The Joy of x

Episodes

1. Eve Marder on the Crucial Resilience of Neurons

   17 May 2021 · 41 min

   Eve Marder’s research into the plasticity and resilience of nervous systems finds universal principles guiding life’s responses to stress. The post Eve Marder on the Crucial Resilience of Neurons first appeared on…

2. Charlie Marcus Knows That Quantum Facts Aren’t Complicated

   10 May 2021 · 49 min

   The secret to making a qubit for future quantum computers might depend on knowing how to tie knots in unusual materials, argues the physicist Charlie Marcus. The post Charlie Marcus Knows That Quantum Facts Aren’t…

3. Amie Wilkinson Sees the Dynamic Chaos in Puff Pastry

   3 May 2021 · 42 min

   To a dynamicist like Amie Wilkinson, understanding the universe is about knowing all the right moves. The post Amie Wilkinson Sees the Dynamic Chaos in Puff Pastry first appeared on Quanta Magazine

4. Emery Brown and the Truth About Anesthesia

   26 Apr 2021 · 41 min

   Anesthesia is very different from sleep — which is why it offers unique opportunities for studying the human brain, says the physician-researcher and statistician Emery Brown. The post Emery Brown and the Truth About…

5. Melanie Mitchell Takes AI Research Back to Its Roots

   19 Apr 2021 · 41 min

   To build a general artificial intelligence, we may need to know more about our own minds, argues the computer scientist Melanie Mitchell. The post Melanie Mitchell Takes AI Research Back to Its Roots first appeared on…

6. Trachette Jackson Fights Cancer With Math

   12 Apr 2021 · 43 min

   Quantitative models built by the mathematical biologist Trachette Jackson can make cancer therapies safer and more effective. The post Trachette Jackson Fights Cancer With Math first appeared on Quanta Magazine

7. Rediet Abebe on Using Algorithms for Social Justice

   5 Apr 2021 · 44 min

   The computer scientist Rediet Abebe’s passion for applied mathematics closely aligns with her passion to solve problems with poverty and social inequality. The post Rediet Abebe on Using Algorithms for Social Justice…

8. Federico Ardila on Math, Music and the Space of Possibilities

   29 Mar 2021 · 51 min

   The mathematician Federico Ardila takes a creative approach to the search for useful answers hiding among inconceivably huge numbers of possible ones. The post Federico Ardila on Math, Music and the Space of…

9. Sharon Glotzer’s Deep Curiosity About Order From Chaos

   22 Mar 2021 · 49 min

   The computational physicist Sharon Glotzer finds unifying principles that structure the chaotic dance of the particles that make up matter. The post Sharon Glotzer’s Deep Curiosity About Order From Chaos first…

10. Frank Wilczek on the Strong Force, Quarks and Dark Matter

    15 Mar 2021 · 48 min

    The theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek explained what holds atomic nuclei together, and he is still pushing at the limits of what the standard model can tell us. The post Frank Wilczek on the Strong Force, Quarks and…

11. Bonnie Bassler on Talkative Bacteria and Eavesdropping Viruses

    8 Mar 2021 · 40 min

    The molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler is deciphering the chemical languages that bacteria use to coordinate their assaults on a host. The post Bonnie Bassler on Talkative Bacteria and Eavesdropping Viruses first…

12. Neil Shubin on Tiktaalik, Ballistic Tongues and Evolution

    2 Mar 2021 · 48 min

    The paleontologist Neil Shubin talks with host Steven Strogatz about hunting for a 375 million-year-old fossil and finding novel traits that evolved many times. The post Neil Shubin on Tiktaalik, Ballistic Tongues and…

13. Podcast Preview: The Joy of x, Season Two

    23 Feb 2021 · 2:24

    Hosted by Steven Strogatz, The Joy of x podcast is back with new episodes that explore the inner worlds of top-tier scientists and mathematicians like Frank Wilczek, Bonnie Bassler and Amie Wilkinson. The post Podcast…

