Roger Penrose - Did the Universe Begin?

Congratulations to Sir Roger Penrose for winning the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Some scientists claim that the universe did not have a beginning. Some theologians contend that the universe did not need a beginning. Yet the universe is expanding, and so run the movie in reverse and there seems to be a beginning. What stakes are riding on whether the universe had a beginning?


Sir Roger Penrose is a mathematical physicist, mathematician, philosopher of science and Nobel Laureate in Physics. He is the Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Oxford, as well as an Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College.


Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[marksimpson]

This interviewer is brilliant. He lets experts speak and asks questions that are pertinent at helping the vast majority of the non expert audience clarify things. Ty.

[bateriaAA]

Gongrats to sir Roger Penrose for his nobel prize win!

[Eekskway]

I could listen to Sir Roger all day long, he is an inspiration.

[ankeunruh]

In the mid-seventies, when I was a child, I heard "Penrose diagram". Later I saw it, loved it from the first hour - the entire universe on a sheet of paper! Never understood what else this man was doing... but I like to see that he is still around and well - as a Nobel Laureate!

[Shadowx]

As soon as the interviewer said “did the Universe begin” all the power in my house went out along with my internet.
At that moment I thought the Universe had just stopped.

[TheTrancemaster]

Penrose rocks, brilliant mind and brand new Nobel Prize, congrats!

[tonythetraveller]

The sign of very deep understanding is the ability to explain very complex things in simpler terms. Roger is the best example in scientific community in this respect. What a wonderful and inspiring character, no matter if you agree with his views or not.

[Scanini]

Trying to understand how something can begin with no before is like a cat trying to understand simple math. It never ceases to amaze me that we know what little we know.

[lukestockett]

This is what makes Roger Penrose a MVP! He's one of the few scientists with artistic ability, which is the old way science was done. That is why art is necessary to be a good scientist.

[crayvun]

Absolutely beautiful subject. I feel privileged to have been able to hear such a discussion. Thank you.

[YourLocalIceMan]

Someone loves their slide camera in these series.

[antoniomaglione]

Prof. Penrose is one-of-a-kind genius for how he tells his insights. Basically, he made irrelevant the question "What was before the Big Bang?" with his explanation of the essence of time being the matter itself, and these reciprocations - which turns implosions into expansions, and viceversa. He explained with utmost simplicity, what Eternity is.

[Phoenix-tvgb]

Never born never died... Endless journey endless cycles 🕊️💖🕊️

[fredb]

Thank you to our host and to Sir Roger. Never tire of listening to Sir Roger even though much is beyond my ken.

[bruinflight]

These interviews with Penrose are gems.

[sapanacharya]

This video reminds me what a time to be alive, in so many ways

[mitchhardy]

My utmost congrats to you on winning the Nobel Prize!

[BenNBuilds]

Almost every time I hear Roger talk or read a chapter of his book I get an attack of pure excitement

[pucek]

What I love about Sir Roger Penrose is the fact that he's trully brilliant mind that is able to actually make some new theories in the world of science that seem plausible, because he has an amazing ability to think for himself, not accepting everything community says as given truth and no other possibilites are there to discover.

[Hecxa]

Just a friendly hint, please use static cameras. Constantly moving scene is annoying and distracting. But full points for the interviews and topics.