Cosmic Queries – The Biggest Ideas in the Universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Sean Carroll

How does physics impact our free will? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Negin Farsad discuss quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and the theory of everything with theoretical physicist and author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe, Sean Carroll.

What would it mean to discover what comprises dark matter and dark energy? We discuss our theories on dark matter and how dark matter behaves. Is there such a thing as dark light? What questions keep Neil and Sean up at night? Find out about the incompatibility between gravity and quantum mechanics.

Discover how the universe doesn’t always conserve energy. If photons lose energy as the universe expands, where does the energy go? Learn why the traditional image of an atom is wrong, superposition, and why Sean thinks there are parallel universes. We discuss the role of free will in physics. Could the laws of physics make our universe deterministic? Is there free will? Will we need another once-in-a-generation genius to come up with the theory of everything?

Discover Leiman Alpha forests and whether the Big Bang was a cosmic fart from a celestial giant. We explore quantum biology and the role that quantum mechanics plays in biological processes? What will be the next big breakthrough? Are we going to keep discovering smaller and smaller particles? And finally, is everything just physics? You might be able to guess our answer…

Thanks to our Patrons aziz astrophysics, Scott Barnett, Christopher Saal, David Rhoades, and Jenna Biancavilla for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Introduction
1:44 - The Santa Fe Institute
2:55 - Mindscape
3:31 - The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
7:37 - Dark Matter & Dark Energy
11:23 - Gravity & Quantum Mechanics
14:16 - Alfred P. Sloan Prize
15:14 - Conservation of Energy & The Expanding Universe
20:04 - Perspectives of an Electron
23:25 - Many Worlds
25:20 - Free Will
30:35 - Unified Theories
32:35 - Negin Farsad
33:38 - Lyman-Alpha Blob
35:50 - Cosmic Farts
38:49 - Quantum Biology
40:56 - Most Fascinating Thing In The Universe
44:11 - The Smallest Particles in the Universe
46:55 - Closing Notes

[louisesumrell]

"Mr. Hitchens, do you have free will?" "I have no choice."

[katiorchi]

We need much much more of Sean Carroll! So refreshing to hear his smart answers to difficult questions. Greetings from Hungary!

[greggjohnson]

Happy BDay Neil! And Happy Teachers Day! Thanks for being there for all of us and teaching us so much!

[tom-kzpb]

When anyone asks whether we have "free will", they should be asked in turn what exactly they even mean by "free will". That we sometimes make decisions free of any *external* influence at the moment? Of course we do. That we sometimes experience momentarily indecision and have internal impulses simultaneously in conflicting directions? Of course we do. That we are somehow "free" of the internal workings of our own brains as we make a decision? Of course we are not. So the bottom line answer is, "No, we do not have 'free will'. It is a sentimental illusion surrounding a fuzzy, poorly defined concept."

[Mendaxxx]

We need more astrophysicists with Neil on Star Talk ❤ loved the episode

[eylesit]

I've watched a lot of Sean Carroll on Youtube, and they are all enjoyable. But in this discussion he comes across the most relaxed, funny, slightly cheeky, and good-natured that I've seen so far. Good chemistry between these three. Hope they do another one sometime.

[shiftylad]

Loved this. Very enjoyable from Ireland 🇮🇪 Negin was a favorite 👍👍👍

[MichaelSmithfu]

My modern perspective on the question "do I (we) have free will?"-
First.. you have have to think deep and long about what is "I" or the "self". I think that if one is willing to accept physics and spacetime then they have to admit that everything is just borrowed, re-emulated versions of what came before. I mean look at a kid who is a splitting image of their parent. Their jeans are similar, their perspectives, morals, strength, weaknesses, ability to conceptualize...even things like that.. are all related directly to their nurture, nature, and environment.

So if you can accept that, once you start thinking about Free Will and the self and wear this so called Free Will is coming from you can start to get a more realistic understanding of what is going on.

Remember like we were joking about....

It's complexity 😋

[RedHealthBlueMana]

One of the most interesting dialogues and Q&A in 2022. A must watch. The topics are so interesting, but the overall attitude is so relaxed. Just mesmerizing.

[MelindaKucsera]

My two favorite astrophysicists on the same podcast! This is awesome. I didn't know Sean's new book came out. I'm still making my way through his book, Something Deeply Hidden.

[SamayaGhar]

Attended dr Tyson’s event “ astrophysicist goes to the movies II” last night. And now here he is again just a day later on my phones screen with a new startalk episode. I love it!

[alanhehe]

Very interesting discussion, and I love that you all still have a good sense of humor.

[DanceBeforeTheStorm_]

"smarticle" is my favourite new word ❤️
In my head it means little bits of information that are proven to be true i.e. making me smarter ☺️

[andypeiffer]

Was just thinking it would be nice to have these questions time stamped and then BOOM there they were in the description. Thanks!

[ericvulgate]

I don't think I've tried to talk someone out of their free will.
I WILL say that believing we have free will must be very important to our survival for us to cling to it so strongly.

[lynnh]

Does anyone else thing Sean sounds like Alan Alda? Love Neil and anything to do with cosmos. Loved this video.

[frankwestphal]

Sean Carroll is now one of my favorite physicists. I love his depth of knowledge and flexibility of thinking. People like him and Brian Greene, appear to me, to be on the cutting edge of human understanding of the universe. And I'm sure I'm missing others that I will soon discover as well.

One thing that sometimes bothers me about scientists in general, is a level of arrogance about our understanding of various systems. But we don't know what we don't know, therefore we always need to keep a partially open mind. The more I learn about the universe, the more humble I become relative to it, becasue I can start to see how much I don't know, and that some of the concepts the universe incorporates might not even be grasp-able to my (or even any) human brain at his time. When humans have lived 14 billion years, maybe we'll know it all. Until then, I'm going to be listening, learning, and ever evolving.

And as always, thank you to Neil and Startalk co hosts and guests for bringing this great content to us!

[dfloyd]

They are having so much fun it's Kool.
This is why Mr. Tyson is such a great teacher communicator and educator.
Simply the best. IMHO

[frogz]

eyes so red, topics so interesting, startalk never disappoints

[slimshadyfoeva]

Just listened to Sean Carrolls audiobook yesterday and was hyped to see Neil just had him on his podcast