More than Abstract

Someone recently won an art competition by submitting an imagine generated by an AI. This caused some mild controversy, but here we look at how this AI works at the most basic level. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

The tides come in and out, but the physics of tidal forces are so much more fascinating that just that. We explore what tidal forces can really do this week going from the earth-moon system to forming planetary rings and finally stars being ripped apart by black holes. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

Have you wondered how to make a processor? Or why there are really only two cpu brands when it’s such a lucrative business? That’s what we talk about this week. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

Ice ages are a very common thing on geological timescales, but the behavior of these ice ages changed 1 million years ago. That’s a bit of a mystery and we discuss the background behind this unsolved riddle this week. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

There are many methods to reducing our carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. One of these is using carbon credits to offset emissions from companies, but this week we talk about how the best intentions can go wrong with poor implementation. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

Is it actually possible to control the weather to some degree? That’s what they claimed was possible at the Beijing Olympics and we talk about the science behind how this is possible. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

Terraforming mars has been a topic on science fiction for decades, but it is actually possible. There are still many problems associated with it and one of the biggest issues of transforming the Martian atmosphere is heavily based in physics. I don’t hear this mentioned very much, but that’s what we talk about this week. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

How was it that earliest civilizations suddenly disappeared. During the bronze age, there were complicated interconnected societies most of which collapsed over the course of a few centuries. We talk about some of the leading theories that lead to this collapse. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

How do we tell when an asteroid is going to hit the earth. It’s a difficult task with very few prediction. We talk about all the problems with trying to identify an asteroid. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce

How is it that a new currency can be made out of thin air and used to purchase good. We talk about how to make a currency called sandwich coins and a bit about the system that lends money through banks. Follow us on twitter @moreabstract Outro by Eric Pierce