Why This Universe?

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Rating
4.7
from
281 reviews
This podcast has
89 episodes
Language
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/07/13
Average duration
41 min.
Release period
16 days

Description

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.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Why This Universe? podcast


77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)
2024/02/05
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
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76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?
2024/01/22
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
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75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)
2024/01/08
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
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8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?
2023/12/18
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
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74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)
2023/12/04
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
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73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)
2023/11/20
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
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72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
2023/11/06
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
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71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure
2023/10/23
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
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70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)
2023/10/10
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
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Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
2023/09/28
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
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69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)
2023/08/28
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
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68 - The Age of the Universe
2023/08/14
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
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Podcast reviews

Read Why This Universe? podcast reviews


4.7 out of 5
281 reviews
Tlidartth 2024/02/09
Big ideas explained clearly
Big ideas explained clearly. Love the clear vocals and good audio - obviously important for a podcast. This is unabashedly one of my new favorite cos...
more
hfynvdykmi 2024/01/20
Fun, Interesting, and Enlightening
Dan and Shalma, thank you for creating Why This Universe. I am a non-scientist, with a life long interest in science, so I greatly appreciate your ab...
more
GSV-2525 2023/06/06
Great astrophysics/ physics podcast
Like other reviewers, I really like the level this podcast pitches to, a touch of math when needed, cogent explanations of complex topics made lucid, ...
more
qhfu gxh 2023/11/01
Not a great communicator
Dan Hooper is mostly just a naysayer but he does little to explain anything except for his own opinions. Gimmie something that’s not not “umm… that so...
more
Jasmine prieto 2023/06/04
I love this podcast!
I get tired of most podcasts, but I’ve never been bored from an episode of Why This Universe. I’m an astrophysics major and I feel like this podcast i...
more
Michee agg 2023/05/23
Incredible podcast
The hosts present mind-blowing concepts in a digestible way. This is just the podcast I’ve been looking for. Thanks so much for making this invaluable...
more
DPDELL 2023/04/12
Stellar!
Sparkling minds who share a gift for shedding light on some of the beautiful mysteries of our universe.
zormble 2023/02/13
Great physics content!
Alien spirals in the sky? Lizard people running the government? Maybe! An easy listening physics podcast by two professional in the field? Definitely!
DrezzyZ 2023/01/29
I love this podcast
This podcast has taught me a lot about the universe. I am very tuned in to every single episode. ☺️
MKULTRA83 2022/12/29
One star for Dan attacking Sabine H.
You should be ashamed of yourself. The whole point of science is to question everything, not to beaten into repetitive submission. What exactly has th...
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