#204 – Cumrun Vafa: String Theory

Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) - Introduction
(07:08) - Difference between math and physics
(09:51) - Evolution of quantum mechanics
(13:09) - Can mathematics lead humanity off track
(14:07) - Beauty in mathematics
(19:27) - Philosophers using symmetry
(25:20) - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality
(28:32) - Key ideas in the history of physics
(31:26) - Einstein's special relativity
(35:03) - Physicists building intuition
(43:01) - Best work by Einstein
(44:45) - Quantum mechanics
(54:47) - Quantum gravity
(57:02) - String theory
(1:13:11) - 10th Dimension
(1:19:48) - Skepticism regarding string theory
(1:30:53) - Key figures in string theory
(1:35:13) - String Theory's Nobel Prize
(1:38:18) - Edward Witten
(1:46:56) - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands
(1:55:46) - Theories of everything
(2:10:12) - Advice for young people
(2:13:14) - Death