The John Batchelor Show

4/4: This file covers CMB aftermath, Gamow's vindication, and Hoyle's controversial final years. CMB proved Big Bang theory, establishing cosmos temperature at 2.73 Kelvin and age at 13.8 billion years. Gamow (died 1968) wrote Princeton researchers, seeking recognition for his and Ralph Alpher's 1940s CMBcalculations. Hoyle's work with Margaret and Geoffrey Burbidge and William Fowler on heavy elements was genius, but only Fowler received the Nobel Prize. Hoyle never forgave Willie Fowler. Speculation includes the committee distancing from Hoyle's fringe theories or Hans Bethe misunderstanding Hoyle's role. Hoyle moved to Lake District, pursuing panspermia theory—life spreading via cosmic travelers. He rejected Darwinian evolution, claiming Earth too young, ironically gaining young-earth creationist support despite atheism. He proposed diseases like AIDS arrived via comets, viewed as eccentric. Both were "seat-of-the-pants thinkers," though Hoyle more stubbornly clung to strange concepts. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

3/4: This file details Steady State theory creation, Hoyle's element theory, coining "Big Bang," and CMB discovery. Fred Hoyle, Bondi, and Gold conceived Steady State theory after watching The Dead of Night (1946/47). Their model proposed continuous creation via quantum uncertainty. Hoyle solved carbon formation: two helium atoms form unstable Beryllium-8, briefly uniting with third helium to forge Carbon-12. Hoyle predicted carbon's specific energy level, which Willie Fowler at Caltech verified. Hoyle coined "Big Bang" derisively on BBC radio, mocking single-blast creation. Gamow and Ralph Alpher called initial substance "ylem." Hoyle and Gamow met in 1956 La Jolla, discussing universe temperature; Hoyle believed near 0 Kelvin, Gamow preferred 10 Kelvin. In 1964, Penzias and Wilson at Bell Labs accidentally discovered persistent background radiation—the Cosmic Microwave Background—proving the Big Bang that Gamow sought. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

2/4: This file covers Fred Hoyle's academic career and the emergence of major cosmological debate. Hoyle earned his Cambridge PhD in 1939, originally wanting to be a chemist. During WWII, he worked on secret radar projects. Meeting astronomer Walter Baade proved pivotal; Baade proposed that Population 2 stars exploded as supernovae, distributing elements to newer stars. This inspired Hoyle's 1946 seminal paper on stellar nucleosynthesis, explaining how elements from hydrogen to uranium form in stars. Cosmological theories crystallized into competing camps: the Big Bang (from Friedmann and Lemaître's "primeval atom") versus Steady State theory. Einstein had written early steady state concepts but discarded them. Gamow supported the Big Bang, proposing all elements were created in the hot early universe. Early universe age estimates varied wildly between 2-10 billion years, far short of the accepted 13.8 billion years. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

1/4: This file introduces the early lives of George Gamow and Fred Hoyle. George Gamow (Georgy Antonovich Gamow) was born in Odessa in March 1904. His father, Anton Gamow, taught Lev Bronstein (later Leon Trotsky). Gamow attended Petrograd University (now St. Petersburg), studying under Alexander Friedmann, who developed solutions to Einstein's general relativity describing universal expansion. After Friedmann's death in 1925, Gamow switched to quantum and nuclear physics, discovering alpha particle decay and quantum tunneling. He went to Niels Bohr's Institute in Copenhagen. Disliking communist intrusion into science, he attempted escaping the Soviet Union via rubber kayak across the Black Sea to Turkey, but storms forced them back. Niels Bohr arranged their escape via the 1933 Solvay conference, eventually reaching George Washington University. Fred Hoyle was born in 1915 in West Yorkshire; his mother played classical music for silent films, and Hoyle learned reading from film subtitles. Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate, by Paul Halpern

Preview: This preview focuses on George Gamow's Soviet Unionescape. Gamow represented expanding universe (Big Bang), while Fred Hoyle represented static universe (Steady State). Non-religious and apolitical, Gamow drew the line when communists demanded science be interpreted through Marxist-Leninist philosophy. He attempted escaping with his wife via rubber kayak across the Black Sea to Turkey, but storms forced return. Niels Bohr secured their escape by arranging Gamow as Soviet representative to 1933 Solvayconference. 2007 HUBBLE TO ABELLGALAXY CLUSTER AT 5 BILLION LLIGHT YEARS (GA)

HOUR ONE: The book A Rome of One's Own explores how foundational Roman myths were recorded by historians like Livy, who wrote during Augustus’s reign to explain and flatter the new emperor's prominence. These retellings often established a good woman/bad woman dichotomy. Hercilia, the wise woman who saved Rome, contrasted with Tarpia, the betrayer. The virtue of Lucretia, culminating in her tragic suicide, catalyzed the end of the monarchy, cleansing the tyranny caused by the ambitious and wicked Queen Tullia. Furthermore, the sources show how women were used politically: the Vestal Virgin Opia was executed based on omens, and Clodia was publicly defamed in court by Cicero, unable to defend herself. 1573 ROMAN WOMEN

HOUR TWO: Emma Southon explores forgotten women of the Empire. Julia, daughter of Augustus, served as a marital conduit for heirs (Agrippa, Tiberius) before being exiled for public affairs and later starved. Other profiles include British Queens Cartimandua and Boudica, entrepreneur Julia Felix, military family woman Sulpicia Lepidina, and Christian martyr Perpetua. 1802 ROMAN WOMEN

Emma Southon discusses how Augustus, a control freak, used his daughter Julia as a conduit for heirs, marrying her to Marcellus and then to his right-hand man, Agrippa. The successful marriage produced five children. Julia and Agrippa seemed compatible, often traveling together, which was a sign of liking each other. AUGUSTUS AND CLEOPATRA

