Tag: sun

• Exo Wombs and the Faint Young Sun Paradox

  To combat low population growth, some countries are looking into using artificial wombs to grow new humans. Anthony and Jeff examine this dystopian idea to see if it might actually make sense. Then, we know the sun - and all stars - get hotter and hotter until they die. But what we rarely consider if how a younger sun would have been dimmer and cooler. Jeff and Anthony take a look at the paradox of how life on Earth emerged when it would have been too cold for oceans to flow. [more]

  February 4, 2022Episodes

• Kid Free and A Sun on Earth

  Does choosing to have children affect your happiness? For years, the accepted wisdom was that people with kids tend to report more happiness than those who remain childless. But now a new study delves deeper into the question. As two sides of that coin themselves, Anthony and Jeff have opinions. Then, a big new step toward fusion-based power has been taken. A bold, 35 country partnership crosses a new milestone in building the sun on earth, and Jeff and Anthony break down just how impressive it is. [more]

  June 25, 2021Episodes

• Block the Sun and a Battery of Waste

  The crisis of global climate change is causing some researchers to consider drastic measures, including the idea of sending nanoparticles into the atmosphere to reflect the sun's rays away from Earth. But the government of Sweden isn't having it. Anthony and Jeff debate the science of blotting out the sun. Then, what if you could have a battery that lasts 28,000 years? A new startup aims to have a working prototype available in 2 years. The catch? It's made out of nuclear waste. Jeff and Anthony have some concerns. [more]

  April 16, 2021Episodes

• Destroy the Sun and AI Know What You’re Thinking

  A new study finds direct correlation between proton density in the rays of the sun and seismic activity on earth, leading researchers to believe there may be a way to predict earthquakes up to 24 hours in advance. Jeff and Anthony consider the evidence that the Sun may be causing earthquakes and what it could mean. Then, scientists are connecting humans with EKG sensors to computers running AI algorithms. The resulting data is allowing the AI to be able to predict what a human is thinking. Anthony and Jeff look at the positives and negatives of such experiments. [more]

  September 25, 2020Episodes

• Sun Blot (Live From PAX East 2018)

  Scientists in developing nations plan to step up research into dimming sunshine to curb climate change, hoping to judge if a man-made chemical sunshade would be less risky than a harmful rise in global temperatures. Twelve scholars, from countries including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Jamaica and Thailand, wrote in the journal Nature on Wednesday that the poor were most vulnerable to global warming and should be more involved. These countries are starting to research “solar geo-engineering”, which would mimic big volcanic eruptions that can cool the Earth by masking the sun with a veil of ash. Jeff and Anthony fondly remember this golden era Simpsons episode. Recorded live in Boston at PAX East 2018. [more]

  April 11, 2018Episodes