Physicist, science writer, essayist, novelist
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4 episodes with Alan Lightman
3 episodes with Alan Lightman
2 episodes with Alan Lightman
4 episodes with Alan Lightman
2 episodes with Alan Lightman
2 episodes with Alan Lightman
2 episodes with Alan Lightman
4 episodes with Alan Lightman
2 episodes with Alan Lightman
Alan Lightman is a theoretical physicist and has always seen the world as a place governed by unbreakable laws. But those laws never did a very good job explaining some of the most important moments of his life, moments when he felt a profound connection to the world. A journey to understand some of those transcendent moments has opened his appreciation to multiple ways of knowing and being in the world. In this conversation he tells some of the stories of the moments that led him on this journey, and discusses the nature of consciousness, the moral responsibility of computers, and models a posture of curiosity and graciousness in conversation. Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Youth Faire and Magnetize Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.
How can science speak to our deepest spiritual yearnings? In this captivating panel discussion held at NeueHouse Manhattan, five prominent scientists and thinkers explore how different ways of knowing—from physics to medicine, from spirituality to ethics—can build meaningful bridges between worlds often seen as separate.The panelists are:Dr. Alan Lightman (physicist and Professor of the Practice of the humanities at MIT, and author of numerous books including most recently, the The Miraculous from the Material) - he was a guest on Season 3Dr. Neil Theise (professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, pioneer of adult stem stell plasticity and the interstitium, and author of "Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being,”)Dr. Scarlet Soriano, Executive Director at Duke Health & Well-Being, whose work focuses on the development of equity-based and community-grounded health and well-being interventions;and Dr. Katy Hinman is the Director of Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER) program at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),The panel was moderated by Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who is the creator, writer, host and executive producer of Closer To Truth, the long-running public television series and leading global resource on Cosmos, Life, Mind, and Meaning.Together, they discuss: Can spirituality coexist with scientific rationality? How do love, consciousness, and our connection to the universe shape our understanding of life's purpose?This event, sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation and produced by Rohan Routroy and Thirty Eight, explores and debates diverse approaches to consciousness and spirituality in an age of science.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iaUV4QWbZcI#ScienceAndSpirituality #ScienceAndReligion #MeaningOfLife #CloserToTruth #Consciousness #AlanLightman #NeilTheiseSupport the show
In this soul-expanding episode, I sit down with physicist/author Alan Lightman to explore where science and spirituality collide. We dive into his book The Miraculous from the Material, unravel how spiderwebs hold cosmic secrets, and debate whether consciousness lives in the brain or the cosmos. Alan shares mind-blowing insights on time (why 2024 feels faster than ever), AI ethics, and humanity's role as “the universe observing itself.” Plus, I reveal how my late father's messages challenge materialist views – and why YOUR intuition is key to navigating our tech-driven world. Join my June 2025 Angel Reiki School to deepen your spiritual gifts, and don't miss the 21-Day Money Miracles Challenge (launching May 11th!). Links below! TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW 00:00 Podcast Intro & Angel Reiki School Preview 01:00 Student Experiences: Mediumship Breakthroughs 05:30 Introducing Guest Alan Lightman (Author/Scientist) 06:09 Science's Limits: Ethics, Consciousness, Spirituality 07:30 AI Ethics & Philosophy's Role in Tech 10:30 “The Miraculous from the Material” Inspiration 12:45 Spiderwebs: Art, Science & Cosmic Wonder 15:30 Einstein's Time Theories vs. Human Experience 19:00 Technology's Impact on Pace of Life 23:00 Consciousness: Material Brain vs. Cosmic Connection 28:00 Afterlife, Memory & Neuroscience Perspectives 36:00 Humanity's Cosmic Rarity & Spiritual Obligations 42:00 Future of Consciousness & Homo Techno Evolution 50:00 Closing: Book Details & Angel School CTA LEARN MORE Have questions about The Angel Membership or the Angel Reiki School? Book a free Discovery Call with Julie: https://calendly.com/juliejancius/discovery-call Angel Reiki School (In-Person) Oak Brook, IL June 6–8, 2025 Get certified in mediumship, energy healing, and angel communication https://theangelmedium.com/get-certified Angel Reiki School (Online) Starts the 1st of every month Learn from anywhere https://theangelmedium.com/get-certified 21-Day Money Miracles Challenge Starts May 11, 2025 Exclusive to Angel Members - JOIN TODAY https://theangelmedium.com/angelmembership Book a 1-on-1 Angel Reading With Julie Connect with your angels and loved ones in Heaven https://theangelmedium.com/readings Want a Free Reading? We're selecting 50+ volunteers for free readings at the in-person Angel Reiki School Leave a 5-star review of the podcast and copy/paste it here for a shot to win: https://theangelmedium.com/contact Earnings Disclaimer: You agree that the Company has not made any guarantees about the results of taking any action, whether recommended on this Website or not. The Company provides educational and informational resources that are intended to help users of this website succeed in their online business and otherwise. You nevertheless recognize that your ultimate success or failure will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond the control and/or knowledge of the Company. You also recognize that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Thus, the results obtained by others – whether clients or customers of the Company or otherwise – applying the principles set out in this Website are no guarantee that you or any other person or entity will be able to obtain similar results.
In today's world of specialization, Alan Lightman is that rare individual who has accomplished remarkable things in two very different realms. As a physicist with a Ph.D. from Cal Tech, he's taught at Harvard and MIT and advised the United Nations. As a novelist, he's written award-winning bestsellers like Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis. In this episode, Jacke talks to Alan about his passions for both science and literature, and the way the two come together in his new book, The Miraculous from the Material: Understanding the Wonders of Nature, a gorgeous book that explores the science behind the universe's most stunning natural phenomena, including everything from atoms and parameciums to rainbows and the rings of Saturn. PLUS Jacke talks to Alan about his choice for the last book he will ever read. Additional listening: 465 Greek Lit and Game Theory (with Josiah Ober) 583 Margaret Cavendish (with Francesca Peacock) 89 Primo Levi The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our sponsor for this episode is Microsoft. Want seamless collaboration without the cost? Microsoft Teams offers a robust free plan for individuals that delivers unlimited chat, 60-minute video meetings, and file sharing—all within one intuitive workspace that keeps your projects moving forward. Head to https://aka.ms/every to use Teams for free, and experience effortless collaboration, today.AI forces us to reckon with what makes us human—a question caught between science and spirituality that MIT's Dr. Alan Lightman is uniquely placed to explore.Dr. Lightman is a physicist, bestselling novelist, and professor of the practice of humanities at MIT. As one of the first at MIT to hold a joint faculty position in both the sciences and the humanities, he's at ease walking the line between the two disciplines.I loved Dr. Lightman's book Einstein's Dreams, so I was psyched to have him on the show. We spent an hour talking about:Being a “spiritual materialist”: Dr. Lightman's philosophy that knowing the scientific explanation for natural phenomena—like spiderwebs and lightning bolts—deepens our experience and feeling of wonder.The nature of consciousness: He believes that consciousness is a subjective experience emerging from the tangible activity of billions of neurons firing in our brains.AI isn't conscious, even though it might appear to be: AI might display manifestations of consciousness—like the ability to plan for the future—but whether it has an inner experience in the truest sense is a fundamentally different question.Challenge your conceptions of what “natural” means: Dr. Lightman argues that since humans evolved through natural selection, everything our brains create—from eyeglasses and hearing aids to AI—can be considered “natural” as they are inevitable consequences of our naturally evolved intelligenceAI that can do more than just data retrieval: Modern neural networks begin to approximate something resembling genuine thinking because the “digital neurons” process information in complex, non-linear ways.Evolution that blurs the lines between biology and technology: Dr. Lightman argues we're driving our own evolution toward the “homo techno,” hybrid beings that merge human and machine; early examples include brain implants that enable paralyzed individuals to control robotic limbs.Dr. Lightman also recently published a new book called The Miraculous From the Material, a collection of essays that combine scientific explanations of natural phenomena with his personal reflections on them. It has tons of striking pictures that you should check out.This is a must watch for anyone interested in science, spirituality, and what it means to be human in the age of AI.If you found this episode interesting, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Want even more?Sign up for Every to unlock our ultimate guide to prompting ChatGPT here: https://every.ck.page/ultimate-guide-to-prompting-chatgpt. It's usually only for paying subscribers, but you can get it here for free.To hear more from Dan Shipper:Subscribe to Every: https://every.to/subscribe Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/danshipper Timestamps:Introduction: 00:01:18Science can deepen your sense of the spiritual: 00:02:36The nature of consciousness: 00:11:31AI might appear to be conscious, but it isn't: 00:13:11Why AI can be considered to be “natural”: 00:19:50AI shifts the focus of science from explanations to predictions: 00:30:40How modern neural networks simulate thinking: 00:33:48Lightman's vision for how humans and machines will merge: 00:39:38 Does AI know more about love than you?: 00:43:11How technology is accelerating the pace of our lives: 00:49:18Links to resources mentioned:Alan Lightman: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/ Lightman's books: The Miraculous From the Material, Einstein's DreamsHis documentary: Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of ScienceWalt Whitman's poem: When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
In this audio essay, I roam from post-war France to the abstract expressionists to the artists of the East Village and even to outer space to consider times in art history when art was forced to bloom in the dark. These under-the-radar moments yielded deeply experimental work, and I wonder how we might channel some of that spirit in our own time.Artists mentioned: Laurie Anderson, Joan Miro, Jean Dubuffet, Marcel Duchamp, David Wojnarowicz, and Judy GlantzmanScientists mentioned: Robert H Dicke, Jim PeeblesJim Peebles interviewed by Alan Lightman for the American Institute of Physics January 19, 1988 Princeton, NJ: https://www.aip.org/history-programs/niels-bohr-library/oral-histories/33957All music by Soundstripe----------------------------Pep Talks on IG: @peptalksforartistsPep Talks website: https://www.peptalksforartists.com/Amy, your beloved host, on IG: @tallutsPep Talks on Art Spiel as written essays: https://tinyurl.com/7k82vd8sBuyMeACoffee Donations always appreciated!
