Hard Problems & Cosmic Acceleration - Brian Schmidt Is The Abnormal Cosmologist

Brian Schmidt is absolutely one of these extraordinary people - a normal person who’s lived an entirely abnormal life. Besides being awarded a Nobel Prize, Brian was also the Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University for eight years, including during the Covid pandemic. He’s a physicist, astrologist and astrophysicist by training, receiving his undergrad from the University of Arizona then his PhD from Harvard. For more than 30 years he’s called Australia home, making the move here and becoming one of the most significant figures in the history of humanity’s understanding of the universe and our extremely small place in it.This was a brilliant conversation - covering everything from Brian’s research to his time at ANU, his views on Australia’s education system, the role of universities and how we can all approach learning, education and lifelong development. As well, we chat about how Brian thinks about hard problems, his own calculus in making a difference today on some of the world's greatest challenges from food shortages to nuclear proliferation.This was a real honour. Brian is a global leader in his field - one of the greatest that’s ever lived - so to spend some time with him was remarkable, and I hope you take from this how within reach the extraordinary is. The newsletter is out this week on the theme of choice. With Brian on the show to explore and understand cosmology, astronomy and physics, the great Carl Sagan is appropriate this week - “We are the legacy of 15 billion years of cosmic evolution. We can enhance life and come to know the universe that made us. Or we can squander our 15 billion year heritage in meaningless self destruction.”Til next time, thanks for listening.Events are live and more are coming - follow on Humanitix.Follow on LinkedIn, Substack and Instagram. Today's show is delivered with Altiorem. Use the code FindingNature25 to get your first month free on their gold and platinum plans. Today's show is delivered with Gilay Estate. Add Finding Nature to your booking reservation for free food bundles.Send me a messageThanks for listening. Follow Finding Nature on Instagram