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Eric Lerner is a popular science writer, plasma physicist, and long-time collaborator of the late Nobel laureate Hannes Alfvén. He’s also one of the featured speakers at our Beyond the Big Bang event this summer in Sesimbra, Portugal. For over thirty years, Lerner has been a leading voice in plasma cosmology and a critic of Big Bang cosmology, who argued for a non-expanding, steady state universe as the central claim of his landmark book The Big Bang Never Happened (affiliate link to puchase: https://amzn.to/4jEez8H). Our conversation dives into the history and foundations of plasma cosmology, from early Birkeland current experiments in the Arctic that revealed the electrical nature of the aurora, to the role of plasma dynamics in the shape and behavior of galaxies. All the hits are in here — from Halton Arp, whose Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies seriously challenged the way that mainstream cosmologists interpret redshift, to the electromagnetic forces often overlooked in mainstream cosmology, to the filamentary plasma structures and cosmic-scale currents that strain the limits of the standard model. This is a deep exploration of alternative cosmology, electric universe theories, and the scientists behind them — from Fred Hoyle to Anthony Peratt — who refused to patch a dying theory and instead asked instead if the universe might be eternal.

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PARADIGM DRIFT
https://demystifysci.com/paradigm-dri… Go! 00:05:59 – The Cosmological Pendulum 00:14:09 – Knowledge and Societal Progress 00:22:18 – Big Bang Origins & Ideological Influence 00:29:04 – Technological Stagnation Since the 1970s 00:32:02 – Ideology Replacing Empiricism in Science 00:36:14 – Gravity vs. Electromagnetism in Cosmology 00:41:02 – Evolution of Scientific Funding Models 00:51:11 – Birkeland Currents & Plasma Discoveries 00:56:25 – Centralization of Postwar Science 01:00:18 – Orthodoxy in Medicine 01:00:59 – Decline of Fundamental Research 01:04:39 – Plasma Cosmology vs. Dark Matter 01:08:52 – Capitalism and Research Priorities 01:14:22 – Sustaining Independent Science 01:15:16 – Birkeland, Alfvén & Plasma History 01:22:24 – Einstein’s Rise & Cultural Legacy 01:31:05 – General Relativity and Elitism 01:34:44 – Chapman’s Math vs. Empirics 01:37:12 – Alfvén’s Plasma Breakthroughs 01:43:39 – Plasma Physics vs. Big Bang Theories 01:47:39 – Nobel Prize & MHD’s Hidden Flaws 01:58:00 – Filamentary Plasmas vs. MHD 02:00:47 – Pseudoplasmas and MHD Limits 02:02:58 – Defining Plasma as a State of Matter 02:06:00 – Where Plasma Exists in Nature 02:11:17 – The Myth of Mathematical Models 02:21:10 – Scientific vs. Aesthetic Cosmology 02:29:55 – Failed Big Bang Predictions 02:36:01 – Alternatives to the Expanding Universe 02:43:09 – Large-Scale Structures and Cosmic Age 02:50:10 – Public Science and Open Debate 02:55:16 – Toward a New Cosmological Paradigm #plasma #bigbang #darkmatter #electricuniverse, #cosmology, #astrophysics, #scientificrevolution, #fusionenergy, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he’s not in the film studio, he’s exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com… AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7h… BLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss MAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL:

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MUSIC:-Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

