Physicist Leonard Susskind clarifies that his ideas have been mainstream and he only deviates from traditional thinking when faced with conflicts of principle. He discusses the possibility of more contrarians emerging in physics due to the nature of modern experiments and the evolving paradigm. Susskind's ideas in physics come from conflicts or paradoxes in principles that drive him to understand and resolve them. The graviton, a hypothetical particle associated with gravity, is difficult to experimentally find. The origins of String Theory can be traced back to Susskind's recognition of familiar mathematical formulas in the context of quantum mechanics. While String Theory is a mathematical and consistent theory, it cannot fully describe the real world of particles without modifications or a bigger context. The puzzle of combining quantum mechanics and gravity is a major focus in theoretical physics. Unresolved questions about elementary particles and their behavior persist. The most profound aspect of the large unanswered questions in physics is the puzzle of dark energy and its small abundance. The holographic principle suggests that information falling into a black hole can be thought of as a hologram stuck on its horizons. The simulation hypothesis proposes that our reality is a computer program based on the laws of nature. Richard Feynman had a deep sense of grief and regret about his involvement in creating the atomic bomb. Physicist Leonard Susskind believes his job is to uncover knowledge about the world and improve it. The connection between wormholes and quantum entanglement is explored through the ER equals EPR hypothesis. Quantum teleportation cannot be used for intergalactic communication without also sending classical information. Quantum theory has already shaped technology, particularly in electronics, and has the potential to impact future technology. Teaching physics to the public is important for various reasons, including deepening understanding and distinguishing real science from fake science.
Being perceived as an outsider physicist
Leonard Susskind, a physicist, discusses the misconception that he is an alternative or radical thinker. He explains that his ideas have been mainstream and that he only deviated from traditional thinking when faced with conflicts of principle. Susskind mentions that his reputation may have come from his willingness to consider unconventional ideas when all other possibilities had been exhausted. He also mentions Freeman Dyson as someone who is more outlandish and radical in their thinking.
- Leonard Susskind is often perceived as an outsider physicist and a contrarian in the field of physics.
- However, he clarifies that his ideas have actually been mainstream and he only deviates from traditional thinking when faced with conflicts of principle.
- Susskind's reputation may have come from his willingness to consider unconventional ideas as a last resort.
- He mentions Freeman Dyson as someone who is more outlandish and radical in their thinking.
- Susskind discusses the possibility of more contrarians emerging in physics due to the nature of modern experiments and the evolving paradigm.
The perils of becoming too mainstream
The perils of becoming too mainstream in physics:
- Need for more free thinking and avoiding rigidity within a framework
- Personal experience of feeling like an outsider in the industry
- Coping with being an insider now
- Spending time thinking about physics problems and finding new ideas in mundane places
Where his ideas come from
- Leonard Susskind discusses the source of his ideas in physics
- He cites examples such as the paradox of quark confinement
- Conflicts or paradoxes in principles drive him to understand and resolve them
Claudio asks - Do you think the graviton can be experimentally found?
The graviton, a hypothetical particle associated with gravity, is difficult to experimentally find. Indirect observation through gravitational waves has been achieved, but individual detection is challenging. Technological limitations, such as the need for a massive accelerator and vast energy, hinder the search. Gravitons are also linked to string theory, which has transitioned from radical to mainstream.
The origins of String Theory
The origins of String Theory can be traced back to Leonard Susskind's recognition of familiar mathematical formulas in the context of quantum mechanics, which led him to realize that they represented the interaction of particles as elastic strings. Susskind's knowledge of quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, along with his understanding of the properties of protons and neutrons, allowed him to make this connection and develop the concept of strings. However, while Susskind believes in String Theory as a mathematical and consistent theory, he acknowledges its limitations in fully describing the real world of particles without modifications or a bigger context. Nonetheless, String Theory serves as a valuable laboratory for investigating quantum mechanics and gravity. The question of why there needs to be a grand unified theory is also explored.
- Leonard Susskind became interested in the concept of strings while studying the properties of protons and neutrons.
- He recognized familiar mathematical formulas in the context of quantum mechanics, which represented the interaction of particles as elastic strings.
- Susskind's knowledge of quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, along with his understanding of the properties of protons and neutrons, allowed him to develop the concept of strings.
- While String Theory is a mathematical and consistent theory, it cannot fully describe the real world of particles without modifications or a bigger context.
- String Theory serves as a laboratory for investigating quantum mechanics and gravity.
- The question of why there needs to be a grand unified theory is explored.
Why should there be a grand unified theory?
- Physics currently has inconsistencies in its theories of nature
- There are discrepancies between different parts of the theory
- A grand unified theory aims to create a consistent framework
- It combines gravity and quantum mechanics and addresses inconsistencies in understanding elementary particles
- Inconsistencies in the theory lead to different answers
Quantum mechanics and gravity
The puzzle of combining quantum mechanics and gravity has been a major focus in theoretical physics. Conflicts and inconsistencies between these two theories are considered intolerable. Unresolved questions about elementary particles and their behavior, as well as the connection between the standard model of particle physics and gravity, persist. Despite progress in understanding elementary particles, new experimental data has been lacking since the 1980s. Other researchers are also pursuing unanswered questions in physics.
