Leonard Susskind - Why Black Holes are Astonishing

Black holes warp space and time, squeeze matter to a vanishing point, and trap light so that it cannot escape. Black holes, with masses millions or billions times that of our sun, sit at the center of galaxies. How can black holes perform such stupendous tricks, and what can we learn from them?



Leonard Susskind is the Felix Bloch Professor of Theoretical Physics at Stanford University, and Director of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics. He received a BS in physics from City College of New York and a PhD from Cornell University.


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.

[Shadow-In-The-East]

What a fascinating discussion between Jeff Goldblum cosplaying Steve Jobs, and amateur theoretical physicist John Malkovich.

[buikhai]

The world needs more scientists like Leonard Susskind. Such a great communicator for such complex subject. He makes us understand the universe just a little bit more.

[colder]

Leonard Susskind is simply the best! He can explain such a complicated phenomenon in really simple words which are understandable to practically anyone. Infinite kudos to him! He is my favorite lecturer.

[JohnnyAmerique]

Interesting interview with Dr. Susskind. Now to the comments section to see what the experts have to say.

[barbara]

I love how he explains things - It allows us non-physics to not only understand but also have a fascination and yearning to learn more about black holes. Thank you!

[richardmindemann]

I'm a big fan of this guy. His YouTube classes are fun and enlightening. I'm so old I'm proof that it's never too late to learn challenging stuff. I hated physics in high school. It wasn't as interesting as girls, pool, or baseball. But it's how things work, and I'm having fun with it in my ...ah....golden years.

[arbitrage]

Interviewer did a fantastic job of listening, even though it seems like he knows a lot of whats being discussed already.

[SikStylo]

Best most comprehensive breakdown I've heard from any physicist.

[marksimpson]

This interviewer whose name ive forgotten is brilliant! He knows a lot about the subject but lets people who know more and who can communicate fascinatingly about their subject communicate!

[Blake-czmj]

The interviewer is awesome, asks great questions then lets them talk

[emo.]

I want to know what Dr Susskind does to keep his mind so sharp. He's 81. Amazing.

[albertschultz]

As someone else commented. What a privilege to listen how something so complicated as Black Holes can be explained to us less gifted and yet leave one with a whetted appetite for more. Many thanks 🙏🏻

[wthomas]

This is the sort of interview that makes this particular channel worthwhile.

[BrianPseivaD]

Leonard Susskind is my hero,
this guy is so forward thinking,
I actually have his name tattooed on my arm so I can enjoy and remember his teachings forever,
I’ll never forget your notions as a result. Thank you for changing my full outlook on reality Dr Susskind. Knowledge negates fear!

[StarsHearts]

He literally answered my question in the first 60 seconds (why are we so fascinated with black holes/ are they useful).


He answered that. But I could keep listening for hours…

[ashutoshsingh]

That's why Leonard Susskind is so important, he explains in everything in "your" words !
And we people can understand the Universe.

[drumrit]

its so nice when the interviewer doesn't interrupt the speaker constantly

[teymoorazarpaad]

Wow, that was an amazing description of black hole I’ve ever heard. The analogy of limitless lake for black hole was the most ingenious method to describe the black hole. That was a brilliant analogy. Thanks!

[philostreet]

This is the best explanation of the black hole ever! Using sound as metaphor is a great way to understand this curious phenomenon. Thanks!

[altyra]

That equals 2 years of my high school boring physics classes.
I enjoyed every moment!