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An amazing examination of a curious and mostly harmless genetic mutation.

Maybe I am wrong, but from what I understand of the physics and of probability, it seems more likely that the physical interactions would be more likely to start a universe over a brain in a void.

I'm really not sure.  It seems to me that the random creation of a structure capable of cognition from a collection of particles in equilibrium would involve a smaller decrease in the local entropy than a Big Bang would, but we also understand so little about how a Big Bang is generated.

I still think the idea that you could be a Boltzmann brain is still implausible for a variety of reasons though.  The timescale for generating an entity capable not only of cognition, but of a consistent memory of experience and history of a whole universe... is beyond ridiculous, and it assumes a reality with sufficient space and time for this to occur (which we cannot test, therefore this is more philosophy than science).  It seems more plausible that the universe we think we live in is as we think it is, and it naturally leads to the development of meat brains.

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Minor nitpick, but it would be very nearly a full moon, not a quarter moon (easier to see if diagram is to scale).

Also if a solar-intensity laser should strike Earth, I advise not looking directly into the beam.

I still think the idea that you could be a Boltzmann brain is still implausible for a variety of reasons though.  The timescale for generating an entity capable not only of cognition, but of a consistent memory of experience and history of a whole universe... is beyond ridiculous, and it assumes a reality with sufficient space and time for this to occur (which we cannot test, therefore this is more philosophy than science).  It seems more plausible that the universe we think we live in is as we think it is, and it naturally leads to the development of meat brains.

That is exactly what I am saying.  Given the simplistic yet high entropy state of the universe shortly after it began, it seems like the complexity of the brain needs a simple start and for entropy to wind down.  Creating massive plasma clouds that eventually become brains seems far more likely than a highly ordered brain just popping into being.

So yesterday I binge watched all of Bill Nye Saves the World, it was bad, in fact it was very bad.

There were bits and pieces that were good, but the show was pure concentrated cringe and awkwardness to the point I had to keep pausing.  The show kept telling me I was a bad person for being white, it presented no evidence to support it's claims, and overall it seemed insulting to even try and relate it to science.

This video has some minor NSFW moments, but it sums it up nicely

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I want that T-shirt.

Are We Living in an Ancestor Simulation?

I am still waiting for someone else to put forward the idea that the simulation is not a real time 1:1 simulation but an accelerated universe simulation. This would make our universe quite realistic, based on real physical laws, it would run in the course of days, weeks, or months, and we would just be an output of that simulation.

that concept is scary to me. because if we are in one. there could be infinte number of simulations....its just...i cant to contain
that in my mind

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^I love this guy's animations.

Here's yet another excellent CfA talk:

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In a nutshell:  We have no idea what Fast Radio Bursts are. 

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Recently bought a third shade 14 lens, I need to build a filter piece to attach it to my camera.  

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So long, DNA. Time to prepare the towel for May 25.