Episode
#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
2:18:36
Published: Mon Jul 26 2021
Description
Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Headspace: https://headspace.com/lex to get free 1 month trial - The Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.youtube.com/thejordanharbingershow - Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off - Allform: https://allform.com/lex to get 20% off EPISODE LINKS: Cumrun's Twitter: https://twitter.com/cumrunv Cumrun's Website: https://www.cumrunvafa.org Puzzles to Unravel the Universe (book): https://amzn.to/3BFk5ms 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 (07:08) - Difference between math and physics (09:51) - Evolution of quantum mechanics (13:09) - Can mathematics lead humanity off track (14:07) - Beauty in mathematics (19:27) - Philosophers using symmetry (25:20) - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality (28:32) - Key ideas in the history of physics (31:26) - Einstein's special relativity (35:03) - Physicists building intuition (43:01) - Best work by Einstein (44:45) - Quantum mechanics (54:47) - Quantum gravity (57:02) - String theory (1:13:11) - 10th Dimension (1:19:48) - Skepticism regarding string theory (1:30:53) - Key figures in string theory (1:35:13) - String Theory's Nobel Prize (1:38:18) - Edward Witten (1:46:56) - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands (1:55:46) - Theories of everything (2:10:12) - Advice for young people (2:13:14) - Death
Chapters
String theory, which combines quantum mechanics and general relativity, was once considered the best candidate for a theory of everything but has fallen out of favor in the physics community as it has not made any novel predictions that could be validated by experiment.
00:00 - 02:00 (02:00)
Summary
String theory, which combines quantum mechanics and general relativity, was once considered the best candidate for a theory of everything but has fallen out of favor in the physics community as it has not made any novel predictions that could be validated by experiment. However, it remains a contender for such a theory.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion between experts on what makes for a productive or effective life, including the option for listeners to submit stories about their participation in challenges.
02:00 - 07:30 (05:29)
Summary
A discussion between experts on what makes for a productive or effective life, including the option for listeners to submit stories about their participation in challenges. One speaker discusses their personal use of structured and unstructured meditation sessions.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker highlights the importance of the philosophical flavor in science as opposed to deducing principles one after another because the third or fourth principle is often the correct one.
07:30 - 21:10 (13:40)
Summary
The speaker highlights the importance of the philosophical flavor in science as opposed to deducing principles one after another because the third or fourth principle is often the correct one. He believes that history will remember the philosophical ideas of physics, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of symmetry is an important tool in physics, and it can help us understand where objects will end up or where symmetry breakings occur due to perturbations.
21:10 - 25:11 (04:00)
Summary
The concept of symmetry is an important tool in physics, and it can help us understand where objects will end up or where symmetry breakings occur due to perturbations. The idea of a preferred lowest energy point is also related to symmetry and can be observed in physical phenomena.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Modern physics concepts are still being driven by the same principles that the Greeks used to connect geometry and symmetries to nature.
25:11 - 33:39 (08:28)
Summary
Modern physics concepts are still being driven by the same principles that the Greeks used to connect geometry and symmetries to nature. The presence of symmetries related to rotation and discrete symmetries in extra shapes and sizes can create forces, like electric, strong and weak forces, through the space being quotiented by the symmetries.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Physicist Janna Levin discusses the possibility of using meditation to understand the edges of supermassive black holes and to escape our wrong understanding of time as absolute.
33:39 - 40:07 (06:28)
Summary
Physicist Janna Levin discusses the possibility of using meditation to understand the edges of supermassive black holes and to escape our wrong understanding of time as absolute.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode delves into the differences between special relativity and general relativity, with a focus on Einstein's development of both theories and his struggles with the emerging field of quantum mechanics.
40:07 - 46:01 (05:54)
Summary
This episode delves into the differences between special relativity and general relativity, with a focus on Einstein's development of both theories and his struggles with the emerging field of quantum mechanics. It also briefly touches on the connection between Newtonian mechanics and the Euler-Lagrange reformulation.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Physicists discuss their thoughts on whether or not they are satisfied with the theories of quantum mechanics and if it is the end of the story.
46:01 - 49:47 (03:45)
Summary
Physicists discuss their thoughts on whether or not they are satisfied with the theories of quantum mechanics and if it is the end of the story.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores the history of quantum mechanics, from the discovery of the dual nature of particles and waves to the prediction and discovery of antimatter.
49:47 - 54:37 (04:50)
Summary
This episode explores the history of quantum mechanics, from the discovery of the dual nature of particles and waves to the prediction and discovery of antimatter.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
String theory proposes that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are not particles, but instead one-dimensional strings or loops which have different harmonics, each of which is a particle.
