The problem with the theory of everything | Janna Levin
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The hunt for the theory of everything continues but we wont find it without understanding quantum gravity first.
This interview is an episode from @The-Well, our publication about ideas that inspire a life well-lived, created with the@JohnTempletonFoundation.
Subscribe to The Well on YouTube https://bit.ly/thewell-youtube
Watch Janna Levins next interview https://youtu.be/9D4J_I7pQe8?si=a-DFNr3f2uOAnQu0
Theres a pursuit of simplicity and unification in theoretical physics, aiming for a single mathematical law to unify quantum mechanics and gravity: a theory of everything. But while other forces have been successfully unified, gravity resists integration casting doubt on the likelihood of ever unlocking the theory of all theories.
As physicist Janna Levin explains, black holes, with their strong space-time curvature, provide insights into this challenge. Levin draws parallels to mathematicians' incompleteness theorems, noting the inherent limitations in such an overarching theory.
Acknowledging the complexity of the endeavor, Levin emphasizes the need to embrace and explore gravity's enigmatic nature fully. In doing so, the pursuit of unification might still yield profound insights, even if a comprehensive theory of everything remains elusive.
Read the video transcript https://bigthink.com/the-well/the-theory-of-everything-458332?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
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About Janna Levin:
Janna Levin is a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is also director of sciences at Pioneer Works, a center for arts and sciences in Brooklyn, and has contributed to an understanding of black holes, the cosmology of extra dimensions, and gravitational waves in the shape of spacetime. Her previous books include How the Universe Got Its Spots and a novel, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, which won the PEN/Bingham Prize. She was recently named a Guggenheim fellow.
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About The Well
Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to lifes biggest questions, and thats why theyre the questions occupying the worlds brightest minds.
Together, let's learn from them.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter https://bit.ly/thewellemailsignup
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Join The Well on your favorite platforms:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/thewellFB
Instagram: https://bit.ly/thewellIG
This interview is an episode from @The-Well, our publication about ideas that inspire a life well-lived, created with the@JohnTempletonFoundation.
Subscribe to The Well on YouTube https://bit.ly/thewell-youtube
Watch Janna Levins next interview https://youtu.be/9D4J_I7pQe8?si=a-DFNr3f2uOAnQu0
Theres a pursuit of simplicity and unification in theoretical physics, aiming for a single mathematical law to unify quantum mechanics and gravity: a theory of everything. But while other forces have been successfully unified, gravity resists integration casting doubt on the likelihood of ever unlocking the theory of all theories.
As physicist Janna Levin explains, black holes, with their strong space-time curvature, provide insights into this challenge. Levin draws parallels to mathematicians' incompleteness theorems, noting the inherent limitations in such an overarching theory.
Acknowledging the complexity of the endeavor, Levin emphasizes the need to embrace and explore gravity's enigmatic nature fully. In doing so, the pursuit of unification might still yield profound insights, even if a comprehensive theory of everything remains elusive.
Read the video transcript https://bigthink.com/the-well/the-theory-of-everything-458332?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Janna Levin:
Janna Levin is a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is also director of sciences at Pioneer Works, a center for arts and sciences in Brooklyn, and has contributed to an understanding of black holes, the cosmology of extra dimensions, and gravitational waves in the shape of spacetime. Her previous books include How the Universe Got Its Spots and a novel, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, which won the PEN/Bingham Prize. She was recently named a Guggenheim fellow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more from The Well:
Few of us desire true equality. Its time to own up to it
https://bigthink.com/the-well/few-desire-true-equality-own-up/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
The case for dusking: In a world of light and noise, embracing the dark can be healing
https://bigthink.com/the-well/dusking-end-addiction-light/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Respect alchemy. The crazy, criminal pursuit gave us modern science
https://bigthink.com/the-well/crazy-criminal-alchemy-modern-science/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About The Well
Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to lifes biggest questions, and thats why theyre the questions occupying the worlds brightest minds.
Together, let's learn from them.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter https://bit.ly/thewellemailsignup
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join The Well on your favorite platforms:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/thewellFB
Instagram: https://bit.ly/thewellIG
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