In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Andrew Novick delve into the intricate world of timekeeping, exploring the significance of precise time measurement in modern technology. They discuss the evolution from traditional atomic clocks to cutting-edge optical clocks, the critical role of time in various industries, and the implications of time on fundamental physics, including Einstein's theories. The conversation also touches on the quirky concept of leap seconds and the future advancement...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Summary This episode of Breaking Math explores the fundamental concept of measurement, its importance in daily life, and the necessity for standardized units. The discussion highlights the role of the International System of Units (SI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in maintaining measurement accuracy. It also touches on historical measurement failures and the evolution of measurement definitions, emphasizing the future of measurement in technology and science. Sub...
Feb 18, 2025•7 min
In this episode, Dr. Destine Nock, CEO of Peoples Energy Analytics and a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, joins Autumn to dive deep into the world of energy equity. They explore how cutting-edge data analytics are revolutionizing the landscape of affordable energy access. As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to grow, the need to ensure fair and inclusive energy distribution becomes more critical than ever. Together, our hosts break down how data-driven insights...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min
In this captivating episode of Breaking Math, hosts Gabriel and Autumn dive deep into chaos theory—a fascinating branch of mathematics that explores the behavior of complex systems highly sensitive to initial conditions. They break down the butterfly effect, revealing how tiny variations can lead to major consequences and discuss the inherent unpredictability in weather forecasting and the financial markets. The episode also uncovers chaos theory’s influence on human physiology, such as heart ra...
Nov 12, 2024•13 min
In this episode of Breaking Math , we dive deep into the transformative power of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 in the fields of chemistry and materials science, based on the article "14 examples of how LLMs can transform materials science and chemistry: a reflection on a large language model hackathon" by Jablonka et al. from the Digital Discovery Journal . Discover how AI is revolutionizing scientific research with predictive modeling, lab automation, natural language interfaces, and ...
Nov 05, 2024•12 min
In this episode of Breaking Math , we explore the unexpected link between sheep herding and fluid dynamics! Did you know that the way sheep move in a herd is governed by the same mathematical principles as water flowing in a river? By following simple rules of alignment, cohesion, and separation, sheep create a coordinated, fluid-like movement that scientists can model to predict behavior. Join us as we break down how these principles apply not only to animal herds but also to real-world a...
Oct 29, 2024•15 min
In this exciting episode of Breaking Math , we explore the groundbreaking discovery of the largest prime number ever found — M136279841 , a Mersenne prime with over 41 million digits ! Join us as we dive deep into the story behind this astonishing mathematical achievement, led by Luke Durant , a volunteer from the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) project. Discover how Mersenne primes work, why they’re so important to the world of mathematics, and how cutting-edge technology like GPUs...
Oct 22, 2024•8 min
In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Gabriel Hesch and Autumn Phaneuf dive into the cutting-edge world of Generative Flow Networks (GFlowNets) and their role in artificial intelligence and material science. The discussion centers on how GFlowNets are revolutionizing the discovery of new materials for carbon capture, offering a powerful alternative to traditional AI models. Learn about the mechanics of GFlowNets, their advantages, and the groundbreaking results in developing materials with enh...
Oct 22, 2024•11 min
Explore the intriguing intersection of science and spiritualism in the Victorian era . This episode uncovers how prominent scientists like Michael Faraday , William James , and Marie & Pierre Curie engaged with supernatural phenomena and the rise of spiritualism . Discover the scientific efforts to debunk or understand paranormal activities , and how these investigations shaped modern science. Dive into the fascinating legacy of this 19th-century movement and its lasting impact on today's sc...
Oct 15, 2024•23 min
AI & Consciousness: Philosophical Debates, Ethical Implications & the Future of Conscious Machines In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Autumn and Gabriel explore the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness. Delve into historical perspectives, philosophical debates, and the ethical questions surrounding the creation of conscious machines. Key topics include the evolution of AI, challenges in defining and testing consciousness, and the potential ri...
