Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ In the future humanity might build structures of incomprehensible size and splendor, megastructures and artificial worlds, but somebody is going to have to build and maintain these feats of science and engineering and clean up all the orbital debris. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2Tbffv7ZCz8 Visit our Website: http://www....

Nuclear Fusion holds the potential to free us of so many of the constraints offered by everything from fossil fuels to renewable energy option like wind and solar, if we can just get it working. Today we'll look at the challenges facing us in terms of the physics and engineering, the various possible reactors like the Tokamak, Poylwell, NFI, and more, and see what a bright future fusion might offe...

Nuclear Fusion holds the potential to free us of so many of the constraints offered by everything from fossil fuels to renewable energy option like wind and solar, if we can just get it working. Today we'll look at the challenges facing us in terms of the physics and engineering, the various possible reactors like the Tokamak, Poylwell, NFI, and more, and see what a bright future fusion might offe...

Natural disasters can topple civilizations, even in modern times, but with more and more technology civilizations become more robust and capable of predicting future calamities and preventing such ruin. So what other threats face spacefaring civilizations, both at the interplanetary and interstellar scale? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Y-CrHiiN0fI Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://...

Natural disasters can topple civilizations, even in modern times, but with more and more technology civilizations become more robust and capable of predicting future calamities and preventing such ruin. So what other threats face spacefaring civilizations, both at the interplanetary and interstellar scale? Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Y-CrHiiN0fI Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://...

Alien Invasions have been a staple of science fiction for years, with motherships and UFOs assaulting Earth, but how realistic is such a thing? We'll take a look at what might motivate an attack, how it might happen, what alternatives might make more sense, and what might prevent extraterrestrials from trying. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/rBFubEKHR7A Get a free month of Curiosity Stre...

Alien Invasions have been a staple of science fiction for years, with motherships and UFOs assaulting Earth, but how realistic is such a thing? We'll take a look at what might motivate an attack, how it might happen, what alternatives might make more sense, and what might prevent extraterrestrials from trying. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/rBFubEKHR7A Get a free month of Curiosity Stre...

We continue our discussion of the Boltzmann Brain - a hypothetical randomly assembled mind rather than an evolved one - by looking at the Anthropic Principle and the Fine-Tuned Universe Theory, alternative ways of viewing the probability of our existence than the classic Copernican Principle. Watch the video versions: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfQb_-XAuY Part 2: https://youtu.be/GrK...

The idea of spaceships or other machines that were essentially alive and able to repair and operate themselves has long been a popular one in science fiction. We'll take a look today at how that might be possible in the future, what advantages it would have for interplanetary or interstellar colonization, and how it might lead to entire artificial ecosystems dwelling in the void of space. Watch th...

The idea of spaceships or other machines that were essentially alive and able to repair and operate themselves has long been a popular one in science fiction. We'll take a look today at how that might be possible in the future, what advantages it would have for interplanetary or interstellar colonization, and how it might lead to entire artificial ecosystems dwelling in the void of space. Watch th...

The possibility of extraterrestrial life on other worlds has long fascinated us, as has the idea of alien life living in space itself, but while the former is often considered quite probable, the idea of anything evolving on airless moons, comets, and asteroids seems less likely. But with scientists uncovering life in ever more extreme and inhospitable environments on Earth, perhaps it is more lik...

The possibility of extraterrestrial life on other worlds has long fascinated us, as has the idea of alien life living in space itself, but while the former is often considered quite probable, the idea of anything evolving on airless moons, comets, and asteroids seems less likely. But with scientists uncovering life in ever more extreme and inhospitable environments on Earth, perhaps it is more lik...

Space is an awesome place filled with virtually infinite wonders to explore, and human colonization will likely make far more. It may soon be possible for people to journey up to orbit as tourists, and in the more distant future this might become a vast trade, with tourism in Space Station Hotels or on the Moon or Mars or traveling to countless other planets, moons, asteroids, or megastructures. W...

Space is an awesome place filled with virtually infinite wonders to explore, and human colonization will likely make far more. It may soon be possible for people to journey up to orbit as tourists, and in the more distant future this might become a vast trade, with tourism in Space Station Hotels or on the Moon or Mars or traveling to countless other planets, moons, asteroids, or megastructures. W...

There are many reasons not to eat meat, or at least less of it: medical, ethical, economical, or ecological, but the stuff is quite tasty. Today we'll look at how artificial meat technologies in the near future might allow us to produce a genuine alternative to modern methods of standard agriculture or meat substitutes, and maybe even some exotic meats not available at the supermarket. Watch the v...

There are many reasons not to eat meat, or at least less of it: medical, ethical, economical, or ecological, but the stuff is quite tasty. Today we'll look at how artificial meat technologies in the near future might allow us to produce a genuine alternative to modern methods of standard agriculture or meat substitutes, and maybe even some exotic meats not available at the supermarket. Watch the v...

In order to get into space, we require either huge amounts of rocket fuel or dangerously powerful energy sources, making personal spacecraft a technology limited to science fiction. But by harnessing beamed power sources to run engines, we may be able to create a spaceplane cheap enough and safe enough that anyone could have one in the future. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Wol8EU6Rtbk...

In order to get into space, we require either huge amounts of rocket fuel or dangerously powerful energy sources, making personal spacecraft a technology limited to science fiction. But by harnessing beamed power sources to run engines, we may be able to create a spaceplane cheap enough and safe enough that anyone could have one in the future. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/Wol8EU6Rtbk...

The dream of having superhuman abilities is as old as humanity, and appeared in everything from mythology to comic books, but the future might offer technologies that turn these dreams into reality. Today we'll explore some of those options, from superstrength and speed to options like telepathy. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2sw1WLXkQQk Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant....

The dream of having superhuman abilities is as old as humanity, and appeared in everything from mythology to comic books, but the future might offer technologies that turn these dreams into reality. Today we'll explore some of those options, from superstrength and speed to options like telepathy. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2sw1WLXkQQk Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant....

Black Holes are often considered the most dangerous objects in the Universe, especially in science fiction, and today we'll look at how these may be used as weapons in future warfare. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/zTMxO1nJaA4 Start listening with a 30-day Audible trial and your first audiobook plus two Audible Originals are free. Visit http://www.audible.com/isaac or text "ISAAC" to 50...

Black Holes are often considered the most dangerous objects in the Universe, especially in science fiction, and today we'll look at how these may be used as weapons in future warfare. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/zTMxO1nJaA4 Start listening with a 30-day Audible trial and your first audiobook plus two Audible Originals are free. Visit http://www.audible.com/isaac or text "ISAAC" to 50...

Pluto and it's largest moon, Charon, are so far from the Sun and so tiny that they would not seem like promising options for interplanetary colonization. However, they may turn out to be excellent prospects precisely because the double dwarf planet offers some unique options, like space elevators right from surface to surface. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/TNRQFKVV68I Visit our sponsor...

Pluto and it's largest moon, Charon, are so far from the Sun and so tiny that they would not seem like promising options for interplanetary colonization. However, they may turn out to be excellent prospects precisely because the double dwarf planet offers some unique options, like space elevators right from surface to surface. Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/TNRQFKVV68I Visit our sponsor...

Spaceplanes long seemed like the logical next step for getting into orbit after the Space Shuttle, but have seemingly fallen to the wayside in recent years in favor of reusable rockets. But the future may see a return of spaceplanes, and we'll look at some of the more promising designs like Skylon. Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/V4BQvD_QJwM Get a free month of Curiosity Stream: http://c...