Big Think Brian Cox on how black holes could unlock the mysteries of our universe
Aug 25, 2025
Brian Cox, a renowned physicist and author, dives into the enigma of black holes and their significance in understanding our universe. He explores what happens to objects that fall into black holes and discusses the clash between quantum theory and general relativity. Cox highlights the event horizon as a critical boundary in this cosmic mystery. His insights suggest that black holes could unlock a unified theory of gravity, challenging our perceptions of space, time, and the fundamental laws of physics.
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Black Holes Force A Theory Clash
- Black holes expose a clash between quantum theory and general relativity that challenges our basic physics.
- Solving that clash could unlock a quantum theory of gravity and deepen our understanding of space and time.
Origins In 18th-Century Thought
- The idea of objects so massive that light cannot escape dates back to the 1780s and thinkers like John Michell and Pierre-Simon Laplace.
- They used escape velocity reasoning to predict invisible stars long before relativity was developed.
Event Horizon And The Singularity
- The event horizon separates the external universe from an interior where even light cannot escape and traditional roles of space and time swap.
- The central singularity behaves like an 'end of time' rather than a normal location in space.
