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Things Which Will Never Exist

Isaac Arthur・23 minutes read

The 200th episode of SFIA explores scientific impossibilities, delving into topics like faster-than-light travel and true immortality, highlighting the limitations of human perception and the universe. Despite theoretical possibilities like interspecies romance and teleportation, practical limitations make many science fiction ideas implausible, emphasizing the importance of exploring advancements within known science for the future.

Insights

  • The 200th episode of SFIA delves into scientifically impossible concepts like faster-than-light travel, immortality, and the limitations of human perception, contrasting with its usual focus on future possibilities within known science.
  • The episode explores the implausibility of achieving true immortality, the vast impossibility of concepts like the Library of Babel, and the practical limitations of ideas such as interspecies romance and teleportation, emphasizing the boundaries of what can be achieved despite theoretical possibilities.

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Recent questions

  • What is discussed in the 200th episode of SFIA?

    Impossibilities in contrast to future possibilities.

  • How long has the show been running?

    Five years.

  • What are some limitations explored in the episode?

    Human perception and Planck units.

  • What is the conclusion regarding true immortality?

    Requires the infinite, but finite chance of death.

  • What are some impractical science fiction ideas discussed?

    Interspecies romance and teleportation.

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Summary

00:00

Exploring Impossibilities in Science and Futurism

  • The 200th episode of SFIA discusses the topic of impossibilities in contrast to the usual focus on future possibilities.
  • The show has been running for five years, and the host expresses gratitude for the support and inspiration received.
  • While the show typically explores potential future advancements within known science, the 200th episode delves into concepts that are scientifically impossible.
  • Notable differences between science fiction and scientific futurism are highlighted, such as the common inclusion of faster-than-light travel in sci-fi.
  • The episode delves into the implausibility of faster-than-light travel and its connection to time travel, emphasizing the contradictions with common sense.
  • The discussion extends to the theoretical existence of places like those proposed in string theory and the multiverse, which may never be observable or visitable.
  • The limitations of human perception are explored, such as the inability to see atoms due to their size being smaller than visible light wavelengths.
  • The text delves into the concept of Planck units, which are considered the smallest possible units in the universe based on fundamental physical constants.
  • The episode touches on the idea of the observable universe and the limitations imposed by the speed of light on communication and observation.
  • The text concludes with a discussion on the impossibility of true immortality, despite the exploration of life extension and longevity in previous episodes.

14:02

"Chasing Immortality: Limits and Possibilities"

  • True immortality requires the infinite, but even with a workaround to the Heat Death of the Universe, there's always a finite chance of death.
  • Over infinite time, the Grim Reaper will eventually get you, even in an infinite universe where rare creations are possible.
  • The Library of Babel, an extension of the infinite monkeys with typewriters concept, is impossible due to the vast number of unique combinations of letters in books.
  • A thick novel with a million characters could have 30^1,000,000 possible combinations, requiring a mass that dwarfs the Observable Universe.
  • Interspecies romance and other science fiction ideas, like teleportation, are possible but impractical due to various limitations.
  • Even a perpetual motion machine is theoretically possible but practically unachievable due to external forces.
  • The idea of resurrecting the dead through a powerful computer is unlikely due to the vast number of permutations involved.
  • The future prediction angle for resurrection is impossible, as seen in the concept of Roko's Basilisk.
  • While the future is unpredictable, we can explore possibilities within known science and strive to achieve advancements beyond sci-fi dreams.
  • The 200th episode of the show reflects on the journey so far, with audience involvement in selecting topics and the dedication of Patreon supporters.

28:04

"Growing Subscriber Base Inspires Future Exploration"

  • Initially curious about the concept of a subscriber
  • Appreciative of the growing number of subscribers interested in exploring the future
  • Grateful for the support that led to hundreds of thousands of subscribers and 200 episodes
  • Expressing gratitude for inspiring viewers and announcing the next episode
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