Humanity has a long and inventive history of sports and games, and the future will offer us many new options for athletics as we move out in space, be it racing around the Moon, climbing the mountains of Mars, hang gliding on Venus, or zero-g gymnastics. We'll also explore potential challenges and opportunities offered by genetic enhancement, cybernetics, and virtual reality. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/q11w9UF5vKM Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/is...
Sep 05, 2019•24 min
Humanity has a long and inventive history of sports and games, and the future will offer us many new options for athletics as we move out in space, be it racing around the Moon, climbing the mountains of Mars, hang gliding on Venus, or zero-g gymnastics. We'll also explore potential challenges and opportunities offered by genetic enhancement, cybernetics, and virtual reality. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/q11w9UF5vKM Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/is...
Sep 05, 2019•24 min
A Paperclip Maximizer is an example of artificial intelligence run amok performing a job, potentially seeking to turn all the Universe into paperclips. But it's also an example of a concept called Instrumental Convergence, where two entities with wildly different ultimate goals might end up acting very much alike. This concept is very important to preparing ourselves for future automation and machine minds, and we'll explore that today. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/3mk7NVFz_88 Visit...
Sep 01, 2019•22 min
A Paperclip Maximizer is an example of artificial intelligence run amok performing a job, potentially seeking to turn all the Universe into paperclips. But it's also an example of a concept called Instrumental Convergence, where two entities with wildly different ultimate goals might end up acting very much alike. This concept is very important to preparing ourselves for future automation and machine minds, and we'll explore that today. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/3mk7NVFz_88 Visit...
Sep 01, 2019•23 min
Science fiction delights in showing us brave adventurers boarding abandoned spaceships, exploring ancient alien worlds and space hulks, or surviving on planets turned into giant garbage dumps, but how realistic is this idea? And what sort of civilizations and cultures might spring up around such efforts? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/xMrWF4nOyC8 Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https:...
Aug 29, 2019•24 min
Science fiction delights in showing us brave adventurers boarding abandoned spaceships, exploring ancient alien worlds and space hulks, or surviving on planets turned into giant garbage dumps, but how realistic is this idea? And what sort of civilizations and cultures might spring up around such efforts? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/xMrWF4nOyC8 Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https:...
Aug 29, 2019•24 min
It's popular to say nothing is impossible, especially in regard to the future and our Universe, but are there somethings which might turn out to be impossible or at least so impractical they never occur? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/KIvaPRzDJwo SFIA Episode List (Chronological): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E7UTCFWSRk1vuyjmYhSvtmvINVSU9tWy5LabQeHW9t8/edit?usp=sharing Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur Visit our Website: http://www...
Aug 22, 2019•29 min
It's popular to say nothing is impossible, especially in regard to the future and our Universe, but are there somethings which might turn out to be impossible or at least so impractical they never occur? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/KIvaPRzDJwo SFIA Episode List (Chronological): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E7UTCFWSRk1vuyjmYhSvtmvINVSU9tWy5LabQeHW9t8/edit?usp=sharing Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur Visit our Website: http://www...
Aug 22, 2019•28 min
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ In the future humanity might build structures of incomprehensible size and splendor, megastructures and artificial worlds, but somebody is going to have to build and maintain these feats of science and engineering and clean up all the orbital debris. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2Tbffv7ZCz8 Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur SFIA Merchandise availabl...
Aug 15, 2019•34 min
Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ In the future humanity might build structures of incomprehensible size and splendor, megastructures and artificial worlds, but somebody is going to have to build and maintain these feats of science and engineering and clean up all the orbital debris. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2Tbffv7ZCz8 Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur SFIA Merchandise availabl...
Aug 15, 2019•33 min
Nuclear Fusion holds the potential to free us of so many of the constraints offered by everything from fossil fuels to renewable energy option like wind and solar, if we can just get it working. Today we'll look at the challenges facing us in terms of the physics and engineering, the various possible reactors like the Tokamak, Poylwell, NFI, and more, and see what a bright future fusion might offers us. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/ChTJHEdf6yM Start listening with a 30-day Audible t...
Aug 08, 2019•32 min
Nuclear Fusion holds the potential to free us of so many of the constraints offered by everything from fossil fuels to renewable energy option like wind and solar, if we can just get it working. Today we'll look at the challenges facing us in terms of the physics and engineering, the various possible reactors like the Tokamak, Poylwell, NFI, and more, and see what a bright future fusion might offers us. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/ChTJHEdf6yM Start listening with a 30-day Audible t...
Aug 08, 2019•32 min
Natural disasters can topple civilizations, even in modern times, but with more and more technology civilizations become more robust and capable of predicting future calamities and preventing such ruin. So what other threats face spacefaring civilizations, both at the interplanetary and interstellar scale? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Y-CrHiiN0fI Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: http...
Aug 01, 2019•28 min
Natural disasters can topple civilizations, even in modern times, but with more and more technology civilizations become more robust and capable of predicting future calamities and preventing such ruin. So what other threats face spacefaring civilizations, both at the interplanetary and interstellar scale? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Y-CrHiiN0fI Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: http...
Aug 01, 2019•27 min
Alien Invasions have been a staple of science fiction for years, with motherships and UFOs assaulting Earth, but how realistic is such a thing? We'll take a look at what might motivate an attack, how it might happen, what alternatives might make more sense, and what might prevent extraterrestrials from trying. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/rBFubEKHR7A Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us ...
Jul 25, 2019•28 min
Alien Invasions have been a staple of science fiction for years, with motherships and UFOs assaulting Earth, but how realistic is such a thing? We'll take a look at what might motivate an attack, how it might happen, what alternatives might make more sense, and what might prevent extraterrestrials from trying. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/rBFubEKHR7A Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://curiositystream.com/isaacarthur Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us ...
