At the turn of the 20th century, physicists realised their understanding of the subatomic world was wrong. A new theory was born: quantum mechanics. Despite defying everyday notions of the nature of reality, quantum physics has had a profound impact on both basic science and modern technology. In the first of two episodes to mark the centenary of the birth of quantum physics, our guest this week explains what this science has done for humanity already and what it will do next.

Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guest: Paul Davies of Arizona State University and the author of “Quantum 2.0”.

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