Into the Impossible With Brian Keating Podcast

How are recent DESI experimental results challenging the traditional view of dark energy as a fixed cosmological constant? Are foundational assumptions in Einsteins general relativity limiting progress in theoretical physics? And how do tensions in cosmological measurements, like the Hubble constant discrepancy, reflect deeper issues in physics?

In this episode, well explore these fundamental questions with none other than Eric Weinstein! Eric is one of the most revered thinkers of our generation. Though not an academic physicist, he proposed a unified theory of physics in 2013, which is supposed to have the potential to explain phenomena that string theory cannot. In a lecture held live at UCSD in April 2025 at the prestigious Astrophysics and Cosmology Seminar, Eric presented an update to his groundbreaking theory. Today, well discuss his fascinating theory, the future of physics and academia, and much more.

Eric is an investor, financial executive, and host of The Portal. He and his brother, Bret Weinstein, coined the term Intellectual Dark Web to refer to an informal group of pundits. Eric is a vocal critic of modern academic hierarchies and advocates for advances in scientific theory over an emphasis on experimental results. He proposed a new unified theory of physics in 2013 and has been an active member of the physics community since then.







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Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro



00:00:29 DESI results and the cosmological constant



00:08:33 Why general relativity is fundamentally limited



00:16:11 Elon Musks obsession with Mars



00:26:01 Sharing ideas with broader audiences



00:30:56 Dark energys evolving nature



00:34:16 Discrepancies in cosmological measurements



00:43:02 Freeing dark energy from constancy



00:50:16 Einsteins happiest thought, LLMs and physics



00:59:09 Erics thoughts on Lenny Susskind, Joe Rogan, and Terrence Howard



01:04:44 Pseudoscience and the debunking community



01:23:55 The future of academia and academic freedom



01:48:45 Political polarization in the United States



01:56:43 October 7th



02:00:50 Remembering Jim Simons and Chern-Simons theory



02:21:10 Outro







Additional resources:



Learn more about Eric:

Website: https://ericweinstein.org/



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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.



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Brian Keating deep dives into the remarkable life and legacy of Carl Sagan—one of history’s greatest science communicators. In this special episode of "The Scientist," Brian explores how a kid from Brooklyn rose to become the voice of science for a generation, making the universe both vast and intimately personal for millions.

This episode blends firsthand accounts, critical biographies, and personal reflections to extract five powerful principles from Sagan’s career—offering insights into how we, too, might inject more wonder, rigor, and responsibility into our own journeys. Whether you’re a scientist, a dreamer, or simply curious about your place in the cosmos, this episode promises an inspiring look at an imperfect but extraordinary man who changed how we see our universe.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Reflections on Carl Sagan's Legacy

03:13 Young Sagan Challenges Venus Theories

07:10 Carl Sagan: Public Engagement Advocate

10:26 Carl Sagan's Influential Responsibility

14:31 "Overview Effect: A Vision for Humanity"

16:59 Embracing Change and Courage in Science

22:13 "Challenging Sagan: Science vs. Optimism"

25:20 Galileo's Earth Observations Legacy

26:21 Demand Evidence, Keep Wondering



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Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

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In this electrifying episode, recorded live at UC San Diego, Brian pulls back the cosmic curtain to explore some of the deepest mysteries in science—and what they might mean for our understanding of everything.

You'll learn how scientists use the mysterious property of light called polarization to uncover secrets from the dawn of the universe, chase evidence for the Big Bang, and even perform your own light experiment along the way. The conversation ventures into the origins of our universe, the search for other forms of life, and the tantalizing possibility that our universe might be just one among countless others in a sprawling multiverse.

But it doesn't stop at science. Brian and his audience wrestle with the blurry boundaries where facts confront faith: Can scientific discovery ever answer the big metaphysical questions, such as the existence of God or consciousness after death? What does the intersection of cosmology and religion tell us about our place in reality?

With detours into modern cosmological theories, debates about inflation, the search for life on other planets, and even the role AI might play in future discoveries, this episode keeps curious minds on their toes.



