The archive

August 27, 2026

364 | Stuart Firestein on How Science Relies on Ignorance and Failure

Sean Carroll's Mindscape · Stuart Firestein · 1 hr 16 min

Why we chose this episode

Firestein argues that science runs on ignorance rather than facts, and Carroll lets the idea breathe. A rare hour that makes not knowing feel like a skill.

Listen for this question

What would you do differently if you named what you do not know?

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Who it’s for: Anyone who was taught that expertise means having answers.

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