Was the Big Bang the Beginning? Reimagining Time in a Cyclic Universe

A universe that continually expands has long been the dominant cosmological framework. But a universe that undergoes cycles of expansion and contraction, perhaps for all time, has recently been analyzed mathematically, and its proponents claim that it provides a more convincing cosmological paradigm. Join leaders of this renegade approach as they make the case for a new kind of cosmology that reimagines time.

The Big Ideas Series is supported in part by the John Templeton Foundation.

Participants:
Peter Galison
Anna Ijjas
Paul Steinhardt

Moderator:
Brian Greene

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS on this program through a short survey:

00:00 - Introduction
04:08 - Brian Greene Welcome
07:20 - The human urge to understand origins
15:39 - Early issues of the big bang
27:10 - The flatness problem
35:15 - If not the big bang what else could have happened?
40:44 - Resolving the problems of cyclic cosmology
54:30 - cyclic cosmology simulation
1:05:40 - How reliable are the results?
1:17: 10 - Does expanding space eventually contract?

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[garypuckettmuse]

Dr Greene makes it look so easy and relaxed meanwhile he's constantly calibrating and recalibrating the conversation for pacing, clarity, inclusion of the whole panel and overall cohesiveness. He's just an unbelievably good host and, of course, always on top of the material. Awesome presenter.

[OutOfWards]

I come here because I have no friends that want to talk about these things. (insert tears)

[danielt]

I wanna know who that guy is that queues up the animations and videos of exactly what the speakers are talking about a split second after they start talking about it.. that guy deserves a raise.

[rachel_rexxx]

These talks are great, thanks for putting them out for free

[vuurdraak-]

Hi another Anna here, thanks for telling this amazing story Anna, and the other people in the video :D

[hochathanfire]

" We should all work on something that is wrong." - Anna Ijjas. I am taking this to the bank 😤.

[joshsy]

Always like B Greene and much appreciation for finding Sir Roger Penrose and his C3 theory decades ago of cyclical big bang and his MC Escher inspiration.

[sharinglanguage]

Fantastic.Thank you so much for organising this festival, and for its live broadcadting. I have found this conversation particularly interesting.

[memegazer]

Thanks for the vid and engagement.
Great channel for exploring

[steliosp]

incredible discussion about the bleeding edge of modern physics and cosmology.

[casnimot]

Right now, Penrose's take on conformal cyclic cosmology makes more sense to me.

[erichodge]

This was one of the best, even most important programs yet from the WSF. Thanks for letting us eavesdrop on great ideas.

[efeocampo]

A "multi"-verse remains a SINGLE UNIVERSE composed of multiple universes (like ours, which could be inside a black hole), ETERNAL and INFINITE that is continually TRANSFORMED and manifests itself in many, infinite ways, whatever they are called: Human beings, Galaxies, Quasars, Black Holes, Dark Matter, Singularity, etc...
The Universe or Multiverse only transforms: It is PURE ENERGY....
It is impossible to prove it, but it makes no sense to have a Beginning, or an END in time, or any Space LIMIT:
What could be BEYOND the Space "limit" of the Multiverse? Well, ANOTHER Universe...
And what could have been BEFORE the BIG BANG? Well, another Universe or Multiverse... And once ours cools down and perhaps COLLAPSES into a SINGULARITY, perhaps it will give rise to another Big Bang... ETERNAL...!!!
And most importantly: That Universe-Multiverse is GOD!
A God who does not reward, punish or monitor anyone. That he is not looking out for anyone. So ENJOY your life!

[mattmiller]

This is the boldest and most intriguing idea in cosmology that I have come upon since inflation itself. I need to look into this more deeply. If true, then the implications are staggering, and many ideas from Hawking radiation to multiple universes are no longer viable or necessary.

[LemurWhoSpoke]

This talk disappointed me. I was hoping for a discussion of CCC (Conformal Cyclic Cosmology) as well, not just a new idea that sounds like it hasn't been vetted yet. Even after this discussion, I'm still more of a fan of CCC. The "bounce" idea just doesn't seem plausible to me.

Please consider doing a talk on CCC. I know Penrose isn't a fan of string theory, but if that's a sensitive topic, just try to avoid that sticking point.

[thorntontarr]

This discussion contains many profound ideas with some usually hidden ones presented openly that are not limited to a 'cyclic cosmology'. For example, is a simulation based on a 'solid model', i.e. GR, what are the initial conditions used, i.e. spatial shear and is there an arbitrary 'sense' to it all These topics enter the discussion about one hour into the video lead with good questions by Dr. Greene. I, for one, would love to hear/see what Roger Penrose, Neil Turok and Jim Peebles have as reactions to this work.

[santsuma]

This planet Earth's civilization is still quite primitrive and this is why:
1- The Earth human beings ¨believe" that the Infinite Universe STARTED with a ¨bang" and they call it ¨Big¨.

2- Most of the human beings believe that ONE being created the whole infinite Universe, they call it ¨god¨.

3- Earth beings believe the Infinite Universe isn't infinite and has a measurable SIZE.

4- Scientists here on this mediocre planet ¨believe" that ¨light speed" is the highest speed possible.
If ytou want to wonder about fast speed, start with ¨light years per second" and go on from that.

Dr. Stephen Hawking was once asked by Larry King in a CNN interview many years ago whether he, Stephen Hawking, believed there was intelligent life "out there".
Dr. Hawking said YES, there is definitely intelligent life in other places, but it is very rare and still HASN'T happened on Earth.

Now upgrade your brains and understand the Universe is INFINITE, both in size and age. ¨Big Bangs" are happening everywhere in the infinite Universe, they are localized phenomena, not something singular and unique.

[AnnaBrownandTaiaha]

I have to say thank you for resuscitating my school education topics that I chose to learn, but had no way to pursue a career in my small country. I have to acknowledge Anna's courage to sit on this stage and hold her ground in the same esteem. You have inspired me so I thank you. I also want to acknowledge that I am enjoying observing the body language of the panel, it is so much fun to see it switch and change about when certain topics are being discussed 😎😁

[rosanafonseca]

Muito obrigada queridíssimo Professor Brian Greene, abraçãoo ! Amooo demaaiiss este Planeta Terra Universo Magníficos e Fascinantes !

[JamaaLKellbass]

first goes like, then i watch. brian never dissapoints. never