Episode
#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
1:52:11
Published: Wed Oct 20 2021
Description
Brian Greene is a theoretical physicist. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - The Prisoner Wine Company: https://theprisonerwine.com/lex to get 20% off & free shipping - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives EPISODE LINKS: Brian's Twitter: https://twitter.com/bgreene Brian's Website: http://www.briangreene.org/ Until the End of Time (book): https://amzn.to/2XuqXUi PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:53) - Entropy (15:01) - Consciousness (31:20) - Quantum gravity (34:40) - String theory (48:07) - Time (1:00:39) - Free will (1:05:02) - Emergence and complexity (1:12:14) - The Big Bang (1:25:13) - Extraterrestrial life (1:35:35) - Space exploration (1:43:33) - Fear of death
Chapters
The podcast host promotes Prisoner Wine, calling it their wine of choice due to its beautiful artwork and delicious taste, particularly recommending the Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon for pairing with a nice steak.
00:00 - 02:20 (02:20)
Summary
The podcast host promotes Prisoner Wine, calling it their wine of choice due to its beautiful artwork and delicious taste, particularly recommending the Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon for pairing with a nice steak. The host provides listeners with an offer code for first time online orders for US residents of legal drinking age through the end of December 2021.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The host discusses his interest in exploring the human mind through deep conversations with individuals.
02:20 - 06:59 (04:39)
Summary
The host discusses his interest in exploring the human mind through deep conversations with individuals. This episode also includes an advertisement for Element Electrolyte Drink and Blinkist.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Exploring the conditions for life beyond Earth involves looking at stars as a source of low entropy energy, studying the raw constituents that arise from supernova explosions, and analyzing atmospheres around distant planets to understand the possibility of life in the universe.
06:59 - 15:29 (08:29)
Summary
Exploring the conditions for life beyond Earth involves looking at stars as a source of low entropy energy, studying the raw constituents that arise from supernova explosions, and analyzing atmospheres around distant planets to understand the possibility of life in the universe.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Consciousness is not as mysterious as it appears, it is just a thing that happens when particles come together.
15:29 - 26:21 (10:52)
Summary
Consciousness is not as mysterious as it appears, it is just a thing that happens when particles come together. While animals experience consciousness in a more primitive way, humans' rich subjective experience is deeply coupled with language and poetry.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
As our understanding of the unknown grows larger and larger, the ratio of what we comprehend to what we don't understand becomes smaller.
26:21 - 34:40 (08:19)
Summary
As our understanding of the unknown grows larger and larger, the ratio of what we comprehend to what we don't understand becomes smaller. However, this influx of knowledge has the potential to enhance our appreciation and wonder of the world around us.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
String theory, the popular theory in theoretical physics which became more controversial in recent years, is a long-term pursuit that requires extensive research and understanding of complicated topics.
34:40 - 48:22 (13:41)
Summary
String theory, the popular theory in theoretical physics which became more controversial in recent years, is a long-term pursuit that requires extensive research and understanding of complicated topics. Despite its challenges, it continues to intrigue researchers who embrace the possibilities of extra dimensions and its influence on our world.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker suggests that although the fundamental level of time may not have causality built in, there is a basic notion of causality that emerges at the macro level with which we experience time.
48:22 - 58:11 (09:49)
Summary
The speaker suggests that although the fundamental level of time may not have causality built in, there is a basic notion of causality that emerges at the macro level with which we experience time. He also explains the impact of gravity on time and suggests that it is possible to extend human lifespan for time travel.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In a panpsychist world where consciousness permeates all matter, traveling may become super easy if the laws of physics that the consciousness operates under are understood.
58:11 - 1:06:07 (07:55)
Summary
In a panpsychist world where consciousness permeates all matter, traveling may become super easy if the laws of physics that the consciousness operates under are understood. There may be a way of communing with physical reality in a deeper way than we have so far.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on his experience of teaching about black holes and how it caused him to contemplate the relationship between the physical world and the human experience of emotions and free will.
1:06:07 - 1:14:36 (08:28)
Summary
The speaker reflects on his experience of teaching about black holes and how it caused him to contemplate the relationship between the physical world and the human experience of emotions and free will.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Some scientists are losing confidence in the dark energy theory, pointing out the aspects that make them skeptical, such as the theory's dependence on Einstein's general theory of relativity, its talk about minuscule length scales, and difficulty in explaining the value of dark energy using the units in quantum gravity.
1:14:36 - 1:20:42 (06:06)
Summary
Some scientists are losing confidence in the dark energy theory, pointing out the aspects that make them skeptical, such as the theory's dependence on Einstein's general theory of relativity, its talk about minuscule length scales, and difficulty in explaining the value of dark energy using the units in quantum gravity.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker talks about the fascination of simulating the early formation of the solar system and understanding the formation of the universe by simplifying and throwing away characteristics that are not vital to a full understanding.
1:20:42 - 1:25:18 (04:36)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker talks about the fascination of simulating the early formation of the solar system and understanding the formation of the universe by simplifying and throwing away characteristics that are not vital to a full understanding. They also discuss how cosmology is simplifying to give detailed simulations of star systems and galaxies.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Despite the importance of language and linguistics, humans are limited in their perceptual abilities which can hinder our understanding of the world around us.
1:25:18 - 1:35:35 (10:17)
Summary
Despite the importance of language and linguistics, humans are limited in their perceptual abilities which can hinder our understanding of the world around us. This may provide insight into the life question, but when it comes to civilization and consciousness, our direct sensory capabilities may be too limited to gain meaningful insights.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the possibility of space travel and exploration through the lens of engineering challenges and the importance of innovation and exploration.
1:35:35 - 1:43:03 (07:27)
Summary
The podcast discusses the possibility of space travel and exploration through the lens of engineering challenges and the importance of innovation and exploration.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The terror management theories created by social psychologists reveal the hidden influence of acknowledging mortality on human behavior and the creation of a sense of existential dread that leads to anxiety and fear of scarcity.
1:43:03 - 1:51:28 (08:24)
Summary
The terror management theories created by social psychologists reveal the hidden influence of acknowledging mortality on human behavior and the creation of a sense of existential dread that leads to anxiety and fear of scarcity.
Episode#232 – Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, Big Bang, Aliens, Life, Death, and Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Renowned physicist and author Brian Greene discusses his work and his love for physics.
1:51:28 - 1:52:01 (00:33)
Summary
Renowned physicist and author Brian Greene discusses his work and his love for physics.