Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:

– Headspace: https://headspace.com/lex (https://headspace.com/lex) to get free 1 month trial

– The Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.youtube.com/thejordanharbingershow (https://www.youtube.com/thejordanharbingershow)

– Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace (https://lexfridman.com/squarespace) and use code LEX to get 10% off

– Allform: https://allform.com/lex (https://allform.com/lex) to get 20% off

EPISODE LINKS:

Cumrun’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/cumrunv (https://twitter.com/cumrunv)

Cumrun’s Website: https://www.cumrunvafa.org (https://www.cumrunvafa.org)

Puzzles to Unravel the Universe (book): https://amzn.to/3BFk5ms (https://amzn.to/3BFk5ms)

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast (https://lexfridman.com/podcast)

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr (https://apple.co/2lwqZIr)

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 (https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8)

RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ (https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/)

YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman (https://youtube.com/lexfridman)

YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips (https://youtube.com/lexclips)

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast

– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman (https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman)

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman (https://twitter.com/lexfridman)

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman (https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman)

– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman)

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman (https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman)

– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman (https://medium.com/@lexfridman)

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