In this extended conversation with Professor Terry Sejnowski, find out his thoughts on the future of AI and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. He also discusses the deep connections between neurobiology and artificial intelligence and what studying the human brain can teach us about building intelligent machines.
How does belief in the paranormal correlate with other religious, political, or intellectual beliefs? What are the psychological tools or categories that can help elucidate why so many people believe in the paranormal?
The Ruliad is a term that Stephen Wolfram developed, which he describes as the entangled limit of everything that is computationally possible, the result of following all possible computational rules in all possible ways.
Do intelligent aliens exist? In perhaps his boldest hypothesis, Clément Vidal argues that signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations are already present in our astrophysical data.
Why do we believe—or want to believe—the things we do? From psychics to ghostly encounters to alien abductions and UFO sightings, Chris French lays out the psychology behind the belief in these inexplicable experiences. Chris French’s book, The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal, is available for purchase now.
Clement Vidal, philosopher of science and astrobiologist, discusses fine-tuning in the universe and an evolutionary developmental universe. We also explore whether natural or artificial selection could hold on a cosmic scale.
In this extended interview with Professor Janna Levin, we explore the mysteries of the cosmos, physics, spacetime, black holes, the multiverse, and much more. Levin’s latest book, Black Hole Survival Guide, is an evocative exploration of black holes, provoking us to imagine the visceral experience of a black hole encounter illustrated with original artwork. The…
How does complexity emerge from simplicity? In this interview, Stephen Wolfram explores the concept of universal computation and how simple rules can generate intricate, seemingly random patterns. This perspective challenges traditional views of complexity in physics, biology, and beyond, revealing deep insights into the computational universe. From the foundations of cellular automata to the discovery…
Ghostly encounters, alien abduction, reincarnation, talking to the dead, UFO sightings, inexplicable coincidences, out-of-body and near-death experiences. Are these legitimate phenomena? If not, how should we go about understanding them? In his fascinating book, Chris French investigates paranormal claims to discover what lurks behind this “weird shit.” French provides authoritative, evidence-based explanations for a wide…
Robert Lawrence Kuhn asks Janna Levin rapid-fire questions on scientific discoveries, the multiverse, the laws of physics, and much more. Levin’s latest book, Black Hole Survival Guide, is an evocative exploration of black holes, provoking us to imagine the visceral experience of a black hole encounter illustrated with original artwork.
What does it really take to be creative? Zorana Ivcevic Pringle joins Closer To Truth’s Robert Lawrence Kuhn to reveal the surprising science behind creativity. From the power of emotions to the importance of taking action, Pringle explains how creativity is not just about having ideas—but choosing to pursue them. Based on her new book…
Physics, cosmology, and the ultimate nature of reality. Is our Universe infinite—or finite, but wrapped in higher dimensions? Janna Levin, renowned theoretical physicist and science communicator, explores bold ideas about the cosmos: the possibility of a finite universe, the nature of extra dimensions, and how abstract mathematical truths might constrain the physical world. In this…