00:00 Go!
00:05:59 – The Cosmological Pendulum.
00:14:09 – Knowledge and Societal Progress.
00:22:18 – Big Bang Origins & Ideological Influence.
00:29:04 – Technological Stagnation Since the 1970s.
00:32:02 – Ideology Replacing Empiricism in Science.
00:36:14 – Gravity vs. Electromagnetism in Cosmology.
00:41:02 – Evolution of Scientific Funding Models.
00:51:11 – Birkeland Currents & Plasma Discoveries.
00:56:25 – Centralization of Postwar Science.
01:00:18 – Orthodoxy in Medicine.
01:00:59 – Decline of Fundamental Research.
01:04:39 – Plasma Cosmology vs. Dark Matter.
01:08:52 – Capitalism and Research Priorities.
01:14:22 – Sustaining Independent Science.
01:15:16 – Birkeland, Alfvén & Plasma History.
01:22:24 – Einstein’s Rise & Cultural Legacy.
01:31:05 – General Relativity and Elitism.
01:34:44 – Chapman’s Math vs. Empirics.
01:37:12 – Alfvén’s Plasma Breakthroughs.
01:43:39 – Plasma Physics vs. Big Bang Theories.
01:47:39 – Nobel Prize & MHD’s Hidden Flaws.
01:58:00 – Filamentary Plasmas vs. MHD
02:00:47 – Pseudoplasmas and MHD Limits.
02:02:58 – Defining Plasma as a State of Matter.
02:06:00 – Where Plasma Exists in Nature.
02:11:17 – The Myth of Mathematical Models.
02:21:10 – Scientific vs. Aesthetic Cosmology.
02:29:55 – Failed Big Bang Predictions.
02:36:01 – Alternatives to the Expanding Universe.
02:43:09 – Large-Scale Structures and Cosmic Age.
02:50:10 – Public Science and Open Debate.
02:55:16 – Toward a New Cosmological Paradigm.

#plasma #bigbang #darkmatter #electricuniverse, #cosmology, #astrophysics, #scientificrevolution, #fusionenergy, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast.

Measles cases are going up—and a federal scientist has warned that case counts have probably been underreported. Another vaccine-preventable illness, whooping cough, sees a troubling increase in cases. Ancient humans found sun-protection solutions when Earth’s magnetic poles wandered. A colossal squid has been captured on video in its natural habitat for the first time. Plus, we discuss evidence that Mars once had a carbon cycle and a planet that is orbiting a pair of brown dwarfs.

Episode Transcript: https://www.scientificamerican.com/po… reading: This Is the First Colossal Squid Filmed in the Deep Sea—And It’s a Baby! • See the first colossal squid ever cau… RFK, Jr., Is Wrong about Cause of Rising Autism Rates, Scientists Say https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar… How to Talk about Vaccines in an Era of Scientific Mistrust https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar… E-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/ge… And sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter: https://www.scientificamerican.com/ac… Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Alex Sugiura with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

Recommended reading:
This Is the First Colossal Squid Filmed in the Deep Sea—And It’s a Baby! • See the first colossal squid ever cau…
RFK, Jr., Is Wrong about Cause of Rising Autism Rates, Scientists Say https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar
How to Talk about Vaccines in an Era of Scientific Mistrust https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar

E-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/ge

Are black holes really cosmic shredders—or are they complex quantum structures storing everything they consume? Discover the revolutionary Supermaze Hypothesis and Fuzzball Theory in this deep dive into black hole physics, quantum mechanics, and string theory. This could change everything we know about the universe!

Paper link : https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction.
00:44 Inside the Supermaze – A New Perspective from String Theory.
02:42 The Fuzzball Revolution – Solving the Information Paradox.
04:43 Scientific Debate and the Road to the Theory of Everything.
06:57 Outro.
07:16 Enjoy.

MUSIC TITLE: Starlight Harmonies.

