Episode
#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
2:47:04
Published: Mon Apr 13 2020
Description
Eric Weinstein is a mathematician with a bold and piercing intelligence, unafraid to explore the biggest questions in the universe and shine a light on the darkest corners of our society. He is the host of The Portal podcast, a part of which, he recently released his 2013 Oxford lecture on his theory of Geometric Unity that is at the center of his lifelong efforts in arriving at a theory of everything that unifies the fundamental laws of physics. Support this podcast by signing up with these sponsors: - Cash App - use code "LexPodcast" and download: - Cash App (App Store): https://apple.co/2sPrUHe - Cash App (Google Play): https://bit.ly/2MlvP5w EPISODE LINKS: Eric's Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricRWeinstein Eric's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ericweinsteinphd The Portal podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-portal/id1469999563 Graph, Wall, Tome wiki: https://theportal.wiki/wiki/Graph,_Wall,_Tome This conversation is part of the Artificial Intelligence podcast. If you would like to get more information about this podcast go to https://lexfridman.com/ai or connect with @lexfridman on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, or YouTube where you can watch the video versions of these conversations. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate it 5 stars on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify, or support it on Patreon. Here's the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. OUTLINE: 00:00 - Introduction 02:08 - World War II and the Coronavirus Pandemic 14:03 - New leaders 31:18 - Hope for our time 34:23 - WHO 44:19 - Geometric unity 1:38:55 - We need to get off this planet 1:40:47 - Elon Musk 1:46:58 - Take Back MIT 2:15:31 - The time at Harvard 2:37:01 - The Portal 2:42:58 - Legacy
Chapters
The host of the Portal podcast discusses the Soviet custom of newlyweds visiting war memorials on their wedding day and thanks Cash App engineers for solving a problem that provides an easy interface for trading stocks.
00:00 - 04:35 (04:35)
Summary
The host of the Portal podcast discusses the Soviet custom of newlyweds visiting war memorials on their wedding day and thanks Cash App engineers for solving a problem that provides an easy interface for trading stocks. He also talks about his 2013 Oxford lecture on his theory of geometric unity.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The pandemic has caused a significant amount of quiet suffering such as anxiety, job loss, and stress-induced illnesses.
04:35 - 11:53 (07:17)
Summary
The pandemic has caused a significant amount of quiet suffering such as anxiety, job loss, and stress-induced illnesses. The military is one of the few places where people can relate to this struggle, but the general population needs to understand the severity and impact of this issue.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The current crisis presents an opportunity to show heroic character and patriotism by utilizing extraordinary powers, protecting ourselves and others by wearing masks, and sacrificing supplies for those on the front lines.
11:53 - 17:38 (05:44)
Summary
The current crisis presents an opportunity to show heroic character and patriotism by utilizing extraordinary powers, protecting ourselves and others by wearing masks, and sacrificing supplies for those on the front lines.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of becoming a leader who can inspire a sense of community and motivate people to overcome hardship.
17:38 - 24:45 (07:06)
Summary
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of becoming a leader who can inspire a sense of community and motivate people to overcome hardship. They encourage individuals to aim for leadership positions that have a mark of respectability to inspire change more effectively.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares their concerns about the ongoing pandemic and the resulting economic impact on small businesses, feeling weak for not being able to do more, and the importance of fighting for something bigger than oneself.
24:45 - 29:59 (05:14)
Summary
The speaker shares their concerns about the ongoing pandemic and the resulting economic impact on small businesses, feeling weak for not being able to do more, and the importance of fighting for something bigger than oneself.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The removal of weak leaders and replacing them with more capable individuals is necessary for progress to be made in institutions.
29:59 - 35:08 (05:09)
Summary
The removal of weak leaders and replacing them with more capable individuals is necessary for progress to be made in institutions. Large-scale projects such as space exploration and infrastructure development require significant investment to drive innovation.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The skills needed to win war games might not be the same as the skills needed to win in actual wars.
