March 26, 2021

David Spergel: Way of the Peaceful Cosmologist (#130)

1 hour 4 minutes

David Spergel is one of today's most respected and accomplished astrophysicists. He has made foundational contributions to our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe via the Cosmic Microwave Background and observations of distant compact objects. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, recipient of the Breakthrough Prize, and is the incoming President of the Simons Foundation whose mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

In this bucket-list interview, conducted just before his 60th birthday, David reveals his scientific mindset, his top habits for physical, mental, and creative health, his pedagogical philosophy, and gives his take on the role of controversies in cosmology and beyond.

David played a huge role in my book, Losing the Nobel Prize, which he also graciously blurbed :-)

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00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:01 What's your daily routine?

00:06:00 Thoughts on academic prizes.

00:11:46 God, cosmology and the authority of prizes.

00:16:01 Thoughts on leadership: Are leaders born or made?

00:24:06 Balancing leadership with providing autonomy. Hear all voices!

00:30:00 The benefits of failure.

00:33:15 What makes a great leader?

00:43:37 Popularization of science, controversies and standards of proof.

00:49:01 What do you think of theories that can not be falsified?

00:56:07 How much of your work do you think really matters?

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By Big Bang Productions Inc.

4.7

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