Stephon Alexander joins Curt to explore the Autodidactic Universe, matrix models versus string theory, and Chern‑Simons gravity, while debating evolutionary cosmology, anomalies, and practical advice for self‑studying advanced physics.
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:04:46 - BTS banter and framing the conversation
- 00:06:05 - The Autodidactic Universe
- 00:18:54 - BMN vs BFSS (type IIA String Theory)
- 00:26:45 - Lee Smolin's evolutionary model of the universe as black hole spawn
- 00:29:06 - Matrix models linked to particles rather than laws
- 00:30:36 - Explaining D‑branes and their dimensionality
- 00:36:02 - When watching TOE, it's okay to be confused
- 00:36:55 - Chern‑Simons Gravity
- 00:49:03 - Anomaly Cancellations
- 00:51:43 - Klein Gordon equation and renormalization
- 00:55:55 - What is a Theory of Everything? Conditions?
- 00:59:15 - Story about Curt's brother's "genius"
- 01:02:40 - Doubting your own mathematical abilities
- 01:06:02 - Advice for learners in 20s‑40s studying String Theory
- 01:10:24 - Brian Keating is no friend to Stephon (kidding)
- 01:11:08 - How does learning math / physics change with age?
- 01:15:14 - Anomalies and purposeful mistakes leading to insights
- 01:18:02 - No Go theorems (and AdS / CFT correspondence)
- 01:23:26 - Why does the Graviton have Spin 2?
- 01:25:41 - Gems in Geometric Unity
- 01:29:12 - Opinion on Stephen Wolfram's theory / project
- 01:31:05 - Future plans for TOE: Geometric Algebra and Categorical Unification
SPONSORS:
- Curiosity Stream: 25% off via https://curiositystream.thld.co/TOE
- Brilliant: 20% off via https://brilliant.org/TOE
RESOURCES:
- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4xlXUEEnZ6s
- Merch (until end of Oct 2021): https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Crypto: 3CSm4FH6975J8wvKp8x8BSefH6QCVuk736
- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
- Algo's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ
- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/
- Fear of a Black Universe: https://amzn.to/3rxGFcj
- The Jazz of Physics: https://amzn.to/3qR7KIx
- Brian Keating's podcast with Stephon Alexander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehEbrD42U_g
- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com
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