Episode
#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
1:10:19
Published: Sat Mar 07 2020
Description
Lee Smolin is a theoretical physicist, co-inventor of loop quantum gravity, and a contributor of many interesting ideas to cosmology, quantum field theory, the foundations of quantum mechanics, theoretical biology, and the philosophy of science. He is the author of several books including one that critiques the state of physics and string theory called The Trouble with Physics, and his latest book, Einstein's Unfinished Revolution: The Search for What Lies Beyond the Quantum. EPISODE LINKS: Books mentioned: - Einstein's Unfinished Revolution by Lee Smolin: https://amzn.to/2TsF5c3 - The Trouble With Physics by Lee Smolin: https://amzn.to/2v1FMzy - Against Method by Paul Feyerabend: https://amzn.to/2VOPXCD 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. This episode is presented by Cash App. Download it (App Store, Google Play), use code "LexPodcast". 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 03:03 - What is real? 05:03 - Scientific method and scientific progress 24:57 - Eric Weinstein and radical ideas in science 29:32 - Quantum mechanics and general relativity 47:24 - Sean Carroll and many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics 55:33 - Principles in science 57:24 - String theory
Chapters
Theoretical physicist and co-inventor of Loop Quantum Gravity, Lee Smolin, discusses the concept and the potential it holds for understanding the nature of space, time, and the universe, while also sharing his thoughts on the current state of physics and the importance of philosophy in science.
00:00 - 01:52 (01:52)
Summary
Theoretical physicist and co-inventor of Loop Quantum Gravity, Lee Smolin, discusses the concept and the potential it holds for understanding the nature of space, time, and the universe, while also sharing his thoughts on the current state of physics and the importance of philosophy in science.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The host discusses the nature of money and reality, including the creation of the US dollar over 200 years ago and the release of Bitcoin just over 10 years ago.
01:52 - 06:44 (04:52)
Summary
The host discusses the nature of money and reality, including the creation of the US dollar over 200 years ago and the release of Bitcoin just over 10 years ago. He also ponders the existence of a world independent of our experience and knowledge of it.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The scientific community is structured in a way that allows for rigorous experimentation and peer review, which ultimately leads to a better understanding of the world around us and advances in technology.
06:44 - 17:05 (10:20)
Summary
The scientific community is structured in a way that allows for rigorous experimentation and peer review, which ultimately leads to a better understanding of the world around us and advances in technology.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The discussion explores if our perceptions and conscious mind play a role in making things become in reality.
17:06 - 25:36 (08:30)
Summary
The discussion explores if our perceptions and conscious mind play a role in making things become in reality. Additionally, the limitations of our cognitive abilities are discussed.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on the importance of hard work in developing abilities like musical talents and whether innate ability is necessary to study physics.
25:36 - 31:30 (05:53)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the importance of hard work in developing abilities like musical talents and whether innate ability is necessary to study physics. He also mentions the significance of quantum theory and its paradoxical nature in particle-wave duality for photons.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The discussion explores the idea that space-time is an emergent phenomena and may not be fundamental, and how finding the right completion or extension of quantum mechanics would incorporate space-time and gravity.
31:30 - 39:31 (08:00)
Summary
The discussion explores the idea that space-time is an emergent phenomena and may not be fundamental, and how finding the right completion or extension of quantum mechanics would incorporate space-time and gravity.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Discussing the reality of particle measurements and emergent properties which are properties that arise at a level more complex than the fundamental level and cannot be explained by the properties of the fundamental things.
39:31 - 45:28 (05:57)
Summary
Discussing the reality of particle measurements and emergent properties which are properties that arise at a level more complex than the fundamental level and cannot be explained by the properties of the fundamental things. It is not true that whatever is real about particle B is unaffected by the observer's choice in measuring particle A.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Quantum Mechanics theories have been all over, but none of them have completely addressed the problems that people care about.
45:28 - 49:49 (04:21)
Summary
Quantum Mechanics theories have been all over, but none of them have completely addressed the problems that people care about. It is time to come together, learn to listen and collaborate to solve these problems.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The importance of tying down principles in the field of science, specifically in the context of string theory, is discussed in this excerpt from a podcast interview.
49:49 - 58:33 (08:43)
Summary
The importance of tying down principles in the field of science, specifically in the context of string theory, is discussed in this excerpt from a podcast interview.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Carlo Rovelli discusses how his quest for a quantum theory of gravity led him to develop loop quantum gravity, and the limitations of string theory.
58:34 - 1:08:45 (10:11)
Summary
Carlo Rovelli discusses how his quest for a quantum theory of gravity led him to develop loop quantum gravity, and the limitations of string theory.
Episode#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Lee Smolin speaks about the upcoming quantum gravity conference that features organizers and speakers from different communities and expresses the importance of diverse ideas coming together.
1:08:45 - 1:09:59 (01:14)
Summary
Lee Smolin speaks about the upcoming quantum gravity conference that features organizers and speakers from different communities and expresses the importance of diverse ideas coming together. The podcast contains an ad for Cash App in support of the FIRST organization.