Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

20th Century’s Greatest Living Scientist | Sir Roger Penrose

19 snips
Sep 28, 2024
Sir Roger Penrose, a celebrated physicist and mathematician, discusses his groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, including Twister theory and cyclic cosmology. He critiques quantum mechanics, arguing for a reevaluation of its foundational principles while exploring its relationship with consciousness. Delving into the complexities of space-time, he highlights the challenges of merging gravity with quantum mechanics. Personal anecdotes enrich the scientific discourse, offering insights into his academic journey and the evolving nature of research in physics.
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ANECDOTE

Twister Theory's Origin

  • Roger Penrose recounts the origin of Twister Theory, linking it to a car ride with Pista Oshvat after Kennedy's assassination.
  • During the quiet car ride, he had a key insight about the degrees of freedom in light ray configurations.
INSIGHT

Dimensionality in Twister Theory

  • Penrose emphasizes Twister Theory's specific applicability to our 3+1 dimensional spacetime.
  • He views extra dimensions in theories like string theory as irrelevant to physics.
ANECDOTE

Cambridge and Grothendieck

  • Penrose recalls his time at Cambridge as an outsider in algebraic geometry, contrasting his work with Michael Atiyah's.
  • He attended a lecture by Atiyah as a graduate student and found it incomprehensible.
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