Preview: Julia Felix was a woman of property and an entrepreneur in 79 AD Pompeii, running a luxurious entertainment complex. This complex offered "bougie baths," gardens, and fine dining, allowing middle-class patrons to experience luxury. Archaeology reveals she owned property and ran businesses, defying traditional written accounts. She likely died in the Vesuvius eruption. VESUVIUS

Preview: Emma Southon narrates the 483 BCE human sacrifice of Vestal Virgin Oppia, who died for omens like plague or lost battles. To appease the gods, the Romans held a funeral and walled her alive inside a cave near Rome's walls. Oppia was left with only milk, bread, and a lamp to starve or suffocate. 1600 ROMAN CHRUBS

Preview: Emma Southon describes the sacrifice of Vestal VirginOppia (483 BCE), a religious practice driven by superstition and omens like plague or drought. To placate the gods without performing direct human sacrifice, the Vestal was paraded through Rome and then walled alive in a cave with milk, bread, and a lamp to slowly starve or suffocate. 1593

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 194O LAS VEGAS THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT LAS VEGAS...... 9-26-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 Jeff Bliss reports while Las Vegas is struggling, two planned communities, Cadence and Summerlin, are prospering due to master-planned amenities, strong schools, and feeding Vegas with upper management. 915-930 Jeff Bliss reports while Las Vegas is struggling, two planned communities, Cadence and Summerlin, are prospering due to master-planned amenities, strong schools, and feeding Vegas with upper management. 930-945 Richard Epstein analyzes James Comey's indictment as presidential vengeance using a potentially strong legal case. He argues Trump acts illegally in Venezuela to be feared, benefiting from lack of legal resistance. 945-1000 Richard Epstein analyzes James Comey's indictment as presidential vengeance using a potentially strong legal case. He argues Trump acts illegally in Venezuela to be feared, benefiting from lack of legal resistance. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Gene Marks reports that massive spending by tech giants on data centers is driving demand for aluminum, steel, and copper, offsetting the softening commercial construction market. 1015-1030 Gene Marks reports that massive spending by tech giants on data centers is driving demand for aluminum, steel, and copper, offsetting the softening commercial construction market. 1030-1045 Bob Zimmerman discusses a brilliant concept by European engineers: "tumbleweed" rovers. These swarm vehicles would roll across Mars, blown by the wind, acting as weather stations. 1045-1100 Bob Zimmerman discusses a brilliant concept by European engineers: "tumbleweed" rovers. These swarm vehicles would roll across Mars, blown by the wind, acting as weather stations. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Henry Sokolski discusses the scope of the "Golden Dome" for America, questioning if it should protect space access, LEO, or cis-lunar space. Its potential reorientation to counter Chinese/Russian threats is necessary. 1115-1130 Henry Sokolski discusses the scope of the "Golden Dome" for America, questioning if it should protect space access, LEO, or cis-lunar space. Its potential reorientation to counter Chinese/Russian threats is necessary. 1130-1145 Brandon Weichert discusses AI growth driven by massive data centers, facing bottlenecks in land, energy, and fresh water access. The Chips Act struggles; the economic boom risks are significant if high-end chip access is lost. 1145-1200 Preview: Dr. Henry Miller celebrates vaccines for dramatically increasing longevity and eradicating diseases like polio. He notes the success of COVID-19 shots and criticizes the NIH for defunding promising mRNA cancer research. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Preview: Conrad Black endorses Tony Blair for leading the Gaza International Transitional Authority under a proposed Trump peace plan. Blair is viewed as fair and capable of removing Hamas influence. 1215-1230 Preview: Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan, the current center of worldwide fashion, shows no recession signs. High-end spending, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife suggest people have money to spend. 1230-1245 Preview: Juliana Geran Pilon discusses how Founding Fathers viewed the Hebrew nation as an ideal for America, rooted in a divine creator. She warns that moral relativism and secularism now assault this core foundation. 1245-100 AM Preview: Juliana Geran Pilon discusses how Founding Fathers viewed the Hebrew nation as an ideal for America, rooted in a divine creator. She warns that moral relativism and secularism now assault this core foundation.

Preview: Juliana Geran Pilon discusses how Founding Fathers viewed the Hebrew nation as an ideal for America, rooted in a divine creator. She warns that moral relativism and secularism now assault this core foundation. 1789 APRIL 30

Preview: Juliana Geran Pilon discusses how Founding Fathers viewed the Hebrew nation as an ideal for America, rooted in a divine creator. She warns that moral relativism and secularism now assault this core foundation. 1781 OHIO RIVER VALLEY

Preview: Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan, the current center of worldwide fashion, shows no recession signs. High-end spending, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife suggest people have money to spend. 1540 MILAN

Conrad Black endorses Tony Blair for leading the Gaza International Transitional Authority under a proposed Trump peace plan. Blair is viewed as fair and capable of removing Hamas influence. 1950 BEERSHEBA GAZA

Preview: Dr. Henry Miller celebrates vaccines for dramatically increasing longevity and eradicating diseases like polio. He notes the success of COVID-19 shots and criticizes the NIH for defunding promising mRNA cancer research. 1919

Brandon Weichert discusses AI growth driven by massive data centers, facing bottlenecks in land, energy, and fresh water access. The Chips Act struggles; the economic boom risks are significant if high-end chip access is lost. 1952

Henry Sokolski discusses the scope of the "Golden Dome" for America, questioning if it should protect space access, LEO, or cis-lunar space. Its potential reorientation to counter Chinese/Russian threats is necessary. 1955

Henry Sokolski discusses the scope of the "Golden Dome" for America, questioning if it should protect space access, LEO, or cis-lunar space. Its potential reorientation to counter Chinese/Russian threats is necessary. 1959