Large unanswered questions in physics
The most profound aspect of the large unanswered questions in physics is the puzzle of dark energy and its small abundance.
- Dark energy is a tiny fraction of what is expected and its reason for being so small remains unknown.
- The relationship between quantum mechanics and gravity, the foundations of cosmology, is not well understood.
- The universe may be much larger than what we can see and have varied properties from place to place.
- The cosmological constant and its variations in different parts of the universe are also unanswered questions.
- The anthropic principle is mentioned as a possible explanation for the existence of regions where the constants of nature allow for the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets.
- Black holes are discussed as a storage of most of the information in the universe, defined as bits or qubits that determine the state of the universe.
- Running time backward to understand the beginning of the universe requires a large amount of information, which is believed to be hiding in black holes.
- The holographic principle is briefly mentioned as an example of a once radical idea that has become mainstream in physics.
Holographic principle
The holographic principle is a mainstream concept in physics that suggests information falling into a black hole can be thought of as a hologram stuck on its horizons. This principle applies to the entire universe, where we exist as a hologram on its boundary. The holographic principle maps a three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface, containing the same information. In the context of black holes, the information inside can be reconstructed from the quantum state of its horizon, similar to reconstructing a hologram with the right kind of light.
Simulation hypothesis
The simulation hypothesis suggests that we live in a computer program based on the laws of nature. Leonard Susskind questions the idea of a programmer and the infinite regress it leads to. He also discusses Richard Feynman's views on philosophers discussing science.
Key points:
- Simulation hypothesis proposes that our reality is a computer program.
- Susskind argues that the program is based on the laws of nature, not programmed by someone.
- He questions the existence of a programmer and the infinite regress it implies.
- Susskind mentions Richard Feynman's dislike for philosophers discussing science.
- It is unclear whether Susskind engages in philosophical discussions or focuses solely on technical aspects.
Richard Feynman on philosophy
- Richard Feynman had a disdain for philosophical thinking filled with jargon and nonsense.
- Despite this, he possessed his own deep and philosophical nature.
- Feynman's writings focused on simplifying the ordinary world and eliminating unnecessary complexity.
- He also had a strong moral philosophy.
Feynman and the bomb
The most profound aspect of the text is Richard Feynman's involvement in the creation of nuclear weapons and his feelings of regret about it.
- Richard Feynman was involved in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
- Feynman had a deep sense of grief and regret about his involvement in creating such a destructive weapon.
- He did not have the same depth of connection with other people involved in the project.
- There are parallels with engineers today working on potentially dangerous technologies and the responsibility of politicians to ensure responsible use.
- The scientists, including Feynman, were faced with a dilemma as they had to build the bomb to prevent the Nazis from doing so.
- They were troubled by the potential misuse of such a destructive weapon.
- The scientists were not responsible for any misuse of nuclear weapons.
Improving the world by discovering what the world is
Discovering what the world is can improve the world. Physicist Leonard Susskind believes his job is to uncover knowledge about the world. Scientists have a responsibility to warn about dangerous discoveries. Susskind's curiosity drives his prolific career. He is currently focused on the relationship between gravity and quantum mechanics.
ER and EPR - Black holes and entanglement
The most profound aspect of the topic is the connection between wormholes and quantum entanglement.
Key points:
- Einstein wrote two papers in 1935 about wormholes and entanglement, which were initially seen as unrelated.
- Recent discoveries have shown that entanglement and wormholes are actually the same thing.
- If two black holes are entangled, they will have a wormhole connecting them, and vice versa.
- This connection is known as the ER equals EPR hypothesis.
- The speaker discusses the historical discovery of Einstein-Rosen bridges (wormholes) and the discovery of entanglement in quantum mechanics.
- The relationship between these two phenomena was not realized until 2013.
- The speaker's research focuses on understanding how these phenomena bring together quantum mechanics and gravity.
- Complexity theory and the growth of wormholes are explored in the research.
- The quantum mechanical meaning of wormhole growth is still being studied.
- ER and EPR is a main focus of research at Princeton and worldwide.
Noah Hammer asks - Could quantum teleportation be used in the future as a means of intergalactic communication?
- Quantum teleportation cannot be used for intergalactic communication without also sending classical information.
- It would still take a significant amount of time to transmit information across vast distances, similar to traditional communication methods.
- Quantum teleportation offers enhanced security and cannot be easily cracked.
rokkodigi asks - How do you think quantum theory will shape technology in the future?
Quantum theory has already shaped technology, particularly in electronics, but now the focus is on massive entanglement and the use of quantum bits (qubits) to solve problems that classical computers cannot. Quantum computers are valuable for scientific purposes such as understanding chemical molecules and materials. The potential for quantum computers to solve traditional computer problems remains uncertain. Leonard Susskind discusses the potential impact of quantum theory on future technology.
Why teach physics for the public?
Teaching physics to the public is important because it allows for the following:
- Helps the teacher formulate new ideas and deepen their understanding
- Provides gratification, especially when teaching older students with technical backgrounds
- Conveys the message that science makes sense and scientists are not phonies
- Allows for fun and enjoyment in teaching
- Helps educate the public about real science and distinguish it from fake science
- Reminds the teacher of their desire to inform others about what is real and what is not