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Answering Fan Queries with Sean Carroll

2026-01-27 Science & Technology
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What does Hawking radiation look like falling into a black hole? Will we ever find a theory of everything? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer questions about invisible fields, many worlds, entropy, the theory of everything, and more with theoretical physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll. What is a field, and why did it take physics so long to accept something you can’t see? From Newton’s discomfort with action at a distance to Faraday’s lines of force and Maxwell’s equations, learn how electricity, magnetism, light, radio, and X-rays all collapse into a single framework. We also discuss the double slit delayed choice quantum eraser experiment and whether dark energy could be the centrifugal force of a spinning universe. What does Hawking radiation look like falling into a black hole? Learn why there is a theory of everything even if we don’t know it yet. We explore how particles like photons and muons experience time while Sean instructs us on the dangers of anthropomorphizing particles. We discuss the arrow of time and entropy. Why does the past feel different from the future? Is the arrow of time fundamental or emergent from entropy and cosmology? Does entropy explain why choices can’t affect the past? We explore the many-worlds theory, branching universes, and whether alternative timelines are physically real or just math. Sean breaks down delayed-choice quantum eraser experiments, many-worlds versus Copenhagen interpretations, and whether rotating universes could mean we’re inside a black hole. Thanks to our Patrons Craig Rowley, kickhead, Derek Kainz, Mircea Buga, Erin Anthony, Michael Sayer, amadou, Jacob Spector, Michael Burch, Nick Miller, James Campbell, Kathi Drake, Anthony Paz, Mike mendoza, Andrew Henke, Mitch Majernik, John Euill, Ryan LeDuc, Mimi, Conner Mathis, Jeffrey Roe, Marie Richards, Thomas Wilgus jr, Cora Bailey, Alexandra Ursu, Jeffrey, Bryan Berg, NeXuSLemming, Elizabeth, John Shortridge, Ross S, Jose E Gonzalez, Luis Antonio Reyes Roman, Drops-A-Lot, David, Vega, Suranga Rajapakse, Colin McIsaac, Croule, Ping Xiong, Jennifer White, AkKaris, Nina Barton, Ethan Simmonds, anthro-po-COSMIC Dylan, Mark Daniel Cohen, Alan Short, Ryker Voets, Phobicdragon, Manuel Cadena, Walter Rimler, Nolan, Jason 'Jake' Kennedy, Sapien 6, Stephen Landau, Bret, Sp33dy86, Jim Sartor, Tony Parr, Sylvia Vassileva, Chris, john holstein, Lindy, Violet Hefner, David Wolery, kincade ewing, Bas Oosterveld, Clare Chevalier, Ruth Hall, Jonáš Burger, Shourov Kundu, Renato Sampaio, Gainbrainx, Allistare Lute, Royce Ashcroft, Emily Najemy, Paul Beachum, Bengt Weerstand, Osuch, Finn Family, Ricky, pa rn, David the Curious One, Brie Welch, Watt deFino, J. S. Pitcher, Marysa Muceli, and Joe K for supporting us this week. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Sean Carroll 03:12 - What’s Up with Invisible Fields? 08:51 - What Hawking Radiation Looks Like as You Fall In 13:29 - Are Past and Future Different From Eachother? 18:29 - The Double Slit Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser Experiment 25:10 - Is Dark Matter Just Use Making Stuff up? 31:08 - Is Dark Energy Centrifugal Force? 34:58 - If a Black Hole Evaporated While You Fell In 37:32 - Tell Me the Theory of Everything 44:31 - Is Many Worlds Mathematical or a Real Physical Process? 49:01 - Physics V. Philosophy 51:20 - Photon Experiencing Time 54:15 - Is Entropy Creating Time? 59:04 - Closing Thoughts Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@dohpam1ne 2026-01-27

Sean's ability to banter with Chuck and Neil while also communicating serious science is really impressive. It's a rare skill that is sorely needed in public science outreach.

557 24 replies
@floob3rdoob3r 2026-01-27

Please have Sean on as much as possible.

428 11 replies
@j5933doh 2026-01-28

Neil and Sean Carrol is a can't miss conversation. And, man, the evolution of Chuck over the years is something which every person should aspire to. My guy wasn't satisfied just providing the comedic relief, he took notes, absorbed and internalized it all the entire time, and now provides just as much insight in some cases as the guests. On top of that, he's still got jokes. Well done, Chuck.

275 11 replies
@StarTalk 2026-01-27

If the math behind quantum mechanics points to branching timelines, do you think those timelines physically exist or is it just the best model we’ve got so far?

183 178 replies
@vykintasmorkvenas6839 2026-01-27

❤ Sean Carroll - at last. Mindscape is a great podcast.

167 4 replies
@StewartTheVegan 2026-01-27

These three men give me hope in humanity.

111 4 replies
@iori1303 2026-01-27

I have a picture of my bald dad, so i can see exactlly what my future is

84 10 replies
@JohanCardel 2026-01-27

Dr. Carrol was the first to stirr my curiosity beyond just admiring the universe we live in. He made a short paper called "Does the Universe need God?" (must have been like 20 years ago I think). I was so fascinated by the explanation, and have since read a few of he's books and enjoyed a lot of online content over the years. We need more people like Niel and Sean to enlighten us all, thanks for the episode.

69 1 replies
@TuneyLoon17 2026-01-27

Neil is our personal astrophysicist and Chuck is our personal cosmic jester. I love this pairing so much

40
@Freddy2X4B-523P 2026-01-28

Sean slapping down Neil's hypothesis about expanding entropy was satisfactory 😂

23

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