Logo
    Search

    From the Vault: Daniel Whiteson, Time Traveler

    enDecember 20, 2022

    Podcast Summary

    • Connecting with neighbors and the universeBuilding community connections can lead to social bonds and new discoveries, whether through local networks like Neighbor to Neighbor or scientific research like the pilot wave theory of quantum mechanics.

      Building strong community connections can bring numerous benefits, from forming meaningful social bonds to preparing for emergencies. Neighbor to Neighbor is a California volunteers network that encourages individuals to connect with their neighbors and grow their community. Meanwhile, in the world of science, physicists like Daniel Whiteson continue to explore the mysteries of the universe through their research and podcasts, shedding light on complex concepts and challenging long-held beliefs. For instance, the pilot wave theory of quantum mechanics, once dismissed due to a famous proof by John von Neumann, is now being reconsidered and gaining more recognition. These examples remind us that there's always more to learn and discover, whether it's in our own neighborhoods or the vast expanse of the universe. To stay informed and curious, check out Neighbor to Neighbor at caneighbors.com and Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe wherever you listen to podcasts.

    • Exploring Time Travel in the UniverseThe book 'Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe' discusses time travel, with some forms being more plausible than others based on current physics understanding.

      The book "Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe" by physicist Ethan Siegel and cartoonist Jorge Cham explores deep questions about the universe in an approachable way, without requiring extensive knowledge of modern physics. The book includes illustrations by Cham that add a second voice to the text, reflecting the dynamic of their science podcast. While the audio version lacks the illustrations, it features alternating narration by Siegel and Cham. The book tackles various topics, including time travel. According to Siegel, some types of time travel, such as traveling to the past and creating paradoxes, are less consistent with known laws of physics, while others, like traveling to the future, are more plausible. The book aims to make complex scientific concepts accessible to everyone, encouraging democratic curiosity.

    • The complexity of time travel into the pastDespite its appeal in science fiction, time travel into the past is not self-consistent or physically possible according to current understanding of physics due to the changing nature of time and lack of historical evidence.

      Time travel into the past, as most people imagine it - going back to change something - is not self-consistent or physically possible according to our current understanding of physics. The problem lies in the fact that time reflects the universe changing, and going back to change the past would require a second dimension of time for the timeline itself to change. Furthermore, if time travel into the past were possible, we would have encountered evidence of it throughout history. The lack of such evidence suggests that if it does exist, it may be limited in scope or tightly controlled. These ideas bring up numerous science fiction possibilities, such as time travel having a range that we haven't reached yet, or being strictly regulated by a time bureaucracy. Overall, the concept of time travel into the past is a fascinating and complex topic that raises many intriguing questions, but it seems to defy the fundamental principles of physics as we currently understand them.

    • Imagining a Galactic Civilization: Challenges and ComplexitiesDespite the intriguing concept of a unified, coordinated galactic civilization, its feasibility is questioned due to the vastness of space, limitations of time, and challenges of managing secrets and coordinating advanced beings.

      The concept of a coherent, organized galactic civilization may be challenging due to the limitations of time and the vastness of space. The discussion brought up examples from popular media, such as Loki and The Umbrella Academy, which raise questions about the feasibility of advanced beings managing time and keeping secrets. The zoo hypothesis, a theory suggesting that advanced beings avoid contact with humans due to our inability to keep secrets, was also mentioned as a relevant comparison. Furthermore, the size of the universe and the speed limit of information transmission were discussed as factors limiting the ability to coordinate and organize a galactic civilization. Instead, it was suggested that a more likely scenario might involve humans or intelligent beings establishing separate, unconnected colonies in different parts of the galaxy. Overall, the conversation highlighted the complexities and challenges of imagining a unified, coordinated galactic civilization.

    • Fast-acting allergy relief with Astepro, contrasted with time travel theoryAstepro is a quick-relief, steroid-free nasal allergy spray, while time travel remains a theoretical concept with unknown practical applications

      Astepro is a fast-acting, steroid-free nasal allergy spray that provides relief from symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny and itchy nose, and sneezing. It is the fastest 24-hour over-the-counter allergy spray, starting to work in just 30 minutes, while other allergy sprays take hours. Astepro offers full prescription strength indoor and outdoor allergy relief. Additionally, the Apple Card is a cashback rewards credit card that offers up to 3% daily cash on every purchase every day. The discussion also touched upon the concept of time travel and the theoretical possibilities of wormholes and infinitely long cylinders of spinning dust that could potentially allow time travel into the past. However, the specifics of how this would work for the time traveler are still unknown as we are currently exploring these concepts theoretically.

    • Theories of time travel through wormholes and closed timelike curvesDespite theories allowing for time travel through wormholes and closed timelike curves, their practical achievement and resolution of paradoxes are currently unanswered.

