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The Jim Rutt Show

EP5 Lee Smolin – Quantum Foundations and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution

Jul 26, 2019
Lee Smolin, a renowned theoretical physicist and senior faculty member at the Perimeter Institute, dives into the core of quantum gravity and cosmology. He explores Einstein's unfinished revolution, emphasizing the need for a unified theory of quantum mechanics and gravity. Smolin discusses the pilot wave theory and its implications for our understanding of reality. He also presents his thought-provoking cosmological natural selection theory, pondering the Fermi Paradox. With insights on quantum entanglement, Smolin challenges our perspectives on the universe and existence.
01:19:20

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Lee Smolin emphasizes the need for new theories to understand the incompleteness of quantum mechanics and hidden variables.
  • The tension between determinism and randomness in quantum mechanics highlights ongoing debates initiated by figures like Einstein and Bohr.

Deep dives

Perimeter Institute and Its Vision

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is a pioneering research center founded as a public-private partnership, significantly backed by Mike Lazaridis, co-founder of Research in Motion. It was established with an ambition to advance theoretical physics, particularly in quantum gravity, responding to a gap that Lazaridis identified after becoming wealthy. The institute's vision was brought to life through Howard Burton, who, despite lacking formal administrative experience, was selected for his extraordinary insight and leadership potential. Under the guidance of its first and subsequent directors, the institute has evolved into a formidable center for research, emphasizing both public and private support to sustain its mission.

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