Exploring the boundaries of reality with physics | Janna Levin

A physicist discusses the boundaries of reality and experimentation.

Theoretical cosmologist Janna Levin discusses the dynamic interplay between theoretical and experimental physics. She highlights how physicists navigate the tension between imaginative theorizing and strict adherence to observed reality — leading to both confining approaches within known laws, and explosive creativity that has transformed our understanding of the universe.

Levin explores questions about the nature of the cosmos, such as the possibility of multiple universes and the enigma of dark matter. She acknowledges the criticism that theoretical work on unobservable phenomena like the multiverse might not fit traditional scientific criteria, but argues that, in turn, nature may not conform to human definitions.

Levin emphasizes the significance of experimental discoveries, like dark matter's indirect detection through gravitational effects, in shaping our understanding. Ultimately, she asserts that scientific exploration challenges societal limitations, reshaping values and perspectives while underscoring the profound impact of gazing into the cosmos.

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❍ About The Well ❍

Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.

So what do they think?

How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?

Let’s dive into The Well.

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[moderncontemplative]

Theoretical physicists and philosophers, etc. imagine scenarios that often times end up being tested and proven true or false. Imagination is a special type of intelligence not seen among any other life form on this planet. Thus it is precious ;and it is essential for us to value imagination, because it plays a vital role in the world of technology which is accelerating human evolution.

[NathanHarrison]

I simply cannot get enough of “The Well”. I’m a better person thanks to their insights. I’d subscribe 10 times if I could. Thank you for another great video; that openly looks at important topics from every angle possible.

[kibrickj]

I'm wowed by Janna Levin. Affirms my belief that we are, in at least one aspect, in a golden age of discovery. Although I choose a different path and have not contributed to humanity's understanding of our existence, its a thrill of a lifetime to ride along with others.

[edpappas]

Love everything you guys do. Thanks for another fascinating video

[anthonydavidson]

"we have to just shrug our shoulders and say, "Nature doesn't care if it satisfies our criteria for science." It just might be the way that it is and we just might have to accept that." -- Even Intelligent Design...?

[Ammarclips]

We do what we don't want to because we have to do what the world's needs

[FranzVonZeta]

We also are not able to observe the electron, or spacetime, or whatever. We just make observations of things we are able to observe and we describe what we observe with what we consider the most likely explanation, and this way we deduce the electron and spacetime and so on. I don't see how the multiverse is different.

[postsurrealfish]

Before guessing with weird concepts and which is purely based on a reductionist material mindset and assuming that was creative and relevant to reality, there was the forensic/deductive and empirical science method and which actually built and heated our modern world and of course eventually allowed people to see this through their electronic devices.

So a return to reason is called for and with some straight forward logic. By their very existence, all atoms are made from protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge) and so, have created electrical fields within themselves, due to the separation of charge. With the atoms that make up the molecules that make up the cells that make up our bodies, each having a voltage of 25 Millivolts, when in a healthy condition. And between 50 and 200 Millivolts when in healing mode.

We think and our central nervous systems work by way of electrical impulses. The environment in which we live (unless an astronaut) has a charge differential between the negatively charged earth and the positively charged ionosphere rising by about 100 Volts per meter up through the atmosphere. Magnetic fields are seen throughout deep space and there is only one thing that creates magnetic fields and that is electricity.

Plus, the force of electromagnetism is 10^39 or 1000 billion billion billion billion times stronger than Newtonian Gravity, or even how the Einsteins (man and wife) fantasised about it back in the days of gaslight, the bending of the Electromagnetic Spectrum in the presence of matter on a flat bit of rubber-like cloth.

So, as we are obviously electromagnet beings living in a totally electric environment and not one dreamed up in fantasy wasteland.

[nsc]

Can knowing multiverse and dark matter or even just knowing there are countless number of galaxieys out there give human beings peace of mind and help solve current socio-economic and political problems that we face? I don't think so. I think that some physicists are over extraplolating when they seem to think that science has all the answers (although they claim it's not, but they seem to be). Especially, this problem becomes clear when we face quantum mechanics and the hard problem of consciousness

[michaelodriscoll]

You cannot dream about something you do not know ....
The inquiry from a spaciousness of not knowing, provide the Emptiness for Clarity to arise. Critical Thinking eh???
Namaste 🙏

[SimplyNotReally]

Is it possible that black holes just output dark matter in the same way stars fuse elements? Perhaps there is dark gravity that black holes output, sending the matter they absorb back out as dark matter which we cant see

[SimplyNotReally]

"Is nature constantly playing the slot machine"
Im putting that in a song

[zinksinclair]

i saw this video on "Big Think" channel, is "The Well" the original content creator?

[solimandriyan]

What if the freedom of choices is one of basic law and understanding of multiverse it self. 😕

[anywallsocket]

Sure, yes, but comparing dark matter to multiverse is a stretch. No one is claiming x or y shouldn’t ever be explored, if anything you’re just seeking more funding for theoretical results that may or may not pan out. But dark matter isn’t even well established like the speaker implies, what we found could just be an issue with Einstein’s gravity, or new quantum physics. The multiverse is basically by definition out of reach, so even if the universe works like that, we cannot ‘accept’ such an idea, simply because it may be impossible to test. I’m all for the liberalization of science, but it needs strict conservative structure to function properly, otherwise you’re inviting scholarly publications of pseudoscience.

[liam]

😩 physics community is awesome I love its love for rigor but it isn't good enough There are some things that we just can't answer if we follow the tradition like if the Big Bang did create the universe what exactly is the universe inside? I'm pretty sure the universe is infinite but that would make what's outside the universe more than infinite so does that mean the universe isn't infinite? And saying there's only one universe is almost illogical so where the hack are they? And is this thing that contains our universe (multiverse) is that the end? Logically it shouldn't be and if that's the case this cycle should repeat infinitely right? But anything infinite is BS so we certainly won't find the answers to these anytime soon and that's why here's my petition to make Physics 2.0 I don't need sleep I need answers!

[dancegod]

Wasn’t the Big Bang theory brought into question by the James Webb telescope?

[onkarvigy]

In terms of the basic logic there seems to be no difference between Lorentz transformations(that led to special relativity) and the latest so called SW maps in physics!!! The basic logic here is : Cast two "canonical" variables as two simultaneous equations so that they cannot be determined independently!!! The only significant difference is incorporating QM noncommutation(so called Heisenberg Algebra). Now both Lorentz transformations and Hesenberg algebra were inspired by experimental(empirical) results!! Lorentz was trying to match Michelson -Morely experimental results(in 1886) and Heisenberg was interpreting Schrodinger equation/Bohr's postulates that were in turn the logic to match Hydrogen spectrum!!! Therefore, the lesson here is the moments of (significant) departure for Theoretical Physics were always led by experimental/empirical endeavours!!! In future may be our ASI might become so intelligent that it would reverse this trend!!!
[Although 'Special relativity' appears to be a special case of "dependent origination", a doctrine of Nagarjuna, a Buddhist monk, it took mathematical turn only with the aid of experimental/empirical evidence].

[azizmediajr]

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