Paul Halpern of Saint Joseph's University on the Allure of the Multiverse

Paul Halpern, professor of physics at Saint Joseph's University and author of eighteen popular science books, joins Ben Gamble on the Astro Ben Podcast to talk about parallel universes and his book The Allure of the Multiverse.

Ben and Paul ask whether the multiverse is really like Rick and Morty, how many dimensions there are and how well humanity understands the fundamental forces. They go on to bouncing universes, BRAIN worlds, bubble universes and where multiverse research could go next, including whether we could ever visit a parallel universe.

Paul also shares his own origin story and how he came to write about the multiverse. It is a good listen for anyone curious about cosmology, physics and the biggest open questions about the universe.

What you will hear in this episode

  • The multiverse: is it like Rick and Morty?

  • The Allure of the Multiverse and Paul's origin story

  • How many dimensions there are

  • Humanity's handle on the fundamental forces

  • Bouncing universes

  • Can we visit a parallel universe? BRAIN worlds

  • Bubble universes and the future of multiverse research

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More on big ideas in physics: Dr. Greg Hodgin on quantum spacetime and warp drives and Prof. Chris Lintott on Our Accidental Universe, or browse all Astro Ben Podcast episodes.

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Dr Harry Cliff of CERN on Space Oddities, the Hubble Tension and Comedy