Alan Lightman likes to look at things very closely. Lightman is a physicist at MIT who has written 7 novels including the best-selling Einstein's Dreams. Lightman, who writes poetry in his spare time, calls himself a spiritual materialist. That's a belief that you can find the spiritual within the realm of science. Lightman was also the host of the PBS television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. His latest book is called The Miraculous from the Material. It contains essays about the marvels of the universe like Mandarin fish, the northern lights and the Rings of Saturn. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Lucy Little and Jackie Schwartz. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Paul Krauss MA LPC engages in conversation with Alan Lightman, PhD to speak about his excellent new book THE MIRACULOUS FROM THE MATERIAL: Understanding the Wonders of Nature. This is an episode full of rich conversation, teachings from Alan about natural phenomena, discussion of philosophy and spirituality and much more. Alan Lightman earned his PhD in physics from the California Institute of Technology and is the author of seven novels, including the international best seller Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award. His nonfiction includes The Transcendental Brain, The Accidental Universe, Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine, and Probable Impossibilities. He has taught at Harvard and at MIT, where he was the first person to receive a dual faculty appointment in science and the humanities. He is currently a professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. He is the host of the public television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. His latest book is THE MIRACULOUS FROM THE MATERIAL: Understanding the Wonders of Nature. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Write your congressperson Sign our Petition Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues) Unique and low cost learning opportunities through Shion Consulting Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group. For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids: Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Original Music: ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify) "Floating Parade" from Small Changes by Michael Kiwanuka (Spotify) "The Physical Plane, The Astral Plane" from West Coast Escapism by Omni Gardens (Spotify)
My interview with Einstein's Dreams author Alan Lightman. His latest is The Miraculous From The Material, a beautiful book which pairs stunning nature photos with brief essays which explain the science behind everything from Saturn's rings to soap bubbles. Topics included (1) spirituality for the scientific-minded; (2) Alan's most powerful and personal spiritual experience; and (3) how Salman Rushdie quietly and unexpectedly helped launch Alan's career when he was an unknown debut. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.
In this episode, Christine Mason hosts Dr. Alan Lightman, a distinguished physicist, novelist, and essayist, to discuss his exploration of the intersection of science, beauty, wonder, and spirituality. Key highlights include:Alan Lightman's Works and Legacy: Insights from his celebrated books like Einstein's Dreams, which delves into imaginative interpretations of time, and his more recent works, The Transcendent Brain and The Miraculous from the Material, both advocating for “spiritual materialism.”Spiritual Materialism: Dr. Lightman explains his belief that human experiences, rooted in the material brain, do not lose their wonder when scientifically understood but are instead enhanced.Mystery and Awe: Discussion on how scientific knowledge deepens emotional and spiritual experiences. Dr. Lightman shares personal reflections on the value of mystery, his unity consciousness experience, and the role of humility in science.Natural Phenomena: Fascinating scientific explanations of phenomena like rainbows, the Aurora Borealis, and hummingbird flight are presented, emphasizing their inherent beauty and their grounding in physical laws.Creativity Across Disciplines: Dr. Lightman reflects on how creativity bridges writing and scientific research, the shared experience of “flow,” and the importance of going deeply into one field while preserving multidisciplinary interests.Mortality and Legacy: Insights into his upcoming novel addressing mortality and preparing for “nothingness” through the perspectives of various disciplines, inspired by his own reflections on aging and what constitutes a meaningful life.Cultural and Evolutionary Perspectives: Explorations of beauty as an evolutionary trait and its broader implications on human perception, alongside discussions about Homo sapiens evolving into a “techno” species and ethical considerations of such transformations.The episode weaves together scientific inquiry, spiritual wonder, and philosophical depth, encouraging listeners to embrace a worldview that integrates awe and material reality.Please explore Dr. Lightman's works and reflect on how this episode may have sparked new understandings of time, wonder, or the miraculous. Thank you to Rosewoman.com and Radiantfarms.us for your support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latino USA: A Cartoon History, Revised Edition (Hachette Book Group, 2024) escrito por Ilan Stavans e ilustrado por Lalo Alcaraz, enfrenta los desafíos de capturar las alegrías, los matices y las múltiples dimensiones de la cultura latina dentro del contexto del idioma inglés. En esta historia en forma de caricatura, Stavans busca combinar la solemnidad de literatura y la historia con la naturaleza inherentemente teatral y humorística de los cómics. Los temas abarcan a Colón, el Destino Manifiesto, el Álamo, William Carlos Williams, Desi Arnaz, West Side Story, Castro, Guevara, Neruda, García Márquez, el éxodo del Mariel y Selena, entre otros. Entrevista realizada por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Catedrático de Humanidades, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez y Annette Martínez-Iñesta, coordinadora del grupo focal de lenguaje del Instituto Nuevos Horizontes. Temas, estudiosos, libros y otros recursos mencionados en esta conversación: Para leer al pato Donald. Comunicación de masas y colonialismo y Heading South, Looking North: A Bilingual Journey por Ariel Dorfman. Spanglish: The Making of a New American Language por Ilan Stavans. Una Tanovic, Universidad de Massachusetts. Heidi Landecker, Chronicle of Higher Education. Baruch Vergara, artista, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. La Teagle Foundation apoya a actividades realizadas en español. La Mellon Foundation hace lo mismo, y recibe propuestas y realiza revisión a pares en español. Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams (conversaciones en español e inglés). UPR-M, Jewish on Campus / Cultura judía en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Ceremonia para la Calle Luis Bravo Pardo, Mayagüez (“los primeros judíos no conversos en entrar a territorio español”). El judío mayagüezano: vida y obra de Luis Bravo Pardo, por Héctor Bravo Vick. Italo Calvino, Ciudades Invisibles. Uso de “X” en español e inglés. Academic Imperialism, por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera y Héctor José Huyke. El inglés-centrismo en la cultura universitaria en EE.UU. Héctor José, Huyke, Gloria Anzaldúa, Cormac McCarthy. Reflexiones sobre la crítica de Natalia Bustos. Carlos Fuentes. Dante. Leonardo Sciascia. Lo que se puede contar con imágenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Latino USA: A Cartoon History, Revised Edition (Hachette Book Group, 2024) escrito por Ilan Stavans e ilustrado por Lalo Alcaraz, enfrenta los desafíos de capturar las alegrías, los matices y las múltiples dimensiones de la cultura latina dentro del contexto del idioma inglés. En esta historia en forma de caricatura, Stavans busca combinar la solemnidad de literatura y la historia con la naturaleza inherentemente teatral y humorística de los cómics. Los temas abarcan a Colón, el Destino Manifiesto, el Álamo, William Carlos Williams, Desi Arnaz, West Side Story, Castro, Guevara, Neruda, García Márquez, el éxodo del Mariel y Selena, entre otros. Entrevista realizada por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Catedrático de Humanidades, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez y Annette Martínez-Iñesta, coordinadora del grupo focal de lenguaje del Instituto Nuevos Horizontes. Temas, estudiosos, libros y otros recursos mencionados en esta conversación: Para leer al pato Donald. Comunicación de masas y colonialismo y Heading South, Looking North: A Bilingual Journey por Ariel Dorfman. Spanglish: The Making of a New American Language por Ilan Stavans. Una Tanovic, Universidad de Massachusetts. Heidi Landecker, Chronicle of Higher Education. Baruch Vergara, artista, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. La Teagle Foundation apoya a actividades realizadas en español. La Mellon Foundation hace lo mismo, y recibe propuestas y realiza revisión a pares en español. Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams (conversaciones en español e inglés). UPR-M, Jewish on Campus / Cultura judía en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Ceremonia para la Calle Luis Bravo Pardo, Mayagüez (“los primeros judíos no conversos en entrar a territorio español”). El judío mayagüezano: vida y obra de Luis Bravo Pardo, por Héctor Bravo Vick. Italo Calvino, Ciudades Invisibles. Uso de “X” en español e inglés. Academic Imperialism, por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera y Héctor José Huyke. El inglés-centrismo en la cultura universitaria en EE.UU. Héctor José, Huyke, Gloria Anzaldúa, Cormac McCarthy. Reflexiones sobre la crítica de Natalia Bustos. Carlos Fuentes. Dante. Leonardo Sciascia. Lo que se puede contar con imágenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Latino USA: A Cartoon History, Revised Edition (Hachette Book Group, 2024) escrito por Ilan Stavans e ilustrado por Lalo Alcaraz, enfrenta los desafíos de capturar las alegrías, los matices y las múltiples dimensiones de la cultura latina dentro del contexto del idioma inglés. En esta historia en forma de caricatura, Stavans busca combinar la solemnidad de literatura y la historia con la naturaleza inherentemente teatral y humorística de los cómics. Los temas abarcan a Colón, el Destino Manifiesto, el Álamo, William Carlos Williams, Desi Arnaz, West Side Story, Castro, Guevara, Neruda, García Márquez, el éxodo del Mariel y Selena, entre otros. Entrevista realizada por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Catedrático de Humanidades, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez y Annette Martínez-Iñesta, coordinadora del grupo focal de lenguaje del Instituto Nuevos Horizontes. Temas, estudiosos, libros y otros recursos mencionados en esta conversación: Para leer al pato Donald. Comunicación de masas y colonialismo y Heading South, Looking North: A Bilingual Journey por Ariel Dorfman. Spanglish: The Making of a New American Language por Ilan Stavans. Una Tanovic, Universidad de Massachusetts. Heidi Landecker, Chronicle of Higher Education. Baruch Vergara, artista, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. La Teagle Foundation apoya a actividades realizadas en español. La Mellon Foundation hace lo mismo, y recibe propuestas y realiza revisión a pares en español. Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams (conversaciones en español e inglés). UPR-M, Jewish on Campus / Cultura judía en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Ceremonia para la Calle Luis Bravo Pardo, Mayagüez (“los primeros judíos no conversos en entrar a territorio español”). El judío mayagüezano: vida y obra de Luis Bravo Pardo, por Héctor Bravo Vick. Italo Calvino, Ciudades Invisibles. Uso de “X” en español e inglés. Academic Imperialism, por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera y Héctor José Huyke. El inglés-centrismo en la cultura universitaria en EE.UU. Héctor José, Huyke, Gloria Anzaldúa, Cormac McCarthy. Reflexiones sobre la crítica de Natalia Bustos. Carlos Fuentes. Dante. Leonardo Sciascia. Lo que se puede contar con imágenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Latino USA: A Cartoon History, Revised Edition (Hachette Book Group, 2024) escrito por Ilan Stavans e ilustrado por Lalo Alcaraz, enfrenta los desafíos de capturar las alegrías, los matices y las múltiples dimensiones de la cultura latina dentro del contexto del idioma inglés. En esta historia en forma de caricatura, Stavans busca combinar la solemnidad de literatura y la historia con la naturaleza inherentemente teatral y humorística de los cómics. Los temas abarcan a Colón, el Destino Manifiesto, el Álamo, William Carlos Williams, Desi Arnaz, West Side Story, Castro, Guevara, Neruda, García Márquez, el éxodo del Mariel y Selena, entre otros. Entrevista realizada por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Catedrático de Humanidades, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez y Annette Martínez-Iñesta, coordinadora del grupo focal de lenguaje del Instituto Nuevos Horizontes. Temas, estudiosos, libros y otros recursos mencionados en esta conversación: Para leer al pato Donald. Comunicación de masas y colonialismo y Heading South, Looking North: A Bilingual Journey por Ariel Dorfman. Spanglish: The Making of a New American Language por Ilan Stavans. Una Tanovic, Universidad de Massachusetts. Heidi Landecker, Chronicle of Higher Education. Baruch Vergara, artista, Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. La Teagle Foundation apoya a actividades realizadas en español. La Mellon Foundation hace lo mismo, y recibe propuestas y realiza revisión a pares en español. Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams (conversaciones en español e inglés). UPR-M, Jewish on Campus / Cultura judía en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Ceremonia para la Calle Luis Bravo Pardo, Mayagüez (“los primeros judíos no conversos en entrar a territorio español”). El judío mayagüezano: vida y obra de Luis Bravo Pardo, por Héctor Bravo Vick. Italo Calvino, Ciudades Invisibles. Uso de “X” en español e inglés. Academic Imperialism, por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera y Héctor José Huyke. El inglés-centrismo en la cultura universitaria en EE.UU. Héctor José, Huyke, Gloria Anzaldúa, Cormac McCarthy. Reflexiones sobre la crítica de Natalia Bustos. Carlos Fuentes. Dante. Leonardo Sciascia. Lo que se puede contar con imágenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Dr. Alan Lightman to explore "spiritual materialism," the idea that we can embrace awe-inspiring, spiritual moments without turning to the supernatural for explanations. Dr. Lightman shares insights from his new book, The Miraculous From the Material: Understanding the Wonders of Nature, and delves into profound topics like consciousness, near-death experiences, the possibility of a higher power, immortality, relationships, and whether falling in love leaves space for magic. If you love pondering life's biggest questions, this episode is a must-listen.Dr. Lightman is a renowned physicist, author, and entrepreneur. A former Harvard faculty member and current professor at MIT, he holds a degree from Princeton University and a PhD in physics from Caltech. He's the bestselling author of the modern classic Einstein's Dreams, The Diagnosis, The Transcendental Brain, and The Accidental Universe. Dr. Lightman also hosts the acclaimed PBS series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Since 2023, he is a member of the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board.This episode is sponsored by Greco Gum, the all-natural chewing gum for your mouth and gut. Visit GrecoGum.com and use code ERIN15 to get 15% off your first order!*New* SUBSCRIBE for Causes or Cures+ Bonus Episodes & Monthly Live Q&As!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here. Support the show
How can we cultivate a sense of awe in our lives? Easy, says physicist and author Alan Lightman: Pay more attention. When we take the time to examine the world around us, from shooting stars to soap bubbles to everything in between, we can feel a sense of wonder and appreciation akin to spirituality. And the best part is, you can take your scientific worldview with you on your awe-inducing journey. Join Lightman and EconTalk's Russ Roberts as they discover that discovering the science behind things can be a truly miraculous experience.
