Lee Smolin is a theoretical physicist, co-inventor of loop quantum gravity, and a contributor of many interesting ideas to cosmology, quantum field theory, the foundations of quantum mechanics, theoretical biology, and the philosophy of science. He is the author of several books including one that critiques the state of physics and string theory called The Trouble with Physics, and his latest book, Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution: The Search for What Lies Beyond the Quantum.

EPISODE LINKS:

Books mentioned:

– Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution by Lee Smolin: https://amzn.to/2TsF5c3

– The Trouble With Physics by Lee Smolin: https://amzn.to/2v1FMzy

– Against Method by Paul Feyerabend: https://amzn.to/2VOPXCD

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Here’s the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.

OUTLINE:

00:00 – Introduction

03:03 – What is real?

05:03 – Scientific method and scientific progress

24:57 – Eric Weinstein and radical ideas in science

29:32 – Quantum mechanics and general relativity

47:24 – Sean Carroll and many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics

55:33 – Principles in science

57:24 – String theory