StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries – Multiverse Madness with Max Tegmark

Do we live in one of many universes? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the theory of the multiverse with physicist and author, Prof. Max Tegmark.

To start, we dive into the different theories and levels of the multiverse and how they differ from each other. What do people even mean when they say multiverse? Is it just more unidentifiable parts of space or whole parallel universes? You’ll learn about inflation theory and quantum multiverses. We ponder whether there may be an Evil Chuck out there lurking in some other universe?

Discover the idea behind infinite infinities. What does it mean for one infinity to be bigger than another infinity? We explore Einstein’s theory of general relativity and how it relates to infinity. Can you have infinite infinities within a finite universe? Could parallel universes exist within a multiverse? We investigate our definition of the universe and if there could be more space beyond it.

How does the multiverse affect our universe? Is there any observational evidence to suggest it actually exists? Does dark energy have anything to do with it? We get into how to test seemingly untestable theories and how exploring these holes in our knowledge gave us quantum mechanics. You’ll also learn how a multiverse would even begin and what might exist between universes. Find out about Hilbert space and decoherence. Would Evil Chuck know about our own Good Chuck? Many more questions answered on another episode of StarTalk!

Thanks to our Patrons Eric Colombel, David Johnston, Tracy Fox, Jason Sills, Anderson Clark, Andrew Kranz, Kyle Marston, Alex Lopes, Zach Jerrells, and Rob Tadje for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

About the prints that flank Neil in this video:

“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

0:00 - Introduction
5:43 - A History Of Heretical Ideas
10:13 - Levels Of Multiverses
16:26 - Infinities
24:30 - Universes In Everything
29:11 - Can We See The Multiverse?
41:07 - Origins Of Multiverses
42:57 - What’s Between Multiverses?
45:59 - Do We Create Multiverses With Our Decisions?
48:22 - Closing Notes

[davidrodenbaugh]

This show has pulled me out of depression time and times again. Star talk is epic

[jaysrivastava]

Max's continuous mental struggle of trying to put what he is thinking into simple words quickly, so that we "dumb" ppl will get it simple.. Is so visible. 😂

[victoriamundae]

Oh, geeze. Chuck... you killed me with the pipe. I laughed so loud (and I was having a "quiet" lunch...) when you did that. That was the best part of my day! Thank you for that!

[Erit]

Anyone else feel the need to watch this more than once? :)

[synopticgiant]

Been so depressed lately and star talk is just wholsome for my brain, glad to tune in.

[bert]

I’m fairly sure that every time Max pauses awkwardly mid-sentence, he’s ruling out several explanations he knows I’m incapable of understanding.

[filipbenko]

Max Tegmark, Janna Levin and Brian Greene episodes are the BEST! More please! PS. Chuck, YOU are living the dream.

[PshycksLee]

Life long learning sounds fun to me! Students of life unite!

[Synthwave]

Max is one of the best guests in Startalk. Super fun to hear all the possibilities for the multiverse.

[jasdeepshangari]

My mind went to Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness after reading the title of this video lol

[calapsesathir]

Max is quickly becoming an all time favorite guest.

[LiquidStateAnim]

Star talk is the best when chuck is on. He butchers everything.

[CarlSAGAN.]

I'm Turkish and I love Neil Tyson and Star Talk. I think Science is most important thing in the world.
Thank you Neil and Hello from Turkey 👋

[UtraVioletDreams]

17:40 Chuck, you just confirmed what was already obvious in you're eye's. You would love the city I live in. Amsterdam. Come visit us when all this corona madness is over. I show you around!!

[tanynova]

I kept getting distracted by the equations in the background 😂

[stevewatt]

"We are all just prisoners here, of our own device." The Eagles were right!

[Ibrahim-couc]

"My first sentence and I got schooled" it happens to the best of us.

[bigdog]

This episode had me conversing with myself on the way home rambling about all the possibilities and ending that convo with shut up dumb@&$ Lol ..

[grayroger]

29:20 Chuck struggling to say "foremost" nearly brought me to tears 🤣🤣🤣

[nutrongamingyt]

Hi i am from india and star talk is my favourite channel ❤😎