In this special episode of Podsongs, we take a journey through a season full of diverse musical inspirations and intriguing interviews. Hosts Luigi Falcione, Maurizio Sanicola, and Massimino Vozza reflect on their creative process and share tracks inspired by guests from various fields, including physicist Alan Lightman, jazz musician Sidron, chef Martin O'Dell, and Dire Straits' David Knopfler. We explore international collaborations, from America to India, featuring telepathic animal communicator Manjiri Lathi, rock band Indus Creed, and artists like Stefano Bellani and Dave McKean. Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, exclusive tracks, and insights into how interviews with artists and influencers shape the music. Don't miss standout songs like 'Meaning in the Moment,' 'Melody Snakes,' and 'Second Hand Lemonade.' Subscribe, like, and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on future projects!00:00 Welcome to Podsongs00:12 Studio Tour and Personal Updates01:11 Reflecting on Past Albums01:32 Sidron and Alan Lightman: Meaning in the Moment05:36 Jack in Water and Martin O'Dell: Minimal Waste08:30 David Knopfler and Lem Sisay: On the Outside12:04 Perpetual Groove and Jonathan Lubecki: Fiery Skies15:31 Indus Creed and Manjiri Lathi: Hollow Bones19:25 Stefano Bellani and Dave McKean: Coincidentals27:31 Peter Mulvey and Naomi Shihab Nye: Comedian31:55 Brandon Kinder and Chad Abumrad: Conversations in D34:07 Surprise Vocals and Studio Cats36:34 Epic Collaboration with Steve Erickson39:16 Meditative Soundscapes and Ritualistic Music45:37 Nose Breathing and Free Diving50:00 Milo Gore and Second Hand Lemonade55:57 Art Can Change the World59:40 Upcoming Artists and Final Thoughts Listen to the complete album here: https://ffm.to/podsongs13 // SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL // Newsletter, donations and download the song for €/$1 @ https://podsongs.com // LINKS // Website: https://podsongs.com Podcast episodes: https://podsongs.com/podcast-episodes Songs: https://podsongs.com/music Spotify artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32FYyRx1y1ex3jHHAgLMC7?si=4Nv7WW85SbSPZvCsj1o7Ig Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sN1viy82HPiNTVX2YBxpq?si=1b84c2b9bdea4656 // SOCIAL // Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsongs Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsongs Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsongs
In this episode, sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews MIT Physicist Dr. Alan Lightman about his spiritual materialism.Alan Lightman is an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. He has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. Lightman is the recipient of six honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of numerous books, both nonfiction and fiction, including Einstein's Dreams, an international bestseller, and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction. His essays concern the intersection of science, culture, philosophy, and theology. Lightman is the host of the public television series “SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science,” funded by the John Templeton Foundation. In 2005, Lightman founded Harpswell, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering young women leaders in Southeast Asia, and he has served as chair of its board. In August 2023, Lightman was appointed a member of the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board. His latest book is The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science (2023).In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The limits of scientific inquiryHow to interpret spiritual experiencesThe concept of creative transcendenceWhy spirituality matters for us allAlan's humanitarian work To learn more about Alan and his work:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-lightman-6bb7191b6Website: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/Email: lightman@mit.eduBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APY6Q4Scientific Publications: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/#SCIENTIFIC%20PUBLICATIONSHarpswell Organization: https://harpswell.org/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show
In this episode, sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews MIT Physicist Dr. Alan Lightman about his spiritual materialism.Alan Lightman is an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. He has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. Lightman is the recipient of six honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of numerous books, both nonfiction and fiction, including Einstein's Dreams, an international bestseller, and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction. His essays concern the intersection of science, culture, philosophy, and theology. Lightman is the host of the public television series “SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science,” funded by the John Templeton Foundation. In 2005, Lightman founded Harpswell, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering young women leaders in Southeast Asia, and he has served as chair of its board. In August 2023, Lightman was appointed a member of the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board. His latest book is The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science (2023).In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:Balancing interests in art and science from a young ageThe role of beauty in scientific discoveryAlan's concept of spiritual materialismTranscendence and the Hindu concept of "darshan"To learn more about Adam and his work:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-lightman-6bb7191b6Website: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/Email: lightman@mit.eduBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APY6Q4Scientific Publications: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/#SCIENTIFIC%20PUBLICATIONSHarpswell Organization: https://harpswell.org/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show
It's finally here: the finale of season 5! 20 episodes later, we've gone on an exciting exploration together through the depths of digital health, the twists and turns medical technology, and the pathways through artificial intelligence. To wrap up the season, we're chatting with Dr. Alan Lightman, an accomplished physicist, novelist, and essayist. He was the first professor at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and humanities, so we'll be discussing the importance of connecting science and humanities in order to explore the world around us. Tune in as we journey through big ideas about the meaning of consciousness, humanity's role in the universe, and getting started as a kid interested in science.Check out Dr. Lightman's books: cmsw.mit.edu/profile/alan-lightman/ Read Dr. Lightman's articles in the Atlantic: www.theatlantic.com/author/alan-lightman/
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) by Alan Lightman, set in Albert Einstein's “miracle year” of 1905, is a novel about the cultural interconnection of time, relativity and life. As the young genius creates his theory of relativity, in a series of dreams, he imagines other worlds, each with a different conceptualization of time. In one, time is circular, and people are destined to repeat triumphs and failures over and over. In another, time stands still. In yet another, time is a nightingale, trapped by a bell jar. Translated into over thirty languages, Einstein's Dreams has inspired playwrights, dancers, musicians and artists around the world. In poetic vignettes, Alan Lightman explores the connections between science and art, creativity and the rhythms of life, and ultimately the fragility of human existence. This conversation includes Alan Lightman (MIT), Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera and Annette Martínez-Iñesta, of the Departamento de Humanidades at the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), and Joshua Chaparro Mata, a UPRM graduate and doctoral student in Applied Physics at Yale. They discuss dreaming as a scientific and creative resource; the importance of Berne, Switzerland, in the thought of Einstein and Lightman; Lightman's precise and harmonious poetics; the role of technology in contemporary life; and the course Lightman's life, experiences and creative process. This is the second of two episodes about Einstein's Dreams. The first, in Spanish, appeared on the New Books Network en español. The series is sponsored by the Lenguaje focal group at Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at UPRM, a group of scholars who consider how translanguaging can provide unique dimensions to knowledge. This episode and the Instituto Nuevos Horizontes at the UPRM have been supported by the Mellon Foundation. The conversation is part of the “STEM to STEAM” project of the “Cornerstone” initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, which stresses the importance of integrating humanistic perspectives in the sciences. Books, scholars, articles and podcasts mentioned in this conversation include: In Praise of Wasting Time, Alan Lightman. Mr g, Alan Lightman. Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino. Cities I've Never Lived In, Sara Majka. “Academic Life without a Smartphone,” Inside Higher Ed, Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. The Hemingway Society Podcast. Carlos Alberto Peón Casas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Einstein's Dreams (Vintage, 1992) por Alan Lightman, es un collage ficticio de historias soñadas por Albert Einstein en 1905, sobre el tiempo, la relatividad y la física. Mientras el provocador, pero sensible joven genio crea su teoría de la relatividad, en una nueva concepción del tiempo, imagina muchos otros mundos posibles. En uno, el tiempo es circular, de modo que la gente está destinada a repetir triunfos y fracasos una y otra vez. En otro, hay un lugar donde el tiempo se detiene, visitado por amantes y padres abrazados a sus hijos. En otro, el tiempo es un ruiseñor, a veces atrapado por una campana de cristal. Ahora traducido a treinta idiomas, Einstein's Dreams ha inspirado a dramaturgos, bailarines, músicos y pintores de todo el mundo. En viñetas poéticas, explora las conexiones entre ciencia y arte, el proceso de creatividad y, en última instancia, la fragilidad de la existencia humana. Conversación realizada por Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Annette Martínez Iñesta, docentes de Humanidades en la Universidad de Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), y Joshua Chaparro Mata, egresado de la UPRM y actualmente estudiante doctoral de Física Aplicada en Yale. Entre otros temas, dialogan sobre el uso de sueños como recurso científico y creativo, la importancia de Berne, Suiza, en el pensamiento de Einstein y Lightman, la poética precisa y harmoniosa de Lightman, cómo cambiar de lengua puede aportar dimensiones únicas al conocimiento y la importancia de involucrar perspectivas humanistas en las ciencias. Este episodio y el Instituto Nuevos Horizontes han sido apoyados por la Mellon Foundation. La conversación forma parte del proyecto “STEM to STEAM” de la iniciativa “Cornerstone”, patrocinada por la Teagle Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"The tragedy of this world is that no one is happy, whether stuck in a time of pain or of joy. The tragedy of this world is that everyone is alone. For a life in the past cannot be shared with the present. Each person who gets stuck in time gets stuck alone.