Do we need a Theory of Everything?

I get constantly asked if I could please comment on other people’s theories of everything. That could be Garrett Lisi’s E8 theory or Eric Weinstein’s geometric unity or Stephen Wolfram’s idea that the universe is but a big graph, and so on. First I explain what physicists mean by a theory of everything and by grand unification (or a grand unified theory, respectively). Then I explain why the current approaches are no very promising but why, forgive me, I nevertheless think it's good to have them.

[kefhomepage]

This why I love your channel, you don't just accept things and you are very critical of the state of today's physics . That's the mentality needed, if we are to keep going forward in the advancement of physics . And yes the universe doesnt give a damn, what we want or what we think as pretty . It is what is it .

[dhawkins]

Reminds me very much of a Feynman quote:
"People say to me, "Are you looking for the ultimate laws of physics?" No, I'm not, I'm just looking to find out more about the world, and if it turns out there is a simple ultimate law which explains everything, so be it, that would be very nice to discover. If it turns out it's like an onion with millions of layers and we're just sick and tired of looking at the layers, then *that's* the way it is! But whatever way it comes out, its Nature is there and She's going to come out the way She is. And therefore, when we go to investigate it we shouldn't predecide what it is we're trying to do, except to try to find out more about it."

[MillzTheAthlete]

"I'm not interested in looking any closer because I don't also want to waste my time."

The ultimate denial of a second date.

[chrisstavaas]

I’m howling of laughter at that photo of Lisi Sabine selected for the video.

[earlystrings]

I remember being warned as an American going to work in Germany not to be freaked out by the fact that German professionals come straight out and say what they truly think, even if it’s highly critical. Sabine has turned this trait into an art form.

[Chiller]

What I like is that she seems honest without coming off as a jerk.

[jorgefigoeroa]

Sabine, you have not only an independent mind in physics which is admirable, most importantly you are demonstrating to be an honest and humble scientist.

[mspointsfre]

Haha gotta love how blunt Germans are. "I'm not going look deeper into their theories because I do not want to waste my time".

[youtopia]

This is satisfying to watch. One brilliant, thought-provoking, and still humble argument followed by another one. Well done!

[radviger]

Amazing! Your videos are like a breath of a fresh air after all these semi-scientific videos about physics that do not actually demystify anything, but instead add more misunderstanding.

[calrowles]

Thank you for this. Although I am intrigued by the possibilities of the TOE, I understand our current inability to come remotely close to testing it. You touched on the potential disconnect between Math and realty, you worded it differently, but I look at it this way; Math is a language, and it is just as capable of fiction as English or German. It is only when you can tie it to reality that you separate fact from fiction.

[georgebrucks]

I’m currently reading Lost in Math. It is a curious thing: I don’t understand much of the science, but I find myself snorting or even laughing out loud at your sarcasm and self-deprecating humor. What a hoot. Thanks.

[irvingchies]

I loved the Wikipedia linkhole reference 🤣
So many times I've been pulled by it while reading about physics it hit a soft spot

[theraven]

Wow. That is one of the most concise and plain spoken takedowns of TofE I’ve ever heard. Thank you.

[shadesoul]

Sabine is like that aunt in your family that everybody dislike so you think you don't like her either.
But then you grow older and you start understand that they only dislike her because she speaks things as they are.
You then have a choice to make.
Say things as they are or say things as you'd want them to be.
And you slowly realize what choice the rest of the family made.

[Thebelal]

Your videos are so easy to follow, you have a great way of getting to the point. I look forward to all of your uploads, Thank you.

[alexdevisscher]

Sabine: "It may not be what you want to hear."
Me: clicks like button.

[SangsungMeansToCome]

Sabine reminds me of Blackadder:
"There is just a tiiiiny little problem with your GUT..."
"And what is that?"
"IT'S BOLLOCKS!"

[phillipnunya]

I agree that "pretty" math can lead down many rabbit holes and is often based on hunches, but I think that it is possible to create a single theory that accurately predicts all aspects of reality we can observe. I don't think we are anywhere close to it, but there is no reason to think it can not be done. It is a very logical deduction.

[marxug]

The search for the theory of everything will someday be remembered much as we remember the medieval search for the philosopher’s stone.