Why This Universe?

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1. 101 — How Will AI Change Physics? (Ft. Yoni Kahn)

   12 oktober 2026 · 56 min

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   In 2023, Dan made a bet with physicist Yoni Kahn about whether AI would be able to pass a graduate-level quantum field theory course by 2026. Today on the show, they revisit their bet and discuss what AI is capable of in physics today, and how it might change the field moving forward. Lees meer

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2. 100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics

   24 augustus 2026 · 37 min

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   Modern physics tells us a lot about light; that it's both a wave and a particle, and that it sets the speed limit of the universe, for example. But how did we come to understand light in this way? Lees meer

   In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us through theories of light through the ages, starting from the earliest accounts of ancient ideas and bringing us all the way to modern times.

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3. 99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update

   3 augustus 2026 · 36 min

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   It's been a while! To make up for lost time, today's episode is a rundown of all the physics news you should know. Hear what is keeping physicists at the edge of their seat, and what physics news you should keep your eyes out for in the coming years. Lees meer

   Also, this episode comes with an update from us at WTU: This will be Shalma's last episode as co-host and editor (though she'll continue to help out with production behind the scenes).

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4. 98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)

   19 januari 2026 · 41 min

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   An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, and how physicists like him are testing it. Lees meer

   For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

   Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

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5. 97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics

   22 december 2025 · 30 min

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   Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger equation: how it works, what it says about nature, and why it revolutionized physics. Lees meer

   For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

   Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

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6. 96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)

   24 november 2025 · 53 min

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   In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider turning on, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about what they were about to discover. These moments were captured in the documentary Particle Fever, created by the particle physicist David Kaplan. On today's episode, he recounts these historic years from the perspective of both physicist and filmmaker. Lees meer

   For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

   Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

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7. 95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)

   4 november 2025 · 43 min

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   If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today's episode. For more, check out his new book, Do Aliens Speak Physics? Lees meer

   For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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8. 38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses (2025 Update)

   13 oktober 2025 · 34 min

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   In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee. Lees meer

   For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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9. 94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)

   29 september 2025 · 32 min

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   Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess. Lees meer

   For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

   Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

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10. 93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)

    15 september 2025 · 40 min

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    Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a mysterious energy source called dark energy. Lees meer

    For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

    Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

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