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00:00 "Polarization: Unlocking Cosmic Secrets"

04:36 Wave Polarization Explained

09:11 Questioning the Big Bang Singularity

10:52 Detecting Gravitational Waves' Cosmological Impact

15:39 Pope Endorses Science-Bible Alignment

18:52 Gene's Role in Evolutionary Drive

19:55 Deepak Chopra: Preparing for Death

26:03 "Universe vs. Multiverse Debate"

26:50 Debating Multiverse in Astronomy

31:39 "Geometric Social Commentary Revealed"

34:24 Extraterrestrial Life Evidence: Near Zero

36:54 "Expensive Material Suggests Earth-Mars Connection"

39:29 "AI-Powered Creativity and Research"

45:11 "Choosing Enrichment Over Leisure"

45:49 "Never Stop Learning"

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📚 Get a copy of my books: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: ⁠https://a.co/d/03ezQFu⁠

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: ⁠http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA⁠

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican ⁠https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un⁠

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

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Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

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In a world increasingly shaped by science and technology, how do we determine what constitutes truth? What role does society play in shaping scientific knowledge consensus? And what are the implications for the future of research and innovation? 

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Fuller, a renowned sociologist of science from the University of Warwick in the UK, for a thought-provoking conversation. Steve and I explore the deep connections between science and sociology, discussing how science can learn from sociology and vice versa. Steve challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to critically examine the complex interplay between science, society, and the pursuit of knowledge. 

With a passion for exploring the philosophical underpinnings of science, he shares his insights on social epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the evolving role science should play in society, especially in an increasingly polarized world.



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Key Takeaways: 

00:00:00 Intro



00:00:33 Steve’s origin story



00:04:14 Philosophy of science



00:08:47 Thomas Kuhn and the nature of scientific revolutions



00:17:23 DeleteMe



00:18:59 The Science Wars Conference and the role of social agendas



00:28:20 The Kitzmiller vs. Dover case



00:39:44 Intelligent design and peer review



00:51:55 The future of higher education



00:57:41 Scientific iconoclasm vs. conspiracy thinking



01:00:56 Outro



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Additional resources: 



➡️ Learn more about Steve Fuller:



✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/ProfSteveFuller/ 💻 Website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/sfuller/



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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.



Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this thought-provoking installment, host Brian Keating sits down with legendary evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins for an electrifying conversation that spans the wonders of science, atheism, artificial intelligence, and the tapestry of human existence.

A live audience in Vancouver brings their best questions, challenging Dawkins on topics from the acceleration of evolution to the place of hope in a godless universe. Throughout, Dawkins reminds us of the beauty and privilege of being alive—and the imperative to embrace science not just as a source of practical utility, but as a thing of wonder in itself.

Get ready for a lively, no-holds-barred exploration of reason, mortality, memes, and meaning with one of the most acclaimed public intellectuals of our time.

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Key Takeaways:

00:00 "Dawkins: Legacy of Rationality"

10:18 "Unveiling Life's Lottery"

16:29 AI and the Turing Test Debate

19:55 Altman Teases with "Project Strawberry"

27:16 Parasites Manipulate Host Behavior

31:16 Unique Oxford Tutorial System

36:34 Improbability of Life's Uniqueness

41:45 Darwinian Sleep Theory Explained

49:13 Molecular Genetics of Aquatic Mammals

55:40 "Shifting Moral Zeitgeist"

01:00:09 "Scientific Discoveries: Nature's Script"

01:04:25 Biological vs. Personal Life Meaning

01:14:20 Gene Purpose: A Misconception

01:19:31 Beyond Selfish Genes

01:20:58 Belief vs. Faith: A Civilizational Challenge

01:30:54 "Miller's Experiment on Life's Origins"

01:37:15 Creationism vs. Evolution: Missing Link Argument

01:38:58 "Evolution's Certainty Comparable to Orbit"

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Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw/join

Get a copy of my books:

Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: https://a.co/03ezQFu

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un

  📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

  Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

🏄‍♂️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

🔔 Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

📝 Join my mailing list; just click here http://briankeating.com/list

✍️ Detailed Blog posts here: https://briankeating.com/blog

🎙️ Listen on audio-only platforms: https://briankeating.com/podcast

#universe #podcast #briankeating #intotheimpossible #science #astronomy #cosmology #cosmicmicrowavebackground #intotheimpossible #briankeating

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