      The theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics allow for the possibility of time travel through wormholes and closed timelike curves, but these concepts raise paradoxes and contradictions that have yet to be resolved. Wormholes, which could potentially connect different points in space or even different times, are theoretically possible but practically unachievable. Closed timelike curves, which could create loops in time, are also intriguing but raise questions about causality and the possibility of being trapped in a fixed loop. The idea of constructing these phenomena for time travel is intriguing but currently impractical, and there is no evidence to suggest they exist naturally. The question of whether time will ever stop is another mind-boggling question in physics, but it too is currently unanswerable. These concepts challenge our understanding of space, time, and reality, and their exploration continues to be a fascinating area of research in physics.

    • The conflict between quantum mechanics and general relativity regarding timeScientists are working to reconcile the differing perspectives on time in quantum mechanics and general relativity, and debating whether time is fundamental or emergent.

      The question of whether time will ever stop is not only philosophically intriguing but also touches on the fundamental conflict in physics between quantum mechanics and general relativity. These two theories have different perspectives on time, and scientists are still figuring out how to reconcile them. Additionally, there's a debate on whether time is fundamental or emergent, with some theories suggesting that space and time could be emergent properties of the universe, similar to how complex structures like ice cream or hurricanes emerge from simpler ingredients. These ideas challenge our fundamental assumptions about the nature of the universe and push the boundaries of our current understanding.

    • The nature of time: an unanswered questionScientists and philosophers debate if time is fundamental or emergent, and our understanding may be limited by how we ask questions. New perspectives and alien intelligence could offer fresh insights.

      The nature of time and its fundamental status in the universe is still a subject of ongoing debate among scientists and philosophers. Some theories suggest that time might not be a fundamental property but an emergent concept arising from complex interactions of more fundamental elements. This idea, known as meta time, implies deeper laws of physics that govern these fundamental bits, which we have yet to discover. The present moment and its special status in the context of time is another unanswered question, with implications for both science and philosophy. Our current understanding may be limited by the way we frame and ask questions, and learning new perspectives or encountering alien intelligence could offer fresh insights. The Copernican principle, which challenges human-centric biases, might also be applied to our understanding of time. However, the challenges of communicating with alien intelligence and decoding their potential biases pose significant obstacles to gaining new insights. Ultimately, the quest to understand time's true nature continues to elude us, underscoring the importance of staying curious and open-minded.

    • Exploring the power of community and the mysteries of the universeNeighbor to Neighbor emphasizes community connections while science ponders the nature of time's existence and continuity

      There are organizations like Neighbor to Neighbor that believe in the power of building strong community connections. In an uncertain world, they encourage us to look to our neighbors for help and support, both in everyday life and during times of crisis. Meanwhile, in the realm of science, there are theories about the future of the universe that suggest time may not stop but continue indefinitely. According to quantum mechanics, time has always existed and will always exist, assuming a simple, flat universe. However, general relativity introduces the complexity of expanding space and an accelerating universe, which challenges our understanding of time's nature. While we may not have definitive answers, these ideas remind us of the importance of community and the mysteries of the universe. For more information on Neighbor to Neighbor, visit caneighbors.com. And for your automotive needs, check out eBay Motors, where you can find the parts you need to keep your ride running smoothly.

    • The uncertain fate of the universe: dark energy and entropyDark energy may tear the universe apart or cause it to collapse, while entropy's increase could lead to a lifeless state

      The fate of the universe remains uncertain due to the mysterious nature of dark energy and the concept of entropy. Dark energy, which is believed to be causing the expansion of the universe, could potentially tear it apart, leading to a universe where galaxies are so far apart that they can never see each other. Alternatively, dark energy could cause the universe to collapse back in on itself, leading to a singularity where our current understanding of physics fails. Entropy, a measure of the number of ways microscopic particles in the universe can be arranged to match the observed macroscopic properties, is increasing as the universe evolves. Some theories suggest that this increase in entropy could eventually lead to a state of maximum entropy, known as the heat death of the universe, where there are no more energy gradients or temperature differences, making it impossible for life or computation to exist. Ultimately, the future of the universe is uncertain, and our current understanding of physics may not be enough to answer these questions.

    • The mysteries of time and its relationship to entropyTheories suggest time may stop or reverse when entropy reaches maximum, but these are unanswered questions. Randomly formed brains in the Boltzmann brain problem challenge our existence. Time's pause might go unnoticed due to our reliance on it for consciousness.

      The nature of time and its relationship to entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, continues to intrigue scientists and philosophers alike. Some theories suggest that time may stop or even reverse when entropy reaches its maximum point, but these are unanswered questions with no definitive evidence. The Boltzmann brain problem, another intriguing concept, argues that if the universe exists forever, randomly formed brains would outnumber biological ones, making our existence seemingly unlikely. However, this is more of a thought experiment than a serious theory. Regarding time stopping, it's theorized that if time were to pause, we might not even realize it due to our reliance on time for consciousness and perception. Furthermore, since time controls the universe's change, pausing time would mean no change, making it impossible to detect. These ideas challenge our understanding of time and the universe, inviting us to ponder the deeper mysteries of existence.

