A new kind of geometry: Edward Witten on unifying the physics of large and small

A star is made of atoms. So shouldn't the theory that describes atoms be able to tell us the behavior of the star? 2012 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics winner Edward Witten explains why a unified theory like string theory is needed.

[roland]

I've been saying this to my mates down the pub for ages and they all tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. It's good that I now have someone to back up my findings

[Atlastheyote]

The man has an entire library inside his head I swear. I’ve never heard anyone recite theory so perfectly before.

[jhondoe]

Whitten says something here so brilliant and simple and clear: Of course it's connected. I would love to find out how. For someone so complex he's incredibly clear in his message

[afifakimih]

Whatever u say, Ed Witten is considered one of the most smartest theoretical physicist ever.he is called physicists physicist, geniuses genius!!

[Dudevid]

1:16 "Engage humanity imitation sequence."

[DrKnowsMore]

Imagine being regarded as a genius and referred to as the greatest mind of a generation or a physicist that intimidates others. Now imagine that you contribute your entire life to a theory that can't even be tested as right or wrong

[DonPatro]

I am not a tenured professor at Harvard and I am considering hiding in my office from this guy.

[forefatherofmankind]

Who's here from Joe Rogan podcast ?!

[vmwindustries]

We will get there. We just have to realize that there are errors on both sides, and the that size does matter. It warps things.

[questionableresponse]

I am high, Why must we use two different equations? If they contradict each other, can't you apply a combination of the two or establish a middle ground

[iBEEMproject]

This great guy majored in History and end up a great mathematician

[kevinmurphy]

Thought experiment: if you grew so large that the sun was now as small as an atom relative to you, would it now exhibit behaviors quantum mechanically instead of Einstein’s theory of gravity? In other words, does the size of the observer relative to the subject being observed matter when considering either theory?

[studyphysics]

Strongly disagree with recovering the laws of the big things with those of the small. Where are emergent phenomena in this line?

[alexglee]

This is how I've had it explained to me at first and how I've been explaining it to my students. It takes a lot of intelligence to simplify complex things.

[theautodidact]

It's a simulation. String theory is like Mario and Luigi trying to explain why they move in limited increments vs understanding their reality is CODED that way.

[marssilvergold]

the moment where he makes space for a smile to seem more relatable and less threatening to these inferiors

[Dr.scottcase]

What I am unable to grasp is how a string, a filament, can lead to a myriad of such complex, mathematical theories, and calculations that go on for decades, without resolution. And then how do you bring that back to make it a bona fide fact of universal reality. Nonetheless I admire Dr. Witten’s brilliance and tenacity. Peace.

[ddorman]

Ed you rock!!.You know we are going to do Big things together when we can rock together, peace and love Doug.

[yanwain]

i always hear physicists say that the large and small physics don't jive together but i never hear them describe what the actual inconsistencies are. where does the breakdown occur? what operation are they unable to perform?

[johnlogan-oocc]

If there's different theory for small objects and big objects wouldn't the small object theory relate to the big objects since all matter(objects) are made from the smaller smallest object and atom. I'm guessing that's what he's saying