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PODCAST

Physical Attraction

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.

science physics

All Episodes

24:58

Thermonuclear Takes: The Little Robot That Couldn't

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/30

Updates on the Softbank Vision Fund and the sad fate of Pepper the robot.

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27:41

Thermonuclear Takes: Muon Madness Melting Models......

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/26

In this news episode, I discuss recent anomalies around the muon - B-particles decaying into muons, and the muon's anomalous magnetic moment - and whether they herald the glorious dawn of a new era of physics, or are just a mistake.

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33:06

Thermonuclear Takes: Show updates, cosmology...

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/23

In this news-y episode, I will give you some updates on how the show is progressing, share some listener emails on our cosmology series, and set up next episode's discussion of some recent results in high-energy physics.

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30:02

Cosmology VI: Cosmic Eggs and the Edge of the Universe

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/20

In this episode, we cover the different kinds of universal horizon, whether the Universe has an edge, and talk about how theoretical physicists pondered how it all might've began.

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42:25

Cosmology, Episode V: Einstein's Mistake

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/13

At the dawn of theoretical cosmology, Einstein introduced the so-called "Cosmological Constant" into his equations to explain how the Universe could be static and unchanging in time. He would later say that it was his greatest mistake.

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33:10

Cosmology IV: Einstein's Cosmos

Physical Attraction ·

2021/07/06

In this episode, we look at how Einstein's theory of general relativity gave rise to a theoretical framework for examining cosmology - the evolution of space, time, and the Universe in general - as a whole.

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28:49

Cosmology III: Hubble's Law

Physical Attraction ·

2021/06/29

In 1929, Edwin Hubble published his findings. The redshifts from distant galaxies were proportional to their distance away from us. Theoretical cosmologists would pounce on them as evidence that the Universe must be expanding.

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24:45

Cosmology II: Starting From Nothing

Physical Attraction ·

2021/06/21

Everything we have been able to infer about the Universe began in total ignorance. Many early theories about how the Universe was structured were wildly incorrect - but astronomers were building up the toolkits that would later allow us to understand.

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23:49

Cosmology, Episode I: In The Beginning

Physical Attraction ·

2021/06/15

When you're trying to narrate the history of the entire Universe, where do you begin? I decided to start in a radio studio in London in March 1949, when the term "Big Bang" was first coined, in the first on our series on cosmology.

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43:23

Climate 201: Discourses of Climate Delay II

Physical Attraction ·

2021/06/07

Arguments surrounding climate change have become subtler. Outright denial is gradually shifting to rhetoric that supports delaying urgent action. In this review of a paper by Steinberger, Lamb et al, I run down the new "discourses of climate delay".

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46:01

Climate 201: Discourses of Delay, p1

Physical Attraction ·

2021/05/31

As the climate change debate has advanced, the arguments surrounding it have become more subtle. Outright denial of the climate problem is rare - so rhetoric has shifted to delaying urgent action. In this review of a paper by Steinberger, Lamb et al, I run down the new "discourses of climate delay"

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Hiatus until 1st June

Physical Attraction ·

2021/05/14

Folks, It's been over a year since we had a break from producing content and it just so happens that things are getting rather hectic in non-podcasting life. For that reason, we will be taking a short hiatus and returning with new episodes on June 1st. This will give me a bit of time to build up a reserve of new episodes - and you all a break. I may or may not release "repeat" episodes during the relevant Tuesdays for the next two weeks depending on how people feel about that. If you can't

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16:43

Why Should We Listen to Scientists?

Physical Attraction ·

2021/05/11

Why should we listen to scientists? Well, because they're right a lot of the time. But also because - ideally - the institutions of science embody values that everyone can agree are good in a system for working out what's true.

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38:03

Machine Learning and AI vs. Climate Change

Physical Attraction ·

2021/05/04

How can machine learning and artificial intelligence help us in the fight against climate change? I explore literally dozens of ideas for possible applications of ML algorithms in this episode.

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01:31:01

Attack of the 50ft Blockchain, with David Gerard

Physical Attraction ·

2021/04/27

I interviewed David Gerard, author of the cryptocurrency blog and book of the same name "Attack of the 50ft Blockchain", as well as a new book "Libra Shrugged" about Facebook's attempt to develop cryptocurrencies. We talked about Bitcoin, its flaws, its origins, and its future.

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01:28:52

Thermonuclear Takes: The Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Rant

Physical Attraction ·

2021/04/20

I have generally held back on talking about bitcoin - because I'm super opinionated and it's one topic that generates a lot of heated discussions - but I finally let it all go in this one, lengthy rant episode. Think of it as therapy... and if you disagree, get in touch.

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38:39

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency IV: Jevons' Paradox,...

Physical Attraction ·

2021/04/13

In The Coal Question, Jevons - alongside realising that we needed a transition to renewable energy 150 years ago - posed the efficiency paradox. Using energy more efficiently motivates you to use more energy. Can energy efficiency "rebound" and backfire like this in real systems? That's the question we explore in this episode.

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30:56

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency, Part 3: Industry

Physical Attraction ·

2021/04/06

In this episode of our series on energy efficiency, we are going to talk about industrial applications - how we can improve the way that high-energy industries and difficult-to-decarbonise sectors use energy.

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44:13

Thermonuclear Takes: Climate News; Global Rebound,...

Physical Attraction ·

2021/04/04

It's a smorgasboard of climate news as global emissions rebound, slippery definitions of Net Zero abound, the Green Homes Grant collapses, and there's controversy over a Cumbrian coal mine.

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40:08

Climate 201: Energy Efficiency II: Buildings

Physical Attraction ·

2021/03/30

In the second part of our series on energy efficiency and its role in combatting climate change, we talk about how buildings can be made more energy efficient... and some of the factors that prevent this from happening. Thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. To find out how you can find new sponsors for your podcast, head to podcorn.com/podcasters.

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252 results

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