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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been making headlines since its announcement. But what makes the telescope so special? How do astronomers create the captivating images we see online? And is the $10 billion gamble actually paying off?

Here today to invite us into the intricacies of the controversial telescope is none other than Richard Panek, an award-winning science writer who specializes in astronomy and telescopes. 

Panek is known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to general audiences by blending them with his excellent storytelling. In his latest book, Pillars of Creation, he tackled the JWST and detailed its story from the very beginning.

Join us as we dive into the telescope’s groundbreaking design, the controversies surrounding it, the remarkable discoveries it has already made, the science behind the stunning images we see, and what the future of astronomy looks like.

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:29 Panic! at the Discs 
• 02:13 Hubble vs. Webb 
• 05:05 Judging a book by its cover
• 09:26 The discovery of dimethyl sulfide on Kepler K2-18b
• 11:27 Exoplanet detection and scientific goals 
• 13:33 Historical rhymes in astronomy 
• 16:56 The process and costs of running JWST 
• 21:21 Controversy around naming JWST 
• 28:25 How JWST images are made
• 37:43 Margin beyond the margin of error 
• 40:11 Assigning colors to infrared images 
• 43:26 The future of NASA’s giant observatories 
• 45:08 The 4-Percent Universe and what’s next for Richard
• 48:33 Outro

—

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Richard Panek:

📱 Website: https://www.richardpanek.net/ 

📚 Pillars of Creation: https://a.co/d/d86haI5 

📚 The 4-Percent Universe: https://a.co/d/hBlWtol

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥

Five years ago, I started this podcast from scratch. 

My idea was simple: create a platform to interview the world’s most brilliant scientists and make their genius known to as many people as possible. 

Since then, I’ve released nearly 500 episodes, interviewed some of the world’s brightest minds, and gained over 300K subscribers! I never thought it was possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to all of my guests and to every single one of you. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. 

To celebrate this incredible milestone, I’m answering all the questions you left for me across different platforms and reflecting on this journey and the lessons I’ve learned. 

P.S. I also share a BIG announcement in this episode, so don’t miss out!

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:42 The beginning of my podcasting journey
• 04:55 Reflecting on community building and limited reach
• 09:26 Why you should join me on Web 3.0 
• 11:00 Pleasing the algorithm
• 14:13 On theories of everything and publishing your ideas 
• 20:20 The existence of higher dimensions 
• 23:31 Thoughts on the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics 
• 25:59 What happens when things overlap? 
• 28:20 Big announcement!!
• 31:37 My biggest lesson on YouTube 
• 35:43 My favorite topics to discuss 
• 41:52 Appreciation comments 
• 43:44 Biology and astrobiology 
• 48:02 Roman Goddess of the CMB? 
• 49:43 Balancing fatherhood with having a podcast
• 54:01 Outro

—

Additional resources: 

➡️ Check out the videos mentioned:

🪄 Felix Flicker: The Magic of Physics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJJGv-5Rk4I 

🧵 Brian Greene: The Truth About String Theory & TOEs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpsxH7mOopM 

📚 What Is A Theory of Everything? Featuring Sabine Hossenfelder, Lee Smolin, & Eric Weinstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saamEkrBZfM 

🤯 Stephen Wolfram: My Discovery Changes Everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-RO3vM10Ok 

🧬 The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq__JpieNQ 

🔬 Life's Catalyst: RNA with Nobel Prize Winner Tom Cech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y2knbUnpN0 

👽 Is Earth Unique? Mario Livio and Jack Szostak on the Odds of Alien Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPUS-V6XX8E 

🛸 Aliens Existed (Now They’re Dead): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl8N_aK_q0Y

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can a "real" scientist believe in God? Physics professors Brian Keating and Michael Dennin engage in a fascinating discussion about the existence of God, exploring the intersection of science and faith. From cosmic origins to the nature of miracles, these two accomplished scientists examine different perspectives on religion, including insights from Judaism and Catholicism. They tackle challenging questions about the Big Bang theory, multiple universes, and whether scientific evidence can prove or disprove God's existence. The conversation features reactions to arguments from both William Lane Craig and Neil deGrasse Tyson, offering a balanced and nuanced exploration of one of humanity's most fundamental questions.

This inaugural episode of The God Question brings together scientific expertise and personal faith journeys, demonstrating how two physicists with similar backgrounds can arrive at different but respectful conclusions about the divine.