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! In this episode, we explore the concept of time through the lens of one of the most imaginative books of our time, Einstein's Dreams. The novel portrays Albert Einstein as a young scientist grappling with his dreams as he works on his theory of relativity. This episode promises to spark deep reflection, ignite your curiosity, and challenge your perception of time. We cover a wide range of topics including: The hidden costs of immortality Contemplating a world where every day is a fresh start Why it's easy to forget to appreciate the things you have How death ultimately gives our life meaning Our most obnoxious literary opinions And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: Click (4:32) Books Mentioned: Einstein's Dreams Tao Te Ching (1:33) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) The Sovereign Individual (12:59) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) The Fourth Turning (13:01) (Book Episode) Logicomix (22:41) (Book Episode) East of Eden (30:30) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) The Unbearable Lightness of Being (32:11) The First World War (34:50) The Brothers K (34:51) Musashi (34:53) Infinite Jest (37:34) (Book Episode 1) (Book Episode 2) (Nat's Book Notes) Atlas Shrugged (37:58) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) Gödel, Escher, Bach (43:45) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) People Mentioned: Alan Lightman John Steinbeck (18:31) Werner Heisenberg (23:29) Milan Kundera (32:23) David Perell (44:29) Show Topics: (0:00) In today's episode, we're covering Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. Adil shares his experience going through the book for the 3rd time, noting its unique approach devoid of traditional characters yet filled with intense emotional resonance across the theme of 'time'. (2:43) The stories challenge the way we think about time, with each chapter introducing a unique time variable that initially appears distinct on the surface. However, beneath the surface, these chapters resonate with aspects of our own reality. We list off a few chapters that were top of mind for us. (6:10) Death is what gives life meaning. We explore this concept by diving into one of the short stories where nobody dies. If you know that time is infinite, how would you spend that time? (8:45) Which chapter(s) of Einstein's Dreams did we connect with the most? (11:16) We discuss the concept of sleep training, contemplating the ideal scenario where babies would sleep according to their natural rhythms. However, balancing the baby's freedom to sleep spontaneously with the demands of a structured work and life schedule can be a struggle. (12:32) Nat, Neil, and Adil ponder the scenario if everyone were to just live one day. You wouldn't know seasons, and all you'll ever know is what the current day brings. (16:08) Connections between Einstein's Dreams and a previous read on the podcast, The Fourth Turning. (17:51) Despite not having main characters (aside from Einstein and Besso), this book still manages to drive a lot of emotions. We admire Lightman's ability to write in a soft, empathetic way, while painting the picture for readers very effectively. (19:59) Were these short stories from the book thoughts that Einstein may have had in real life as he worked towards his theories on time and relativity? (23:45) We touch on a story from the book where every day is truly a fresh start, and there is no knowledge of the past or future. (26:45) Doing everything as if it's for the first time will give you excitement, but it's also meaningful to act as if you're doing something for the very last time. (28:25) Einstein's theory of general relativity, and how at the time of this theory, it was still unknown in the world of physics that the world is constantly expanding rather than fixed. (30:27) Though it may not be the longest book, it still hits hard. Nat, Neil, and Adil share their appreciation for Einstein's Dreams being impactful despite the length. It's one of those books that can make you feel a different way each time you read it. (36:47) Shoutout to Jack for the book recommendation on Musashi! If you have any book recommendations that you'd like us to pick up for the show, you can submit them to us here. (38:55) You can get away with a lot in books, but what about a 35,000 word speech? We talk about John Galt's mighty speech in Atlas Shrugged. So long as you give the readers a reason to finish the book and recommend it to others, you can really do what you want within the pages. (44:17) That concludes this thought-provoking episode! Next up, we're tackling Martin Gilbert's The First World War. Make sure to give our new Instagram page a follow and shoot us a book recommendation. If you have any recs, please send them our way! If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by leaving a review on iTunes and tell a friend. As always, let us know if you have any book recommendations! You can say hi to us on Twitter @TheRealNeilS, @adilmajid, @nateliason and share your thoughts on this episode. You can now support Made You Think using the Value-for-Value feature of Podcasting 2.0. This means you can directly tip the co-hosts in BTC with minimal transaction fees. To get started, simply download a podcast app (like Fountain or Breez) that supports Value-for-Value and send some BTC to your in-app wallet. You can then use that to support shows who have opted-in, including Made You Think! We'll be going with this direct support model moving forward, rather than ads. Thanks for listening. See you next time!
"But if science tells you that something's impossible, and it happens anyway, it means one of two things. Either the science is wrong, or it's a scam.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! Today, we're exploring the 3 Body Problem TV series on Netflix, inspired by Cixin Liu's acclaimed novel. Listen in as we discuss Season 1's adaptation from book to screen, analyzing character shifts, narrative changes, and the portrayal of scientific concepts. If you enjoyed The Three-Body Problem book series or consider yourself a sci-fi fanatic, this one is for you! We cover a wide range of topics including: What narrative changes and expansions were made for the TV adaptation The show's production costs compared to Game of Thrones How the creators translated the scientific aspects from the book series Our main praises and critiques of the show Book or series - is there a clear winner? And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: 3 Body Problem on Netflix (0:39) Costs of 3 Body Problem (1:08) Dune (14:28) Game of Thrones (15:50) Breaking Bad (40:35) Primer (41:15) Books Mentioned: The Three-Body Problem (0:39) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) Dune (14:28) The Road (28:40) Blood Meridian (28:46) No Country for Old Men (30:06) People Mentioned: Cixin Liu John Bradley (26:09) Cormac McCarthy (28:35) Martin Gilbert (30:40) Shane Carruth (42:01) Show Topics: (0:31) Welcome to our first TV show episode! Today, we're covering the TV series based on one of our previous reads, The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Go check out the episode on the book if you haven't already! We dive into our overall thoughts on Season 1 and how it measured up to the book. (4:09) *Spoiler alert!* If you haven't watched the show or read the book series, we suggest you do that first before continuing this episode. We talk a bit about the depth, or lack of depth, of the characters in the book and TV series. (6:55) Neil talks about the pivotal scene in Episode 5 that changed his mind about the show, and how the shows portrayal of something can be completely different than what you had pictured in your head. (9:38) From character shifts to the order of events, how did the show differ from the book series? (13:48) How the creators of the show had a unique challenge of keeping the intriguing scientific elements from the book series in the show while maintaining a pace that keeps the viewers interested. (15:43) The cost per episode in 3BP was higher than the final season of Game of Thrones. Which aspects of the show and scenes may have taken up the largest pieces of the budget? (21:24) We talk about the relationships between the heroes of the books and how they're all close friends. It sets you up to think there might be a happy ending... but is there? (25:36) Nat, Neil, and Adil share their thoughts on a character addition that wasn't in the books. (28:45) From Blood Meridian to The First World War, many books have some grotesque elements to it. It's interesting to see how authors capture the emotions and events from something that actually happened and put them into a book. (32:55) Our thoughts on the scene where the universe blinks, and how it was shown in the movie vs. in the book. (34:50) We list off one major criticism of the show, as well as many things that we felt the producers did a great job on. (39:03) How effective was the show in portraying scientific aspects from the book? We share our final thoughts 3BP Season 1. (42:10) That concludes this episode! Make sure to check out our episode on The Three-Body Problem and check out the Netflix series if you haven't already. We highly recommend it! Next up is Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. Pick up a copy of the book and read along with us! If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by leaving a review on iTunes and tell a friend. As always, let us know if you have any book recommendations! You can say hi to us on Twitter @TheRealNeilS, @adilmajid, @nateliason and share your thoughts on this episode. You can now support Made You Think using the Value-for-Value feature of Podcasting 2.0. This means you can directly tip the co-hosts in BTC with minimal transaction fees. To get started, simply download a podcast app (like Fountain or Breez) that supports Value-for-Value and send some BTC to your in-app wallet. You can then use that to support shows who have opted-in, including Made You Think! We'll be going with this direct support model moving forward, rather than ads. Thanks for listening. See you next time!
