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Ian Hutchinson: Nuclear Fusion, Plasma Physics, and Religion | Lex Fridman Podcast #112

Ian Hutchinson is a nuclear engineer and plasma physicist at MIT. He has made a number of important contributions in plasma physics including the magnetic confinement of plasmas seeking to enable fusion reactions, which is the energy source of the stars, to be used for practical energy production. Current nuclear reactors are based on fission as we discuss. Ian has also written on the philosophy of science and the relationship between science and religion. Support this podcast by supporting our sponsors: - Sun Basket, use code LEX: https://sunbasket.com/lex - PowerDot, use code LEX: https://powerdot.com/lex EPISODE LINKS: Ian's Website: https://www-internal.psfc.mit.edu/~hutch/ Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles? (book): https://amzn.to/30aooVT Monopolizing Knowledge (book): https://amzn.to/2Xb2a4q PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 5:32 - Nuclear physics and plasma physics 8:00 - Fusion energy 35:22 - Nuclear weapons 42:06 - Existential risks 50:29 - Personal journey in religion 56:27 - What is God like? 1:01:34 - Scientism 1:04:21 - Atheism 1:06:39 - Not knowing 1:09:57 - Faith 1:13:46 - The value of loyalty and love 1:23:26 - Why is there suffering in the world 1:35:08 - AGI 1:40:27 - Consciousness 1:48:14 - Simulation 1:52:20 - Adam and Eve 1:54:57 - Meaning of life CONNECT: - Subscribe to this YouTube channel - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman

Lex FridmanhostIan Hutchinsonguest
Jul 29, 20202h 1mWatch on YouTube ↗

CHAPTERS

  1. 0:00 – 5:32

    Introduction

  2. 5:32 – 8:00

    Nuclear physics and plasma physics

  3. 8:00 – 35:22

    Fusion energy

  4. 35:22 – 42:06

    Nuclear weapons

  5. 42:06 – 50:29

    Existential risks

  6. 50:29 – 56:27

    Personal journey in religion

  7. 56:27 – 1:01:34

    What is God like?

  8. 1:01:34 – 1:04:21

    Scientism

  9. 1:04:21 – 1:06:39

    Atheism

  10. 1:06:39 – 1:09:57

    Not knowing

  11. 1:09:57 – 1:13:46

    Faith

  12. 1:13:46 – 1:23:26

    The value of loyalty and love

  13. 1:23:26 – 1:35:08

    Why is there suffering in the world

  14. 1:35:08 – 1:40:27

    AGI

  15. 1:40:27 – 1:48:14

    Consciousness

  16. 1:48:14 – 1:52:20

    Simulation

  17. 1:52:20 – 1:54:57

    Adam and Eve

  18. 1:54:57 – 2:01:15

    Meaning of life

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