Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Initial conditions provide the context in which physics happens. Likewise, in Initial Conditions: a Physics History Podcast, we provide the context in which physical discoveries happened. We dive into the collections of the Niels Bohr Library & Archives at the American Institute of Physics to uncover the unexpected stories behind the physics we know. Through these stories, we hope to challenge the conventional history of what it means to be a physicist.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Physics history • Scientific discoveries • Archival stories • Influential scientists • Controversial topics • Climate science • Cultural perspectives • African American physicists • Women in science • Pseudoscience investigations"Initial Conditions: A Physics History Podcast" delves into the rich historical contexts surrounding significant physical discoveries, exploring narratives that challenge conventional understandings of physics and its practitioners. The podcast draws extensively from the Niels Bohr Library & Archives at the American Institute of Physics to unearth unexpected stories behind established scientific knowledge. It aims to provide listeners with a deeper appreciation of the diverse elements that contribute to the evolution of physics.
The episodes venture into a wide array of topics, often highlighting underrepresented areas within the history of science. Exploring the intersection of science and cultural heritage, the podcast addresses controversies such as those surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawai’i. It also revisits the intellectual landscape of historical figures like Isaac Newton and examines the multifaceted aspects of their lesser-known interests in alchemy and theology.
A recurring theme is the acknowledgment of diversity within the scientific community. The podcast features the contributions of African American physicists and women in science, offering narratives on individuals like Caroline Herschel and Eunice Foote, who made significant yet overlooked contributions to astronomy and climate science, respectively.
Additionally, the podcast delves into broader scientific discussions that intersect with social issues, such as energy crises and climate change, framing these topics within historical events and scientific endeavors of the past. It also explores philosophical and countercultural movements within physics, like the quantum counterculture of the 1960s and 70s.
Overall, this podcast provides an engaging historical perspective that appreciates the complex tapestry of scientific inquiry, cultural factors, and personal narratives that shape the field of physics.
| Episodes: |
|
Bonus: Initial Conditions Off Mic 2022-Dec-29 77 minutes |
|
Bonus: Live from PhysCon! 2022-Dec-22 65 minutes |
|
Hawai'i and the Thirty Meter Telescope 2022-Oct-06 70 minutes |
|
The Legacy of Ptolemy’s Almagest 2022-Sep-29 49 minutes |
|
The Newton You Didn't Know 2022-Sep-22 40 minutes |
|
The Unexpected Hero of Light 2022-Sep-15 45 minutes |
|
An Interview with Dr. Ronald Mickens 2022-Sep-08 36 minutes |
|
The African American Presence in Physics 2022-Sep-01 29 minutes |
|
Historical Romance and LGBTQ+ Representation 2022-Aug-25 48 minutes |
|
Was Einstein Wrong?? 2022-Aug-18 49 minutes |
|
Quantum Counterculture 2022-Aug-11 49 minutes |
|
Energy Crises and Climate Change in the 1970s 2022-Aug-04 45 minutes |
|
Enter the Anthropocene: Climate Science in the Early 20th Century 2022-Jul-28 40 minutes |
|
Eunice Foote: A Once Forgotten Climate Science Pioneer 2022-Jul-21 49 minutes |
|
Trailer 2022-Jun-15 2 minutes |