for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize.  In our in-depth conversation we covered the scientific origins of Jennifer’s discoveries, and some of their possible implications.   In a time when there is a misplaced notion that support for scientific research needs to be applied directly for certain goal-oriented activities, it is refreshing to have such a clear example of the benefits of fundamental research for our society, along with the need to prepare our minds for the possibilities of the future.  It is exactly what the Origins Podcast, and the Origins Project Foundation are designed to highlight—the joy, benefits, and challenges of human intellectual inquiry for our society and our future.   It was a pleasure and privilege to spend 90 minutes discussing these issues with this world-renowned biochemist and advocate for science.  Our conversation was both a tutorial about modern genetics, and also an opportunity to discuss issues that society as a whole will have address as we come to grips with the new power of science in this century. With great power comes great responsibility, and I hope discussions such as the one I had with Jennifer will provoke and enlighten.  Enjoy. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Jennifer Doudna: Scientist and World Changer

Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025!

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92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft.  Dan Scolnic)

A discovery last year reveals our galaxy in a whole new light - except it's not light, it's neutrinos! Learn what this discovery can teach us about the Milky Way and beyond.

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91 - What Neutrinos Reveal About the Milky Way

In this year's holiday message, I talk about some of my favorite scientific papers (by me).

Holiday Message | Hits and Misses

What happens when you bring a group of fifth graders into one of the world’s most advanced science labs? It’s not just magic—it’s mission-critical.

Next Gen Innovators

How do you measure someone else's inner reality?

What Happens in a Mind That Can't 'See' Mental Images

A year ago, John Richards the head of the Atheist UK approached me about the idea of celebrating Christopher Hitchens with a Hitchmas event, near Christmas, and on or about the anniversary of Christopher’s death, on Dec 15, 2011.  I realized that to do it right would require time and organization, and the proper panelists.  I was thrilled that Christopher’s friends and mine, Stephen Fry, Richard Dawkins, and Douglas Murray agreed to be part of the event, and that the HowTo Academy, which organizes wonderful events in London, several of which I had done before, agreed to coordinate the logistics with The Origins Project Foundation.   A year later, the sold-out event happened, and we decided in advance to record it appropriately, with 5 cameras, and to have Gus and Luke Holwerda, who directed and filmed The Unbelievers, and with whom I began The Origins Podcast, edit the final product.As a special Holiday gift, we are making the advert free video version available to both paid and free subscribers here on Critical Mass.  This post has the audio version for those who prefer that.  If you want to watch the video, open the other Critical Mass post we are releasing this morning. Our YouTube channel will also host the video, and I encourage you to subscribe to that channel as well if you wish.  No matter how you watch it, or listen to it (we will make the audio available on iTunes etc), we hope you find this set of reminiscences and the ensuing discussion a wonderful reminder of a remarkable man, and that it inspires you as much as Christopher inspired us. Happy Holidays to you all. Lawrence M. Krauss Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

A Hitchmas Gift For All  -Audio Version

Biomedical engineer Stuart Plant and physicist Ashok Chauhan are our podcast guests

Ceryx Medical: company uses bioelectronics to coordinate the heart and lungs

Ask Me Anything episode for December 2024.

AMA | December 2024

Is it possible that dark energy is not a constant, but rather is changing over time? Sean Carroll talks to us about how our understanding of dark energy evolved in recent history, and what is still left unknown.

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90 - Quintessence: Is Dark Energy Changing? (Ft. Sean Carroll)

Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question.

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88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll)

Dan and Shalma have a candid conversation about the state of dark matter research, and the ways the field has changed over the last few years.

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89 - A Dark Matter Vibe Check

I had the privilege of welcoming my friend Jeffrey Sachs back to the podcast. Jeffrey joined me earlier this year, and given the unfolding crises around the world, I thought it was a good time to sit down again and talk current events.  I expect our conversation will generate disagreements from many listeners.  Open discussion of sensitive issues however is important and one of the things that both Critical Mass and The Origins Project Foundation defend and promote.Jeffrey is one of the most incisive thinkers I know. His career has spanned academia, global governance, and public advocacy, and his work has had a profound impact on economics and diplomacy. As one of the youngest tenured professors in Harvard’s history, he established himself as a brilliant scholar early on. But he didn’t stay confined to academia. For nearly two decades, he was a senior advisor to the UN Secretary-General, tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges.Our conversation this time focused on two hot-button topics dominating headlines: Ukraine and Gaza. On Ukraine, Jeffrey traces the roots of the conflict back to the U.S.’s decision to expand NATO eastward—a move he argues broke assurances given to Russia in the early 1990s. He described how this decision sowed mistrust and led to today’s crisis. Jeffrey believes diplomacy is the only viable solution and floated a bold idea: a direct negotiation brokered by none other than Donald Trump, to secure Ukraine’s neutrality and end the bloodshed.  I presented to him the concerns of a Ukrainian journalist who has asked me to present Jeffrey with various questions.  the concern that a diplomatic solution will embolden Russia to more dramatic land grabs is certainly real in the Ukraine.On Gaza, Jeffrey’s criticism was equally sharp. He views the Israeli government’s policies toward Palestinians in the occupied territories as untenable and unjust, likening them to apartheid. He insists that a two-state solution, grounded in international law, is the only way forward—a sentiment shared by much of the international community but ignored by Israel’s leadership, which he argues is using the United States as its handmaiden to perpetuate policies designed to create an Israeli state encompassing much or all of the territory in dispute.. For Jeffrey, the failure to pursue this path perpetuates unnecessary suffering and cycles of violence.We didn’t agree on everything. I’m skeptical about the practicality of some of his solutions, and the basis of some of his arguments about the obstacles to peace.  Nevertheless, we agree on two things.  Diplomacy is always preferable to war, and a two-state solution is the only solution that might, in principle provide long term stability in the Middle East—even if the practical route to get there and ensure Israeli security in the process is rife with obstacles . Whether we agree or disagree, our conversations are always rich, nuanced, and thought-provoking. Jeffrey’s willingness to address hard truths, even when they provoke controversy, is one of the reasons I value his perspective so much.  That and his encyclopedic knowledge of history and economics.In a world so polarized, reasoned dialogue is more essential than ever. My discussion with Jeffrey reaffirmed that respectful dialogue is not just possible but necessary if we are to make progress on the complex issues of our time.  Once again, that is one of the purposes of our Foundation, and this podcast.  I hope you find this conversation as stimulating as I did.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Jeffrey Sachs on Diplomacy, Conflict, and the Path to Peace

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and the episode's feature is In The Grid. We would like to thank Walter Washburn (KT0D), an Anonymous Donor our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate    Ham Operator Must Pay in First-Responder Interference Case    Georgia Club Donates Radio Books to Local Library    Year-Long Special Event Celebrates Britain's Railways    Parker Solar Probe 'touches' the Sun    Deadline Extended for ARRL Foundation Scholarship Applications   Straight Key Month   HamCation POTA Meet-up  

icqpodcast's Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast

ICQPodcast Episode 447 - In The Grid

The medical physicists Eric Ford and Afua Yorke are our podcast guests

Humanitarian engineering can improve cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries

Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Enjoy this rerun of an earlier episode as we take our summer break.

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28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun)

We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable.

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86 - The Life and Death of Stars

There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to determine how broken it really is.

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87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review

This week Chris and Dave discuss the changes at Intel, being in control data in your home lab, bogus copyright claims for repair videos, and more!