Oct 08, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Breaking Math , hosts Autumn and Gabriel take a deep dive into the paper “Towards Equilibrium Molecular Conformation Generation with GFlowNets” by Volokova et al. , published in the Digital Discovery Journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry . They explore the cutting-edge intersection of molecular conformations and machine learning , comparing traditional methods like molecular dynamics and cheminformatics with the innovative approach of Generative Flow Networks (GFlowNets) f...
Oct 01, 2024•28 min
Mathematical Patterns in Plants: Fibonacci, Golden Ratio & Nature's Hidden Math with Christophe Gole & Nancy Pick In this episode of Breaking Math, host Autumn interviews authors Christophe Gole and Nancy Pick about the captivating world of mathematical patterns in plants, inspired by their book Do Plants Know Math?. Explore the intersection of mathematics and biology as they discuss the Fibonacci sequence, the golden ratio, and spiral formations that reveal nature's mathematical beauty....
Sep 24, 2024•56 min
Math & Cartography: Dr. Paula Rowinska on Map Projections, Gerrymandering & Real-World Math In this episode of Breaking Math, host Autumn interviews Dr. Paula Rowinska about her unique journey from earning a PhD in mathematics to writing about math and cartography. They discuss the fascinating connection between map-making and mathematics, debunking misconceptions about map projections and exploring key topics like the coastline paradox, gerrymandering, and the traveling salesman problem...
Sep 17, 2024•58 min
In this conversation, Gabriel and Autumn interview Jeff Perry, a career coach and author of the book 'The Intentional Engineer'. They discuss the importance of being intentional in one's career, understanding one's passions and skills, and building a strong professional network. Jeff shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming an engineer coach and offers advice on how to navigate career transitions. They also explore the concept of 'genius zones' and how to identify and leverage one's...
Sep 10, 2024•56 min
Math & Language: Creativity, Quantification, and Making Math Accessible with Ben Orlin In this episode of Breaking Math , hosts sit down with Ben Orlin , author of Math for English Majors and Math with Bad Drawings , to explore the intersection of math and language . Discover the unique skill sets required for mathematics and creativity , how math education can be made more accessible, and the role of quantification in empowering individuals across various fields, including literature and th...
Sep 03, 2024•59 min
In this episode Autumn and Dr. Jonathan Schwabish discuss the importance of strategic thinking in data visualization and the key elements of good data. He emphasizes the need to understand the data and how it was collected, as well as the importance of starting bar charts at zero. He also highlights common mistakes in data visualization, such as distorting or lying with visuals, and the potential impact of data visualization on policy decisions. Looking to the future, he discusses the role of AI...
Aug 27, 2024•53 min
In this episode, Gabriel and Autumn interview mathematician, comedian, and author Matt Parker about his latest book, "Love Triangle." They discuss the unique page numbering system in the book, which is based on the sine function, and how it adds an extra layer of discovery for readers. They also explore the use of triangles and quads in 3D modeling, the concept of Perlin noise, and the perception of randomness. The conversation touches on the intersection of mathematics and creativity, as well a...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr
Surprise! It's a Friday episode for you! Yes, yes it is a rerun, but we wanted to share it anyways. We can't wait for our fall lineup because it's packed with surprises. See you back on Tuesday. Keywords: Black holes, gravity, universe, physics, ai, machine learning, education, statistics, engineering, humanity Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts. Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a month Follow Breaking Math on Twitter , Instagram , Linke...
Aug 16, 2024•12 min
It's the last week of our summer break and we have 2 episodes this week for you as a little treat. So check out our show on Friday too for a little bit more fun. We can't wait for our fall lineup because it's packed with surprises. If you have not listened to the last two episodes, then we'd highly recommend going back and listening to those. We're choosing to present this information this way because otherwise we'd waste most of your time re-explaining concepts we've already covered. Black hole...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Happy Summer! We have another week of our summer break after this episode from 2018. We will be back shortly with more content and surprises! Black holes are objects that seem exotic to us because they have properties that boggle our comparatively mild-mannered minds. These are objects that light cannot escape from, yet glow with the energy they have captured until they evaporate out all of their mass. They thus have temperature, but Einstein's general theory of relativity predicts a paradoxical...
