Science Memes, Epigenetic Inheritance, and Rethinking Peer Review

One of Keith Johnson’s final interviews: a brilliant mind on dark matter, water, and fusion.Read about Keith’s legacy here: https://news.mit.edu/2025/keith-johnson-materials-scientist-independent-filmmaker-dies-0723This episode is one of the final recorded conversations with MIT physicist Keith Johnson, who passed away just weeks after our interview. In this conversation, he unpacks his early research on the quantum structure of matter, his cold fusion theories, and how it all led to a screenplay about a young female physicist. Johnson also suggests a radical idea: water clusters in space might explain some aspects of dark matter. A one-of-a-kind interview that blends science, art, and speculation.We’re honored to share this glimpse into Keith’s remarkable intellect, creativity, and curiosity. May his legacy continue to inspire.Follow us for more technical interviews with the world’s greatest scientists:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/632nmpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/632nm/about/Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Follow our hosts!Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.comTimestamps:00:00 - Intro01:03- Early Life and Education03:27 - Graduate Studies and Research Funding05:44 - Postdoctoral Work and Quantum Chemistry09:45 - Starting at MIT and Collaborations15:05 - Cold Fusion and Film Making23:38 - Keith's First Screenplay28:55 - Filming a Movie at MIT43:50 - Water Clusters and Quantum Energy53:54 - Is Cold Fusion Possible?1:07:13 - Challenges in Fusion Energy1:12:09 - Advice for Young ScientistsAPPENDIX:1:15:42 - Water Might Be Connected to Dark Matter1:24:49 - Cosmic Dust and Supernovae1:28:36 - The Role of Water in the Universe1:38:32 - The Future of Dark Matter Research1:51:27 - Water Might Have Been Created Sooner After the Big Bang#KeithJohnson #MIT #ScienceAndStorytelling #QuantumPhysics #DarkMatter #Astrobiology #BreakingSymmetry

5 Aug 2h 15min

Did the Big Bang really happen? Telescopes, dark matter & cosmic origins explored.Join cosmologist Brian Keating as we explore the mysteries of the universe, from building telescopes at the South Pole to measuring the polarization of the cosmic microwave background and chasing signs of gravitational waves. We discuss Galileo’s influence, cosmic inflation, and how the Nobel Prize could be changed to better reflect the way we do science. Follow us for more technical interviews with the world’s greatest scientists:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/632nmpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/632nm/about/Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com

29 Juli 1h 43min

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, Scott Aaronson shares his early fascination with calculus at age 11 and how “rediscovering” old mathematics led him toward groundbreaking work in complexity theory. He gives a lucid explanation of P vs NP, revealing how seemingly trivial questions about verifying solutions speak to some of the deepest unsolved problems in all of computing.Aaronson also explores the frontiers of quantum computing, from the nuances of quantum supremacy experiments to the idea of quantum money and certified randomness. He explains how amplitudes—rather than straightforward probabilities—unlock powerful interference effects, yet still face limits imposed by measurement. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of fault-tolerant quantum computers and the possibility that we’ve finally reached the ultimate horizon of computability—unless nature has even stranger surprises in store.02:01 Early Fascination with Mathematics05:10 Exploring Complexity Theory09:10 Understanding P vs NP22:38 The Significance of P vs NP in Cryptography and AI35:04 Mapping Problems and NP Completeness38:37 Quantum Computing and BQP41:41 Shor's Algorithm and Cryptography45:39 Simulating Quantum Systems52:04 Digital vs Analog Quantum Computers58:18 Grover's Algorithm and Quantum Speedup01:02:04 Challenges in Quantum Algorithm Development01:06:41 Beam Splitter Networks and Quantum Sampling01:15:22 Quantum Computing and Information Storage01:17:24 Shor's Algorithm and Factoring Numbers01:20:56 Google's Quantum Supremacy Demonstration01:49:19 Quantum Money and Unclonable Cash01:57:15 The Future of Quantum ComputingFollow us:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com

15 Juli 2h 1min

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how diamond-based nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers went from being a curiosity in gemstone physics to a transformative tool for precision magnetometry. You’ll hear how these tiny defects enable room-temperature quantum sensing, providing ultra-high spatial resolution and remarkable resilience in extreme conditions—from planetary research unlocking secrets of our solar system’s earliest days to potential biomedical diagnostics. Our guest recounts the serendipitous connections, engineering challenges, and surprising scientific discoveries along the way.We also discuss how interdisciplinary collaborations spark new ideas, how startups and academia differ in their pursuit of quantum breakthroughs, and why community-driven science can accelerate major scientific leaps.00:42 The Fascination with Diamonds and NV Centers02:58 Early Research and Collaborations10:21 Breakthroughs and Applications in Science50:48 Advancements in Magnetic Imaging51:59 Commercial Applications of Quantum Diamond Microscopes01:02:16 Challenges in Translating Research to Products01:11:11 Future Prospects and Innovations01:36:46 Exploring Quantum Systems and Defects01:39:03 The Harvard Quantum Community01:44:53 Precision Measurement and Quantum Applications01:54:28 Advice for Aspiring Scientists*Follow us:*Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin*Subscribe:*Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com

