Tegmark’s Mathematical Universe Hypothesis

I recently read Max Tegmark’s latest book, ‘Our Mathematical Universe‘, about his views on multiverses and the ultimate nature of reality.  This is the fourth and final post in a series on the concepts and views he covers in the book. The previous entries were: Tegmark’s Level I Multiverse: infinite space Tegmark’s Level II Multiverse: bubble universes … Continue reading Tegmark’s Mathematical Universe Hypothesis →

Is Philosophy Obsolete? – The Chronicle Review

Rebecca Goldstein appears to be on a campaign to defend philosophy.  In this essay, she defends its ability to make progress, and questions whether it should be lumped in with the humanities.  (I wonder what the humanities folks will think of that.) Philosophy was the first academic field; the founder of the Academy was Plato. … Continue reading Is Philosophy Obsolete? – The Chronicle Review →

Neil deGrasse Tyson in ‘The Inexplicable Universe’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgo1uObQ3Js If you're enjoying the Cosmos series, you might enjoy these lectures by Neil deGrasse Tyson, which I discovered yesterday is now on Netflix.  The lectures are fairly far ranging covering things like string theory, dark matter, dark energy, gravitational anomalies, and many other things. If you're well read in science, a lot of this might … Continue reading Neil deGrasse Tyson in ‘The Inexplicable Universe’ →

First potentially habitable Earth-sized planet confirmed by Gemini and Keck observatories — ScienceDaily

This is a pretty big milestone.  The first Earth sized planet in a star's habitable zone.  Pity it's so far away (500 light years) that spectral analysis probably won't be possible to figure out what its atmosphere has in it. The first Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting within the habitable zone of another star has been confirmed … Continue reading First potentially habitable Earth-sized planet confirmed by Gemini and Keck observatories — ScienceDaily →

Neanderthals and Cro-magnons did not coexist on the Iberian Peninsula, suggests re-analysis of dating — ScienceDaily

The meeting between a Neanderthal and one of the first humans, which we used to picture in our minds, did not happen on the Iberian Peninsula. That is the conclusion reached by an scientists after redoing the dating of the remains in three caves located on the route through the Pyrenees of the first beings … Continue reading Neanderthals and Cro-magnons did not coexist on the Iberian Peninsula, suggests re-analysis of dating — ScienceDaily →

Tegmark’s Level III Multiverse: The many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics

  I recently finished reading Max Tegmark’s latest book, ‘Our Mathematical Universe‘, about his views on multiverses and the ultimate nature of reality.  This is the third in a series of posts on the concepts and views he covers in the book.   The previous entries are: Tegmark’s Level I Multiverse: infinite space Tegmark’s Level II Multiverse: bubble universes Tegmark … Continue reading Tegmark’s Level III Multiverse: The many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics →

Climate Efforts Falling Short, U.N. Panel Says

In the sobering news department: Delivering the latest stark news about climate change on Sunday, a United Nations panel warned that governments are not doing enough to avert profound risks in coming decades. But the experts found a silver lining: Not only is there still time to head off the worst, but the political will … Continue reading Climate Efforts Falling Short, U.N. Panel Says →