“What’s Eating the Universe?” with Professor Paul Davies

The universe is full of mysteries that scientists are still trying to understand. In the constellation of Eridanus, astronomers have discovered a strange region that looks like a giant hole in space. What caused it? This is just one of many fascinating questions about the universe. In “What’s Eating the Universe?”, famous cosmologist Paul Davies explores some of the biggest mysteries of space, including enormous black holes, disappearing regions of the universe, and the possibility of one universe swallowing another. He also explores two of the most important questions in science: Why does the universe exist, and how did lifeless particles eventually produce intelligent beings capable of thinking and questioning their existence? Through exciting discoveries and thought-provoking ideas, this book takes readers on a journey through space and time, encouraging curiosity about the universe, its origins, and the mysteries that remain unsolved. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Professor Paul Davies.

Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, broadcaster, and best-selling author. A winner of the prestigious Templeton Prize, he is Regents’ Professor of Physics and director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University.

Our conversation begins with a discussion about the structure of the book. Unlike his previous books, which explore specific topics through longer chapters, this book features short, accessible chapters, each addressing a fascinating question about the cosmos.

I then ask Paul about the intriguing title: What exactly is eating the universe? This leads us to explore the large-scale structure of the cosmos and the remarkable mathematical precision of its physical laws. We discuss whether mathematics is something humans invent or discover, and how mathematical principles help us understand the universe.

Next, we explore the nature of information and whether it might be a fundamental feature of reality. Our discussion then turns to the relationship between physics and biology. Can existing physical laws fully explain life, or do we need new physics? We also examine Paul’s view of life as a system that processes and replicates information, leading to one of science’s greatest mysteries: How did life begin?

We then consider the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and two possible outcomes: discovering that we are not alone or finding that life may be unique to Earth. I ask Paul which possibility he would find more troubling.

Towards the end, we explore some of the deepest questions raised in the book: Does the universe have meaning or purpose? How does consciousness emerge from physical processes? And will scientists ever develop a unified theory of everything?

Overall, this has been a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation, exploring the mysteries of the universe, the origins of life, and the fundamental nature of existence.

Complement this discussion with “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg and then listen to “Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour” with Neil deGrasse Tyson.

By |October 17th, 2026|Cosmology, Physics, Podcasts|
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“Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg

The universe may appear chaotic. Yet beneath this apparent disorder lies a vast network of rules. These rules shape patterns of action, force, and consequence. In “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe”, popular science writer Brian Clegg examines the systems that govern the physical world. He focuses on ten essential patterns that reveal how the universe is structured and how it behaves. The book explores the relationship between space and time, the quantum behaviour of matter and light, and the origins of the cosmos. It explains how the cosmic microwave background, often described as the “echo of the Big Bang,” provides evidence about the early universe. It also shows how the periodic table reflects the underlying structure of atoms. Through clear explanations, detailed illustrations, and informative diagrams, Clegg presents a distinctive view of the universe and its fundamental workings. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Brian Clegg. We also discuss his book “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World”, which examines pivotal moments when major scientific breakthroughs transformed our understanding of reality and reshaped everyday life.

Brian Clegg is an award-winning popular science writer and the author of more than thirty books.

I begin by asking Brian what inspired him to write popular science books. We then discuss the title of Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe. We explore what constitutes a pattern and how patterns can help us understand the workings of the universe.

Drawing on a question often raised in mathematics, I ask whether these patterns exist independently and are discovered by us, or whether they are created through human interpretation. We then examine several patterns discussed in the book. We begin with the cosmic microwave background, the residual heat left in the universe after the Big Bang.

Brian also includes several diagrams among the patterns presented in the book. I ask why diagrams, which are human-made representations, should be regarded as patterns that explain the universe. We discuss diagrams associated with quantum mechanics and consider what they reveal about events at the quantum level.

The conversation then turns to the patterns found in the periodic table. We consider whether the table could have been organised in other ways. We also discuss the double-helix structure of DNA and examine the many forms of symmetry found in nature. Brian explains why symmetry is his favourite pattern.

We then focus on Brian’s other book, Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World: How Physicists Transformed Everyday Life. I ask which of the ten days he considers the most significant. We also discuss the book’s final example: the establishment of the first internet connection.

The discussion concludes with the challenges created by information overload, misinformation, and disinformation. We consider the importance of public understanding of science and the role of effective science communication. I ask Brian which approaches are most successful, particularly within research and academic institutions. We also examine who should be responsible for communicating scientific findings: the original researchers or specialist science communicators.

Complement this discussion with “Sharing Our Science: How to Write and Speak STEM” with Professor Brandon Brown and then listen to On Public Communication of Science and Technology with Professor Bruce Lewenstein

By |July 10th, 2026|Physics, Podcasts|
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“The Case Against Reality” and The Hard Problem of Consciousness with Professor Donald Hoffman

What is the true nature of reality? Does the objective reality reported back by our senses paint a complete picture of the true reality? Is it possible that the world we see is not objective reality and it is just an interface to a deeper, true reality. In his book “The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes” cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman Challenges leading scientific theories that claim that our senses report back objective reality. He argues that while we should take our perceptions seriously, we should not take them literally. He presents the evolutionary concept of “Fitness Beats Truth” to demonstrate that evolution very probably moulded our minds for fitness rather than accuracy, resulting in the mismatch between “things-in-themselves” and our perceptions of them. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps I speak with professor Donal Hoffman; we discuss his “Interface Theory of Perception” and dig deep on latest research in cognitive science and perception, and how it relates to our understanding of the true nature of reality.

Donald Hoffman is a professor of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He is a cognitive psychologist and popular science author. His research focuses on perception, evolution, and consciousness.

We begin by discussing the present understanding of the hard problem of consciousness. Then we talk about Hoffman’s view that all main scientific theories, such as Einstein’s theory, theories and our present understanding of Quantum Physics and the theory of natural selection, all inform us that our present approach of trying to understand reality is not working. I then ask him that why in his view we have evolved in a manner that we don’t see the real underlying reality and we just perceive a superficial realty. We then discuss in detail his theory and ideas about the nature of reality. We touch upon the question that do we live in a simulation. We also discuss Panpsychism. Finally I ask that how the research on the question of the true nature of reality should proceed.

Complement this discussion with From Consciousness to Synthetic Consciousness: From One Unknown to Another Unknown with David Chalmers and then listen to Why You Are Not Your Brain? A Conversation on Consciousness with Alva Noe.

By |July 19th, 2022|Neuroscience, Physics, Podcasts|
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