54:37 - 1:02:49 (08:11)
Summary
String theory proposes that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are not particles, but instead one-dimensional strings or loops which have different harmonics, each of which is a particle.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea of extra dimensions in string theory initially helped avoid contradictions with our current understanding of physics, but later became essential in solving problems related to the unification of particles and forces.
1:02:49 - 1:10:18 (07:29)
Summary
The idea of extra dimensions in string theory initially helped avoid contradictions with our current understanding of physics, but later became essential in solving problems related to the unification of particles and forces. While there are different versions of string theory, the version that relates to particles such as electrons requires 10 dimensions.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode discusses the entropy of black holes, how throwing something into it can cause a decrease in entropy, and the intersection of different dimensional planes.
1:10:18 - 1:15:21 (05:02)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the entropy of black holes, how throwing something into it can cause a decrease in entropy, and the intersection of different dimensional planes.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker explains how to conceptualize a sphere by thinking about it as an interval with circles attached to each point, and expands on this to explain how you can have a sphere times a sphere times a sphere.
1:15:21 - 1:20:10 (04:49)
Summary
The speaker explains how to conceptualize a sphere by thinking about it as an interval with circles attached to each point, and expands on this to explain how you can have a sphere times a sphere times a sphere.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
String theory has been able to solve properties of particle physics models using holography, relating particle concepts to those of gravity.
1:20:10 - 1:26:27 (06:17)
Summary
String theory has been able to solve properties of particle physics models using holography, relating particle concepts to those of gravity. Though string theory lacks experimental evidence, its predictive ability sets it apart from non-scientific theories.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast explores the curious behavior of strings in higher-dimensional boxes, specifically in a toroidal universe, and how these dynamics differ from those in our four-dimensional reality.
1:26:27 - 1:30:53 (04:25)
Summary
This podcast explores the curious behavior of strings in higher-dimensional boxes, specifically in a toroidal universe, and how these dynamics differ from those in our four-dimensional reality.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
String theory has had a significant effect on various areas in physics and mathematics, including the work of prominent mind Edward Witten.
1:30:53 - 1:42:13 (11:19)
Summary
String theory has had a significant effect on various areas in physics and mathematics, including the work of prominent mind Edward Witten. With its elegance and rigor, mathematics complements the power of ideas in physics, leading to an increased understanding of the world around us.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses the symmetry in physics and its relation to collabials, exploring whether every field theory can be coupled to gravity in a quantum mechanical way.
1:42:13 - 1:48:21 (06:08)
Summary
This podcast discusses the symmetry in physics and its relation to collabials, exploring whether every field theory can be coupled to gravity in a quantum mechanical way. They also explore using physics to define new mathematics, and the physical intuition that could teach us about it.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Black holes can be used to check the relation between the mass and charge of elementary particles.
1:48:22 - 1:54:33 (06:11)
Summary
Black holes can be used to check the relation between the mass and charge of elementary particles. The mass of the electrons can be less than one but bigger than 10 to the minus 30 in our universe, and the set of consistent quantum field theories are infinite but humongous.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Loop quantum gravity is a theoretical framework that aims to describe the universe in terms of quantum mechanics, emphasizing topological gravity aspects.
1:54:34 - 2:00:55 (06:21)
Summary
Loop quantum gravity is a theoretical framework that aims to describe the universe in terms of quantum mechanics, emphasizing topological gravity aspects. Its ideas include taking points and putting them together in a discrete fashion, reminiscent of the plank scale, and aspects that were not initially thought of as part of the theory can be incorporated into it, as seen in string theory.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The emergence of complex structures like life and consciousness in our universe may require an understanding of new physical laws beyond what we currently know.
2:00:55 - 2:07:13 (06:17)
Summary
The emergence of complex structures like life and consciousness in our universe may require an understanding of new physical laws beyond what we currently know. It is possible that there are more fundamental laws that cannot be connected to the older laws we know.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode features a discussion on pursuing a fulfilling career and life, emphasizing the importance of following one's passions rather than societal expectations or preconceived notions of success.
2:07:14 - 2:13:33 (06:19)
Summary
This podcast episode features a discussion on pursuing a fulfilling career and life, emphasizing the importance of following one's passions rather than societal expectations or preconceived notions of success.
Episode#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the deeper truths of physics and how it connects us to immortality.
2:13:33 - 2:18:28 (04:55)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the deeper truths of physics and how it connects us to immortality. Through the beauty of universal truths that physics presents, we can appreciate the scarcity of life and perhaps find hope for the future through the advancements in physics.