The spring equinox is a moment of symmetry and balance; the sun sits exactly above the equator, and we experience an equal amount of daylight and darkness. In today's episode, Sheryl shares her thoughts on the spiritual experience of symmetry, and how fractals in nature convince her that this world is one of not only chaos, but also order—and why that matters so much to highly sensitive people. We also discuss the yin and yang nature of seasons, the beauty in asymmetry, and how a healthy relationship with rituals and repetition can help us find and make meaning. References: Quote from Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet. Nature journal article “Why Symmetry Matters,” by Mario Livio The Age of Adeline (2015) Groundhog Day (1993) How Stuff Works article "Why Do We Get So Much Pleasure from Symmetry?" by Dave Roos The Accidental Universe: The World You Thought You Knew, by Alan Lightman
Join Charles and Joe on the latest episode of Wise_N_Nerdy, where they are accompanied by the amazing Mike Woodard. The trio kicks off the episode with a trip down memory lane as they answer the standard question of the week: "What's your favorite childhood book?" Joe fondly reminisces about "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander, a tale his brother once read to him. Mike shares his love for "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, while Charles delves into the imaginative world of "Einstein's Dreams" by Alan Lightman. As the dice roll to determine the next segment, the podcast transitions seamlessly into "What are you Nerding out about?" Joe dives into the Gauntlet series, Charles explores "Squid Game: The Challenge," and Mike takes a stroll down memory lane with nostalgic shows from the 70s. The dice decide it's time for the "How do I...?" segment, and Mike takes center stage to share insights into his illustrious career in radio. Following this, the trio engages in the "What do you think about...?" segment, where Charles had intended to discuss gatekeeping vs inclusion but ends up ranting about a company manufacturing Marvel cups. The fates, it seems, have a sense of humor as a bad dad joke makes its appearance, prompting Charles to express his dislike for funny bad dad jokes. The episode concludes on a heartwarming note with the "Daddy tell me a story" segment, where Joe shares his experiences as a moderator on /r/LeagueOfLegends. And there you have it - a delightful journey through childhood books, nerdy interests, career insights, and a touch of humor. As always, Wise_N_Nerdy leaves you with their signature tag line: "Wise_N_Nerdy: Where Fatherhood Meets Fandom." Tune in for a blend of wisdom, nostalgia, and all things nerdy! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wise-n-nerdy/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wise-n-nerdy/support
De fleste forbinder jul med travlhed og ikke med afslapning og langsomhed. Men egentligt burde julen være en højtid med plads til ro og nydelse. Det har vi mistet med tiden, ligesom vi i det hele taget har mistet langsomheden. Den amerikanske professor Alan Lightman har skrevet bogen In Praise of Wasting Time, hvor han skriver om, hvordan travlhed gør, at vi mister os selv. Og podcastepisoden i dag er dedikeret til at lære dig at "spilde" tid i december (som jo slet ikke er spild af tid men netop vejen til en jul med tid til stille stunder, nydelse og samvær med dem, du holder af.) Jeg tror, vores jul herhjemme er nogenlunde som mange andres. Mine børn har mange arrangementer i skolen, der skal pyntes op herhjemme, der er julefrokoster, vi skal til, der skal købes advents- og julegaver, vi holder juleaften, hvor der kommer familie, vi skal på julebesøg både før og efter jul, osv. osv.. Jeg elsker julen, så jeg falder let for fristelsen til at ville holde mig til samtlige traditioner og jule igennem på alle fronter. Og kan det så overhovedet lade sig gøre at få ro, når der skal ske så meget? Ja, det kan man, og i dagens podcastepisode siger jeg mere om, hvordan du kan få en slow jul. Lyt med her, hvor jeg kommer ind på: Hvad vi blev mindet om, da vi holdt Coronajul og alt var lukket At vi har solgt vores jul til travlhed Hvad jeg bedst husker fra julen i min egen barndom 2 slag tid - kairos og kronostid og hvorfor kairosøjeblikke udvider tiden En alternativ to-do-liste med 8 ting du kan gøre for at sænke tempoet i december Alternativ to-do-liste der giver dig ro i december Herunder er de 8 punkter, du kan sætte på din alternative to-do-liste for at få mere ro og nærvær i december: Nydelsesmeditation. Lav en kop kaffe, te eller glögg og nyd smagen fra ende til anden. Spol tiden tilbage. Tal med dine ældre familiemedlemmer om julen i deres barndom. Gør mindre af alt. Mindre julepynt, mindre julemad, mindre arbejde, færre arrangementer... Naturens ro. Nyd at se på sne, frost eller anden natur og ophold dig ved synet i lang tid. Levende lys. Tænd et stearinlys eller en fakkel og kig ind i flammen i lang tid. Højtlæsning. Læs en god julehistorie højt - det giver en særlig ro. Evighedsfornemmelse. Se op på en klar stjernehimmel i lang tid. Decembermantra. Find en god tanke, der bringer ro. Fx. "Jeg tager den med ro".