14. Moon Duchin on Fair Voting and Random Walks

    7 Apr 2020 · 51 min

    Can geometry save democracy from gerrymandering? Mathematician Moon Duchin discusses the possibilities with host Steven Strogatz. The post Moon Duchin on Fair Voting and Random Walks first appeared on Quanta Magazine

15. Brian Keating’s Quest for the Origin of the Universe

    31 Mar 2020 · 41 min

    The astrophysicist Brian Keating talks to host Steven Strogatz about chasing the universe’s greatest mysteries — and what it’s like to have a major discovery slip through his fingers. The post Brian Keating’s Quest…

16. Rebecca Goldin and Brian Nosek on Hard Truths in Math and Psychology

    24 Mar 2020 · 46 min

    The mathematician Rebecca Goldin and the psychology researcher Brian Nosek speak with host Steven Strogatz about what it’s like to be the bearers of unpopular truths. The post Rebecca Goldin and Brian Nosek on Hard…

17. Cori Bargmann on the Genetics of Transparent Worms, Supertasters and Cancer

    17 Mar 2020 · 54 min

    The neurogenetics pioneer Cori Bargmann speaks with host Steven Strogatz about why a transparent worm became her favorite animal and how a genetic discovery she made inspired a revolutionary cancer treatment. The post…

18. Tadashi Tokieda's Special Kind of Magic

    10 Mar 2020 · 52 min

    The mathematician Tadashi Tokieda and host Steven Strogatz explore what we can learn about the world from simple “toys” with remarkable physical or mathematical properties. The post Tadashi Tokieda’s Special Kind of…

19. Janna Levin on Seeing and Hearing Black Holes

    3 Mar 2020 · 54 min

    The astrophysicist Janna Levin describes the fierce scientific beauty she finds in black holes and reveals why she took a major risk early in her career. The post Janna Levin on Seeing and Hearing Black Holes first…

20. John Urschel: From NFL Player to Mathematician

    25 Feb 2020 · 45 min

    John Urschel, who retired from playing professional football with the Baltimore Ravens to become a mathematician, talks to host Steven Strogatz about the fascinations of graph theory that lured him away from the NFL.…

21. Corina Tarnita and the Deep Mathematics of Social Insects

    18 Feb 2020 · 52 min

    The mathematical biologist Corina Tarnita explains to host Steven Strogatz how quantitative modeling solved the mystery of fairy circles. The post Corina Tarnita and the Deep Mathematics of Social Insects first…

22. Robbert Dijkgraaf on Exploring Quantum Reality

    11 Feb 2020 · 49 min

    The mathematical physicist Robbert Dijkgraaf and host Steven Strogatz discuss the frontiers of string theory and why space and time might not be the most fundamental things in the universe. The post Robbert Dijkgraaf…

23. Leslie Vosshall on Designer Mosquitoes and Dude Walls

    4 Feb 2020 · 58 min

    Events take an interesting turn after the neurogeneticist Leslie Vosshall speaks with host Steven Strogatz about ways to make mosquitoes less deadly and the obstacles facing educational inclusiveness. The post Leslie…

24. Alex Kontorovich on the Absolute Truth of Pure Math

    28 Jan 2020 · 58 min

    The mathematician Alex Kontorovich speaks with host Steven Strogatz about regaining his creative freedom in an intimidating collaboration and about the pleasures of spherical geometry. The post Alex Kontorovich on the…

25. Priya Natarajan on Black Holes and Mapping the Universe

    22 Jan 2020 · 1 h 06 min

    In this episode, Priya Natarajan, professor of astronomy and physics at Yale University, speaks with Steven Strogatz about her lifelong fascinations, including black holes, mapping the universe and early personal…

26. Podcast Preview: Introducing The Joy of x

    15 Jan 2020 · 2:47

    Hosted by Steven Strogatz, The Joy of x podcast opens a window into the inner worlds of top-tier scientists and mathematicians while shining light on universal themes like creativity, collaboration or navigating…