    • Signs of a simulated universeHigh-energy particles might cause noticeable effects due to simulation lag, and true time travel in a simulated universe is a complex concept with undefined outcomes.

      If we are living in a simulated universe, it could potentially exhibit signs of decreased resolution or glitches due to high-energy particles. These particles, which have energies and velocities beyond what we can produce in our particle accelerators, might be moving too fast for the simulation to keep up with, causing noticeable effects. Another intriguing idea discussed was the concept of time travel within a simulated universe. Unlike the common notion of time machines changing the traveler, true time travel would require the entire universe to be rewound, making it a much more complex task. Additionally, the question of where one would end up if traveling through time was raised, with the answer being that it's not well-defined due to the relative nature of space.

    • Understanding the origins of the universe and building community connectionsPhysicists explore causes of the Big Bang while Neighbor to Neighbor fosters local community bonds; eBay Motors offers car parts and Visible provides affordable wireless plans

      The concept of what happened before the Big Bang in the context of physics is a complex and ongoing area of research. The Big Bang theory marks the beginning of time as we know it, and physicists are trying to understand the causes leading to this event without encountering issues like singularities, infinities, or infinite density that general relativity can't handle. Some theories propose that the universe underwent a rapid expansion from a previously dense state, but the nature of this state and the particles involved are still not well understood. Neighbor to Neighbor, on the other hand, is a California volunteer network that encourages building meaningful social bonds within local communities. By fostering connections between neighbors, they aim to help each other in times of need and prepare for natural disasters. The importance of community and connection is a powerful reminder that, even in uncertain times, we can make a difference in our neighborhoods. For car enthusiasts, eBay Motors offers a vast selection of parts to keep their rides running smoothly, while Visible provides an affordable and transparent wireless plan for those looking to save on their monthly bills.

    • The origins of the universe: infotons or the big bang?Despite ongoing debate, the cause of the universe's existence remains unknown, with theories including infotons or the big bang. Time travel, though intriguing, lacks concrete evidence or proven methods.

      The origins of the universe remain a mystery, with theories suggesting an expansion from infotons or the existence of something before the big bang. The concept of an original cause is a subject of ongoing debate, with some believing we may never find an answer and others suggesting the possibility of fundamental, unchangeable elements. As for time travel, while it's a popular topic, there's no concrete evidence or proven method for finding time travelers or proving their existence. The search for answers in both areas continues, with scientists and theorists exploring new ideas and possibilities.

    • Exploring the unknown: ancient astronauts and time travelersOur fascination with the unknown drives us to imagine ancient astronauts or time travelers, expanding our search beyond preconceived notions.

      Our fascination with discovering the unknown, be it ancient civilizations or time travelers from the future, pushes the boundaries of our imagination. Carl Sagan's exploration of ancient astronaut theories serves as an example of this curiosity. Applying this concept to time travel, we might consider what evidence would exist if time travelers had visited us in the past. This could include humans or post-human species, machines, or even aliens. However, our understanding of these potential time travelers would be limited by our current imagination. As with the search for extraterrestrial life, we must push beyond our preconceived notions to broaden our search. Daniel's favorite time travel movie, Primer, exemplifies this idea with its clear and consistent rules, leading to unexpected results. Our fascination with time travel and the unknown is a testament to our human desire to explore and understand the universe, both past and future.

    • Exploring the Universe and Building ConnectionsListen to Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe podcast, check out their new book, engage with Stuff to Blow Your Mind, join Neighbor to Neighbor, consider Visible's wireless plan, and enjoy Fairmont Austin's luxury hotel.

      There are various ways to learn more about the universe and connect with communities. For those interested in science and the cosmos, checking out Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe podcast and their new book "Frequently Asked Questions About the Universe" is recommended. For podcast listeners, Stuff to Blow Your Mind offers multiple episodes a week on science, culture, and even strange films. In real life, building a more connected community is important, especially during uncertain times. Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer's network, empowers individuals to grow their community by helping neighbors and preparing for natural disasters. Lastly, for wireless users, Visible offers a transparent one-line plan with unlimited 5G data for $25 a month. And for those seeking a summer getaway, Fairmont Austin provides a luxury hotel experience in downtown Austin.

    Recent Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    In a rapidly evolving world, we need to balance the fear surrounding AI and its role in the workplace with its potential to drive productivity growth. In this special live episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell is joined onstage by Rob Thomas, senior vice president of software and chief commercial officer at IBM, during NY Tech Week. They discuss “the productivity paradox,” the importance of open-source AI, and a future where AI will touch every industry.

