Mindscape Ask Me Anything, Sean Carroll | September 2024

[@thechadeuropeanfederalist893]

1. 04:27 How would cosmology be done if we could not make observations? 2. 08:22 Does determinism detract from sports enjoyment? 3. 10:51 Can we trust our limited cosmic observations? 4. 11:08 Is our consciousness special or just lucky? 5. 11:31 Is subjectivity fundamental? 6. 16:05 Dark matter or dark energy, weirder? 7. 18:34 Can a particle have an unmeasurable state? 21:31 Could religion could still be a valuable tool for living a meaningful life in a naturalistic worldview 8. 24:46 Will a complete theory of nature ever exist? 9. 28:02 Does gravity require a graviton? 30:32 Have you found a method for addressing small risks with big consequences, or a way to handle multiple such risks at once? 34:08 If the "lion diet" (just red meat, salt, and water) could add 20 years to your healthspan and lifespan, would you give up the pleasure of a varied diet? 36:11 Are virtual particles of different physical natures? 37:52 Why shouldn't a Bayesian set a prior to 1? 10. 39:53 Can AI feel pain or emotions? 11. 42:21 Can physical phenomena affect personality? 13. 46:17 Can we learn about entropy & life from BFF? 15. 52:05 Is life without energy dissipation surprising? 16. 54:29 Is it cheating to use a programming language to study life? 17. 59:02 Are self-replicating systems rare in Conway's Game of Life? 18. 01:01:02 Does artificial life imply creationism? 19. 01:03:05 Are oscillations in a chemical reaction a life cycle? 20. 01:05:54 What are your thoughts on score voting? 21. 01:12:32 How do you feel about turning 60? 22. 01:14:55 Should there be a minimum bar for suffrage? 23. 01:16:11 Are virtual particles in different contexts the same? 24. 01:36:02 What are your thoughts on the Democratic strategy regarding Project 2025? 25. 01:53:53 Thoughts on serious applications of Asimov's laws of robotics? 26. 01:59:00 Does coarse-graining ignore information? 27. 02:06:50 Is Euler's Identity profound or an artifact of our notation? 28. 02:09:38 Do virtual particles create anti-gravitons? 29. 02:10:43 Can dark energy be harnessed? 30. 02:12:57 What if vacuum decay happened in a black hole? 31. 02:16:50 Is anything exhibiting conscious-like behaviors conscious? 32. 02:17:17 What are the requirements for consciousness? 33. 02:19:37 Is the wild cat still around? 34. 02:21:53 Should quantum mechanics be taught before classical mechanics? 35. 02:23:45 Did complexity increase in a few steps? 36. 02:25:36 Were early universe particles the same as today's? 37. 02:30:21 What is the correct view on Hawking vs. Unruh radiation? 38. 02:35:57 If locality isn't fundamental could there be computational engines that solve problems faster than exponential time? 39. 02:40:24 What’s your best argument for consciousness being linked to wave function collapse? 40. 02:44:23 Would you consider getting a Neuralink implant? 41. 02:46:28 Are any of your papers worthy of a Nobel Prize if their conjectures are confirmed? Do you think the Nobel committee makes good choices in physics? 42. 02:49:55 My friend said light interacts with matter, but matter doesn’t interact with light, can you make sense of this? 43. 02:51:09 What are the most puzzling unsolved problems in cosmology? 44. 02:53:30 If a being can manipulate evidence, does that make it impossible to assign credence to their existence? 45. 02:55:01 How long would you stay in a tank to regrow your skin and remove all signs of aging? 46. 02:57:53 Does utility scale non-linearly?? 47. 02:56:27 How do you persuade someone to work on the right problem? 48. 02:59:40 Could we recognize a message from ET? 49. 03:01:31 Do physicists have crackpots like other fields do? 50. 03:02:36 Will your complexity research focus on universal laws or specific systems? 51. 03:03:36 Can we replicate subatomic behavior by coarse-graining the multiverse? 52. 03:05:12 Credences on Claudia deRahm's theory of gravity? 53. 03:06:59 Did theory predict cosmic inflation, or was it developed to explain observations of an isotropic and flat universe? 54. 03:09:34 Are concepts like "edge of chaos" fundamental to complexity theory? 55. 03:11:35 Does the Pauli Exclusion Principle count as a force? 56. 03:13:47 What is rewarding about cooking? 57. 03:17:40 What’s your take on the declining replacement population numbers in “developed” countries? 58. 03:21:19 Is life computation and/or the universe a computer? 59. 03:23:46 Is it still true in 2024 that we don't know what energy is? 60. 03:26:36: Is FTL possible in fiction, despite your book ruling it out? 61. 03:29:49 Can you tease about your work on Quantum mereology? 62. 03:32:54 Is there a replicator involved in evolving laws of physics? 63. 03:35:08 Are dark matter theories mutually exclusive? 64. 03:37:30 Is it significant that Blaise Agüera y Arcas did his work at Google? 65. 03:39:36 Does quantum mechanics change logic? 66. 03:42:38 Advice on teaching well? 67. 03:46:23 Will generative AI make philosophy mainstream?

