Alan Guth: Inflation of The Universe & More

In 1979 Alan Guth, then a postdoc at Cornell, made what is perhaps the most important contribution to our theoretical understanding of the evolution of the Universe in the past half century. His realization that the early universe could have undergone a brief period of what he dubbed as “Inflation” provided the first and to date the only explanation of the large scale properties of the Universe compatible with observations, and based on well-defined, calculable, microphysical physics principles. Since that time, Inflation has become the paradigm of modern cosmology, and it made fundamental predictions about other observables in cosmology that have since been validated by observations of the Cosmo Microwave Background Radiation.
Lawrence was particularly happy to have Alan on the podcast for a variety of reasons. First and foremost he is a remarkably clear and precise expositor of science. Second, his own history in the field provides a good object lesson for young scientists who might be struggling. Third, it was important that he provide a counterpoint to the discussion that Lawrence previously had with Roger Penrose, who has presented his own alternative to Inflation that is much less well-defined at this time. Finally, Alan is a lovely human being, and both a friend, and in some sense a mentor to me (having served on my thesis examination committee when he first came to MIT, and having been a colleague and co-author with me on scientific papers).
We hope you enjoy what we found to be a very enlightening discussion about science, and a revealing window into the thoughts of one of the most important cosmologists currently alive today.
This ad-free video is available for paid subscribers only. The audio version is free to all on this Critical Mass site, and a video version with advertisements is available separately on the Origins Project Foundation Youtube Channel.

[BrianHill]

That was a wonderful sweep of 40 years of thinking about particle physics and cosmology.

[nik]

I don't think there's anything more fascinating than the idea that the universe is probably infinite. Mind-boggling. Thanks for bringing this brilliant guest, professor Krauss. Greetings from Zagreb, Croatia!

[ohalloranjames]

thanks for these pleasant conversational interviews. They are interesting, informative, and leave me feeling better for having spent time listening. Much appreciated, and yes I'm going to subscribe

[nightskyowl]

I have a dream to get graduation from one of world class university. But now I am dazzling on economic crisis on my family so I have to go abroad for money. And it's been a dream to meet you scientists in future. Thank you for podcast with Alan. From Himalaya Nepal.

[robotaholic]

I love AG's humility and brilliance. I love LK willingness to stream his thoughts with less filter and it leads to interesting discussion! I love them both

[HanktheFrank]

I love listening these podcasts. I don't understand any of the physics, but I love the exchange of language.

[Techno.love]

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS EPISODE WITH Professor Alan guth !! thank you so much Lawrence for this quality!

[oker]

on a personal note - I grew up noticing an short article in the back of just one of my dad's early 1980's college Astronomy texts that mentions Inflation. I can literally turn myh back, look up and find this book - William J. Kauffman's Universe, in 1985. I of course, read Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" and then Alan Guth's "Inflationary Cosmology" book. I've stuck with inflation through and through.

[nelsonsack]

So wonderful to listen to such a brilliant mind as Alan Guth explain fundamental truths about the origin of the cosmos.

[jorgearango]

I love your show! It fascinating to hear you guys talk about the universe and how it might have begun. Thank you

[ionutandrei]

Alan Guth? Very good one Lawrence! Keep going! 👏

[stenergut]

Why hasn't Alan Guth received the Nobel Price yet ?

[philgallagher]

Thank you for these truly inspirational podcasts. It is fascinating to hear the first hand recollections of some of the movers and shakers of the last 50 years. Not just the scientists (although they are my personal favourites!), but everybody from Stephen Fry, Penn Gillette and Ricky Gervais to the likes of Jordan Peterson. People I am interested in, but more importantly those I am not interested in at all, have all proved to have at least something to say that makes me stop and think.
I also want to thank Lawrence in particular. His incisive and well researched questions manage to get so much valuable information out of his subjects, without being either overly aggressive or too soft. A really useful and entertaining way to fill a couple of hours!

[ajaychawla]

Are there 7.2 billion likes? Cause this video deserves that.

[williamjmccartan]

Thank you very much both Alan and Lawrence, fantastic conversation

[ajmalkhan]

Love professor Alan Guth and Dr.Lawrence krauss.

[joepriority]

I love this interview. In contrast to something you'd see on TV it's unrushed and indepth. You can a chance to really get a complete understanding of everything they cover. Two if the most interesting people on earthj.

[JerryMlinarevic]

I remember reading the story on Inflation in Scientific American in the early '80s when driving the taxi (down under). I was so engrossed by the reading that I found the taking of passengers an annoyance and could not wait to continue to read the theory that blew my mind, I was 21 at the time. What I found most incredible was how Alan Guth was able to work this out as a process so early in their evolution of the Universe. It never left my mind and it proved instrumental in constructing my own detailed theory of the creation mechanism to explain the Higgs formation and subsequent burst of first light followed by matter and the elusive gravity. It also led me to realise that there was no inflation as a process of enlargement but rather an illusion created by density variation of aether (yes I know it does not exist) and light. The conclusion was that the size of the Universe has to be constant throughoutout time and that the process can only take inside a black hole not unlike static electric charges are created. When a theory is correct there are no lose ends, no mysteries, and all that remains is collecting butterflies.

[bryandraughn]

Lawrence Krauss should interview Lawrence Krause and get that out of the way.

[sebolddaniel]

Alan Guth seems to be a very modest man. His ego has never suffered from inflation