Episode
Leonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
57:40
Published: Thu Sep 26 2019
Description
Leonard Susskind is a professor of theoretical physics at Stanford University, and founding director of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics. He is widely regarded as one of the fathers of string theory and in general as one of the greatest physicists of our time both as a researcher and an educator. 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 iTunes or support it on Patreon. Here's the outline with timestamps for this episode (on some players you can click on the timestamp to jump to that point in the episode): 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - Richard Feynman 02:09 - Visualization and intuition 06:45 - Ego in Science 09:27 - Academia 11:18 - Developing ideas 12:12 - Quantum computers 21:37 - Universe as an information processing system 26:35 - Machine learning 29:47 - Predicting the future 30:48 - String theory 37:03 - Free will 39:26 - Arrow of time 46:39 - Universe as a computer 49:45 - Big bang 50:50 - Infinity 51:35 - First image of a black hole 54:08 - Questions within the reach of science 55:55 - Questions out of reach of science
Chapters
In this conversation with Lex Friedman, Leonard Susskind, professor of theoretical physics at Stanford University, discusses Richard Feynman's influence on his work as a physicist and thinker.
00:00 - 01:53 (01:53)
Summary
In this conversation with Lex Friedman, Leonard Susskind, professor of theoretical physics at Stanford University, discusses Richard Feynman's influence on his work as a physicist and thinker. Feynman's intuitive approach to physics, based on visualizing phenomena, inspired Susskind to outflank highly mathematical and technical arguments.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The possibility of creating neuron-like state devices that can more naturally understand and process quantum mechanics is explored, as humans are inherently wired to visualize three dimensions and struggle to grasp higher dimensions.
01:53 - 07:15 (05:21)
Summary
The possibility of creating neuron-like state devices that can more naturally understand and process quantum mechanics is explored, as humans are inherently wired to visualize three dimensions and struggle to grasp higher dimensions.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The guest discusses his experience of transitioning from feeling like an outsider in academic physics to becoming one of the ultimate insiders and how the ego can play a role in academic environments.
07:16 - 11:34 (04:18)
Summary
The guest discusses his experience of transitioning from feeling like an outsider in academic physics to becoming one of the ultimate insiders and how the ego can play a role in academic environments.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Professor John Preskill explains the limitations of quantum computing and how it operates by carrying out quantum operations through a quantum mechanical system.
11:34 - 22:34 (11:00)
Summary
Professor John Preskill explains the limitations of quantum computing and how it operates by carrying out quantum operations through a quantum mechanical system. He also discusses the similarities in the physics of large quantum computers and large quantum black holes.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Physicist, Max Tegmark, discusses the similarities and potential intersection between the mathematical structures of quantum physics and machine learning algorithms, predicting the possibility of evolving systems and discovering new implications for consciousness.
22:34 - 31:16 (08:41)
Summary
Physicist, Max Tegmark, discusses the similarities and potential intersection between the mathematical structures of quantum physics and machine learning algorithms, predicting the possibility of evolving systems and discovering new implications for consciousness.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
String theory is not a subject in itself but rather a quantum mechanical system that helps physicists understand the connection between gravity and quantum mechanics, as it provides a mathematically precise framework for both to exist in a consistent way.
31:16 - 35:48 (04:32)
Summary
String theory is not a subject in itself but rather a quantum mechanical system that helps physicists understand the connection between gravity and quantum mechanics, as it provides a mathematically precise framework for both to exist in a consistent way.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Theories of how quantum mechanics emerge from classical physics suggest that there is a substructure to the world that is classical and deterministic, which then becomes probabilistic and uncertain.
35:48 - 39:15 (03:26)
Summary
Theories of how quantum mechanics emerge from classical physics suggest that there is a substructure to the world that is classical and deterministic, which then becomes probabilistic and uncertain. The implications of this for our understanding of free will at a human level remain unclear.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The arrow of time is not a necessary consideration for many physical phenomena.
39:15 - 43:11 (03:56)
Summary
The arrow of time is not a necessary consideration for many physical phenomena. Time may be an emergent phenomenon and it is possible to make a system go backwards in a laboratory setting.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea of looking at the universe as a simulation, as a computer program, is discussed.
43:11 - 49:14 (06:02)
Summary
The idea of looking at the universe as a simulation, as a computer program, is discussed. If we could build a big and robust enough quantum computer, we could simulate a small anti-dissitter universe, but it should not be confused with time travel.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The understanding of black holes may lie in the hands of computer scientists and neuroscientists who can create machines that learn and evolve their own architecture as a process of learning.
49:14 - 55:24 (06:10)
Summary
The understanding of black holes may lie in the hands of computer scientists and neuroscientists who can create machines that learn and evolve their own architecture as a process of learning. Despite the advancements in measuring black holes, such as LIGO, it may not provide new information on black holes.
EpisodeLeonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Black Holes
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Exploring the intelligence of computers through their ability to play chess against one another, potentially leading to greater insights into human intelligence and cognition.
55:24 - 57:25 (02:00)
Summary
Exploring the intelligence of computers through their ability to play chess against one another, potentially leading to greater insights into human intelligence and cognition. The teaching method involves the computers playing against each other rather than being directly trained to play chess.