Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Rockets and mass drivers each promise to launch humanity into space—but which approach will take us further, faster, smarter, and cheaper?

Nanotechnology is moving from the realm of science fiction to reality, and in the process, these tiny technologies are offering giant opportunities.

Explore the fascinating world of string theory, where tiny vibrating strings may hold the key to unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity. Dive into the mysteries of extra dimensions and the quest for a 'theory of everything.

In a universe stretched thin by eons, where stars have long faded and even atoms face their end, a single question remains: can intelligence find a way to outlast time itself?

Sci-fi thrills us with enormous space monsters and Kaiju, but could the galaxy already be home to such leviathans?

Amid the swirling vastness of galaxies, each a cosmic city of stars and planets, the silence raises a compelling question: could the very nature of galaxies themselves hold the key to why intelligent life remains unseen?

Discover the incredible engineering and visionary potential of Bernal Spheres, futuristic space habitats designed to sustain human life in the stars.

The universe is a cold and hostile place, and may be inhabited by ruthless civilizations or machine minds, bent on destroying anything in their way.

Imagine a scale that ranks civilizations not by their borders or technology, but by the sheer energy they command— some spanning entire galaxies. Join us as we explore the Kardashev Scale, the ultimate measure of cosmic power.

What if the "magic" of tomorrow is just science we don’t yet understand? In this episode, we explore the wildest speculative technologies—faster-than-light travel, Dyson Spheres, teleportation, wormholes, and more. Could these breakthroughs redefine our future or explain the Fermi Paradox? Find out as we dive into the impossible!

Could a planet orbiting a black hole sustain life? We dive into the challenges and wonders of living in such an extreme cosmic environment.**** Discover what it might be like to live near a black hole, where time slows, gravity warps, and the universe takes on a truly alien form.

Imagine a world stretched along a single, endless river inside a colossal space megastructure. Explore the fascinating concept of the Topopolis, a futuristic habitat billions of miles long, where humanity might thrive in a sprawling civilization bound by physics, engineering, and imagination.

Gravity shapes our universe, but could we one day shape gravity? Join us as we explore the possibilities of gravity technology, from artificial gravity and interstellar travel to terraforming and cosmic engineering.

Discover the groundbreaking physics behind skyhooks, rotovators, and space ladders, and how they could revolutionize space travel in the near future.

If civilizations can endure for eons and people can live indefinitely, what drives progress, ambition, and purpose in a world where time has no limit? Would an ageless society be a utopia of infinite wisdom, or a stagnating empire struggling to keep ambition alive across the centuries?

How do we create artificial gravity in space without massive space stations? Today, we explore hammer habitats and tethered space habitats—ingenious designs that could revolutionize life beyond Earth.

When exile—not exploration—becomes the driving force behind space colonization, what kind of civilizations will emerge? In this episode, we explore the forces that might send humanity’s unwanted, rebellious, or idealistic factions into the void, and what fate awaits them among the stars.

Could we survive on a world where even lifting a coffee cup is a struggle? Discover how high-gravity planets shape life, technology, and the future of space colonization. From immense super-Earths to black holes, we examine the worlds where gravity rules all.

Is there a hidden dimension beyond space and time, a cosmic shortcut that could let us defy the speed of light? From warp drives to wormholes, science fiction has long dreamed of hyperspace travel—but could it ever be real?

Crystals are not alive, yet they grow, form complex structures, and even conduct electricity. Could life emerge from crystals rather than carbon-based molecules? Explore the intriguing possibility of crystal-based lifeforms, the challenges they would face, and the conditions where they might thrive. We journey to five exotic worlds—Vulcan, Ribbon World, Longenacht, Telluride, and Tempest—each offering unique environments where crystalline life might take hold. Could such life develop naturally, or might humanity one day engineer it? Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge science and speculative possibilities of crystalline biology.

Hydropower has long been one of the world's most reliable sources of renewable energy, but how will it adapt to the challenges of the 21st century? In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of hydroelectric power—from modular micro-hydro systems and improved pumped storage to tidal, wave, and even deep sea hydroelectric solutions.

Are rogue machines lurking in the cosmos, quietly outlasting their creators? We explore the eerie possibility that ancient AI remnants, abandoned or self-replicating, could be hidden throughout the galaxy—watching, waiting, and perhaps even shaping the fate of civilizations.