[@OnceAndFutureKing13711]

Thank you! You were the best person on the internet for a brief period of time.

[@keatonb1zarr0]

The blunt is lit 🥬💨🌬

[@gregorybritten7307]

👍 👌

[@Wesmancan]

No hope in dope loser.

[@Smoogems_]

Sean's haircut is lit af

[@R31z0]

Same

[@keatonb1zarr0]

​@@Smoogems_ My hair is leaving my head quicker than my father left my life...lol. Sean's hair is 💣

[@GoatOfTheWoods]

Always a nice surprise when the Mindscape AMA suddenly pops in. Thank you for the 4 hours, Sean!

[@valtaojanesko5118]

Yeah, I hope Sean will continue to make these podcasts. Always enjoyabe content!

[@mw-th9ov]

clear thinking at length is a welcome exception to what occurs on the internet or life...thanks

[@kroyhevia]

Best of luck this semester!

[@ChrisKadaver]

I never went to study physics at university. I thought about it since I was all invested in it during my late teens and early adulthood. I did watch all your lectures that was available at the time though. And I'm happy I did, because I believe it teached me how to think no matter the topic really. It was a crucial time for my development and I can easily understand different concepts that some of my peers seem to struggle with. And I think it's due to my curiosity at that time in life.

[@StudioVehga]

just finishing up for the trimester. our year is split into thirds here. my first trimester in and resting after

[@jbc175]

I’m one of those people who thinks that universities are very much one sided to the left. I think it generally makes people on the right rationalize their views and affirms people on the left. I think it does a disservice to both sides. I enjoy learning just to understand interesting things. Channels like your channel help me to do that without the unaffordable university bills and fees and fees.

[@MickeyDaM0use]

Here’s to a great fall semester!!

[@rubengroen976]

Another probably stupid question from me but, is it possible that there is more than one version of spacetime. One that operates as a film and another that operates as a single photo camera?

[@nickknowles8402]

Confused again, ty. Great podcast

[@lukegratrix]

The difference between consciousness and unconsciousness is whether or not you feel safe approaching the lion you just shot with the tranquilizer!

[@DABmonger]

And in Scotland & England, most universities start in a month's time ...

[@jellakids]

Is the universe a higher dimensional object passing through 3 dimensional space - with, for example, the big bang being the initial point of contact with our 3d surface?

[@ghaderortakand6027]

Or, when we turn a corner out of the view of an observer behind us, could it be that we move to a different dimention in view of our observer? Would that still be valid if the observer was hovering directly above us😂😂😂😂

[@michaeltalo7253]

Creative application is an equation with many factors unbenounced as predicting an artists application and its outcome therefore allowing limitless outcomes

[@davegrundgeiger9063]

I LOVE the romantic take on people coming together to learn and think. I'm all in, and I love knowing that others dig this vibe also.

[@Getexposedddddd]

Babe wake up new Sean Carroll ama dropped

[@davegrundgeiger9063]

Relationship goals.

[@philflip1963]

No. 6 does Cosmology. (Well, why not, he's not a number, he's a free man)!

[@tomfiedor2024]

Seans hair is entropifying

[@rubengroen976]

Hi Sean, I love your Mindscape podcast. It always makes me think. Speaking of which, like you I am fascinated by consciousness. The two podcasts you had;one on brainfuck and the other about the human brain made me think of something which you have probably thought of before. I am sure someone has asked you what is your earliest memory? I am also sure it is not your birth. That is the whole point. Our brains are computers and as such can't become conscious until they have enough data about their surroundings. I believe there is an inflection point at which any computer has enough data about its surroundings to be "aware." That awareness is enough knowledge of one's surroundings so that one begins to actually have the ability to alter things. Not realizing that consciousness is nothing but awareness of our physical surroundings because of the hubris which can occur through the ability to alter our surroundings has caused us to imbue ourselves with much greater importance than we really have. We are a creature like all others, our computers are just better. This is why, by the way, that I feel it is inevitable for robots to become conscious. I am really interested in your thoughts. Thanks for being so curious about the universe, listening to you and your guests is truly enjoyable even though, I must admit, sometimes you guys are too smart for me!

[@jellakids]

Is the universe just quantum states disentangling based on it observing itself - with the 'big bang' being the first observation?

[@Hecarim420]

Almost close 👀ツ

[@CorwynGC]

Of course I can figure out what the tide is by thinking carefully about it. That is how we get tide charts.

