When Quantum Goes Woo
The Infinite Monkey Cage
BBC
4.7 • 9.4K Ratings
🗓️ 9 February 2015
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
When Quantum Goes Woo
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by Bad Science author, Ben Goldacre, Professor of Particle Physics at Manchester University, Jeff Forshaw, and comedian Sara Pascoe. They'll be looking at why quantum physics, in particular, seems to attract some of the more fringe elements of pseudoscience and alternative medicine, and whether there is anything about the frankly weird quantum behaviour of particles, like the ability to seemingly be in two places at once, that really can be applied to the human condition. When spiritual healers and gurus talk about our own quantum energy and the power of quantum healing, is it simply a metaphor, or is there more to this esoteric branch of science that we could all learn from?
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hello, I'm Robin Ents. |
| 0:01.4 | And I'm Brian Cox. |
| 0:02.4 | And welcome to the podcast version of the Infinite Monkey Cage, |
| 0:05.3 | which contains extra material that wasn't considered good enough for the radio. |
| 0:09.1 | Enjoy it. |
| 0:10.1 | Hello, I'm Robin Ents. |
| 0:11.1 | And I'm Brian Cox. |
| 0:12.1 | And today we're going to be talking about quantum theory. |
| 0:14.2 | Quantum theory is one of the foundations of modern physics, |
| 0:17.0 | a collection of theoretical ideas and techniques dating back over a century |
| 0:20.8 | that provides the most accurate description we have of the natural world |
| 0:24.2 | with the exception of gravitational interactions, obviously. |
| 0:27.8 | It is also, however, arguably the most misunderstood area of modern science, |
| 0:31.2 | a gateway to pseudoscience and, to quote, one of our panelists today, |
| 0:34.3 | a theory which has dreams of drivel-pending in its name. |
| 0:37.5 | In today's programme, we will be asking why this is the case. |
| 0:40.1 | What is it about quantum mechanics that makes it such a useful vehicle |
| 0:43.1 | for Woo Merchants, Snake-Hulls, Sales, Men and Women, and New Age healers? |
| 0:47.6 | Now, today's show is going to be very difficult for me in the panel, |
| 0:49.8 | because due to the time monkey cage is broadcast, |
| 0:52.6 | we're unable to respond in language strong enough |
| 0:55.0 | to represent our true feelings about the misunderstanding and misuse of quantum theory. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.