Mindscape 245 | Solo: The Crisis in Physics

Physics is in crisis, what else is new? That's what we hear in certain corners, anyway, usually pointed at "fundamental" physics of particles and fields. (Condensed matter and biophysics etc. are just fine.) In this solo podcast I ruminate on the unusual situation fundamental physics finds itself in, where we have a theoretical understanding that fits almost all the data, but which nobody believes to be the final answer. I talk about how we got here, and argue that it's not really a "crisis" in any real sense. But there are ways I think the academic community could handle the problem better, especially by making more space for respectable but minority approaches to deep puzzles.

#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture

[skat]

Dear Professor Carrol. I think this episode was brilliant. For me it was like catching up on the state of the art in theoretical physics. I have a PhD in applied physics and I was always left with the emptiness of not fully understanding the most basic (and hardest to learn) principles of physics. Thank you very much for your work on your podcast, I enjoy every episode while walking the dog.

[scrubjay]

OMG I can't wait to listen to this - I love the solo episodes. Sean, you are a treasure.

[gtziavelis]

Sean is interested in what his guests have to say, and so am I, but I am just as interested, if not much more, in what Sean himself has to say, so the occasional solo episode is a real treat for curious minds. Thank you Sean and patrons!

[bmdecker]

Sean had and has so much to contribute to the world of physics but he has even more to contribute as a philosopher and conveyor of scientific knowledge.

In addition, its wonderful that he accepted the position at Hopkins. He belongs there in that position.

[topcat]

Love that it’s over 4hrs!!! Thanks Professor

[Edgarbopp]

This and your AMAs are my favorite content.

[Emanresu]

While everyone else is focusing on culture war bullshit Sean puts out a 4 hour podcast on the crisis in physics.

[Dechral]

these solos are so far and few between but are my favorites! Thx for sharing Sean <333

[TheMemesofDestruction]

Four hours of Professor Carroll! ☮️ ❤️ ^.^

[chrisbuller]

A tour de force. Sean's seemingly effortless romp across high level controversies in modern theoretical physics is always sensitive, positive, optimistic and humanistic. A needed antidote to so much anti-intellectualism and general negativism in our modern on-line world. Thank you.

[akumar]

I started listening to your podcast at the beginning of Covid back in 2020.
I have learned so much and leant how to think, that n you Sir.

[BrianFedirko]

Being a good heretic IS extremely hard work, and I've done it most my life. But as Sean says, it takes so much persistence, which is why I respect him the most. I can tell in his answers that they come from this point of view, and I appreciate his view... especially debunking most statements ... it is what I love. ☮

[masonherlihy]

A 4 hour solo!?! Christmas came early 😊

[CodepageNet]

loved most of it! Only the end got a bit circular. But the amount of knowledge in this man's brain is nothing short of humbling.

[evcoproductions]

Sean's level head and depth of knowledge is such a beacon in these times.

[MarkBenson-jo]

Nice! I enjoyed listening...I was able to comprehend about a quarter of what was said, which is a big improvement from when I started listening to this podcast (Ep. 1). Thanks Sean.

[Well_Earned_Siesta]

On the point made in this video's intro... One of my biggest takeaways from Neal Stephenson's "The Diamond Age" is on how subversion actually works. The book points out that if you want to subvert anything, you first have to completely master the existing system. The book was mostly referring to subverting political systems, but I think it's very broadly applicable.

[HeWhoRoamsAimlessly]

Most people I know: "you just can't know how things work"

Sean: "we know how almost everything works mostly, pretty much"

[paulmichaelfreedman]

My goodness, 4 and a half hours! You definitely have a lot to tell us, going to listen now :)

[Doozy_Titter]

It's really amazing to have a physicist of this calibre to rumble on history and ideas of physics.