When Netflix Explained the Multiverse
Dear Magicians,
Let’s talk about parallel universes.
Not in the way physicists do, with our equations and accelerators and our tendency to make your brain hurt.
Simpler.
Open Netflix. Look at your screen. Notice what you’re not watching. Every show you’re not selecting right now exists in a kind of parallel universe of content, waiting to be observed.
Interesting.
Think about what happens when you hit “play.” You’ve collapsed infinite viewing possibilities into one reality. Your roommate’s reality might involve “Love Is Blind.” Your reality? “How the Universe Works.”
Both valid.
Both existing simultaneously until observed.
Consider this.
Every time you scroll past “Tiger King,” somewhere in another universe, you’re watching it. In another, you’re the tiger king. In yet another, tigers evolved opposable thumbs and are watching shows about human kings.
Physics is weird like that.
But here’s where it gets fascinating. Just as Netflix suggests shows based on what you’ve watched, our universe might be one of countless variations, each slightly different. Each based on previous “selections” in the cosmic algorithm.
Think about that.
Right now, in a parallel universe, you’re not reading this newsletter. You’re writing it. And I’m the one learning about multiverses through streaming service analogies.
Maybe.
The math suggests it’s possible. The physics doesn’t rule it out. And Netflix’s “recommended for you” section keeps getting eerily accurate.
Think about it.
Test your assumptions about reality.
And maybe reconsider that show you’ve been avoiding. In another universe, it’s your favorite.
[Watch my full exploration of multiverse theory here with Latham Boyle]
Until next time, have a M.A.G.I.C. Week,
Brian
Appearance
I joined Spencer Klavan on Young Heretics, where he brings his unique classical scholar’s perspective to modern culture wars. From reciting Homer in ancient Greek to dissecting today’s ideological battles, Spencer’s podcast stands out in an overcrowded space. (You might remember him from our fascinating INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE conversation about classical wisdom in the age of AI.)
Together, we explored history’s most elegant troublemaker: Galileo Galilei. From his revolutionary defense of heliocentrism to his complex relationship with the Church, we unpack how this brilliant mathematician transformed not just science, but the very way we question authority. Learn why Galileo’s defiance wasn’t just about telescopes and planets — it was about the right to challenge accepted wisdom with evidence. His story matters now more than ever.
Watch to my appearance on Young Heretics here.
And catch Spencer’s INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE episode here.
Genius
Stanford researchers have achieved a genius-level breakthrough in personalized medicine by creating the first-ever cellular-resolution digital twin of a human organ. The team mapped over 50 million cells in a donated heart using advanced AI imaging techniques, creating an unprecedented digital replica that functions like the original. This revolutionary development allows doctors to simulate different treatments and their outcomes with extraordinary precision, potentially transforming how we approach cardiac care. Led by Dr. Sarah Chen, the project combines cutting-edge machine learning with molecular biology to predict patient-specific responses to medications and interventions. The implications extend beyond cardiology — their framework could eventually enable digital twins of any organ system, ushering in a new era of precision medicine where treatments are tested virtually before being administered to patients.
Although originally compiled for journalists, these tools are indispensable for anyone who wants to think critically and verify what they read, watch, or share online.
Image
Which looks cooler, the @SimonsObs Small (left) or (Large) Aperture Telescope?
Photos by Suzanne Staggs
Conversation
Ever wonder if there’s a mirror universe or how we might talk to aliens light-years away?
Join my electrifying conversation with theoretical physicist Latham Boyle as we unravel mind-bending possibilities about the cosmos and our place within it.
Advertisement
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to elevate your knowledge and decision-making with Consensus Premium.
Consensus Premium harnesses cutting-edge AI to sift through thousands of research papers, delivering clear, evidence-backed answers to your toughest questions. Whether you’re a curious mind, a scientist, or a student of life, this is your chance to access the world’s best knowledge with zero strings attached.
Sign up for one year for free with code KEATING25 just for listeners of The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast and get all of 2025 for free!
Expires on June 30, 2025
