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.
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Perimeter Institute Origins
- The Perimeter Institute is a public-private partnership started by Mike Lazaridis, founder of Research in Motion.
- Lazaridis, the inventor of the Blackberry, wanted to give back to theoretical physics.
Quantum Mechanics and Realism
- Quantum mechanics governs the atomic world and was invented in the early 20th century.
- It challenges realism by suggesting that reality depends on our knowledge of it.
Quantum Randomness
- Quantum mechanics, as formulated in the 1920s, introduces true randomness, meaning events lack underlying causes.
- Some physicists, including Einstein, argued that hidden variables might exist, making quantum mechanics incomplete.