6 Juni 2h 21min

In this episode, Jeremy England reframes the origin of life debate by applying non-equilibrium physics, challenging the notion that life’s emergence must be purely biological or chemical. He describes how matter can “learn” from its environment, drawing on examples from spin glasses, protein folding, and resonating mechanical systems.England also shares how his deep engagement with religious texts—and his unexpected cameo as “the next Darwin” in popular media—shaped his understanding of science and spirituality. From his ordination as a rabbi to his groundbreaking thermodynamic research, England offers a unique perspective on the interplay between faith, scientific inquiry, and the age-old search for meaning.Chapters: 02:59 Jeremy's Journey into Biophysics 08:46 Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics 35:30 Dissipative Adaptation and Evolutionary Principles 44:34 The Evolution of Energy Consumption 51:35 Thermodynamics in Microbiomes and Ecology 57:18 Protein Folding and Cellular Computation 01:01:43 Origins of Life and Prebiotic Scenarios 01:26:02 Exploring Thermodynamic Constraints on Aging 01:31:48 Science, Religion, and the Infinite Regress 01:36:04 Jewish Law and Modern Materials 01:39:47 Torah's Approach to Existence 02:01:56 Moses' Signs and Worldview 02:09:03 Balancing Practicality and Spirituality 02:14:02 Advice for Aspiring ScientistsMore About Jeremy:Twitter: Jeremy England (@lifelikephysics) / XBook: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Life-Fire-Thermodynamics-Explains/dp/1541699017Follow us:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com

19 Maj 2h 19min

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we sit down with 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson to explore their Flux program, a unique pre-seed fellowship backing wild, unorthodox scientific and technical ideas. They share how they’ve helped founders transform “garage science” projects—like nuclear batteries, quantum computing prototypes, and cutting-edge materials—into serious startups. Along the way, they discuss the pitfalls of chasing academic prestige, the power of genuine curiosity, and how to leverage minimal resources for big ambitions.We also learn about the flexibility of Flux’s “cannon launch” grants, what it takes to persuade investors when your idea sounds like sci-fi, and why “hyper-fluency” and high agency are crucial for founders. Whether you’re a postdoc itching to leave the lab or a solo tinkerer with a radical concept, this conversation offers actionable insights on securing early funding and taking that bold plunge into world-changing tech.Our Guests:Danielle Strachman: https://x.com/DStrachmanMichael Gibson: https://x.com/William_Blake1517 Fund: https://t.co/Ltt0eiRJkzWant to apply for Flux? https://t.co/O8b5C0f21sFollow us:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com/

10 Maj 47min

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, our guest traces the evolution from the early days of Bose-Einstein condensation experiments to pioneering trapped ion quantum gateways. He reveals how breakthroughs in laser cooling and atomic clock research unexpectedly paved the way for the first quantum logic gates, beating out the BEC community at a pivotal conference. We also hear about the surprising roles of entanglement, error mitigation, and photonic interconnects in shaping modern quantum hardware.The conversation shifts to the commercial world, where government funding, venture capital, and startup challenges collide. Our guest shares insider stories about forming one of the first pure-play quantum computing companies, securing multi-million-dollar investments, and navigating the highs and lows of going public. From laser noise and integrated photonics to the promise of game-changing heuristic algorithms, this episode offers a rare look at both the science and business driving trapped ion quantum computing.Chapters:01:48 Journey into Trapped Ions 03:57 Early Career and Research at NIST08:13 The Path to Bose-Einstein Condensate 11:32 Applications and Implications of BEC 22:05 Measuring Ultra-Low Temperatures 27:46 Advancements in Atomic Clocks 35:09 Challenges in Atomic Clock Precision 43:39 Historical Development of Quantum Computing 50:30 Early Experiments and Advances in Ion Traps 01:02:59 Understanding Dipole-Dipole Shifts in Quantum Systems 01:04:18 Initializing Qubits in Quantum Computing 01:09:05 Challenges in Scaling Quantum Computers 01:13:14 Fidelity and Error Correction in Quantum Gates 01:17:51 Laser Noise and Quantum Computing Limitations 01:35:08 Commercializing Quantum Computing: The IonQ Story 01:41:53 Bitcoin and Quantum Computing Threats 01:44:09 IonQ's Journey and Going Public 01:46:39 Quantum Computing Applications and Challenges 01:55:44 Quantum Hardware and Interconnects 02:21:01 Speculative Future of Quantum ComputingFollow us:Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcastSubstack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovskyMisha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginovXinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYinSubscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6ORWebsite: https://www.632nm.com

2 Maj 2h 25min