Stephon Alexander: The Autodidactic Universe Learns Its Own Laws

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Curt Jaimungal

Physics, Philosophy, Society & Culture, Science

4.6 • 606 Ratings

🗓️ 19 January 2022

⏱️ 100 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Stephon Alexander joins Curt to explore the Autodidactic Universe, matrix models versus string theory, and Chern‑Simons gravity, while debating evolutionary cosmology, anomalies, and practical advice for self‑studying advanced physics.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:04:46 - BTS banter and framing the conversation- 00:06:05 - The Autodidactic Universe- 00:18:54 - BMN vs BFSS (type IIA String Theory)- 00:26:45 - Lee Smolin's evolutionary model of the universe as black hole spawn- 00:29:06 - Matrix models linked to particles rather than laws- 00:30:36 - Explaining D‑branes and their dimensionality- 00:36:02 - When watching TOE, it's okay to be confused- 00:36:55 - Chern‑Simons Gravity- 00:49:03 - Anomaly Cancellations- 00:51:43 - Klein Gordon equation and renormalization- 00:55:55 - What is a Theory of Everything? Conditions?- 00:59:15 - Story about Curt's brother's "genius"- 01:02:40 - Doubting your own mathematical abilities- 01:06:02 - Advice for learners in 20s‑40s studying String Theory- 01:10:24 - Brian Keating is no friend to Stephon (kidding)- 01:11:08 - How does learning math / physics change with age?- 01:15:14 - Anomalies and purposeful mistakes leading to insights- 01:18:02 - No Go theorems (and AdS / CFT correspondence)- 01:23:26 - Why does the Graviton have Spin 2?- 01:25:41 - Gems in Geometric Unity- 01:29:12 - Opinion on Stephen Wolfram's theory / project- 01:31:05 - Future plans for TOE: Geometric Algebra and Categorical UnificationSPONSORS:- Curiosity Stream: 25% off via https://curiositystream.thld.co/TOE- Brilliant: 20% off via https://brilliant.org/TOERESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4xlXUEEnZ6s- Merch (until end of Oct 2021): https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: 3CSm4FH6975J8wvKp8x8BSefH6QCVuk736- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- Algo's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/- Fear of a Black Universe: https://amzn.to/3rxGFcj- The Jazz of Physics: https://amzn.to/3qR7KIx- Brian Keating's podcast with Stephon Alexander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehEbrD42U_g- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:23.6	Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection prior to starting a preventive.
0:27.6	Ask about NextGuard Plus choose.
0:30.6	If you're merely listening to this podcast on Spotify slash iTunes, etc., then you'll miss out on the equations being written,
0:38.6	so see the link in the description for the YouTube video.
0:41.5	While you're clicking there,
0:42.6	it would be great if you left a review,
0:45.1	as I didn't find out until recently,
0:47.4	reviews radically help the promulgation of the podcast.
0:50.6	Thank you in advance.
0:52.0	Now for an extra quick note.
0:53.5	Quick note before the podcast begins.
0:55.0	What I found is that people who criticize string theory generally aren't physicists who
0:59.0	have looked at the derivations of the equations of string theory, and thus they're simply
1:03.0	parroting their criticisms from others by calling it, quote unquote, disconnected from reality
1:07.0	and quote unquote a theory based on pure beauty. The beauty of string theory is
1:11.3	evident when one studies it. And it's also false to say that string theory hasn't produced any
1:15.7	physics. String theory is a true contender for a theory of everything, much more so than even
1:20.5	loop QG, which is merely a theory of quantum gravity. This year I'll be exploring the flavors of
	...

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