Mysteries of Modern Physics by Sean Carroll

One of the great intellectual achievements of the twentieth century was the theory of quantum mechanics, according to which observational results can only be predicted probabilistically rather than with certainty. Yet, after decades in which the theory has been successfully used on an everyday basis, most physicists would agree that we still don’t truly understand what it means. I will talk about the source of this puzzlement, and explain why an increasing number of physicists are led to an apparently astonishing conclusion: that the world we experience is constantly branching into different versions, representing the different possible outcome of quantum measurements. This could have important consequences for quantum gravity and the emergence of spacetime.

Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, and an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. He is the host of the weekly Mindscape podcast. He is the author of several books, most recently Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime.

[Theon]

Sean says that he never gets tired of being amazed at the human imagination and at Nature's stubborn insistence on following its rules of physics. But I will never get tired of listening to Sean describe how this universe works. His enthusiasm, his clarity, and his stubborn insistence on giving a fair hearing to all sides of controversies in physics is joyful to behold. Sean refuses to remain stuck in the mud of mysteries, but instead lays out the directions we can go and patiently awaits the march of science to determine the best direction.
He reminds me of the "color commentator" at NFL football games. He doesn't just give "nuts and bolts" statistics of how many yards were gained. He tells stories of the players on and off the field and how that relates to their performance in the game. We humans may understand math, but we also understand through a good story. Sean is the master color commentator, telling stories that help us appreciate the "action on the field".

[johnzapata]

I’m 28 years old. I’m not a student of any kind. I attended a few semesters of community college. My job has NOTHING to do with quantum mechanics, academia, or particularly difficult concepts. I’m just someone that loves to learn. Knowledge is a gift. The more you learn about existence the more beautiful it reveals itself to be. Every academic field, every culture, even different beliefs systems, allow more of the universe’s richness to come through. Instead of chasing one truth, learn to see the many truths that people use to interpret the world. You have one too.

Thank you Sean Carroll for spreading knowledge in a concise and entertaining way. You’re a cool human.

[JoeGelman]

This man is a gift. Truly in the tradition of Feynman. A world-class elucidator of high science.

[DrJeeps]

I could listen to Dr. Carroll for hours. Like Brian Greene, Lawrence Krauss, and a few others I watch on a regular basis, his ability to elucidate complex phenomena is amazing.

[hairybear]

Not an "um" or an "ah". But a continuous unbroken flow of rational, logical information. What a pleasure to listen to. A lecturer of the highest order. Bravo!

[mileshall]

I came for the physics, I keep coming back to overcome my insomnia

[myopenmind]

One of the great communicators of our generation. I’m so glad that these have been recorded so I can share with my children.

[macbuff]

Sean is really a great educator. He is able to illustrate very complex subject matter in a very intuitive and passionate manner. I was really never good a physics in high school esp. when it came to the math and the corresponding formulas. Yet, I feel I have gained some basic understanding of the theories presented here and in other lectures by Carroll and folks like Brian Cox, Richard Feynman and others. I am very much into the arts and I find that the arts and the sciences can inform and inspire each other. Connecting it to the real world. It reminds me of the great and beautiful gothic cathedrals that inspire but were only made possible by understanding physics.

[philjamieson]

I think Sean Carroll is such an articulate and brilliant man. If I had half this man's brain, he'd certainly want it back.

[aag]

So glad you upload these to YouTube. Thank you. 🙏

[rippedtorn]

Sean is a phenomenal speaker . Thank you Mr Carroll . 3:51 for those that don't need an intro

[RetsaGames]

The explanation for complexity as a middle way between no entropy and a lot of entropy simply blowed my mind. Amazing amazing talk

[jillionairess]

I keep watching your lectures in hopes that someday I’ll understand something!

[sgatea]

Big Thank You for the excellent presentation !

[bpclowery]

I especially liked his interpretation of connecting Einstein's space curvature with quantum geometry versus energy and entanglement. That is the best interpretation I have witnessed of connecting Einstein's 'Classical Interpretation" of gravity with Quantum Field Theory. I have been looking for someone to describe a possibility and this one seems plausible.

[SolaceEasy]

Thanks for making these concepts so accessible to the general public. Again, another very effective presentation by Sean Carroll.

[natalielambert]

This guy reminds me of star treks 'Q'.

[crispyrobot]

No cats were harmed in the making of this presentation.

[bariizlam]

I absolutely love Prof. Sean Carroll's lectures!! He makes it so interesting even for laymen like myself!! He has such vast knowledge and never gets boring!! Love it

[KieranGarland]

Always enjoy your talks, but this was one of the best. Thanks!