35:08 - 41:53 (06:44)
Summary
The skills needed to win war games might not be the same as the skills needed to win in actual wars. Great leaders should take risks and inspire hard work, even if it means dealing with difficult truths during times of comfort.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker discusses the need to inject diversity and dissent into science and math fields, as well as challenging the current dogmatic approach to these subjects.
41:53 - 48:10 (06:16)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker discusses the need to inject diversity and dissent into science and math fields, as well as challenging the current dogmatic approach to these subjects. Additionally, he suggests the replacement of space-time in physics with something closely related yet distinct.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conversation discusses the difference between artificial intelligence and actual intelligence, and reflects on the challenges in developing truly advanced AI.
48:10 - 54:18 (06:08)
Summary
The conversation discusses the difference between artificial intelligence and actual intelligence, and reflects on the challenges in developing truly advanced AI.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The academic community's system of selective pressure has the potential to eliminate innovative thinkers, and it's possible for academics to feel weighed down when forced to succeed.
54:18 - 1:03:04 (08:45)
Summary
The academic community's system of selective pressure has the potential to eliminate innovative thinkers, and it's possible for academics to feel weighed down when forced to succeed.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The theory that Einstein sets the canvas of the universe and then we order all the stuff to create the picture is being challenged by the hand that draws itself theory which posits that the canvas generates the paintbrushes and vice versa.
1:03:05 - 1:12:25 (09:19)
Summary
The theory that Einstein sets the canvas of the universe and then we order all the stuff to create the picture is being challenged by the hand that draws itself theory which posits that the canvas generates the paintbrushes and vice versa. Understanding the source code of the universe requires a view that can reconcile these two theories.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The space of all rulers and protractors can possibly come very close to having rulers and protractors on it, making it a 14-dimensional world according to Einstein.
1:12:25 - 1:21:34 (09:09)
Summary
The space of all rulers and protractors can possibly come very close to having rulers and protractors on it, making it a 14-dimensional world according to Einstein. Einstein claimed that rulers and protractors are crucial in measuring length and angle in the world and not just the four degrees of freedom.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Eric provides an unofficial but understandable explanation of gauge theory, a theory of differentiation where you calculate the rise over run from a custom reference level.
1:21:34 - 1:28:16 (06:41)
Summary
Eric provides an unofficial but understandable explanation of gauge theory, a theory of differentiation where you calculate the rise over run from a custom reference level.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The 14 dimensional world looks like a four dimensional world plus a 10 dimensional complement, and the naturally occurring spinners can be pulled back from the 14 dimensional manifold to a chimeric tangent bundle on a closely tied system, which miraculously resembles the adorn spinners of ordinary reality.
1:28:17 - 1:34:05 (05:48)
Summary
The 14 dimensional world looks like a four dimensional world plus a 10 dimensional complement, and the naturally occurring spinners can be pulled back from the 14 dimensional manifold to a chimeric tangent bundle on a closely tied system, which miraculously resembles the adorn spinners of ordinary reality.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Graph Wall Tome Project is a discussion on how to understand the deep concepts presented in the book, and to enjoy the beauty of the theory without necessarily understanding its depth.
1:34:07 - 1:39:04 (04:57)
Summary
The Graph Wall Tome Project is a discussion on how to understand the deep concepts presented in the book, and to enjoy the beauty of the theory without necessarily understanding its depth. It aims to bring people together to share and enjoy the passion of the book and to learn some aspects of the theory along the way.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how some people view Elon Musk as the most brilliant and capable person on the planet, citing examples of things he has achieved that didn't happen for Newton.
1:39:04 - 1:45:16 (06:11)
Summary
The speaker discusses how some people view Elon Musk as the most brilliant and capable person on the planet, citing examples of things he has achieved that didn't happen for Newton. However, the speaker is uncertain whether to share this view.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The belief that there is a more fundamental theory of the universe is a dangerous statement but it gives hope that it can be found through elegance and beauty.