[@Smoogems_]

Don't you dare ever change that thumbnail Sean or your hair you big burning hunk of love.

[@CorwynGC]

Can you give me a reason why you think only citizens should be allowed to vote?

[@tomfiedor2024]

Sean for president of the post singularity world council.

[@jayvincent1865]

We need a new series comparable to Through The Wormhole... ASAP .. My day to day interactions in society have destroyed all hope for a new " Einstein or Da Vinci " ..

[@tomfiedor2024]

In the beginning God said BANG!

[@draconyster]

If you are feeding feral cats please be aware that they can carry rabies and sometimes the behavior of infected animals is not aggressive and not obvious. Please stay safe. Also please everybody read up on rabies and be aware and never ignore even the smallest bites, always get the rabies shots. Or maybe consider getting vaccinated upfront, especially if you travel a lot. There is no downside, the side effects from the vaccine are very rare. In any case please let animal control handle any feral or wild animals. Never attempt to touch them or bring home.

[@michaeljfigueroa]

If one made 5 patreon account would they get 5 lifetime questions?

[@B33t_R007]

not if you pay respect to Seans straight forward, honesty giving and expecting attitude ;-)

[@madderhat5852]

I have a local cafe that makes delicious canales.

[@meditatingman139]

I don't get it. You say you are not an expert on the slippery topic of what consciousness is but you then you define it in terms of your area of expertise - quantum and particles. Other famous scientific experts are similar: They claim ignorance and then pontificate. Recently I noticed someone saying "I love you." to another. That seemed nice but then I saw that others witnessed the same thing. The small child smiled. The teenage couple giggled as they squeezed each other. The priest closed her eyes and cupped her hands. Others seemed to accept what was going on until an angry interloper interrupted the scene voicing jealousy. How does "consciousness" relate to thoughts or understanding? Does it relate to ideas or inspiration or perhaps feelings of acceptance or denial. 30% of us have toxoplasmosis. How does that affect consciousness? Germs in your tummy use the vagus nerve to satiate the cravings that you've established. Do blood glucose levels or hormones affect consciousness? There are direct ways to explore the nature of consciousness. Typically that exploration has a positive effect on one's mental condition, improving hygiene and clarity. Still, meditation is a very tough and fairly slow route. A retreat is helpful from time to time. Practice is essential to slow the internal reactivity (ego).

[@ghaderortakand6027]

I think Sean was being polite given that consciousness is a nondescript idea

[@lassel1644]

Ask me anything? Well tell me about React programming with Redux? In an ECS context?

[@kx4532]

And to rent vapor books that vanish after 12 months for extremely high prices.

[@tomfiedor2024]

Why do physicists extend their formulas into infinity where the rules break down anyway. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in a few good men: "You want infinity-You cant handle infinity!"

[@jonathansaraco]

Because there are examples in the universe today and historically (black holes, the big bang) where we suspect those infinities are realized. And if the universe is doing it just fine then our theories should too if they're going to be correct.

[@meadowfreshhmilk]

Why don't I believe in God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in You.

[@carlodebattaglia6517]

Hi Sean, interesting as always. A) In a reductionist (eliminativist) physicalist framework, everything-including ourselves- ultimately is a quantum system (or fundamental physical constituents of reality), governed in all its configurations, behaviors, and interactions by the laws of physics. B) we (ourselves, our brains, whatever) are also quantum systems and nothing more; thus we must (try to) describe and understand ourselves in that framework. We must also assume we are quantum systems capable of making true statements about other quantum systems (e.g., "it's raining in Kansas City", or "water = H2O") or even about the totality of quantum systems (e.g., "the universe as a whole works this way and not that way"). "A true statement" here is nothing mystical or philosophical or mysterious or even epistemic. It simply means that a quantum system adopts a specific configuration distinct from one that makes a false statements (or other kind of not-true statements). First question: are we able to describe the properties and features of such "true" configurations within the quantum mechanical framework we're operating in, and explain how to mathematically distinguish them from not-true configurations? Second questions. Since nothing happens by chance, and every event is caused by a chain of prior events under the sway of physical laws, a system adopting a true configuration is an event and cannot be random: it must be justified by previous physical phenomena and natural laws. Can we identify and describe this casual process? How does it develop? How does it lead to true configurations? Can we make predictions? Given system A in time 1, can we describe how it will deterministically evolve in time 2 and be characterized by a necessarily true (or not-true) configuration

[@GlenDrobot]

Unfortunately, because of the electoral college, US presidential elections aren't actually direct. Just as in Canada, for our MPs, I think a ranked ballot would work better (as it does in the main national legislature in Australia)

[@julioc.7760]

not uploaded to patreon yet sean.