Mindscape 211 | Solo: Secrets of Einstein's Equation

My little pandemic-lockdown contribution to the world was a series of videos called The Biggest Ideas in the Universe. The idea was to explain physics in a pedagogical way, concentrating on established ideas rather than speculations, with the twist that I tried to include and explain any equations that seemed useful, even though no prior mathematical knowledge was presumed. I’m in the process of writing a series of three books inspired by those videos, and the first one is coming out now: The Biggest Ideas In The Universe: Space, Time, and Motion. For this solo episode I go through one of the highlights from the book: explaining the mathematical and physical basis of Einstein’s equation of general relativity, relating mass and energy to the curvature of spacetime. Hope it works!

#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture

[evans]

Those videos really were helpful as an escape during what ended up being a rough part of the pandemic for me...glad to see you're publishing it.

[markiefufu]

I just pre-ordered your book. We'll be living on the road as nomads for at least the next year. This will be great reading while we're in the middle of nowhere with almost zero light pollution.

[DudokX]

Now this is perfect timing! Right as I am commuting home from work

[constpegasus]

A book series is a great idea. I loved the YouTube series.

[moralboundaries]

Sean, as someone with some basic Lin algebra and calc experience, I thought I would never really understand what Einstein discovered. Tensors just seemed too complex for me to gain an intuitive feel, but you've given me the signposts I desperately wanted. Thank you so much. I'm a very happy armchair physicist and engineer.

[macronencer]

This is the first time I've heard these equations explained so clearly. You're a great communicator! I'm still not quite grasping all of it but every time I hear or see or read more, a little more of it falls into place. Thank you, and I look forward to the book.

[ronfarmer]

"Have you heard the tale of Darth Gμν=8πTμν the wise?"

[kroyhevia]

Can't wait for the new book to arrive tomorrow!

[bakedalaska]

Dr. Carroll, thank you for this amazing video. You are doing excellent work in expanding the minds of common folks like myself. I am still trying to absorb these mind-blowing ideas and will have to listen to this again at least another 3-4 times to better comprehend the notions here and their implications. But I have already gained a deeper understanding of, and appreciation of, the nature of space-time by listening to this just once! You boil the complex down into simple explanations to make the incomprehensible accessible to people like me who do not have backgrounds/degrees in math or science. Can't thank you enough, you should have millions of subs on your channel. ;)

[slkmic]

At 23:12 I would have loved if he broke character and went off on a tangent about how he doesn’t know and doesn’t care anymore, you would hear him yelling and cursing and breaking stuff, hear the cat meow in the background. It ends with him grabbing the microphone, breathing heavily, and says “F Science”😂

[TheMemesofDestruction]

I have been meaning to do a deeper dive on this… thank you so much Professor Carroll!!

[elwood.downey]

Excellent, but a bit much for a podcast without drawings.

[TerminalMIT]

I loved your biggest ideas series. Can’t wait to read the book! 🎉

[williammangion]

Bought the book before I heard even one second of this podcast - thanks Sean!

[marcosfreijeiro]

Thanks Sean, I have been wanting to buy this book since you said you were writing it. I have watched the biggest ideas in the universe 3 times and it is excellent can't wait.

[gcewing]

I wouldn't have thought it was possible to go this deeply into a mathematical subject using audio only, but somehow it worked!

[radical]

Professor Carroll is one of the few people on Earth that knows these subjects well enough to have the ability to explain them relatively simply.

[jasonsmith]

Glad to hear there's a volume two coming and I haven't even read volume one yet.

[PACotnoir]

Early this morning, I found in my Google Books library this book already purchase and starts to read it during my breakfast. I enjoy it! Thanks Sean.

[ihaveanunorigionalname]

I saw you on StarTalk came over here a few videos later I got your book that I'm reading now I love it. I especially love the fact they were based on video segments that I can go back and watch ( listen not watch lol i am driving i just set to 144p aka the youtube podcast mode) during my hour-long commute home I really appreciate that and it's a great reinforcement to the book. I look forward to the next two installments and I hope you continue with the videos and the Q&A to go along with it it was very addicting to watch the video after reading the chapter. Thank you very much.