The Future Of Thorium (Narration Only)

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Arthur

Spacecraft, Scifi, Engineering, Interstellar Travel, Civilizaiton, Space Station, Future, Future Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence, Technological Future, Cybernetics, Human Civilizaiton, Sci Fi, Space Megastructures, Astronomy, Megastructures, Energy Abundance, Physics, Space, Space Infrastructure, Technology, Futurism, Genetics, Starship, Post Scarcity, Transhumanism, Long Term Future, Space Colonization, Spaceship, Future Of Humanity, Space Industry, Science

4.9 • 781 Ratings

🗓️ 2 September 2021

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Thorium is often suggested as the basis for new, better, and safer nuclear reactors, but is this true, and why? Visit our sponsor, Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/2IqcRl849R0 Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE Credits: The Future of Thorium Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur Episode 306, September 2, 2021 Written, Produced & Narrated by Isaac Arthur Editors: A.T. Long Evan Schultheis Cover Art: Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier Cover Art: Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, SFIA audio listeners.
0:02.5	In this month's Nebula exclusive, big alien theory,
0:05.2	we're asking the reason alien civilizations might be rare is because most aliens are huge.
0:10.5	To hear it and every episode early and ad-free, plus hours of bonus content,
0:15.1	check out go.nebola.tv slash Isaac Arthur and use my code, Isaac Arthur.
0:20.0	This episode is brought to you by Brilliant.
0:23.7	Contrary to popular belief, nuclear energy does not give you superpowers, which is a bit disappointing.
0:29.4	As a consolation prize, though, it does offer a near unlimited supply of clean and safe energy.
0:36.6	So today we're back to discussing the future of nuclear energy to focus in on thorium,
0:41.3	an energy source often heralded as the cleaner and safer successor to traditional nuclear
0:46.3	power, and the gateway to humanity's independence from fuels that are in short supply or environmentally
0:51.3	dangerous.
0:52.3	Many others view thorium as little more than a pipe dream, or even a dangerous distraction
0:56.7	from pursuing other options like solar or wind or geothermal.
1:00.4	Some argue it even distracts from improvements to more traditional nuclear fission, or its
1:04.5	long-awaited upgrade, nuclear fusion.
1:07.5	So which of these is right?
1:09.4	Is it a miracle power source, an overhyped alternative, or a dangerous distraction?
1:14.3	We will be exploring the science of thorium power and its future today, here on Science
1:18.9	of Futurism with Isaac Arthur, and I and your host the aforementioned Isaac Arthur.
1:24.1	Today's going to be a lengthy and maybe a bit of a technical discussion, so you may want
1:28.1	to get a drink and a snack, and don't forget to hit the like and subscribe buttons while
	...

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