The Biggest Questions of Cosmology: Pondering the Imponderables

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Is our universe unique or one of many? What happened before the Big Bang? Why is there something rather than nothing? Physicists and cosmologists are closing in on how the universe operates at its very core. But even with powerful telescopes and particle accelerators pushed to their limits, experimenters struggle to keep up as theoreticians march forward, leaving grand theories untested. Some argue that if these deep questions can’t be answered empirically, they’re not relevant to science. Are they right? Join world-leading cosmologists, philosophers and physicists as they tackle the profound questions of existence.

PARTICIPANTS: David Z. Albert, George F. R. Ellis, Alan Guth, Veronika Hubeny, Andrei Linde, Barry Loewer
MODERATOR: Jim Holt

This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

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TOPICS:

- The Biggest Questions of Cosmology 00:00

- Participant Introductions 05:33

- Does eternity relate to infinity? 13:45

- Why is wrong to say the universe has a finite past? 24:15

- The two claims about inflation. 36:54

- Is 3D dimensional space the real space? 47:27

- The "measurement" problem 59:33

[ryangrayson]

For those of you out there who, like me, are binge watching these physics lectures and presentations - I have to say that this one, in particular, is much more tense and lively a debate than the other WSF panels. I fell asleep a quarter of the way through the first time (not uncommon as I watch before bed) because I was a little turned off by the abstract nature of the conversation but upon a second go-around, am pleasantly intrigued by this powerhouse line-up and their politely tense parsing of words - when so much seems to be on the line - i've grown a little tired of watching Brian Greene chew his own scenery and this is a nice antidote.

[jakob]

It’s heartwarming how none of the participants are interrupting each other... such a relief from basically every other conversation happening in both business and public television.

[The_Tauri]

Gotta say, in what little she spoke, Veronika Hubeny made one hell of a case for not taking too literally the claims of the description of reality in one particular formulation of physical theories vs another. I was completely convinced by her rather uncommon statement that even the classical 3D world is necessarily more "real" than what any other (mathematically equivalent) description might suggest.

[warren]

Too many brilliant minds seem to forget, mathematics is merely a philosophical tool for logic and reasoning in the metaphysical realm and does not directly define the physical realm.
All the models of the physical realm in physics are just that, models, a rendition of our current understanding of reality. Just as an artist starts off drawing gibberish to making better and better models of reality to having a good rendition of it. However, these models will always be our perception of reality and not necessarily reality itself.

[stevelk]

Fun stuff. Albert is great. Never heard anyone who could state something so well - even beautifully - while speaking in a style where the main word is the hated "uh".

[prmzht]

"Time is not infinite; it will be infinite in the future, which we will never reach"

Mind.blown.

[rickfeeney]

Alan Guth always makes me smile. What a champ!

[superduck]

We don't even understand what gravity is, or how it works. But yet we think we know that space comes from a singularity. It's like seeing a wave coming in to shore, and assuming that it's travelled, and looked the same, for ever.

[jamesyboy]

Perfect timing, right when I'm heading to bed. Thanks .

[crumbummin]

so many phrases and principles in this discussion that flew right over my head. But still eyes glued. Possibly like a toddler watching a cartoon, not picking up on the plot and what will happen next, but just soaking it in.

[pillettadoinswartsh]

So, the man who came up with inflation to satisfy the Big Bang theory, is now working on a model of an eternal universe?
That's really impressive.
We need more men like Alan Guth in science (and in politics?). Follow where curiosity and feasibility lead (as long as the funding lasts).

[HardRockMiner]

The guy 2nd from our right looks like every crazy scientist in every movie I have ever seen.

[AlexLopez-oorw]

Amazing how they seems to understand each other, , ,

[leemaples]

the discussion of infinty can go on forever.

[Vikash]

The mathematician guy almost lost his shit when the lady said 1 divided by 0

[stevephillips]

This is like my dream dinner party guest list.

[skipsch]

This seems so nicely fast-paced compared to some other WSF physics panels I've seen. Real real cool.

[deeliciousplum]

While listening to this discussion, I am overwhelmed with how little I know. And, to add to this feeling of how little I know, these exceptionally knowledgeable people have areas where they, too, know very little. Knowledge gaps are universal thangs. I can imagine that in the not too distant future, there may be people along with a means to embelish their cognitive reach who will have the means to know more about the universe. I hope that we can survive our harmful propensities, so as to be able to observe as well as to explore a greater portion of what are our numerous current unknowns.
📦🐈

[spnhm]

The discussion led to a place that might as well have been on the other side of an event horizon. The moderator seemed much more intent on lobbing controversial questions in order to push buttons than keeping things on track

[PlanetXMysteries-pjnm]

Your videos have ignited a passion for science and the mysteries of the universe within me. Thank you for being such an incredible source of inspiration.