2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing

The concept of nothing is as old as zero itself. How do we grapple with the concept of nothing? From the best laboratory vacuums on Earth to the vacuum of space to what lies beyond, the idea of nothing continues to intrigue professionals and the public alike.

Join moderator and Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson as he leads a spirited discussion with a group of physicists, philosophers and journalists about the existence of nothing. The event, which was streamed live to the web, took place at the American Museum of Natural History on March 20, 2013.

PANELISTS:

J. Richard Gott, professor of astrophysical sciences, Princeton University, and author of Sizing Up the Universe: The Cosmos in Perspective

Jim Holt, science journalist and author of Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story

Lawrence Krauss, professor of physics, Arizona State University and author of A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing

Charles Seife, professor of journalism, New York University, and author of Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Eve Silverstein, professor of physics, Stanford University, and co-editor of Strings, Branes and Gravity

The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate — generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work — bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium.

2017 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: De-Extinction

2016 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Is the Universe a Simulation?

2015 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Water, Water

2014 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Selling Space

2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing

2012 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Faster Than the Speed of Light

2011 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Theory of Everything

Rose Center Anniversary Isaac Asimov Debate: Is Earth Unique?

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[superpanda]

just spent 2 hours watching a group of physicists argue about the definition of Nothing. 10/10 would watch again.

[odinsmeadhorn]

The discussion of 'nothing, ' is really a discussion of how impossible it is to escape an idea once birthed.

[onemoreguyonline]

I can't believe the Higgs-Boson was discovered more than 8 years ago.

[majorboot]

I came into this world with nothing...and I still have most of it left    

[BlueOceanBelow]

Thank you for posting these. I was wondering though if the 2001-2010 debates were taped as well, and if they will ever be available to view?

[terkfranks]

"Nothing is the absence of both anything and anywhere." -T. Franks ©TM

[VeNm]

I read alot of comments knocking how obnoxious Tyson was in this video, But in his defense he always does his best to keep everyone in the loop who may not pick up on something or whom needs a guide. Yes for more advanced minds it can ne annoying but educating amateurs about science does alot more for science. Tyson is always teaching that's makes him unique and sympathetic towards all listeners for the better of science moving foward.

[robopoet]

The question children ask relentlessly is 'Why?"
Not "How?"
I think that says a lot.

[CrcutBrkr]

Hilarious at 39:57 Professor Gott _"is there a big black thing back here?"_ and Neil deGrasse Tyson standing behind him flexing..lol

[BingP]

could we say that there's nothing in our mind and yet we get to have thoughts out of nothing?

[lxirdjc]

You are able to describe "nothing" and here is my description: Nothing is the only thing whose only property is that it does not have another property. With this description, it should not be hard to determine if something is nothing. As to how the universe came into being, and whether it came from nothing, that is a different question.

[kcpenner]

Reminds me of one of my favorite riddles:

What is greater than God,
more evil than the devil,
the rich need it,
the poor have it,
and if you eat it you will die?

If you ask me for the answer, I will tell you nothing!

[darkpoetry]

possibly the one event that I find myself applauding in the privacy of my own home.

[codk]

51:00 i just want to go back to the guy talking about the glass universe XD

[deepakk]

I think this discussion is the one of the best ever in any science channels

[CapitalJ]

"It's a show about nothing"
"nothing?"
"nothing"
"well it must be about something"
"no, it's about nothing"

Seinfeld, lol. I watched this whole thing and was interested in all of their opinions on what nothing is but if you just skip around, you hear the word "nothing" every time you skip almost, it's ridiculous how much time they spent arguing what nothing is, but I understand why

[marvelux]

My own personal experience of nothing was under the effect of general aenesthetics. Everything just went boom! to nothing in an instant and suddenly any concousness of time, space or whatever just ceased to be, until I woke up and then everythng came back into existence. To be aware of that gap in the perception of self was both reasuring and scary at the same time.  Of course this is an account from the point of view of the observer. Where was my conciousness gone? To me it raised personal questions as if this concept of nothingness is what our destiny, then this moment of somethingness is quite more relevant. Sorry, I know this is far from being a scientific view of what nothing is. Just an account from a normal human being that slept.

[Yossarian.]

It is said, that infinity is not just an unreachable quantity, It is also an entity that is by its very nature unattainable, no matter what happens or how long it takes.
*Thus,  it should not occur in the real physical universe, nor in any hypothetical multiverse.*
Personally, I think that an objective state of nothing relative to our objective experience of a something, is as impossible as infinity.
Thus, *it should not occur inside or even outside of this, our physical universe, nor any hypothetical multiverse*

[PSI]

I would have liked it if Charles Seife got the chance to speak without being interrupted. Was still an awesome discussion though : )

[TheLivingfreekshow]

This channel should have more than 64k subscribers. LEARN SOMETHING,