String Theory Explained | Cumrun Vafa and Lex Fridman

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GUEST BIO:
Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard.

PODCAST INFO:

SOCIAL:

[anthonyribaudo]

Cumrun succeeds in delivering a very clear exposition of string theory that I have not heard anywhere else! Its clear he is a master of the game.

[mrgreatdude]

his explanation is great, especially with Lex's clarifying questions

[DogbadTV]

"The STRING in my leg is gone!" - Peter Sellers, Dr. Strangelove

[vidul]

I love his energy so much, i wish i was half as passionate about something as this man is about physics

[thesportspullup]

Imagine alien civilization where this stuff is common knowledge - taught in 'third grade' or something.

[zra]

Very impressive, first time I understood someone discussing string theory
…. Iranian born physicist

[Yzjoshuwave]

What an incredibly clear and effective communicator this guy is. That was excellent.

[shinyheart]

Lex has chosen a very difficult job. Lol😂 Respect!👍🏼

[kopytko]

I like this explanation, very interesting as always

[fsuace]

Fascinating, I just learned so much !

[apalomba]

It amazes me how Cumrun can explain complicated topics in such a clear and concise way.

[HitankarRay]

This was so entertaining. Always have been fascinated with string theory

[yannick]

Up to this point, I only have heuristic half-knowledge of
String Theory (trying to go through Polchinski‘s 1st book one
time, but not quite making it :-)). But as far as I can compare,
his explanations are pretty descriptive and on point.
Good episode of this podcast!

[dank.]

So nice to have it explained in such a linear and contextual "narrative". Brilliant

[ChairmanMeow]

Lex is such a good interviewer!!! He and Rogan are the best imo. They both know when to shut up, and they both know when to kind of butt in with a clarifying question for the listeners. Well done.

[dand]

i think its unavoidable that dimensionality shrinks as the number grows, when you say 'big dimensions and small dimensions' what is the relative sizes and how is it changing as you get into higher dimensions? can dimensionality into 'higher' dimensions be actually a subset or subdivision of the 3+1 that we are familiar with? as the particles of the atom are a subset of the atom with mirroring and twisting and 'flavor' or w/e the terminology is? i am not sure string theory is the answer but if it is sourcing some parts of the standard model (i find this ironic actually) it seems to me there would be a symmetry or similarity in the particles as well as the theoretical higher dimensions

[BurevestnikM]

I would like to know the very piece of math that was produced the very first time, of the very first day, even the contours of it. what exactly was the initial sketch of the theory ?

[goochipoochie]

What about Raptor theory ?

The entire universe is composed of point sized Velociraptors. They can stretch as well and grow larger as well based on their junkfood consumption

[das]

Thank you, best explanation yet for me.

[captnreddd]

We always separate the microverse from the macroverse.
Which makes studying either very difficult.
Yet, as I theretically stroll the solar system out to the clusters of solar systems in our galaxy. I even try to fathom other galaxies that make up our visible universe.
One thought always comes to mind the farther out in the macroverse we go.
The point I travel from seems to be microscopic.
I'm no scientist or scholar but it seems like we should be able to infer way more about the microverse from the macroverse.