What Happened Before the Big Bang?

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We actually have a pretty good idea of what might have happened before the Big Bang. That is, as long as we define the Big Bang as the extremely hot, dense, rapidly expanding universe that is described by Einstein’s equations. That picture of the universe is very solid down to about a trillionth of a second after the supposed beginning of time. We can make good guesses down to about 10^-30th of a second. But before that?

Hosted by Matt O'Dowd
Written by Matt O'Dowd
Graphics by Leonardo Scholzer
Directed by Andrew Kornhaber
Produced By: Kornhaber Brown

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Big Bang Supporters:

Alexander Tamas
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Morgan Hough

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Mark Heising
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Hank S
John Hofmann
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Jordan Young
Joseph Salomone
Matthew
Matthew O'Connor
Syed Ansar

Gamma Ray Burst Supporters:

Adrien Hatch
Adrian Molyneux
Alexey Eromenko
Andreas Nautsch
Bradley Jenkins
Brandon Labonte
Carlo Mogavero
Dan Warren
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DFaulk
Dustan Jones
Geoffrey Short
James Flowers
James Quintero
John Funai
John Pollock
Jonah
Jonathan Nesfeder
Joseph Dillman
Josh Thomas
Kevin Warne
Kyle Hofer
Malte Ubl
Mark Vasile
Nathan Hitchings
Nicholas Nachefski
Nick Virtue
Paul Rose
Scott Gossett
Sigurd Ruud Frivik
Taras Vozniuk
Tim Jones
Tim Stephani
Yurii Konovaliuk
سلطان الخليفي

[xexpertx]

I literally can't believe that PBS actually is funding something this in-detail. I used to watch PBS as a kid all the time, it's what got me interested in science and why I went into STEM. I love you guys so much, you are doing a huge service to humanity, inspiring multiple generations to have an interest in sciences which will make this world better for everyone. Thank you so much for the endless joy you've brought us :') You have no idea how much it means to me

[dman]

Yesterday I looked at my dog in pity. Unable to comprehend television....he deserves an extra treat today

[sanjeebbharadwaj]

I watch an episode when I start feeling too smart...
Always brings back me to reality...

[ASLUHLUHCE]

With all these people saying they didn't understand anything, I'd just like to say that I really appreciate your level of depth. This channel has some of the best pop-sci explanations of theoretical physics and cosmology out there. Thank you so much Matt (and anyone else involved)!

[Sixnipplesonebreast]

In another episode of "I'll pretend I get it"

[richardkurr]

Sometimes I watch these videos and realize: “so this is what it feels not to understand English “

[michealbarrow]

Honestly your channel has changed my life. I don't have money to go to college but everything watch your videos it just fulfills me. Leads me down fun rabbit holes of mathematics and the strange aspects of the universe we live in.

[LouigiVerona]

I feel these videos are a really convoluted way of saying "we just don't know, although a couple of physicists have some good ideas"

[SirHefferlot]

1. Question in my head: "What Happened Before the Big Bang?"
2. Watching this video.
3. Don't understand anything.
4. Tell myself to stop asking questions that have too complicated answers.

[abz]

Love the fact that PBS is covering ground breaking theoretical research in somewhat comprehendible human. Support them if you can.

[Frangishk]

Me: watches this video

Also me: can’t understand the cooking instructions on the pogo box

[TheZAPcon]

just getting back into this channel. i remember getting upset 3 or 4 years ago when i saw gabe was getting replaced, and now i'll be devastated if matt ever has to go! really doing an awesome job! thanks for all the knowledge (even if it doesn't ever fully sink in!)

[AmpDecay]

who gets totally confused half way through but just keeps watching anyway?

[AlexanderEVtrainer]

9:48 "Admittedly this raises a few questions."
Bro... you have no idea...

[rscifnd]

I have a degree in physics and chemistry, he lost me.

[kension]

I think a more fun question is, what is on the other side of the universes expansion? We know it's expanding. But, expanding into what exactly?

[neilmcdonald]

I’m hoping if i watch enough of these videos I’ll understand what he’s talking about

[fvckinfool]

I need colored animations and detailed physics of the time before time.

[asdasdasdasd]

I love Spacetime. Best channel covering cosmology and particle physics. All other documentries on YT are just crap.

[cozzoli]

I feel like I'm in the classroom with Charlie Brown listening to the teacher