Sabine Hossenfelder

171.5m views

1.4m subscribers

32 summaries

As simple as possible, but not any simpler! Science and technology updates and summaries. No hype, no spin, no tip-toeing around inconvenient truths. News each Wednesday, new topical video each Saturday. Sabine Hossenfelder has a PhD in physics. She is author of the books "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" (Basic Books, 2018) and "Existential Physics: A Scientist's Guide to Life's Biggest Questions" (Viking, 2022).

Summaries

Does the Past Still Exist?

Does the Past Still Exist?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video explores the nature of time in physics, how it contrasts with human perception, and the implications of Einstein's theory of relativity.

You don't have free will, but don't worry.

You don't have free will, but don't worry.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video challenges the concept of free will, arguing it is incompatible with the laws of nature and logically incoherent.

Is Nuclear Energy Green?

Is Nuclear Energy Green?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video explores the pros and cons of nuclear power, detailing its impact on the environment, economy, and public perception.

Dopamine Addiction is a Myth -- Here's What the Science Says

Dopamine Addiction is a Myth -- Here's What the Science Says

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video critically examines the concept of 'monk mode' and its relation to dopamine levels, debunking the claims made by social media influencers.

Brian Cox debunked the Big Bang! Wait, what?

Brian Cox debunked the Big Bang! Wait, what?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video addresses what happened before the Big Bang and explores various theories and speculations by physicists.

New computer will mimic human brain -- and I'm kinda scared

New computer will mimic human brain -- and I'm kinda scared

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

An Australian lab is developing a neuromorphic supercomputer named Deep South, designed to mimic the human brain's structure and efficiency.

Is the Intelligence-Explosion Near? A Reality Check.

Is the Intelligence-Explosion Near? A Reality Check.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses and critiques the predictions about artificial superintelligence made by Leopold Ashenbrenner.

It looks like AI will kill Quantum Computing

It looks like AI will kill Quantum Computing

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the misconception about quantum computing as a solution to climate change and the practical relevance of quantum computers in the industry.

This New Semiconductor Could Revolutionize Computing

This New Semiconductor Could Revolutionize Computing

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a new semiconductor material, while YouTube introduces subscriber-first video access.

Rapid AI Progress Surprises Even Experts: Survey just out

Rapid AI Progress Surprises Even Experts: Survey just out

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses a survey among AI experts regarding the acceleration of AI development and its impact on society, including job automation and the potential risks of superintelligent AI.

They correctly predicted a Nobel Prize winning discovery. And no one cared.

They correctly predicted a Nobel Prize winning discovery. And no one cared.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The overlooked story of how two physicists accurately predicted the mass of the Higgs boson, essential for quantum gravity, years before its discovery.

Our new research found that dark matter is probably right | Science News

Our new research found that dark matter is probably right | Science News

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the astrophysics controversy regarding the existence of Dark Matter versus the need to change the law of gravity, focusing on a new study comparing the two theories.

Sugar Alcohols Ruined My Health: Learn from My Mistakes

Sugar Alcohols Ruined My Health: Learn from My Mistakes

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video covers the creator's personal experiences with digestive issues, the discovery of sugar alcohol intolerance, and a promotion of the language learning app Babbel.

These Scientists Got Sued for Doing Their Job

These Scientists Got Sued for Doing Their Job

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

This video discusses various instances where scientists and journalists face legal threats for their work in revealing truths, including legal actions against them, the implications, and the broader issue of integrating scientific evidence into government processes.

Move over LHC: This particle accelerator is just 10 cm long

Move over LHC: This particle accelerator is just 10 cm long

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses a new method called wake surfing for accelerating particles which might revolutionize particle collider technology.

My dream died, and now I'm here

My dream died, and now I'm here

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video details the creator's journey from an aspiring physicist with naive expectations to a disillusioned academic and finally a content creator on YouTube, addressing the structural issues in academia.

Q-Day Is Coming: Quantum Computers Will Decode National Secrets

Q-Day Is Coming: Quantum Computers Will Decode National Secrets

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the potential impact of quantum computing on internet security, particularly the risks associated with Q-Day, when quantum computers may break current encryption protocols.

The Butterfly Effect is Much Worse Than We Thought

The Butterfly Effect is Much Worse Than We Thought

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

A detailed exploration of the butterfly effect, chaos theory, and the implications of a new paper on the subject.

Just Because You Don't Like Zuckerberg Doesn't Mean He's Wrong | Science News

Just Because You Don't Like Zuckerberg Doesn't Mean He's Wrong | Science News

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the impact of social media on adolescent mental health and concludes with a promotion of Skillshare.

Astrophysicists keep finding things that “shouldn’t exist”. I think I know why.

Astrophysicists keep finding things that “shouldn’t exist”. I think I know why.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the recurring discovery of astronomical objects that defy astrophysical predictions and explores the complexities of drawing conclusions in the field. It concludes with a promotion of Skillshare for learning productivity skills.

String Theory Nonsense Makes Comeback | Science News

String Theory Nonsense Makes Comeback | Science News

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

An in-depth explanation of the concept of dark dimensions in string theory and their proposed link to dark matter.

Whatever happened to string theory?

Whatever happened to string theory?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video provides a historical account of String Theory's development, its initial promise as a Theory of Everything, and its eventual decline.

Bad News for Quantum Computing: Another Advantage Gone

Bad News for Quantum Computing: Another Advantage Gone

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the dramatic developments in quantum computing, including debates over its utility and recent research challenging the effectiveness of noisy quantum computers.

This Obscure Maths Will Revolutionize Data Privacy

This Obscure Maths Will Revolutionize Data Privacy

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the concept of fully homomorphic encryption, its historical development, and its potential applications.

I wasn't worried about climate change. Now I am.

I wasn't worried about climate change. Now I am.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the critical issue of climate sensitivity, its potential to accelerate global warming, and the consequences for humanity.

Typing makes dumb, new study says. Or does it?

Typing makes dumb, new study says. Or does it?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video explores a study that compares the cognitive effects of handwriting to typing, advocating for the benefits of handwriting.

Shots Fired for Nuclear Fusion, Literally

Shots Fired for Nuclear Fusion, Literally

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses recent progress in nuclear fusion research and promotes Brilliant.org for interactive learning.

Alarming trend: Scientific fraud is on the rise -- and I fear it will become worse

Alarming trend: Scientific fraud is on the rise -- and I fear it will become worse

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses the increasing issue of fraudulent scientific papers and the challenges in combating this trend, including the role of AI and paper mills.

Record Quantum Computation: Millions of Years Down To Seconds

Record Quantum Computation: Millions of Years Down To Seconds

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

The video discusses D-Wave's claimed breakthrough in Quantum Computing and explores the implications and skepticism surrounding it.