Big Think

• Brian Cox breaks down the most mysterious scale in the cosmos

  "It's a very, very beautiful calculation, but it's the best example I know of the relationship between these rather abstract quantities perhaps and something that you can look at in a telescope." What happens when you try to look too closely at the fabric of the universe? When we gaze at a Planck length, a scale so small that even light becomes useless for observation, physics pushes back. The Planck length is not just a tiny number, it’s a boundary where gravity, quantum mechanics, and relativity collide. Physicist Brian Cox explains why the measurement is a portal to the deep structure of reality, and why going beyond it may break the boundaries of our understanding. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:45 The importance of measurements 2:40 What are the fundamental quantities? 7:20 How important is the Planck length? 9:20 Why you can’t approach the Planck length 10:30 A theory with more dimensions 13:00 What keeps a star from collapsing? 14:42 The uncertainty principle 17:36 The Planck mass ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Brian Cox: Brian Cox obtained a first class honors degree in physics from the University of Manchester in 1995 and in 1998 a Ph.D. In High Energy Particle Physics at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg. He is now Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester, The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society. Brian is widely recognized as the foremost communicator for all things scientific, having presented a number of highly acclaimed science programs for the BBC watched by billions internationally including ‘Adventures in Space and Time’ (2021), ‘Universe’ (2021), ‘The Planets’ (2018), ‘Forces of Nature’ (2016), ‘Human Universe’ (2014), ‘Wonders of Life’ (2012), ‘Wonders of the Universe’ (2011) and ‘Wonders of the Solar System’ (2010). As an author, Brian has also sold over a million books worldwide including ‘Black Holes’, ‘Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos’, ‘Quantum Universe’ and ‘Why Does E=mc2?’ with co-author Professor Jeffrey Forshaw. He has set several world records for his sell-out live tours, including his most recent tour Horizons which has taken in venues across the globe. ------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Can you trust your memory? This neuroscientist isn’t so sure | André Fenton

  There are three kinds of memory that all work together to shape your reality. Neuroscientist André Fenton explains. Neuroscientist André Fenton discusses the intricate relationship between memory, perception, and reality, shedding light on the complexity of human cognition. Fenton believes memories are not fixed but are continually modified by our experiences and mindsets. This, in his mind, underscores the importance of humility and empathy in acknowledging the fallibility of our memories and the need to consider different perspectives in our quest for truth. ------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe

  "We are all in orbit around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. How big is this collection of stars? Somewhere between 200 and 400 billion suns in the Milky Way galaxy, about 100,000 light years across." How do we measure the universe, and are we doing it wrong? Physicist Brian Cox uncovers the hidden assumptions behind our units of measurement, showing how human perspective distorts our understanding of space, time, and scale.  Cox explores the fundamental constants—like the speed of light, Planck’s constant, and gravity—that underpin the very fabric of our universe. 00:00 Biologically-based measurements 01:26 3 fundamental quantities 01:42 The speed of light 01:57 Strength of gravity 02:26 Planck’s constant 04:20 Observing a Planck length 05:32 Distance to the planets 08:18 Distance to other galaxies ### **Key Takeaways** 1. **Human Scales Are Arbitrary** – Meters and feet are based on biology, not universal truths. Aliens wouldn’t use them. 2. **Nature’s Fundamental Constants** – Physics reveals deeper rulers: - **Speed of light** (cosmic speed limit). - **Planck’s constant** (quantum uncertainty). - **Gravity’s strength** (shapes spacetime). 3. **Planck Length: The Smallest Possible** – At **10⁻³⁵ meters**, probing further creates black holes. A proton vs. This is like the solar system vs. A virus. 4. **Cosmic Scales Defy Intuition** – From our Sun (flying around it takes a year) to galaxies (Andromeda’s light is 2.5M years old), the universe is **inconceivably vast**—possibly infinite. 5. **Life’s Potential Cosmic Role** – If intelligence persists, it could someday manipulate galaxies, making life *more* than a "speck." ### **Mind-Blowing Fact** The edge of the *observable* universe is **46B light-years away**—but the *actual* universe may be infinite. *(Host: Brian Cox | Particle Physicist)* **Want more?** Follow Big Think for cosmic insights. 🌌 Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• 3 ways to defend your mind against social media distortions

  **The Impact of Social Media & Attention** 📱🧠 - **Seductive Speed**: Technology allows opinions to spread quickly, captivating our attention. Social media places us in a world where we can compete for engagement even with people on the other side of the world, amplifying distractions. ⏳🔄 - **Attention & Memory**: Constant distractions hinder attention, preventing us from forming new memories. Every online interaction is like a “funhouse of mirrors,” distorting our sense of reality. 🎢 - **Identity Theft**: Data breaches expose our information, leading to risks like fraud, stolen identities, or being locked out of accounts. 🔐💳 - **Mimetic Desire**: Social media exposes us to millions of "models" to emulate, many of whom we can directly compete with. Mimetic desire occurs when we adopt others’ desires as our own, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons and endless cycles of envy. 🔄💭 - **External vs. Internal Models**: External models (e.g., celebrities) don't lead to direct competition, but internal models (e.g., friends, colleagues) are more relatable and can trigger rivalry. The key is understanding when desire for these models is healthy vs. Harmful. ⚖️👀 - **The Dopamine Trap**: Constant exposure to idealized lifestyles on social media can give us fleeting dopamine hits, creating unrealistic fantasies that don't bring lasting happiness. 🌟🌀 - **Social Media’s 'Democratic' Illusion**: Though social media seems like a space for free speech, it's dominated by a small, vocal minority, creating misleading perceptions about the majority. 🚨👥 - **Collective Illusions**: The manipulation of online engagement, like using bots to inflate support, can create false consensus, distorting real public opinion. 🕵️‍♂️🔍 - **The Offline Solution**: To escape the distortion of social media, it's essential to engage in real-life conversations with those around us—family, neighbors, and community members. 🌍💬 - **Mindfulness Training**: To counter distractions and reclaim our attention, practicing mindfulness for just 12 minutes a day can help strengthen focus, enhance awareness, and improve overall mental well-being. 🧘‍♂️🧠 **Key takeaway**: **Mindfulness + Real Connections = Better Attention** 🧘‍♀️🌟 Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Is your workout routine giving you a brain boost? This neuroscientist thinks it might | Wendy Suzuki

  Want to be more intelligent? Here’s why you should hit the gym, according to neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki Wendy Suzuki studies exercise's transformative effects on the brain. Drawing inspiration from animal studies, particularly those involving the growth of hippocampal brain cells in rats, she explores the possible connection between increased exercise and brain expansion.  Suzuki also looks into the multifaceted relationship between exercise, sleep, cardiovascular function, and brain health. ------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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