Does Time Really Exist and How Can We Measure It w/ Chad Orzel (#406)

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Today on Into the Impossible, we’re exploring the fascinating realm of time with none other than the timekeeper himself – Chad Orzel.

Chad is a professor of physics and science communicator renowned for his popular science books, How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, Breakfast with Einstein, and How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com.

In his most recent book, A Brief History of Timekeeping, Chad revisits the delicate negotiations involved in Gregorian calendar reform, the intricate and entirely unique system employed by the Maya, and how the problem of synchronizing clocks at different locations ultimately required us to abandon the idea of time as an absolute and universal quantity.

From sundials to sandglasses and mechanical clocks, this sharp and engaging story isn't just about the science of timekeeping—it's a riveting tale encompassing politics, philosophy, and the very essence of space and time.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:07 Judging a book by its cover

00:05:07 Galileo’s telescope helmet

00:10:23 The connection between time and astronomy

00:13:11 Why is longitude so hard to measure?

00:15:32 The relativity of simultaneity

00:22:12 The future of education after COVID

00:25:55 The standard definition of time

00:31:19 Attosecond clocks

00:36:33 Why time is so much more perplexing than space

00:40:23 How to teach students new things

00:43:14 On education

00:49:05 Outro

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Additional resources:

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➡️ Learn more about Chad Orzel: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/orzelc/ 📚 Website: https://chadorzel.com/

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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