De fleste forbinder jul med travlhed og ikke med afslapning og langsomhed. Men egentligt burde julen være en højtid med plads til ro og nydelse. Det har vi mistet med tiden, ligesom vi i det hele taget har mistet langsomheden. Hvis du gerne vil have en december med mere ro, så få min julekalender med 24 tips til ro i krop og sind på korte lydfiler til kun 240 kr., så tilmeld dig senest 1. december. >>> Tilmeld dig her! Den amerikanske professor Alan Lightman har skrevet bogen In Praise of Wasting Time, hvor han skriver om, hvordan travlhed gør, at vi mister os selv. Og podcastepisoden i dag er dedikeret til at lære dig at "spilde" tid i december (som jo slet ikke er spild af tid men netop vejen til en jul med tid til stille stunder, nydelse og samvær med dem, du holder af.) Jeg tror, vores jul herhjemme er nogenlunde som mange andres. Mine børn har mange arrangementer i skolen, der skal pyntes op herhjemme, der er julefrokoster, vi skal til, der skal købes advents- og julegaver, vi holder juleaften, hvor der kommer familie, vi skal på julebesøg både før og efter jul, osv. osv.. Jeg elsker julen, så jeg falder let for fristelsen til at ville holde mig til samtlige traditioner og jule igennem på alle fronter. Og kan det så overhovedet lade sig gøre at få ro, når der skal ske så meget? Ja, det kan man, og i dagens podcastepisode siger jeg mere om, hvordan du kan få en slow jul. Lyt med her, hvor jeg kommer ind på: Hvad vi blev mindet om, da vi holdt Coronajul og alt var lukket At vi har solgt vores jul til travlhed Hvad jeg bedst husker fra julen i min egen barndom 2 slag tid - kairos og kronostid og hvorfor kairosøjeblikke udvider tiden En alternativ to-do-liste med 8 ting du kan gøre for at sænke tempoet i december Alternativ to-do-liste der giver dig ro i december Herunder er de 8 punkter, du kan sætte på din alternative to-do-liste for at få mere ro og nærvær i december: Nydelsesmeditation. Lav en kop kaffe, te eller glögg og nyd smagen fra ende til anden. Spol tiden tilbage. Tal med dine ældre familiemedlemmer om julen i deres barndom. Gør mindre af alt. Mindre julepynt, mindre julemad, mindre arbejde, færre arrangementer... Naturens ro. Nyd at se på sne, frost eller anden natur og ophold dig ved synet i lang tid. Levende lys. Tænd et stearinlys eller en fakkel og kig ind i flammen i lang tid. Højtlæsning. Læs en god julehistorie højt - det giver en særlig ro. Evighedsfornemmelse. Se op på en klar stjernehimmel i lang tid. Decembermantra. Find en god tanke, der bringer ro. Fx. "Jeg tager den med ro".
Original Air Date: May 6, 2020 Oprah Winfrey talks with Dr. Alan Lightman, an MIT professor of humanities, physicist and best-selling author. Dr. Lightman is one of the rare scientists who also embraces spirituality after having a transcendent experience while on a boat on the ocean. He discusses why he believes the COVID-19 pandemic offered us an opportunity to lead a less hurried life. He shares why stillness is so important to our daily lives and explains how our country now has a chance to nurture what he calls its “inner self.” Dr. Lightman also discusses his article “The Virus Is a Reminder of Something Lost Long Ago,” published in The Atlantic. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPodsYou can also watch Oprah's Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN
Alan Lightman is a professor of humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In addition to publishing numerous scientific papers in physics on the nature of gravity, he has published the best selling novels Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis, which was a finalist for a national book award. He recently hosted the tv series “Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science” which aired on PBS earlier this year.Support the show
Alan Lightman is a physicist, writer (of novels, essays, memoir and science texts), and social entrepreneur. For this unusual episode, his interview served as inspiration for an original song. Made in collaboration with the Podsongs podcast, this conversation covers his career at the intersection of science and humanities, mortality, success, the cosmos, technology, consciousness, writing fiction, embracing ambiguity, out of body experiences, and the idea that there are no answers to profound questions. Also thanks to everyone who voted for the Signal Awards! We received a Silver Signal award for Music podcast. www.third-story.comwww.patreon.com/thirdstorypodcast www.wbgo.org/studios www.podsongs.com
Leo Sidran speaks to Alan Lightman, American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur on Episode 141 of Podsongs—the podcast where musicians interview inspirational people as inspiration for a new song—as inspiration for a new song called 'Meaning in the Moment' Alan Lightman is an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur. He has served on the faculties of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently a professor of the practice of the humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Leo Sidran is an American Latin Grammy-winning musician, composer, performer, and producer whose credits include co-producing the Oscar-winning song "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" for the soundtrack to the movie The Motorcycle Diaries. http://www.leosidran.com/ Stream the song: https://ffm.to/meaninginthemoment LYRICS: Everything you see is impermanentEvery last star in the firmamentEveryone you love or you ever metEvery single thought running through your headEvery setting sun, every morning mistAll the works of art and the sciencesEvery “out of body” experienceEverything you see is impermanentTry, try, try not to let it throw youYou know you can findMeaning in the momentMeaning in the momentEvery sweet song that you ever heardEach turn of phrase, every perfect wordEvery back corner of consciousnessEvery single thing is impermanentTry, try, try not to let it throw youYou know you can findMeaning in the momentMeaning in the momentNo one will remember usWhen we return to sand and dustBut there's one thing that you can trustWhen you feel all aloneMeaning in the moment // SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL // Newsletter, donations and download the song for €/$1 @ https://podsongs.com // LINKS // Website: https://podsongs.com Podcast episodes: https://podsongs.com/podcast-episodes Songs: https://podsongs.com/music Spotify artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32FYyRx1y1ex3jHHAgLMC7?si=4Nv7WW85SbSPZvCsj1o7Ig Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sN1viy82HPiNTVX2YBxpq?si=1b84c2b9bdea4656 // SOCIAL // Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsongs Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsongs Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsongs --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podsongs/message
When we gaze at the stars and wonder at our place amid the expanse of the universe, or when we witness the birth of a child and marvel at the miracle of existence itself, or when we listen to music that seems to touch our soul — there are moments in life when we feel a transcendent connection to things larger than ourselves. But how are we to make sense of these experiences in the age of science? In perhaps our most meditative episode yet, we speak with Alan Lightman, PhD, a theoretical physicist and humanist who holds a unique vantage point on topics fundamental to our existence: time, space, matter, and human consciousness. Dr. Lightman is Professor of the Practice of the Humanities at MIT, the author of numerous novels and books on science and philosophy, and the creator and subject of the 2023 PBS documentary series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Over the course of our conversation, we discuss where our sense of awe comes from, the role of spirituality in a materialist world, whether or not human consciousness will ever be understood on a physical basis, the interplay of faith and reason in modern scientific practice, and more.In this episode, we discuss:3:58 - How Dr. Lightman found himself at the intersection of physics and creative writing 5:46 - The ways in which physics is the most “philosophical” science 9:13 - The definitions of ‘materialists' and ‘vitalists'11:56 - How Dr. Lightman conceptualizes his position as a ‘Spiritual Materialist' 16:07 - Contending with materialism despite awe-inspiring, transcendental experiences 22:30 - Whether or not Dr. Lightman considers himself a ‘reductionist' 25:28 - Where our sense of awe and appreciation of beauty come from32:17 - The role of faith in scientific pursuits34:20 - Finding meaning in a materialist worldIn this episode, we discuss Bertrand Russel's Free Man's Worship.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor's Art Podcast 2023
"Rationality and logic can be spiritual." -- Alan Lightman, Mr. gThe antagonism between Western science and myth/religion has shaped human history and continues to obstruct the quest for a holistic understanding of existence. In Myths to Live By, Joseph Campbell outlines the conflict and offers solutions to the modern dilemma. Science will provide new metaphors, he explains.I wonder about the reconciliation of science and religion and what forms this might this take. This led me to Mr. g, a novel by Alan Lightman. Lightman is a theoretical physicist who has served on the faculty at Harvard and MIT. In his novel he combines science, theology, and moral philosophy to tell a creation story that is mythic, if not technically a myth. Through the eyes of the cosmic creator Mr. g, we witness the birth of the universe and the wonders of scientific evolution, from galaxies and stars to the emergence of life on a small planet.I hope you enjoy this gloss of the book and are inspired to read it too.Support the showEmail Catherine at drcsvehla@mythicmojo.comPost a positive review on apple podcasts! Learn how you can work with Catherine at https://mythicmojo.comBuy me a coffee. Thank you!
Special guest Alan Lightman takes us through a fascinating discussion of consciousness, and tells us how he reconciles spirituality with his materialist views.Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference. Visit ISSconference.org to register now.Support the show
A physicist whose world has no room for spirits, but who has experienced many eerily transcendent moments – both in nature and in his work – sets out to understand the unexplainable.
