Brian Cox on how black holes could unlock the mysteries of our universe

When black holes disappear, what happens to the stuff that fell in? Physicist Brian Cox explains.

Brian Cox explains the significance of black holes in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity and a deeper understanding of space and time. According to Cox, black holes are intriguing because they challenge the compatibility of quantum theory and general relativity, creating a fundamental clash in our understanding of nature. Unifying these two pillars of physics is a major goal for theoretical physicists, and black holes are crucial in this pursuit.

He also delves into the characteristics of black holes, describing the event horizon as a boundary between the external universe and the interior of the black hole.

In conclusion, he says, black holes play a pivotal role in our understanding of the universe, pushing scientists to explore the nature of space, time, and the fundamental laws of physics. They offer a glimpse into something deeply hidden, potentially leading to a profound shift in our comprehension of reality.

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About Brian Cox:

Brian Cox obtained a first class honors degree in physics from the University of Manchester in 1995 and in 1998 a Ph.D. in High Energy Particle Physics at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg. He is now Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester, The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Brian is widely recognized as the foremost communicator for all things scientific, having presented a number of highly acclaimed science programs for the BBC watched by billions internationally including ‘Adventures in Space and Time’ (2021), ‘Universe’ (2021), ‘The Planets’ (2018), ‘Forces of Nature’ (2016), ‘Human Universe’ (2014), ‘Wonders of Life’ (2012), ‘Wonders of the Universe’ (2011) and ‘Wonders of the Solar System’ (2010).

As an author, Brian has also sold over a million books worldwide including ‘Black Holes’, ‘Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos’, ‘Quantum Universe’ and ‘Why Does E=mc2?’ with co-author Professor Jeffrey Forshaw. He has set several world records for his sell-out live tours, including his most recent tour Horizons which has taken in venues across the globe.

[StefBelgium]

Brian Cox is probably one of the best at explaining complex things so that we can all be part of those discoveries and be part of that fantastic astronomy journey.

[staticsound]

Brian has a gift of assembling the right words together when he talks about physics. He helps you think the way a physicist does in simple terms. Not many scientists have this talent because their minds think so quickly, they can't put the words together that make any sense to us. I think the ah-ha moment when one begins to understand what Brian is talking about is what so many young want-to-be scientists are looking for. He provides that one, thought-provoking spark that you find yourself thinking all day about. He will inspire many of our youth to be scientists and they will continue to unlock the secrets of the universe for all of us.

[charliesophia]

“Information is conserved by the universe” this is such a nice way to think of those who have left us, and those who we’ve lost. No one is ever really gone.

[Manoj_Gangineni]

my son is just 3 years 5 months, he always talks about black hole and he is very much interested on these things . Every time he ask me to put Tv to learn about solar system, asteroids and collisions. Nebula ( which I even don’t know ) and galaxies .He wants to know more and more about black hole and nebula . Not sure what’s going on him. Better I want to take him with best astro physicist. He don’t like to watch or see anything apart from solar system . Being 3 years 5 month old, he likes you more . Everyday night, I want to tell him stories about universe, galaxies etc . To make him understand I’m learning these topics . Thanks for inspiration

[KevinJB]

Brian Cox is undoubtedly the best communicator of science to the "common" person. His ability to take such complex topics and make them accessible to non specialists is amazing.

[devdas]

This is the best explanation of black holes I have ever heard. I believe Brian Cox is able to explain so well because he really understands the concept. Reminded me of Feynman. Great editing.

[ashleyellis]

Every single video or TV show that Brian Cox is a part of, is just simply mesmerising. Explains things in such amazing and beautiful detail, it's not something that anyone could ever get bored of.

[bleue_comme_une_orange]

I could listen to Brian Cox for hours, not only because he enables us to catch a glimpse of progress being made in cutting edge physics but also because his enthusiasm and his insatiable curiosity stimulate mine even further.

[sawd]

I love that no matter how mind boggling the universe is, scientists treat it like any other puzzle and are grinding it out. Instead of being blown away, they keep digging and using math/science to figure it out like any detective not affected by the tragedy of a brutal crime but figuring out how it happened getting the full explanation of events, motive etc.

[Fallenhazel]

I've always found Black Holes fascinating, but I've never connected them with that line, "End of Time." It's very poetic.

[coreyyandle]

I love how gentle and soft spoken he is. Plus i tend to comprehend what he says much better than other scientific speakers.

[sherifaljeddawy]

Brian Cox speaking without interruptions is a sermon... salute from Egypt.

[RedGrant]

The way in which Brian Cox articulates his explanations of all things science, not limited just to the discussion of black holes, (and their mysterious nature) is a flawless, grammatically perfect way that is simply unprecedented among public speakers.

[robertfrost]

I am not a physicist, nor a scientist. I am a simple retail employee in California. But, if entanglement happens near the event horizon of a black hole and if, as professor Cox suggests, black holes have a finite lifespan, then could a black hole become large enough and live long enough to pull in so much matter over it's lifetime, that it could eventually collapse on itself again and then detonate as it did when it first went supernova? And if we have not observed or do not have the tools to measure such an occurrence, isn't it possible that our universe was once itself a black hole? If true, could there be other similar black holes that have spawned other universes? If so, because black holes bend the fabric of space time, isn't it possible that we simply aren't able to detect these other universes because the space time in these universes don't overlap?

Professor Cox is far and away my favorite scientist to listen to.

[Salad-Cream-Binge]

This is really well shot and edited. The music, the grading, the pacing, the closeups, the wides, the graphics. Cox seems very relaxed here and it's very well constructed as an edit. Thank you!

[MonkeyJedi]

The escape velocity explanation just increased my understanding of the topic about 20-40%. And I have a B.S. in Physics and have been reading and learning about cosmology for a few decades.
This alone makes the time spent watching worth more than I can tally.

[kapilsharmaWorld_uncensored]

It's almost magical that we can see such quality content for free.

[waffle]

I feel like death allows us to ask these crazy questions. Everyone reading this comment.... will die one day. but before that we have an insane desire to know why this is all happening. I envy the future because they will have the answers that we could never yet reach

[ExtremeFader]

That part about space and time being an emergent property from something deeper and hidden made me cry. I am so moved by this video. It is so beautiful. Thank you. The mysteries of life unite us all.

[j.d.blitch]

Big Think and Brian Cox is a dream combo. Need more of it.