Aug 06, 2024•56 min
Happy Summer! Check out part one of our three part series on black holes from 2018. Enjoy! The idea of something that is inescapable, at first glance, seems to violate our sense of freedom. This sense of freedom, for many, seems so intrinsic to our way of seeing the universe that it seems as though such an idea would only beget horror in the human mind. And black holes, being objects from which not even light can escape, for many do beget that same existential horror. But these objects are not e...
Jul 30, 2024•53 min
In this minisode, Autumn explores the basics in the world of journal rankings and metrics. She discusses the importance of journal rankings and how they are determined, focusing on metrics like impact factor, mathematical citation quotient (MCQ), and publication power approach (PPA). She explains how these metrics provide insights into a journal's influence and performance, but also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of research beyond just metrics. Keywords: journal rankings, jo...
Jul 23, 2024•12 min
In this episode Autumn and Anil Ananthaswamy discuss the inspiration behind his book “Why Machines Learn” and the importance of understanding the math behind machine learning. He explains that the book aims to convey the beauty and essential concepts of machine learning through storytelling, history, sociology, and mathematics. Anil emphasizes the need for society to become gatekeepers of AI by understanding the mathematical basis of machine learning. He also explores the history of machine lear...
Jul 16, 2024•40 min
This discussion Autumn and Gabe delves into Ismar Volic's personal background and inspiration for writing the book, “ Making Democracy Count ” as well as the practical and theoretical aspects of voting systems. Additionally, the conversation explores the application of voting systems to everyday decision-making and the use of topological data analysis in understanding societal polarization. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including data visualization, gerrymandering, electoral sy...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this conversation, Gabe and Autumn celebrate the 101st episode of Breaking Math and discuss the evolution of the podcast. They highlight the importance of creativity in teaching mathematics and share their plans to expand Breaking Math into Breaking Math Media. They also discuss the history of physics and the big questions that inform the podcast. The hosts express their desire to collaborate with listeners and explore practical applications of math in different fields. They also mention book...
Jul 02, 2024•48 min
In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Gabe explore the concept of nothingness and its significance in various fields. They discuss the philosophical, scientific, mathematical, and literary aspects of nothingness, highlighting its role in understanding reality and existence. They mention books like 'Incomplete Nature' by Terence Deacon and 'Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea' by Charles Seife, which delve into the concept of absence and zero. The episode concludes by emphasizing the c...
Jun 18, 2024•20 min
In this conversation, Autumn Phaneuf interviews Zach Weinersmith, a cartoonist and writer, about the feasibility and implications of space settlement. They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding space colonization, including the idea that it will make us rich, mitigate war, and make us wiser. They explore the potential of the moon and Mars as settlement options, as well as the concept of rotating space stations. They also touch on the physiological effects of space travel and the ...
May 28, 2024•34 min
In this conversation, Autumn Phaneuf and Zach Weinersmith discusses his new book, A City on Mars, which takes a humorous look at the challenges of building a Martian society. He explores the misconceptions and myths surrounding space settlement and the feasibility of colonizing Mars. He argues that space is unlikely to make anyone rich and that the idea that space will mitigate war is unsupported. He also discusses the potential benefits and limitations of settling on the Moon and Mars, as well ...
May 21, 2024•33 min
Welcome to another engaging episode of the Breaking Math Podcast! Today's episode, titled "What is the Use?," features a fascinating conversation with the renowned mathematician and author, Professor Ian Stewart. As Professor Stewart discusses his latest book "What's the Use? How Mathematics Shapes Everyday Life," we dive deep into the real-world applications of mathematics that often go unnoticed in our daily technologies, like smartphones, and their unpredictable implications in various fields...
May 14, 2024•44 min
Tom Chivers discusses his book 'Everything is Predictable: How Bayesian Statistics Explain Our World' and the applications of Bayesian statistics in various fields. He explains how Bayesian reasoning can be used to make predictions and evaluate the likelihood of hypotheses. Chivers also touches on the intersection of AI and ethics, particularly in relation to AI-generated art. The conversation explores the history of Bayes' theorem and its role in science, law, and medicine. Overall, the discuss...
May 07, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 95
