BlueSciCon Episode 38: Redesigning Human Motivation and Aiming for the Stars

Kamir Hiam Listen: [mp3 download] Questions to consider: How does the modern global market economy inhibit innovative solutions to civilization’s environmental challenges? What is complementary currency, and how do new forms of complementary currency emerge? How can complementary currencies help to direct human behavior? Could too many forms of complementary currency lead to an economic “bubble”, followed by a market collapse? How can innovative economic ideas foster the human exploration of space? [ca_audio url=”http://beerwith.bmsis.org/BlueSciCon_38_MAY2015.mp3″ width=”500″ height=”27″ css_class=”codeart-google-mp3-player”]

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Podcast: The Descent of Math

Our “BlueSciCon” podcast for April features a conversation with Dr. Sara Walker about her recent essay titled “The Descent of Math“. Scientists and philosophers have often remarked that it seems incredible that we are able to understand the universe at all. Our civilization’s ability to manipulate the physical environment has allowed us to create possibilities that were never before seen in history. In her essay for FQXi’s current contest, Dr. Walker discusses the possibility that evolutionary processes tend toward producing […]

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BlueSciCon Episode 37: The Descent of Math

Dr. Sara Walker Beverage: Seltzer Water Listen: [mp3 download] Questions to consider: Why does the universe seem comprehensible, and why should beings like us be here to comprehend it? How does our knowledge about the laws of physics permit us to access new physical states of the world? Do other creatures–such as birds or beavers–engage in knowledge manipulation of their environments? Are there early examples of the emergence of math, prior to the evolution of humans? Is the development of […]

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BlueSciCon Episode 36: Winter-Safe Deterrence

Dr. Seth Baum & Kathryn McLaughlin Beverage: Yuengling (United States – Pennsylvania) Listen: [mp3 download] Questions to consider: What would be the consequences of a global nuclear winter? How significant is the threat of nuclear winter today? Is deterrence the primary motivation for states to acquire nuclear weapons? Can we achieve deterrence while eliminating the risk of nuclear winter? Are biological weapons a viable alternative, or do they carry too many unknown risks to serve as a winter-safe deterrent? [ca_audio […]

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Podcast: Feeding Everyone No Matter What

Our “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for November features a conversation with Dr. Dave Denkenberger titled “Feeding Everyone No Matter What“. In the wake of a global catastrophe that blocks the light from the sun, food production would plummet and humanity would face the daunting task of feeding itself in an environment of darkness. Dr. Dave Denkenberger of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute discusses his research on how human civilization could prepare for such catastrophes and the various strategies we could […]

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Podcast: The Zombie Broccoli

Our “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for October features a conversation with Dr. Lucas Mix titled “The Zombie Broccoli: What Aliens and Souls Can Tell Us About Ourselves“. Astrobiology highlights the common origin of life, but this can raise difficult philosophical and spiritual questions when contrasted with some of our unspoken assumptions about value and meaning. Lucas Mix draws on his insights from biology and theology to explore concepts that skirt at the boundaries between ourselves, animals, vegetables, and the rest […]

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Podcast: The Sciworthy News Platform for Scientists

Our “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for September features a conversation with Graham Short about “Sciworthy: A New Science News Platform for Scientists“. Communicating science to the public can be challenging, and scientists often struggle with finding effective methods of directly disseminating their research in accessible ways. Graham Short discusses the history, concept, and future of the Sciworthy initiative, which is a news platform designed for scientists and institutes to directly share research results with the public. [listen to the conversation]

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Podcast: Habitability of Tattoine Planets

Our “Beer with BMSIS” podcast for August features a conversation with Dr. Duncan Forgan of the University of St. Andrews titled “Habitability of Tattoine Planets: Even More Complicated Than You Think“. Planets in orbit around multiple star systems were once thought confined to realm of science fiction, but ongoing planet-finding missions have confirmed that planets can readily form in such environments. Dr. Duncan Forgan considers how habitable conditions could arise on such planets, and he presents some of his climate […]

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