Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Brian Greene: String Theory, Faster Than Light, and Death

Jan 16, 2023

Brian Greene, a leading theoretical physicist and string theorist from Columbia University, dives into mind-bending discussions about the universe. He explores the fascinating concept of faster-than-light travel and its implications, alongside the intriguing idea of traversable wormholes. Greene also delves into profound topics like death and the afterlife, questioning the fear surrounding them. He discusses the Holographic Principle and how our understanding of time might be more complex than we think, leaving listeners pondering the mysteries of existence.

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INSIGHT

Faster-Than-Light Travel Possibilities

Brian Greene is exploring if faster-than-light travel is possible.
Certain universes with non-trivial topologies might allow this, not by changing physics laws, but by considering different space shapes.

INSIGHT

Closed Timelike Curves and Relativity

Closed timelike curves arise from special relativity applied to universes with non-trivial topologies.
These don't violate relativity, but allow signals to seemingly travel to the past.

ANECDOTE

Back to the Future Paper

Brian Greene's recent work on faster-than-light travel is titled "Back to the Future."
Physical Review D initially rejected the title, but later accepted it due to its descriptive accuracy.

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The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker

In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death. He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world. Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death. He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash[2][5][4].

The elegant universe

Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

Brian Greene

In 'The Elegant Universe', Brian Greene delves into the world of string theory, a theoretical framework that aims to unify the principles of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. The book explores the historical context of physics, from classical physics to the modern theories of superstrings and hidden dimensions. Greene uses analogies and thought experiments to explain complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner, making the subject accessible to a broad audience. The book discusses the evolution of special and general relativity, the basics of quantum mechanics, and the conflicts between these theories, ultimately presenting string theory as a potential solution for a unified theory of everything.

The Order of Time

Carlo Rovelli

In this book, Carlo Rovelli delves into the mysteries of time, combining physics, philosophy, and art to explain how modern physics has transformed our understanding of time. The book is divided into sections that cover the theory of relativity, space-time, loop quantum gravity, and thermodynamics. Rovelli argues that at the most fundamental level, time disappears, and our perception of its flow is subjective and influenced by our brain and emotions. He uses metaphors and simple language to make complex concepts accessible to a broad audience[2][4][5].