Jul 25, 2019•27 min
We continue our discussion of the Boltzmann Brain - a hypothetical randomly assembled mind rather than an evolved one - by looking at the Anthropic Principle and the Fine-Tuned Universe Theory, alternative ways of viewing the probability of our existence than the classic Copernican Principle. Watch the video versions: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfQb_-XAuY Part 2: https://youtu.be/GrK9EaQRp2I Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://...
Jul 21, 2019•36 min
The idea of spaceships or other machines that were essentially alive and able to repair and operate themselves has long been a popular one in science fiction. We'll take a look today at how that might be possible in the future, what advantages it would have for interplanetary or interstellar colonization, and how it might lead to entire artificial ecosystems dwelling in the void of space. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/YYEUKRHGgAg Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/Is...
Jul 18, 2019•28 min
The idea of spaceships or other machines that were essentially alive and able to repair and operate themselves has long been a popular one in science fiction. We'll take a look today at how that might be possible in the future, what advantages it would have for interplanetary or interstellar colonization, and how it might lead to entire artificial ecosystems dwelling in the void of space. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/YYEUKRHGgAg Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/Is...
Jul 18, 2019•27 min
The possibility of extraterrestrial life on other worlds has long fascinated us, as has the idea of alien life living in space itself, but while the former is often considered quite probable, the idea of anything evolving on airless moons, comets, and asteroids seems less likely. But with scientists uncovering life in ever more extreme and inhospitable environments on Earth, perhaps it is more likely than we think. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/0ZPlhwiXIz0 Sign up with Skillshare for...
Jul 14, 2019•27 min
The possibility of extraterrestrial life on other worlds has long fascinated us, as has the idea of alien life living in space itself, but while the former is often considered quite probable, the idea of anything evolving on airless moons, comets, and asteroids seems less likely. But with scientists uncovering life in ever more extreme and inhospitable environments on Earth, perhaps it is more likely than we think. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/0ZPlhwiXIz0 Sign up with Skillshare for...
Jul 14, 2019•26 min
Space is an awesome place filled with virtually infinite wonders to explore, and human colonization will likely make far more. It may soon be possible for people to journey up to orbit as tourists, and in the more distant future this might become a vast trade, with tourism in Space Station Hotels or on the Moon or Mars or traveling to countless other planets, moons, asteroids, or megastructures. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/-YebEDmbG_M Start listening with a 30-day Audible trial and...
Jul 11, 2019•24 min
Space is an awesome place filled with virtually infinite wonders to explore, and human colonization will likely make far more. It may soon be possible for people to journey up to orbit as tourists, and in the more distant future this might become a vast trade, with tourism in Space Station Hotels or on the Moon or Mars or traveling to countless other planets, moons, asteroids, or megastructures. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/-YebEDmbG_M Start listening with a 30-day Audible trial and...
Jul 11, 2019•25 min
There are many reasons not to eat meat, or at least less of it: medical, ethical, economical, or ecological, but the stuff is quite tasty. Today we'll look at how artificial meat technologies in the near future might allow us to produce a genuine alternative to modern methods of standard agriculture or meat substitutes, and maybe even some exotic meats not available at the supermarket. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/_NULFAItoBs Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/Isaac...
Jul 04, 2019•23 min
There are many reasons not to eat meat, or at least less of it: medical, ethical, economical, or ecological, but the stuff is quite tasty. Today we'll look at how artificial meat technologies in the near future might allow us to produce a genuine alternative to modern methods of standard agriculture or meat substitutes, and maybe even some exotic meats not available at the supermarket. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/_NULFAItoBs Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/Isaac...
Jul 04, 2019•22 min
In order to get into space, we require either huge amounts of rocket fuel or dangerously powerful energy sources, making personal spacecraft a technology limited to science fiction. But by harnessing beamed power sources to run engines, we may be able to create a spaceplane cheap enough and safe enough that anyone could have one in the future. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Wol8EU6Rtbk Sign up with Skillshare for 2 months of Free classes: https://skl.sh/isaacarthur11 Visit our Website...
Jun 27, 2019•23 min
In order to get into space, we require either huge amounts of rocket fuel or dangerously powerful energy sources, making personal spacecraft a technology limited to science fiction. But by harnessing beamed power sources to run engines, we may be able to create a spaceplane cheap enough and safe enough that anyone could have one in the future. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Wol8EU6Rtbk Sign up with Skillshare for 2 months of Free classes: https://skl.sh/isaacarthur11 Visit our Website...
Jun 27, 2019•24 min
The dream of having superhuman abilities is as old as humanity, and appeared in everything from mythology to comic books, but the future might offer technologies that turn these dreams into reality. Today we'll explore some of those options, from superstrength and speed to options like telepathy. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2sw1WLXkQQk Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.pa...
Jun 20, 2019•23 min
The dream of having superhuman abilities is as old as humanity, and appeared in everything from mythology to comic books, but the future might offer technologies that turn these dreams into reality. Today we'll explore some of those options, from superstrength and speed to options like telepathy. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2sw1WLXkQQk Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.pa...
Jun 20, 2019•23 min
Black Holes are often considered the most dangerous objects in the Universe, especially in science fiction, and today we'll look at how these may be used as weapons in future warfare. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/zTMxO1nJaA4 Start listening with a 30-day Audible trial and your first audiobook plus two Audible Originals are free. Visit http://www.audible.com/isaac or text "ISAAC" to 500-500. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/...
Jun 13, 2019•31 min
