Listen now (75 min) | This week, we’re getting into cosmic terrain here on The Glenn Show with my guest and Brown University colleague, theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander. Steph takes his inspiration not just from other physicists but from artists and musicians as well. And I can report from personal experience that
I would imagine that it’s somewhat risky for any black faculty member at Brown to be too closely associated with Glenn and the Glenn Show. It was accordingly notable that Professor Alexander appeared, and perhaps understandable that he was hesitant to address Glenn’s questions about education, race, and achievement gaps other than in terms of narrow anecdotes or ephemeral abstractions. Much of the discussion seemed labored to me as a result, however, as reflected by some unusually long pauses on Glenn’s part.
I love it! You gents are Uber smart! But I disagree with one point about awareness between universes - I think we’re see it when we dream. I emailed you my thoughts, Glen 👍 wow 🤩 great show!
I trust every adult understands that we are constantly shunning and microaggressing (is that a word?) each other. This usually has nothing to do with race. If you think that, as a rule, white physicists are genuinely kind to other white physicists, you are very naive. If you think that, as a rule, black physicists are genuinely kind to other black physicists, you are, again, very naive.
This is a great discussion. I was glad that Glenn quickly brought up the problem of unfalsifiability of ideas about multiple universes. I find the ideas interesting in general and in fiction, such as the referenced Marvel movies. However, AFAICT, such ideas are not within the realm of science because science is essentially about observing the natural world.
I love the sensation i get from witnessing Glenns fluency of scientific, mathematically derived fields paired with his radiant humanism. I fully support the inclusion if physicists on this show. More of this. Yes.
Stephon Alexander – Fear of a Black Universe
I would imagine that it’s somewhat risky for any black faculty member at Brown to be too closely associated with Glenn and the Glenn Show. It was accordingly notable that Professor Alexander appeared, and perhaps understandable that he was hesitant to address Glenn’s questions about education, race, and achievement gaps other than in terms of narrow anecdotes or ephemeral abstractions. Much of the discussion seemed labored to me as a result, however, as reflected by some unusually long pauses on Glenn’s part.
I love it! You gents are Uber smart! But I disagree with one point about awareness between universes - I think we’re see it when we dream. I emailed you my thoughts, Glen 👍 wow 🤩 great show!
I trust every adult understands that we are constantly shunning and microaggressing (is that a word?) each other. This usually has nothing to do with race. If you think that, as a rule, white physicists are genuinely kind to other white physicists, you are very naive. If you think that, as a rule, black physicists are genuinely kind to other black physicists, you are, again, very naive.
I'm not familiar with Public Enemy's ouvre, but I'm a huge fan of Futurama. Now I know what the classic episode "Fear of a Bot Planet" referenced. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_a_Bot_Planet
10:25 TIL that nerdcore is much older than I'd realized.
This is a great discussion. I was glad that Glenn quickly brought up the problem of unfalsifiability of ideas about multiple universes. I find the ideas interesting in general and in fiction, such as the referenced Marvel movies. However, AFAICT, such ideas are not within the realm of science because science is essentially about observing the natural world.
Nice... But Glenn, you forgot to post a link to your illustrious guest playing his sax!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIsNI7Url4A
(A Loury/Alexander duet posted on this website would be be a real treat.)
Glenn, this was a great discussion. Stephon is a smart guy.
What a stimulating listen!
I love the sensation i get from witnessing Glenns fluency of scientific, mathematically derived fields paired with his radiant humanism. I fully support the inclusion if physicists on this show. More of this. Yes.