Neil Turok on the simplicity of nature

Neil Turok is a professor at the University of Edinburgh where he holds the Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics. He acted as the director of Perimeter Institute from 2008 to 2019 and now holds the Carlo Fidani Roger Penrose Distinguished Visiting Research Chair in Theoretical Physics at PI.

In this episode of Conversations at the Perimeter, he talks about his recent work that describes the Big Bang, how his research has been influenced by Stephen Hawking, and why he chooses to work on theories that have the potential to be proven wrong.

He also talks about his time as director of Perimeter Institute and describes the strategies he used to create a culture and community capable of fostering breakthroughs. It's a fascinating conversation, and Neil is uniquely gifted in describing both the biggest questions in theoretical physics and the best strategies for answering them.

Conversations at the Perimeter is co-hosted by Perimeter Teaching Faculty member Lauren Hayward and journalist-turned-science communicator Colin Hunter. In each episode, they chat with a guest scientist about their research, the challenges they encounter, and the drive that keeps them searching for answers.

The podcast is produced by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, a not-for-profit, charitable organization supported by a unique public-private model, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada. Perimeter Institute acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples. Perimeter’s educational outreach initiatives, including Conversations at the Perimeter, are made possible in part by the support of donors like you.

[Iamthepossum]

Paraphrasing this great man somewhat, but, “Living up to the opportunity of life, what the world is offering us, and the role we can play in it is sometimes ‘scary’, but is our responsibility; and compromising to ensure safety, such that our lives will succeed in following a conventional path, is a missed opportunity.” . Thank you for this
Beautiful and inspiring discussion, Professor Turok. ❤

[TerryHughes-um]

As a retired physicist, I look up to Prof. Turok and his wonderful attitude to science in general. All should take inspiration from his attitude.

[williamjmccartan]

Thank you both for sharing your time and work Neil, Lauren, and the Perimeter Institute, always proud that we have this institution in Ontario, and that it is supported by our provincial and federal government's, science has a way of clearing the fog and finding answers to some very important questions, peace

[philclancaster]

Something really refreshing about this interview, honesty, and clarity

[thomasmadsen]

The quality of the interviewer questions amazes me. Good work. And hats of to Turok, precise and concise.

[mavelous]

I like Neil.
When he talks about simplicity of nature vs complexity of the ‘middle’ stuff(life) it really seems to ring true.
He always brings up the importance of observation in actually confirming theories, which seems so necessary.

[thedouglasw.lippchannel]

All Neil's comments so well stated and the host was equally as perfect.

[davidstuart]

I thought this was excellent. Not only was Neil fabulous in his responses and discussion, but I feel strongly that Lauren Hayward did an outstanding job as host. She guided the discussion along broad lines - I really appreciate that. This was about physics, but also about organizations, cultural influences on groups, etc. Bravo Zulu y'all!

[Lp]

Niel Turok is a great inspiration to anyone who wants to enter the world of science and not just theoretical physics. The insights and ideas he shares are very universal to science itself as he says in the video and I paraphrase "we in the theoretical physics are very cheap. We can reorganize the structure of how science is done in theoretical physics more easily than in any other field" This is not his exact words but that what I understood. I encourage anyone wanting to enter the world of research and science to listen to this interview and pay attention to what we can learn from 1. The process of doing science 2. The motivations of a person doing science and 3. How to be driven by ones own desires and questions and still contribute and be "useful" to those who employ, recruit or admit us to the institutions that are publicly or privately funded. In other words how can one be a responsible member of society without giving up any of our true innate passions. I am sure you will pickup a few tips at least from Neil Turok in this video interview.

[edwardlee]

Here, a living legend beacons in, not only the vicinity of particle physics, but science as a whole. Very good interviews.
Thanks for the efforts and keep up the good work.

[sebastiaan_de_vries]

I was already a fan of Neil Turok after watching 'The Astonishing Simplicity of Everything'. But here I also met a very wise, cultured and lively person, with a great feeling for the mystery of theoretical physics. Enjoyed it a lot!

[FeedbackLoop]

What a wonderrful guy. I got goose bumps listening to him talking about the "scary world" we live in and how to deal with the resulting "fear" in a responsible way.

[kevinkammueller]

He and Penrose amaze me in their ability to explain to lay people the short comings of modern physics, the problems with current theories and some of the new solutions and where they came from. So many of the lectures you hear talk about the current theories and how they work so well, but very few are willing to talk about where the current theories are breaking down, the contrarian views and how they are revolutionizing modern physics. This is an amazing video, on par with several of the talks with Penrose that were posted in the last several years.

[owaisahmad]

Neil Turok is very good at explaining complocated stuff while trying to keep it as simple as he can - geeat communicator. A well conducted interview. In addition to the guest, kudos to the interviewer as well.

[camdix]

Dr. Turok's words on the importance of the scientific community supporting diversity - especially people who might not appear to fit our social comfort zones - are profoundly important and wonderful to hear. Sentiments such as this would be well applied in all areas of human society. Thank you so much for this wonderful interview.

[jirimarek]

Vynikající rozhovor. Pan profesor Neil Turok je moudrý člověk.

[GrowBagUK]

Neil is a great communicator with an ability to impart complicated ideas in laymans terms.

[ranjeettunes]

Great talk as always by Neil Turok. He is one of few active theoretical cosmologists who I enjoy when he speaks to a lay audience. His sparing and economical approach comes from deep experience and hindsight. Kudos, Sir!

[elliotpolanco]

This man brings me peace for some reason lol

[robertfraser]

Outstanding ! Excellent interviewer and questions and clear air for the very impressive answers !