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Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥

Can AI tools like ChatGPT actually "think," or is it just really good at mimicking human conversation? How much of what AI spits out is a reflection of our own ideas and intentions? And where's all this tech headed in the future?

Today, I’m joined by Terry Sejnowski, a renowned computational neuroscientist and pioneer in AI and deep learning. Based at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of California, San Diego, he bridges neuroscience and AI to explore how biological brains and artificial systems learn and process information. 

Terry is also the co-creator of the Boltzmann Machine, a game-changing algorithm that has shaped today’s​​ AI and is a foundation for modern neural networks. He has also written some incredible books, including The Deep Learning Revolution” and “ChatGPT and the Future of AI. 

In our conversation, we discuss the current state of AI, what’s next, the ins and outs of prompt engineering, the mirror hypothesis (how AI reflects us), its impact on productivity, and the ethical challenges we must tackle.

Tune in to discover the truth about AI!

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:36 Judging a book by its cover 
• 07:05 The impact of AI on human capabilities
• 12:32 Einstein's happiest thought and can AI think? 
• 16:51 Can AI come up with something novel? 
• 24:20 The role of learning and neural networks in AI 
• 32:37 The future of AI and its potential impact
• 46:43 The mirroring effect 
• 50:52 Practical applications of AI 
• 54:00 Outro

—

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Terry Sejnowski:

📚 ChatGPT and the Future of AI: https://a.co/d/cZnuZbs 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Peterson sits down with experimental cosmologist Dr. Brian Keating. They discuss the importance of awe for the human spirit, the fundamental ethos behind all true science, the idea of the useless genius, and the necessity of sacrifice for improvement of the self and the broader community.

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Could life exist on moons orbiting distant planets? Are We Alone? What if the key to understanding life's origins lies in the moons of distant worlds?

Exoplanetary scientist David Kipping is here to answer these big questions. He is a professor at Columbia University, the leading mind behind exomoons, and also the host of the Cool Worlds Lab.

He shares his groundbreaking research, including the discovery of Kepler-1708 b-i, a potential exomoon candidate. He explains why moons, like Earth’s, might be the unsung heroes in stabilizing conditions for life and how the latest tools, like the James Webb Space Telescope, are changing the game for astronomers.

But that’s not all. You’ll hear about the role of panspermia (yes, life traveling between planets!), the fine-tuning of our universe, and what it takes to push the boundaries of scientific communication.

If you’ve ever pondered the question, “Are we alone?” or simply love a good cosmic mystery, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Tune in now for an eye-opening journey through the cosmos and beyond!

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:58 David Kipping's background and motivation
• 05:09 The role of moons in the origin of life
• 10:59 Bayesian frameworks and panspermia
• 19:30 Exomoon detection and research strategy
• 32:40 JWST observations and data analysis
• 41:14 Balancing scientific communication and public engagement
• 50:48 Future missions and their impact on exomoon research
• 54:49 Advice for young scientists and final thoughts 
• 57:32 Outro 

—

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about David Kipping:

📱 Website: https://www.coolworldslab.com/

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/david_kipping

🔔 YouTube Channel: Cool Worlds Lab

✍️ Kepler-1708 b-i Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-021-01539-1

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥

What are the current limitations of AI? What advancements do we need to achieve human-like intelligence? And how can we develop AI safely to align with our values? 

Here today to offer us an astounding look behind the scenes of AI development is Meta’s chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun! Yann is a pioneer in AI and a Turing Award winner who has been at the forefront of major breakthroughs in machine learning and neural networks. As the architect behind transformative AI technologies, Yann joins us to demystify the path toward human-level intelligence and the challenges that lie ahead. He also introduces the Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA), a potential game-changer for enabling AI to model and predict complex real-world scenarios.

Tune in for a look into the future of AI!

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:04:11 Is AI barely as smart as a cat?
• 00:08:50 Joint-Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA) 
• 00:30:25 Comparing self-supervised learning and dark matter 
• 00:39:23 AGI and human-level intelligence 
• 00:51:50 Preventing loss of control over powerful AI
• 01:02:45 Future of AI and education 
• 01:10:56 What was Yann wrong about?
• 01:12:14 Outro 

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Yann LeCun:

📱 Website: https://yann.lecun.com/ 

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/ylecun  

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥

Is Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars realistic? How does cosmic insignificance shape our understanding of humanity? And why do science and astrology clash so fundamentally?

