Huberman Lab
Dr. Brian Keating: Charting the Architecture of the Universe & Human Life
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In this episode, my guest is Dr. Brian Keating, Ph.D., a cosmologist and professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. We discuss the origins of the universe and how humans have used light and optics to understand where and how life on Earth emerged.
We explore how early humans charted the stars, sun, moon, and other celestial events to measure time and track seasons, as well as how stargazing continues to connect us to a shared ancient experience. Additionally, we examine the scientific process, the practical and ethical challenges of pursuing groundbreaking discoveries, and the emotional toll of striving for recognition in one’s profession.
Finally, we discuss whether astrology has any scientific validity and consider the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Brian Keating
00:02:07 Cosmology, Origin of Universe
00:05:41 Sponsors: LMNT & BetterHelp
00:08:33 Stars, Planets, Early Humans, Time
00:14:53 Astrology, Ophiuchus Constellation
00:19:58 Pineal Gland, Time-Keeping & Stars, Seasons & Offspring
00:29:19 Humans, Time Perception, Astronomy
00:36:08 Sponsor: AG1
00:37:47 Brain & Prediction; Moonset, Syzygy; Telescope, Galileo
00:46:36 Light Refraction; Telescope, Eyeglasses
00:51:36 Earth Rotation & Sun
00:53:43 Glass, Microscope, Telescopes & Discovery
01:02:53 Science as Safe Space; Jupiter, Galileo, Discovery, Time
01:10:48 Early Humans, Stonehenge, Pyramids, Measurement Standards
01:15:54 Giants of Astronomy
01:20:04 Sponsors: Function & Helix Sleep
01:23:10 Origin of Life, Scientific Method & P-Hacking; Nobel Prize, Big Bang, Inflation
01:30:20 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, BICEP
01:37:58 Father & Son Relationship, Science & Rewards
01:44:06 Loss, Mentor
01:49:55 Antarctica, South Pole
01:56:49 Light & Heat Pollution, South Pole
02:01:09 Prize Pursuit, First Discovery; Star Collapse, Micrometeorites, Polarization
02:08:26 Sponsor: ROKA
02:10:08 Moon, Size & Horizon; Visual Acuity; Rainbow or Moon Bigger?
02:15:21 Sunset, Green Flash, Color Opponency
02:23:05 Menstrual & Lunar Cycles; Moon Movement
02:26:36 Northern Hemisphere & Stargazing, Dark Sky Communities, Telescope
02:29:51 Constellations, Asterism; Halley’s & Hale-Bopp Comets
02:32:13 Navigation, Columbus
02:36:29 Adaptive Optics, Scintillation, Artificial Stars
02:48:28 Life Outside Earth?
02:57:50 Gut Microbiome; Building Planet
03:05:00 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Protocols Book, Neural Network Newsletter
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