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.
Yes, but… if you are white male physicist in a room of physicists you are assumed to be credentialed and belong there. If you are a woman, or say a young black or Hispanic man, you may well have people assume you serve some administrative function (procurement, recording the meeting, etc). It gets old really fast. It is an observable phenomenon. I would also argue that it is naive to think that doesn’t ever happen… certainly not all the time or in every circumstance, but perhaps more than you would imagine.
But, but, but....being a 'victim' not only salves the soul, it's very fashionable, and a superb way to shake down governments, non-profits and just individuals for your own gain. Gosh, it's an industry in this country which we're even exporting. Other countries HATE us for this but the Progresssive Left just keeps marching on. We're paying for slavery in ways we could have hardly imagined.
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.
It seems that much of quantum and theoretical physics is about making the math work. Like the Higgs boson and others it may take a long time to develop tests for the ideas, I don’t think that puts it outside the sphere of science though. Science is filled with ideas that are supported by the best available evidence and yet accepted as true, at least until contradictory evidence is discovered and a new hypothesis can be formed.
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.
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.
Yes, but… if you are white male physicist in a room of physicists you are assumed to be credentialed and belong there. If you are a woman, or say a young black or Hispanic man, you may well have people assume you serve some administrative function (procurement, recording the meeting, etc). It gets old really fast. It is an observable phenomenon. I would also argue that it is naive to think that doesn’t ever happen… certainly not all the time or in every circumstance, but perhaps more than you would imagine.
But, but, but....being a 'victim' not only salves the soul, it's very fashionable, and a superb way to shake down governments, non-profits and just individuals for your own gain. Gosh, it's an industry in this country which we're even exporting. Other countries HATE us for this but the Progresssive Left just keeps marching on. We're paying for slavery in ways we could have hardly imagined.
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.
It seems that much of quantum and theoretical physics is about making the math work. Like the Higgs boson and others it may take a long time to develop tests for the ideas, I don’t think that puts it outside the sphere of science though. Science is filled with ideas that are supported by the best available evidence and yet accepted as true, at least until contradictory evidence is discovered and a new hypothesis can be formed.
When we can observe other universes, that will be science.
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.