Here to dive deep into some of humanity's most profound questions is none other than Neil deGrasse Tyson! Tyson, of course, needs no introduction. He’s a renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator who frequently appears in the media to discuss topics ranging from the universe to the intersection of science and culture. His charismatic style and passion for education have made him one of the most recognizable figures in the scientific community.

In this in-depth interview, we explore cosmic insignificance, Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions, astrology, our obsession with politics, social media, AI, journalistic integrity, and much more.

Tune in to discover what Neil really thinks about some of the most pressing questions of our time!

—

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:16:38 Cosmic insignificance therapy 
• 00:27:39 Judging a book by its cover
• 00:49:04 Debunking astrology 
• 00:55:15 Life on Mars and panspermia 
• 01:02:55 The giant-impact hypothesis 
• 01:09:04 Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars
• 01:23:45 Journalism, social media, and our obsession with politics
• 01:40:10 Audience questions 
• 01:45:02 The impact of AI on education 
• 01:51:02 Fusion ignition and its implications 
• 01:56:25 The great filter
• 02:02:03 Outro 

Additional resources: 

➡️ VVisit Consensus.app and Enter code KEATING at checkout for

40% off Consensus Premium for 2 Years or visit this link https://bit.ly/ConsensusApp

➡️ Learn more about Neil deGrasse Tyson:

📱 Website: https://neildegrassetyson.com/ 

🔔 StarTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarTalk 

📚 Merlin’s Tour of the Universe Revised: https://a.co/d/3cBz3m8 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

—

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥

How should we communicate big ideas? How do science and poetry differ in their communication of knowledge? And can poetry enhance our understanding of cosmology? 

Today, I’m joined by the renowned theoretical physicist and author of the thought-provoking book “Origins,” Joseph Conlon. In his book, Joseph reveals the origins of our universe through two long-form poems. With his extensive expertise in cosmology and philosophical thought, he sheds light on how the language of science not only explains the cosmos but also inspires us to reflect on the deeper meanings behind the laws that govern it. We also dive deep into string theory, string theory alternatives, and the current state of physics. 

Tune in to learn more about the intersection of poetry and science!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:50 How science and poetry communicate
• 04:10 Judging a book by its cover
• 07:04 How can poetry enhance our understanding of cosmology?
• 08:26 Why are physicists condescending to art? 
• 10:35 Elements and structures in Origins 
• 15:27 String theory and string theory alternatives 
• 22:27 String theory, extra dimensions, and dark matter
• 28:12 The philosophy of science and science communication 
• 32:16 How AI is changing education and art
• 34:30 Whitman or Feynman? 
• 38:40 Joseph’s personal journey with physics and poetry 
• 40:49 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Joseph Conlon:

📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-conlon-338aaa23/ 

📚 Origins: https://amzn.eu/d/2hybmbq

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

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/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to embark on a cosmic journey with Jason Steffen, author of Hidden in the Heavens and one of the brilliant minds behind the groundbreaking Kepler Mission. This live episode of The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast promises to be an unmissable masterclass in exoplanet science, filled with awe-inspiring discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and lessons that redefine our place in the cosmos.

What You’ll Discover:

🚀 The Kepler Mission’s Epic Journey: Learn how a team of visionaries overcame two decades of challenges to launch a space telescope that revolutionized planetary science.

🌍 Earth’s Place in the Universe: What have 5,000+ exoplanets taught us about the possibility of finding Earth-like worlds—and the uniqueness of our own planet?

💡 Breakthroughs That Changed Science Forever: From “hot Jupiters” to the unexpected diversity of planetary systems, explore how Kepler rewrote the rulebook on planetary formation.

👩‍🔬 Inspiration for Aspiring Scientists: Hear Jason’s advice for navigating uncertainty, thriving in collaborative missions, and turning curiosity into impactful discoveries.

🔭 The Future of Exoplanet Research: With the James Webb Space Telescope building on Kepler’s legacy, what’s next in the search for life beyond Earth?

Why You Can’t Miss This:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s an educational experience for anyone fascinated by the cosmos, science, or humanity’s eternal quest to answer the biggest questions. Whether you’re a seasoned scientist, a student of the stars, or simply curious about our place in the universe, this episode will leave you inspired and enlightened.

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