MUSIC LINK: https://pixabay.com/music/pulses-star… our website for up-to-the-minute updates: www.nasaspacenews.com Follow us Facebook: / nasaspacenews Twitter: / spacenewsnasa Join this channel to get access to these perks: / @nasaspacenewsagency #NSN #NASA #Astronomy#BlackHole #SupermazeHypothesis #FuzzballTheory #QuantumPhysics #StringTheory #MTheory #EventHorizon #HawkingRadiation #InformationParadox #CosmicMysteries #QuantumGravity #Branes #QuantumMaze #PhysicsExplained #SpaceTime #BlackHoleTheory #Astrophysics #Cosmology #QuantumUniverse #TheoryOfEverything #BlackHoleInfoParadox #StephenHawking #SamirMathur #NicholasWarner #QuantumEntanglement #ScienceExplained #GravitationalWaves #LIGO #EventHorizonTelescope #QuantumReality.
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Real-world social cognition requires processing and adapting to multiple dynamic information streams. Interpreting neural activity in such ecological conditions remains a key challenge for neuroscience. This study leverages advancements in de-noising techniques and multivariate modeling to extract interpretable EEG signals from pairs of participants (male-male, female-female, and male-female) engaged in spontaneous dyadic dance. Using multivariate temporal response functions (mTRFs), we investigated how music acoustics, self-generated kinematics, other-generated kinematics, and social coordination uniquely contributed to EEG activity. Electromyogram recordings from ocular, face, and neck muscles were also modeled to control for artifacts. The mTRFs effectively disentangled neural signals associated with four processes: (I) auditory tracking of music, (II) control of self-generated movements, (III) visual monitoring of partner movements, and (IV) visual tracking of social coordination. We show that the first three neural signals are driven by event-related potentials: the P50-N100-P200 triggered by acoustic events, the central lateralized movement-related cortical potentials triggered by movement initiation, and the occipital N170 triggered by movement observation. Notably, the (previously unknown) neural marker of social coordination encodes the spatiotemporal alignment between dancers, surpassing the encoding of self-or partner-related kinematics taken alone. This marker emerges when partners can see each other, exhibits a topographical distribution over occipital areas, and is specifically driven by movement observation rather than initiation. Using data-driven kinematic decomposition, we further show that vertical bounce movements best drive observers’ EEG activity. These findings highlight the potential of real-world neuroimaging, combined with multivariate modeling, to uncover the mechanisms underlying complex yet natural social behaviors.

Significance statement Real-world brain function involves integrating multiple information streams simultaneously. However, due to a shortfall of computational methods, laboratory-based neuroscience often examines neural processes in isolation. Using multivariate modeling of EEG data from pairs of participants freely dancing to music, we demonstrate that it is possible to tease apart physiologically established neural processes associated with music perception, motor control, and observation of a partner’s movement. Crucially, we identify a previously unknown neural marker of social coordination that encodes the spatiotemporal alignment between dancers, beyond self-or partner-related kinematics alone. These findings highlight the potential of computational neuroscience to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying real-world social and motor behaviors, advancing our understanding of how the brain supports dynamic and interactive activities.

In a future of limitless resources, what challenges remain when scarcity fades but human desires endure? Join us as we explore the path to post-scarcity civilizations, where technology solves material needs—but purpose, meaning, and new challenges await.

Watch my exclusive video Post-Consciousness Civilizations: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur–… Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isa… Use the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Support us on Patreon: / isaacarthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-a… Facebook Group: / 1,583,992,725,237,264 Reddit: / isaacarthur Twitter: / isaac_a_arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: / discord Credits: Post-Scarcity Civilizations: Infinite Resources & Our Future Episode 495; April 17, 2025 Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Edited by: Donagh Broderick Graphics: Jeremy Jozwik, Ken York YD Visual Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator Markus Junnikkala, “A Fleet Behind the Moon” Phase Shift, “Forest Night” Kai Engel, “Endless Story About Sun and Moon” Chris Zabriskie, “Unfoldment, Revealment”, “A New Day in a New Sector” Taras Harkavyi, “Alpha and…” Stellardrone, “Red Giant”, “Billions and Billions“
Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur.
Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isa
Use the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.

Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net.
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Credits:
Post-Scarcity Civilizations: Infinite Resources & Our Future.
Episode 495; April 17, 2025
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur.
Edited by: Donagh Broderick.
Graphics: Jeremy Jozwik, Ken York YD Visual.
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images.
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator.
Markus Junnikkala, \

American composer Alvin Lucier was well-known for his experimental works that tested the boundaries of music and art. A longtime professor at Wesleyan University (before retiring in 2011), Alvin passed away in 2021 at the age of 90. However, that wasn’t the end of his lifelong musical odyssey.

Earlier this month, at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, a new art installation titled Revivification used Lucier’s “brain matter”—hooked up to an electrode mesh connected to twenty large brass plates—to create electrical signals that triggered a mallet to strike the varying plates, creating a kind of post-mortem musical piece. Conceptualized in collaboration with Lucier himself before his death, the artists solicited the help of researchers from Harvard Medical School, who grew a mini-brain from Lucier’s white blood cells. The team created stem cells from these white blood cells, and due to their pluripotency, the cells developed into cerebral organoids somewhat similar to developing human brains.