Are science and spirituality incompatible? From the acclaimed author of Einstein's Dreams comes a rich, fascinating answer to that question... Gazing at the stars, falling in love, or listening to music, we sometimes feel a transcendent connection with a cosmic unity and things larger than ourselves. But these experiences are not easily understood by science, which holds that all things can be explained in terms of atoms and molecules. Is there space in our scientific worldview for these spiritual experiences? According to acclaimed physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, there may be. Drawing on intellectual history and conversations with contemporary scientists, philosophers, and psychologists, Lightman asks a series of thought-provoking questions that illuminate our strange place between the world of particles and forces and the world of complex human experience. Can strict materialism explain our appreciation of beauty? Or our feelings of connection to nature and to other people? Is there a physical basis for consciousness, the most slippery of all scientific problems? In The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science (Pantheon, 2023), Lightman weaves these investigations together to propose what he calls “spiritual materialism”—the belief that we can embrace spiritual experiences without letting go of our scientific worldview. In his view, the breadth of the human condition is not only rooted in material atoms and molecules but can also be explained in terms of Darwinian evolution. What is revealed in this lyrical, enlightening book is that spirituality may not only be compatible with science, it also ought to remain at the core of what it means to be human. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator and host of The New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
On this week's Tech Nation, Moira speaks with Dr. Robert Foster, CEO of Hepion Pharmaceuticals, about some surprising information about your liver – like the one you have right now, is pretty much not the one you had just a few years ago. Then combining science and the humanities, MIT Professor Dr. Alan Lightman, talks about his book, “The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science”.
The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science by Alan Lightman From the acclaimed author of Einstein's Dreams comes a rich, fascinating answer to the question, Can the scientifically inclined still hold space for spirituality? Gazing at the stars, falling in love, or listening to music, we sometimes feel a transcendent connection with a cosmic unity and things larger than ourselves. But these experiences are not easily understood by science, which holds that all things can be explained in terms of atoms and molecules. Is there space in our scientific worldview for these spiritual experiences? According to acclaimed physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, there may be. Drawing on intellectual history and conversations with contemporary scientists, philosophers, and psychologists, Lightman asks a series of thought-provoking questions that illuminate our strange place between the world of particles and forces and the world of complex human experience. Can strict materialism explain our appreciation of beauty? Or our feelings of connection to nature and to other people? Is there a physical basis for consciousness, the most slippery of all scientific problems? Lightman weaves these investigations together to propose what he calls “spiritual materialism”— the belief that we can embrace spiritual experiences without letting go of our scientific worldview. In his view, the breadth of the human condition is not only rooted in material atoms and molecules but can also be explained in terms of Darwinian evolution. What is revealed in this lyrical, enlightening book is that spirituality may not only be compatible with science, it also ought to remain at the core of what it means to be human.
Please support the podcast by taking our short listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/intotheimpossible Watch the video of this episode here: https://youtu.be/R5DXUZet7HE?sub_confirmation=1 Is the brain a computer? Where does the soul lie? Can quantum mechanics explain consciousness? Alan Lightman takes on these ancient questions and more in this fabulous new book chock-full of cutting-edge research and the latest discoveries in brain science. Watch Alan's first episode on the Into the Impossible Podcast https://youtu.be/MG2cPltzCdY Lightman is currently a Professor of the Practice of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alan has written several books on topics ranging from relativity and gravitation to personal development. The topic of this episode of the Into The Impossible Podcast is his new book, The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science. Subscribe to the Jordan Harbinger Show for amazing content from Apple's best podcast of 2018! https://www.jordanharbinger.com/podcasts Please leave a rating and review: On Apple devices, click here, https://apple.co/39UaHlB On Spotify it's here: https://spoti.fi/3vpfXok On Audible it's here https://tinyurl.com/wtpvej9v Find other ways to rate here: https://briankeating.com/podcast Support the podcast on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/drbriankeating or become a Member on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw/join To advertise with us, contact advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Are Children's Antibiotics So Hard To Find Right Now? Mary Warlo has been extremely worried lately. Her baby Calieb, who is six months old, has sickle cell disease. In early December he went for a few days without liquid penicillin, a medication that he—and thousands of other children in the U.S.—rely on to prevent potentially life threatening infections. Warlo couldn't easily find a pharmacy in Indianapolis that had the medicine in stock. She and her husband frantically drove around for hours, stopping at five different pharmacies before they were able to get their prescription filled. “It was extremely stressful and I am worried about what will happen the next time we need to fill his prescription two weeks from now,” she said. Pediatric sickle cell disease specialists say they are alarmed by signs that the stock of liquid penicillin is dwindling in some places. They say children's lives depend on this medication, and a penicillin shortage could spell disaster. Read the rest at sciencefriday.com. Bats Use Death Metal 'Growls' To Make Social Calls What do death metal vocalists and bats have in common? Both use their ventricle folds, or “false vocal cords,” to extend their vocal ranges to hit a lower register. This gives bats a huge vocal range—seven full octaves. Humans typically tap out at about three to four octaves. Even people with really impressive vocal ranges, like Mariah Carey, just can't compete with a bat. A study recently published in the academic journal PLOS Biology examines how and why different anatomical structures might help bats achieve such extreme frequency range. Ira talks with one of the study's authors, Coen Elemans, a professor in bioacoustics and animal behavior at the University of Southern Denmark based in Odense, Denmark. Can Science Answer Life's Biggest Questions? Dr. Alan Lightman has been around the block a few times. Over the past five decades, he has been a theoretical physicist, professor at MIT, and bestselling author—often at the same time. His most notable novel, Einstein's Dreams, has been adapted into dozens of plays and musicals since its publication in 1992, becoming one of the most famous examples of mixing art and science. Lightman's work follows a philosophical way of thinking about life's biggest questions, like the origins of consciousness. His new venture brings this way of thinking to the silver screen. Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science consults scientists and faith leaders to grapple with some of these theoretical quandaries. And Lightman gives a good argument for why the journey to these answers can be more impactful than the answers themselves. Ira speaks with Alan Lightman about the new program, available to watch now online and on your local public television station.
Today's episode features a recent conversation with physicist and writer Alan Lightman during his visit to Brown College at the University of Virginia in October 2022. Dr. Lightman's prominent work in both science and the humanities challenges the divide between fields and he discusses his approach of both disciplines through a creative lens. Eventually, we get a little taste of what he does best - demonstrating the innate poetry of what we know, and don't know, about our universe. Are scientific and artistic pursuits really so different in their motivation? Alan Lightman presently serves as Professor of the Practice of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His new docu-series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science will premiere on January 7th, 2023 on public television stations and stream online at PBS.org. CircleOfWillisPodcast.com Check us out on Twitter and Instagram for more content. Circle of Willis is a production of the Virginia Audio Collective at WTJU 91.1 FM and Brown Residential College at the University of Virginia. Find out more at http://circleofwillispodcast.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
Coming on Monday, December 12th, a conversation with Alan Lightman about finding a creative outlet through physics and writing!
Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2Pages My first job out of university was with a company that specialized in innovation. It was there that I really began to understand how creativity flourishes when there are restraints. We were once hired by Kellogg's to help do something new for Corn Flakes, but weren't allowed to change the product, packaging, or marketing. I remember realizing that I needed to figure out the rules in order to decide which ones needed to be broken. Whatever your situation, there's liberation in understanding what rules need to be followed, and which ones can be played with. I'm wondering, how might you more joyfully break a few rules? Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Andri Snær Magnason is one of Iceland's best-selling and most prolific authors, with experience writing across almost every genre, including film. Andri reads two pages from ‘Einstein's Dreams' by Alan Lightman. [reading begins at 16:05] Hear us discuss: “As an artist, you always have to push your limits and try to reach out of your comfort zone.” [5:00] | The beauty of simplicity: “One of your roles is to not waste your reader's time.” [18:42] | A vision for the future. [25:12] | “The way we perceive time, both lived and unlived, can go from feeling like an eternity, to feeling like a flash.” [30:40]
English tour guides share their enthusiasm for enjoying the riot of color and inspiration you'll find in England's best country gardens. Then author Catie Marron explains how she designed and planted a garden as a way to feel a sense of belonging in her new home. And physicist Alan Lightman explains why it's healthy to give yourself a little unstructured time every day just for goofing off. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.
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