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