Dr. Mario Livio is an internationally known astrophysicist, bestselling author, popular speaker, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Livio has published more than 500 scientific articles, made significant theoretical contributions to topics ranging from cosmology, supernova explosions, and black holes to extrasolar planets and the emergence of life in the universe. His popular books include The Golden Ratio, Is God A Mathematician? that inspired the NOVA program “The Great Math Mystery,” which was nominated for an EMMY in 2016, Brilliant Blunders and more recently, Galileo: And the Science Deniers. Dr. Livio’s work is frequently featured in leading media including The Daily Show, 60 Minutes and On Being; is the former Science Advisor to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and has presented science-related topics in a number of their concerts; and has also collaborated with composer Paola Prestini in the creation of the Hubble Cantata, which was inspired by Hubble images and discoveries.

In this episode of Intersections, Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa has a conversation with Dr. Mario Livio on the topic “Dissolving Boundaries in Our Hyper Specialized World.”

In a world that celebrates specialization, what can we gain by dissolving boundaries between disciplines and exploring multitudes? What do extraordinarily creative people have in common, and what tools do they use to access breakthrough ideas and insights? What lessons can we draw from the blunders made by some of the pioneering scientists from history to pursue our own professional quests? And can these same lessons be used to reduce polarization and create a more unified world?

“When you think outside the box, you may make a mistake, but without thinking out of the box, you may miss out on certain breakthroughs that could have come from thinking outside the box.”

Mario Livio

This episode offers key insights on:

• The power of dissolving boundaries between disciplines and exploring multitudes
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• What some of the world’s most extraordinarily creative people have in common, and the tools they use to access breakthrough ideas and insights
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• The lessons we can draw from the blunders made by some of the pioneering scientists from history, and how we can apply them in our own professional quests

• The benefits and relevance of being a polymath in a hyper specialized world

• And the best remedy for fear in our painfully polarized society