1:45:16 - 1:47:46 (02:30)
Summary
The belief that there is a more fundamental theory of the universe is a dangerous statement but it gives hope that it can be found through elegance and beauty.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker advocates for insulating "sharp mind" researchers from those who would exploit them and speaks out against the treatment of Aaron Swartz by journal publishers and MIT.
1:47:46 - 1:53:09 (05:22)
Summary
The speaker advocates for insulating "sharp mind" researchers from those who would exploit them and speaks out against the treatment of Aaron Swartz by journal publishers and MIT.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker highlights the need to hire capable individuals and overcome biases against technical subjects, instead of relying on cheap labor from other countries.
1:53:09 - 1:56:15 (03:06)
Summary
The speaker highlights the need to hire capable individuals and overcome biases against technical subjects, instead of relying on cheap labor from other countries. They also emphasize the importance of individuality and encouraging the skills of "geeks."
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker emphasizes the need to remove the unworkable leadership class from institutions through a neutron bomb approach, saving the institutions and their structures.
1:56:15 - 2:02:34 (06:18)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the need to remove the unworkable leadership class from institutions through a neutron bomb approach, saving the institutions and their structures. However, the discussion is not welcomed in the institution.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of institutional betrayal occurs when individuals are victimized by trusted authority figures, which can lead to a loss of faith in institutions.
2:02:35 - 2:11:39 (09:04)
Summary
The concept of institutional betrayal occurs when individuals are victimized by trusted authority figures, which can lead to a loss of faith in institutions. This can also lead to individuals doubting the credibility of other institutions, making it difficult for them to trust.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on the topic of hope in institutions and wonders if it is still possible to have faith in them.
2:11:39 - 2:16:40 (05:00)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the topic of hope in institutions and wonders if it is still possible to have faith in them. They discuss personal experiences with music, dance, math, and physics, and express a desire for MIT to be more transparent about certain events.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Institutions such as hotels, resorts, and academia have two structures- one visible to the public and one that remains hidden.
2:16:41 - 2:23:08 (06:26)
Summary
Institutions such as hotels, resorts, and academia have two structures- one visible to the public and one that remains hidden. This secret structure often operates in a manner different from the public one, creating discrepancies in favoritism and decisions.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The academic job market is flawed because the system cannot support an unlimited number of PhD students, and therefore, a limited number of PhD programs that lead to teaching and research positions should be the focus instead.
2:23:09 - 2:29:10 (06:01)
Summary
The academic job market is flawed because the system cannot support an unlimited number of PhD students, and therefore, a limited number of PhD programs that lead to teaching and research positions should be the focus instead.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker expresses concern about the judgments and assumptions made in a system and how they are dealt with, particularly in cases where there are individuals with confusing attributes, and mentions a fight and evolution that may follow.
2:29:12 - 2:37:01 (07:49)
Summary
The speaker expresses concern about the judgments and assumptions made in a system and how they are dealt with, particularly in cases where there are individuals with confusing attributes, and mentions a fight and evolution that may follow. The topic of special exemption and the breaking of rules is introduced.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The host discusses his approach to interviews and how he navigates conversations in a direction that he thinks would be more impactful with his guests.
2:37:01 - 2:41:31 (04:29)
Summary
The host discusses his approach to interviews and how he navigates conversations in a direction that he thinks would be more impactful with his guests.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conversation highlights the importance of giving credit where it's due and how it's not just about getting the goodies but acknowledging the people who contributed to the success.
2:41:31 - 2:43:21 (01:50)
Summary
The conversation highlights the importance of giving credit where it's due and how it's not just about getting the goodies but acknowledging the people who contributed to the success.
Episode#88 – Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas, Leaders & Institutions
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman concludes his interview with Eric Weinstein, discussing Weinstein's greatest accomplishment in terms of accuracy.
2:43:21 - 2:46:39 (03:17)
Summary
Lex Fridman concludes his interview with Eric Weinstein, discussing Weinstein's greatest accomplishment in terms of accuracy. Fridman also thanks his guest and encourages listeners to support the podcast through Cash App.