The Joy of x

Eve Marder on the Crucial Resilience of Neurons

Eve Marder’s research into the plasticity and resilience of nervous systems finds universal principles guiding life’s responses to stress. The post Eve Marder on the Cruc

Charlie Marcus Knows That Quantum Facts Aren’t Complicated

The secret to making a qubit for future quantum computers might depend on knowing how to tie knots in unusual materials, argues the physicist Charlie Marcus. The post Cha

Amie Wilkinson Sees the Dynamic Chaos in Puff Pastry

To a dynamicist like Amie Wilkinson, understanding the universe is about knowing all the right moves. The post Amie Wilkinson Sees the Dynamic Chaos in Puff Pastry first

Emery Brown and the Truth About Anesthesia

Anesthesia is very different from sleep — which is why it offers unique opportunities for studying the human brain, says the physician-researcher and statistician Emery B

Melanie Mitchell Takes AI Research Back to Its Roots

To build a general artificial intelligence, we may need to know more about our own minds, argues the computer scientist Melanie Mitchell. The post Melanie Mitchell Takes

Trachette Jackson Fights Cancer With Math

Quantitative models built by the mathematical biologist Trachette Jackson can make cancer therapies safer and more effective. The post Trachette Jackson Fights Cancer Wit

Rediet Abebe on Using Algorithms for Social Justice

The computer scientist Rediet Abebe’s passion for applied mathematics closely aligns with her passion to solve problems with poverty and social inequality. The post Redie

Federico Ardila on Math, Music and the Space of Possibilities

The mathematician Federico Ardila takes a creative approach to the search for useful answers hiding among inconceivably huge numbers of possible ones. The post Federico A

Sharon Glotzer’s Deep Curiosity About Order From Chaos

The computational physicist Sharon Glotzer finds unifying principles that structure the chaotic dance of the particles that make up matter. The post Sharon Glotzer’s Deep

Frank Wilczek on the Strong Force, Quarks and Dark Matter

The theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek explained what holds atomic nuclei together, and he is still pushing at the limits of what the standard model can tell us. The pos

Bonnie Bassler on Talkative Bacteria and Eavesdropping Viruses

The molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler is deciphering the chemical languages that bacteria use to coordinate their assaults on a host. The post Bonnie Bassler on Talkativ

Neil Shubin on Tiktaalik, Ballistic Tongues and Evolution

The paleontologist Neil Shubin talks with host Steven Strogatz about hunting for a 375 million-year-old fossil and finding novel traits that evolved many times. The post

Podcast Preview: The Joy of x, Season Two

Hosted by Steven Strogatz, The Joy of x podcast is back with new episodes that explore the inner worlds of top-tier scientists and mathematicians like Frank Wilczek, Bonn

Moon Duchin on Fair Voting and Random Walks

Can geometry save democracy from gerrymandering? Mathematician Moon Duchin discusses the possibilities with host Steven Strogatz. The post Moon Duchin on Fair Voting and

Brian Keating’s Quest for the Origin of the Universe

The astrophysicist Brian Keating talks to host Steven Strogatz about chasing the universe’s greatest mysteries — and what it’s like to have a major discovery slip through

Rebecca Goldin and Brian Nosek on Hard Truths in Math and Psychology

The mathematician Rebecca Goldin and the psychology researcher Brian Nosek speak with host Steven Strogatz about what it’s like to be the bearers of unpopular truths. The

Cori Bargmann on the Genetics of Transparent Worms, Supertasters and Cancer

The neurogenetics pioneer Cori Bargmann speaks with host Steven Strogatz about why a transparent worm became her favorite animal and how a genetic discovery she made insp

Tadashi Tokieda's Special Kind of Magic

The mathematician Tadashi Tokieda and host Steven Strogatz explore what we can learn about the world from simple “toys” with remarkable physical or mathematical propertie

Janna Levin on Seeing and Hearing Black Holes

The astrophysicist Janna Levin describes the fierce scientific beauty she finds in black holes and reveals why she took a major risk early in her career. The post Janna L

John Urschel: From NFL Player to Mathematician

John Urschel, who retired from playing professional football with the Baltimore Ravens to become a mathematician, talks to host Steven Strogatz about the fascinations of