Stephen Wolfram: Fundamental Theory of Physics, Life, and the Universe | Lex Fridman Podcast #124

Stephen Wolfram is a computer scientist, mathematician, and theoretical physicist. Please check out our sponsors to get a discount and to support this podcast:

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PODCAST INFO:

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
7:14 - Key moments in history of physics
12:43 - Philosophy of science
14:37 - Science and computational reducibility
22:08 - Predicting the pandemic
38:58 - Sunburn moment with Wolfram Alpha
39:46 - Computational irreducibility
46:45 - Theory of everything
52:41 - General relativity
1:01:16 - Quantum mechanics
1:06:46 - Unifying the laws of physics
1:12:01 - Wolfram Physics Project
1:29:53 - Emergence of time
1:34:11 - Causal invariance
1:53:03 - Deriving physics from simple rules on hypergraphs
2:07:24 - Einstein equations
2:13:04 - Simulating the physics of the universe
2:17:28 - Hardware specs of the simulation
2:24:37 - Quantum mechanics in Wolfram physics model
2:42:46 - Double-slit experiment
2:45:13 - Quantum computers
2:53:21 - Getting started with Wolfram physics project
3:14:46 - The rules that created our universe
3:24:22 - Alien intelligences
3:32:29 - Meta-mathematics
3:37:58 - Why is math hard?
3:52:55 - Sabine Hossenfelder and how beauty leads physics astray
4:01:07 - Eric Weinstein and Geometric Unity
4:06:17 - Travel faster than speed of light
4:16:59 - Why does the universe exist at all

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[lexfridman]

I really enjoyed this conversation with Stephen. Here's the outline:
0:00 - Introduction
7:14 - Key moments in history of physics
12:43 - Philosophy of science
14:37 - Science and computational reducibility
22:08 - Predicting the pandemic
38:58 - Sunburn moment with Wolfram Alpha
39:46 - Computational irreducibility
46:45 - Theory of everything
52:41 - General relativity
1:01:16 - Quantum mechanics
1:06:46 - Unifying the laws of physics
1:12:01 - Wolfram Physics Project
1:29:53 - Emergence of time
1:34:11 - Causal invariance
1:53:03 - Deriving physics from simple rules on hypergraphs
2:07:24 - Einstein equations
2:13:04 - Simulating the physics of the universe
2:17:28 - Hardware specs of the simulation
2:24:37 - Quantum mechanics in Wolfram physics model
2:42:46 - Double-slit experiment
2:45:13 - Quantum computers
2:53:21 - Getting started with Wolfram physics project
3:14:46 - The rules that created our universe
3:24:22 - Alien intelligences
3:32:29 - Meta-mathematics
3:37:58 - Why is math hard?
3:52:55 - Sabine Hossenfelder and how beauty leads physics astray
4:01:07 - Eric Weinstein and Geometric Unity
4:06:17 - Travel faster than speed of light
4:16:59 - Why does the universe exist at all

[pi]

Hands down one of the most interesting interviews I've ever seen.

[nickcounter]

Lex is the only person who's successfully interviewed Wolfram... now twice :)

[asknorway]

Lex, honestly, your ability to make these geniuses and their frameworks accessible to a broader audience is incredible. Thank you. And please have Elon again soon.

[Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

This really is the best conversation I’ve seen with Wolfram, you can tell he enjoys talking with Lex .
He doesn’t feel threatened in any way which is rare with wolfram mostly because other scientist generally try to shoot him down to quick

This really is brilliant .

[CarlosOteroC]

Never clicked so fast and then notice this is 4 hours and 23 minutes long and that I'm not even mentally prepared to enter this mindblow.

[yokothespacewhale]

Favorite guest so far... especially round 1. Also, you have seriously spoiled me with your dedication to time stamps. Thank you.

[PulsatingShadow]

You can't have a name like WOLF RAM and not wield immense power.

[bassistck]

Watching Stephen Wolfram use Wolfram Alpha to calculate the likelihood of getting a a sunburn while on Lex Fridman’s first outdoor podcast was a special moment for me.

[tommole]

At best, Wolfram’s got the theory of everything. At worst, a meta-analogy of everything.

[ZiBiTmusic]

Hands up everyone without a college degree or PHD, who still enjoys these podcasts knowing very well he/she will understand 0, 1% of the content.
(*me puts both hands up*)
That's your magic, Lex!

[milesteg]

Somebody that was friends with Richard Feynman is still in his prime and doing great work. good times

[peteunderdown]

I am impressed and grateful for Wolfram's patience, spending 4 hours explaining things at a level I can understand. Lex you are so skilfull at the questioning to keep it moving along without going too fast for me to keep up. 5 Thumbs up!

[omarnomad]

Taking long form conversation to a whole new level

[piercebros]

This is seriously one of the best podcast episodes I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.

[MarkCrawfordmarcusrobur]

I see an incredibly humble man excitedly discussing the discoveries he's made and marvelling about the beauty of the universe.

[RonMar]

My take away: "Computational Irreducibility is the meaning of life."

I want this on a t-shirt.

[alexwhb]

Damn... I initially saw 4:23:38 as the podcast length and though this will be good but that seems long! Now I'm 90% through and I feel like you really need a 100 hour episode with wolfram to get through half of what's swimming around in his head. absolutely amazing! I bought his new book while watching this. I'm so intrigued. Thank you Lex for all that you do. This has become my favorite podcast. Please keep having wolfram on your podcast.

[Mellonchauncy]

We love you Lex. Please never stop being yourself. So proud of you for how far you have come.

[inthefade]

I love watching the sun move across them and then hearing the crickets by the end of this conversation. It is amazing how long they talked and it was thoroughly fascinating the whole way through.