Michael Peres sits down with Jesse Berezovsky, professor of physics at Case Western Reserve University, to explore quantum mechanics, music, intelligence, and the strange foundations of reality. From building room-temperature quantum systems to creating CatLand and even developing a physics-based approach to music theory, Jesse brings an unusually wide lens to some of science’s deepest questions. The uploaded transcript focuses on his path into lab physics, his many-worlds view of quantum mechanics, room-temperature quantum technology, AGI, and the surprising overlap between physics and music.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Jesse fell in love with physics by working hands-on in a lab and learning quantum mechanics through building
• Why he sees many-worlds as a compelling interpretation of quantum mechanics and what that means for reality
• What makes scalable room-temperature quantum technology so hard, and why new platforms still matter
• How music, phase transitions, and human cognition overlap in ways most people never consider
• Why Jesse is skeptical that current LLMs are the right path to AGI, despite rapid progress