    This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

    Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the glorious world of 80s Charles Band productions with 1984’s “The Dungeonmaster,” a supernatural dreamscape with eight directors starring Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing. It’s time to reject the devil’s reality and substitute your own! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Related Episodes

    Daniel Whiteson, Time Traveler

    Daniel Whiteson, Time Traveler

    In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe welcome back Daniel Whiteson, particle physicist and co-host of Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe. Tune in for a discussion of time travel, wormholes and more that will actually transport you roughly an hour into the future. Plus Daniel will discuss the new book "Frequently Asked Questions About the Universe."

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    #187 – Frank Wilczek: Physics of Quarks, Dark Matter, Complexity, Life & Aliens

    #187 – Frank Wilczek: Physics of Quarks, Dark Matter, Complexity, Life & Aliens
    Frank Wilczek is a Nobel Prize winning physicist at MIT. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - The Information: https://theinformation.com/lex to get 75% off first month - NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Frank's Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrankWilczek Frank's Website: https://www.frankawilczek.com/ Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality (book): https://amzn.to/3vLPyQB PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (08:39) - Are there limits to what physics can understand? (17:31) - Beautiful ideas in physics (25:59) - Space and time are really big (29:47) - There are billions of thoughts in a human life (37:09) - Big bang (45:31) - How life emerged in the universe (51:33) - Aliens (1:01:25) - Consciousness (1:08:53) - Limits of physics (1:14:29) - Complimentary principle (1:23:34) - Free will (1:29:47) - Particles (1:35:10) - Nobel Prize in Physics (1:48:24) - Axions and dark matter (2:03:50) - Time crystals (2:08:42) - Theory of everything (2:18:10) - Advice for young people (2:23:52) - Meaning of life

    Episode #210: Down the Rabbithole

    Episode #210: Down the Rabbithole
    Every once in a while we decide we need to make an episode that can serve as an "entry point" for new listeners, and also to talk about our current state of mind and ideas on all the topics we discuss, and how they're connected. We first tried this in Episode 82, at the request of a listener. It was a good idea, and we now think we ought to do it every so often, to talk about these subjects broadly, and to work out where we stand now. So this episode is a rambling, free-form conversation that hopefully can serve as an overview of some of the topics we explore on this podcast, and a bit about why we explore them. Brothers of the Serpent Episode 210 If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element

    Episode #185: UnchartedX Swapcast - Sacsayhuaman

    Episode #185: UnchartedX Swapcast - Sacsayhuaman
    For our third installment in the series of swapcasts we are doing with Ben from UnchartedX, we are joined by Matt from the excellent Ancient Architects YouTube channel. The four of us take a look at Ben's raw footage of the amazing and mysterious megalithic site of Sacsayhuaman in Peru, as well as the remains of beautiful megalithic, polygonal, "cyclopean" masonry in the city of Cuzco below.Unlike Egypt, there is far less information available about these sites, what their true origins are, who built them, and why. We ponder these questions, as well as the questions of how these sites were constructed, as they seem almost unbelievable in the details of the masonry....and yet there they stand. Someone did it. Who they were and how they did it are still mysteries. The video for this episode will be released on all of our YouTube channels, so stay tuned! Brothers of the Serpent Episode 185 If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element

    Secrets Of Making A UFO DOCUMENTARY

    Secrets Of Making A UFO DOCUMENTARY
    Hi, Philip here, your humble narrator. In the wake (ahem) of the US Navy Tic Tac UFO's being in the news again, and following up on our awesome show last week with Mick West, I wanted to repost this very popular special episode. I am a documentary filmmaker and have made a number of science oriented films, including an extensive investigation into UFO's which I edited with Peter Jenning's at ABC News. One of the chapters I edited in that 2 hour documentary was a scientific investigation of the "alien abduction" phenomena, which included interviews with self-described "abductees" as well as scientists at Harvard University who studied the claims, and discovered a fascinating scientific explanation. In this solo episode, I take you on a deep dive into alien abduction, and I offer some PRO TIPS for what to do to BE PREPARED to document your CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE THIRD KIND. Because, frankly, all the abductees so far have been doing a pretty terrible job of getting evidence, especially anything that I could use in a real documentary like, ya know, good pictures... please! I also take you behind the screen (well, behind the keyboard at least) to see how UFO documentaries are edited, and how they have, intentionally or not, perpetuated the sense of "mystery" because of their editing techniques. I hope this will give you a way to more critically understand news and documentary stories about UFO's, and also give ya some laughs from some of the crazy things that happened to me while editing the Peter Jennings program, "UFOs: Seeing Is Believing". --- Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! --- Want to support the show? Click a rating or add a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app! itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1250517051?mt=2&ls=1 Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby