Cumrun Vafa | String Theory and Quantum Mechanics

Cumrun Vafa explains what string theory is, how it fits within contemporary physics, and sets out his vision for its future.

String theory is the only candidate that we have which combines Einstein's theory with quantum mechanics in a consistent framework. And this all-encompassing theory isn't limited to the observable universe; string theorists can use it to think about unobserved universes too.

This burgeoning theory is compatible with general relativity because one of the modes these vibrating strings have has the same properties as mediating gravitational force, but no one knows why or how this works. Should we trust in a theory we have no explanation for, nor even experimentational verification to support it?

#quantum #stringtheory #physics

Cumrun Vafa is a string theorist, and a professor of physics at Harvard University. Vafa's research is focused on the nature of quantum gravity and the relation between geometry and quantum field theories. He is known for his co-discovery with Andrew Strominger that the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a black hole can be accounted for by solitonic states of superstring theory, and for expounding the relation between geometry and field theories that arise through string dualities (culminating in the Gopakumar–Vafa conjecture). This topic has been known as geometric engineering of quantum field theories.

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[nrosko]

need to sort out your mics too much bg noise.

[MH-mcpp]

I think she was making a joke when she said “how long is a piece of string”? And surprised when he gave a definitive answer.

[UtraVioletDreams]

I would love it if AsteronX is right with there upcoming theory about gravity and time. They only use the 3 known spacial the 10 used by strings.... If you don't know what I'm talking about. Just query you're search engine for AsteronX to find out what I'm takling about.

[frun]

I think i understand the point. Space is made out of strings. Strings make up space.

[desiderata]

This guy seems to know something about Quantum Mechanics

[livesimple-ubqd]

Things u get out of string theory is more than you put in 920

[adin]

I'd hoped the presenter would go deeper into the science.

[andyeverett]

It appears to me he was bothered giving this interview but I am glad he did, I like hearing experts talk about the subjects they know and love, thank you.

[hyperduality]

Positive curvature is dual to negative curvature -- Gauss, Riemann
Gravitation or curvature is dual!
Gravitation is equivalent or dual to acceleration -- Einstein's happiest thought
Potential energy is dual to kinetic energy, energy is inherently dual, pure energy or photons conform to wave/particle or quantum duality. Energy is duality, duality is energy.
Energy is dual to mass -- Einstein
Dark energy is dual to dark matter
Thesis is dual to anti-thesis, the Hegelian dialectic
Singularity is dual to non-singularity
Certainty is dual to uncertainty -- The Heisenberg certainty/uncertainty principle

[hyperduality]

Dark energy is dual to dark matter. Thesis is dual to anti-thesis, the Hegelian dialectic.
Dark energy, negative curvature or repulsive gravity = Hyperbolic geometry
Dark matter, positive curvature or attractive gravity = Elliptic or spherical geometry
A white hole singularity (big bang) is dual to a classical infinite mass black hole singularity.
Hyperbolic geometry is dual to elliptic or spherical geometry
Points are dual to lines in geometry, the principle of duality!
Perpendicularity in hyperbolic geometry is measured in terms of duality, reflections in hyperbolic geometry conserve perpendicularity (duality). Duality is being conserved, the 5th law of thermodynamics!

[theway]

There's nothing new in his words.

[AndrewBlucher]

Crap audio. Can't listen to this. Pity, I wanted to hear him defend this doomed field.

[bajajones]

these folk are just guessing. only your own soul truly understands. if we were more in touch with our selves we would not pursue this endless circle we would accept it.