[Recording Start] Rick Rosner: I've considered the remarkable achievements by amateurs in science. Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What about accidental triumphs in science? Rosner: Well, there's the guy who developed plate tectonics, and there are many examples where the threshold for amateurism seems lower. There's a certain charm in amateurism, like in folk art. People appreciate …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 695: Great Amateur Triumphs of Science
[Recording Start] Rick Rosner: The first significant paper on Information Theory was authored by Claude Shannon in 1948 at Bell Labs. I'm interested in researching the historical usage of the term 'information' to see its evolution. Before 1948, the concept of information existed, but it lacked a mathematical framework. Interestingly, the development of quantum mechanics …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 694: Claude Shannon and Information Theory
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: It's often said that Einstein wasn't as proficient in math as many people believe. Would you agree with that? Rick Rosner: Yes, that's a fair assessment. Einstein was exceptional at conceptual thinking, but he often relied on his friends who were more knowledgeable about various mathematical systems. He had a …
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: We embarked on a project where you reviewed most of the material we've produced over the last eight years since your time on Jimmy Kimmel and the start of our collaboration. What recurring themes have you noticed? Rick Rosner: One prominent theme is the presence of numerous typos, which is …
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: If you could have a conversation with any historical figure who has passed away, who would you choose and why? Rick Rosner: I think I'd prefer to speak with a renowned physicist, perhaps someone like Einstein or Hawking. My main interest would be to discuss my views on the universe …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 691: Conversations with the Dead
[Recording Start] Rick Rosner: We've previously touched on the topic of the internet's role in the decline of the war against pornography. People younger than me might not fully grasp the evolution of what constituted pornography. Just like entertainment has diversified to include increasingly outrageous content, so has pornography. It's evolved from the innocuous 'cheesecake …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 690: Pornography and Predilections
[Recording Start] Rick Rosner: Let's delve into the topic of the nature of future entertainment and how it caters to minds filled with information. Think about how humor has evolved. Decades ago, jokes were simple and widely comprehensible. Henny Youngman’s ‘Take my wife, please!’ is a classic example. Humor was based on straightforward scenarios. But …
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Let's hear your take on this topic. Could you provide some background? Rick Rosner: Sure. You mentioned buying a shock-proof watch today, jokingly saying it could protect you from a horse kick at your job with horses. This reminds me of an incident with Teddy Roosevelt. Before one of his …
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How do you value health and longevity, particularly in the context of the current pandemic? Rick Rosner: Well, my wife works at a private school in LA County, and the situation here illustrates the complex valuation of health and longevity. Currently, about one in every 225 people in LA County …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 687: Covid and Longevity, and Health
[Recording Start] Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What would make your theory of Informational Cosmology (IC) incorrect? Rick Rosner: I've been pondering this lately, as I've had some second thoughts. Several factors could potentially invalidate Informational Cosmology. Firstly, we understand that the universe is fundamentally composed of information, or at least the information that defines it. The …
Continue reading Ask A Genius 686: Physics of Creation and Annihilation
Rick Rosner 