David Albert & Sean Carroll: Quantum Theory, Boltzmann Brains, & The Fine-Tuned Universe | RP #106

David Albert is the Frederick E. Woodbridge Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University and Director of the Philosophical Foundations of Physics program at Columbia. David is a prior guest of the Robinson’s Podcast multiverse, having appeared on episodes #23 (with Justin Clarke-Doane), #30, and #67 (with Tim Maudlin). Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and fractal faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He is also host of Sean Carroll’s Mindscape, a terrific show (that influenced the birth of Robinson’s Podcast) about science, society, philosophy, culture, arts, and ideas. Sean also had a great conversation with David on Mindscape, linked below. Both David and Sean are rare breeds—philosophers who are physicists, and physicists who are philosophers—and in this episode Robinson, David, and Sean speak about some of the philosophical concerns at the foundations of physics. They first discuss the Many-Worlds theory of quantum mechanics before turning to the apparent fine-tuning of our universe for life and the possibility of Boltzmann Brains, or complex observers in the universe that arise spontaneously due to quantum fluctuations or the random motion of matter.

OUTLINE
00:00 In This Episode…
08:11 Superposition and The Many-Worlds Theory of Quantum Mechanics
22:34 Decoherence
27:20 Probability
41:32 Some Thought Experiments Concerning Probability
01:08:35 Parsimony
01:12:03 The Fine-Tuned Universe and Quantum Theory
01:45:37 Intelligent Design
01:47:22 Boltzmann Brains Galore

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.

[petertomshany]

I’d like to think that the musical intros on your and Sean’s podcasts are you guys yourselves and that you’ll jam on your intro themes one day in a super mash up.

[jay]

This was my favorite. Two of the most eloquent and intelligent physicists alive, passionately arguing about perhaps the most profound question in physics. Please arrange such a setup more often!

[mariuszpopieluch]

I'm an avid listener to Sean's podcast (btw the reason why I'm here is because he promoted your podcast), and have read his book on time. On the other hand I love David's genuine and almost stereotypical expression of wonder, confusion, and fascination regarding the various mysteries of our world, and the theories that we put forth. Brillant episode!

[TurdFerguson]

I appreciate David more every time I hear him. Sean, of course, is probably the goat explainer of physics. But man, I love how David dissects a problem or difference! 👏Super neat-o stuff gang! 👀....😏

[JustinBalor]

I didnt know this podcast existed until a few weeks ago. Thank you for creating and maintaining this space!

[bethkurtz]

I might be Sean's biggest fan on the planet. I love his communication style. I really enjoyed the discussion on Boltzmann Brains. It's one of my favorite topics in physics.

[DestroManiak]

I wish Sean carrol announced his appearances in this channel. I would have hated to miss this conversation.

[jawsatak]

one of the absolutely best interviewers hands down, Thank you for your work... is absolutely ruined by all the commercials. very irritating

[semidemiurge]

Can I say how fortunate we are to have Sean among us lesser minds. He is a gift

[mf_hume]

Awesome interview, Robinson! I really enjoyed David's point about being skeptical of a priori intuitions re the correct probability distribution of physical states.

[steliosp]

Sean deserves a nobel prize. Best communicator of deep scientific concepts that break the brains of even the brightest minds trained for decades in math and physics that we have ever seen.

[docgreybeard]

Great guests! Two of the best communicators in the world of physics.

[timewalker]

I always love when i see these two in discussions. They bring very good perspectives

[bayesian.]

As someone who is finds MW very compelling, it was very satisfying to hear about a sane physicist in the other camp. Thanks!

[JCChavz]

Can’t believe I’m just barely finding this channel. Great work, brother.

[BlakeErhardt-Ohren]

This is amazing! You’re interviewing really fascinating people!

[robbie_]

1:31:00 onwards, David's "that's a funny thing to say" point here is fantastic. I never thought about it like that before.

[lunavicta]

I enjoyed watching a few of Carroll's pandemic physics lectures. Excited to see this!

[Eric]

Sean Carroll’s attention spam is impressive.

[davidsmart]

Amazing to see the growth of your podcast. Keep it up brotha! ❤