The “Physics is ded” discourse with Hassaan Saleem

About this episode

The episode discusses the anti-SciComm grift economy in physics and mathematics with guest Hassaan Saleem.

We are joined by friend of the pod, Hassaan Saleem as we talk about the anti-SciComm grift economy in the physics and mathematics space, why billionaires need everyone to know that they are mathematics/ physics geniuses, Cosmism and the falsifiability of science. We ask Hassaan why he keeps fighting with people on Twitter, and discuss ways to escape belief systems. Recommendations: The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley's Pursuit of Power by Max Chafkin The works of Andre Grekoff The Peter Theil episode from Tech Won’t Save Us The work of Sonia Contera Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell Youtube video: “conspiracy physics and you (and also me), Angela Collier , “ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miJbW3i9qQc The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – But Some Don't , Nate Silver “The Penicillin Myth” https://press.asimov.com/articles/penicillin-myth Steven Pinker : when everyone knows Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism by Anne Applebaum

People in this episode

Guest: Hassaan Saleem

Topics covered

• SciComm
• physics
• mathematics
• billionaires
• belief systems
• Cosmism
• falsifiability

Keywords

• SciComm
• physics
• mathematics
• billionaires
• Cosmism
• falsifiability
• belief systems
• Twitter
• recommendations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tech Won’t Save Us, Youtube

Books & works: The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley's Pursuit of Power, Talking to Strangers, Outliers, The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – But Some Don't, The Penicillin Myth, Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

More episodes of Desi Academia Podcast

• S12E2: Making Data Talk with Aman Bhargava · May 2, 2026 · 1h 39m
• S12E1: Learning science masterclass with Dr. Robin Sharma · April 8, 2026 · 2h 46m
• Supplementary Materials 7: 2025 in Tech with Ajay and Harsha · March 21, 2026 · 1h 29m
• S11E3: Studying microbial ecology and soil restoration with Dhruthi · March 16, 2026 · 2h 42m
• S11E2: Mathematics, or, the pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world, with Saurabh · February 22, 2026 · 2h 36m
• S11E1: Pivoting from a PhD- navigating an alternative career path with Harsha · January 25, 2026 · 1h 31m