P vs NP problem

10/11/21 • 11 min

In this episode I’ll discuss one of the most important problems in computing: the P versus NP problem. This is one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems, unsolved challenges in mathematics.
The P vs NP problem concerns the field of computational complexity, a domain where theoretical computer science and maths regularly work together, and, in essence, it asks whether problems that have easily verifiable solutions also have reasonably fast ways to find these solutions. The answer to the problem has huge consequences for the limits of computer science, as well as the nature of creative genius itself.
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Previous Episode

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

This episode is a bit different to the previous ones because neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have treatments, so their biology is not beyond the horizon of science. However, in sharp contrast to how curable they are, 1.7 billion people still suffer their effects, and few of the general public elsewhere are aware of the terrible socioeconomic problem they present.
In this episode I discuss what neglected tropical diseases are, how they devastate communities, and why they persist despite the effective treatments available. Then I shift to a message of hope, documenting the work of the past and ending with faith in global collaboration.
https://whatwedontknow.buzzsprout.com/

Next Episode

Protein folding

This episode is about protein folding, specifically the protein folding problem that has pervaded biochemistry since 1960, when the first atomic-resolution protein structure was presented. First I will explain what proteins are, why they are important, what they are made of - proteins 101 - then begin unravelling the problem of how they fold. We will explore the motivations behind the problem and its greatest challenges. Finally we’ll consider the existing methods for determining protein structure, with particular focus on DeepMind’s AlphaFold, before finishing with the future of protein folding.
https://whatwedontknow.buzzsprout.com/

What We Don't Know - P vs NP problem

Transcript

Hello everyone, welcome to the sixth episode of ‘What We Don’t Know’, a podcast that explores the boundaries of human knowledge, investigating the unanswered questions and theories that unravel them at the frontiers of science. During this podcast I hope to get you interested in new areas of science, maths and technology, teaching you about existing concepts and igniting a curiosity for the things we have yet to know.

In this episode I’ll discuss one of the most important proble