Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

When Physics Gets Rid of Time and Quantum Theory | Julian Barbour

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Apr 29, 2025

Julian Barbour, a British physicist renowned for his innovative ideas on time and shape dynamics, explores mind-bending concepts about the universe. He argues that time might be an illusion, suggesting we rethink quantum mechanics without traditional principles. Barbour introduces a relational perspective, emphasizing ratios over conventional notions of space and time. He delves into the significance of shapes in existence, challenging established views and urging a holistic understanding of reality and consciousness.

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INSIGHT

Universe Built From Ratios

Julian Barbour proposes the universe is fundamentally composed of ratios of particle separations, not absolute sizes or times.
He suggests time is an illusion and quantum mechanics might be a non-fundamental manifestation of classical physics.

INSIGHT

Entropy Not Fundamental Universe

The traditional understanding of entropy assumes a system confined in a box, which does not apply to the universe.
Barbour argues entropy is not fundamental for the universe's arrow of time, challenging the past hypothesis.

INSIGHT

Variety Defines Time's Arrow

Newton's theory reveals a scale-invariant quantity called variety that governs the universe's structural complexity.
This variety increases over time, defining an arrow of time independently of entropy.

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Reflections on the motive power of heat

Sadi Carnot

In 'Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire', Sadi Carnot presents a pioneering analysis of heat as a source of energy. Despite being based on the caloric theory of heat, which was later proven incorrect, the book laid crucial groundwork for the development of modern thermodynamics, particularly in the concepts of reversible processes and the second law of thermodynamics.

De Rerum Natura

On the Nature of Things

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De Rerum Natura is a six-book poem written in Latin hexameters by Lucretius. It sets forth the physical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus, explaining the principles of atomism, the mortality of the soul, and the natural explanations for various phenomena. The poem is divided into six books, each addressing different aspects of Epicurean philosophy, including the atomic structure of the universe, the nature of mind and soul, the mechanics of sense perception, and the origins of the world and human society. Lucretius argues that the universe operates according to natural laws without divine intervention, and he aims to eliminate fear of death and the supernatural by demonstrating that all phenomena can be explained by natural causes[2][3][4].

The Feeling of Life Itself

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Monadology

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A New Theory of Time

Julian Barbour

In 'The Janus Point', Julian Barbour presents a radically new answer to the question of why time seems to flow in one direction. He argues that the second law of thermodynamics has been misapplied and that the growth of order, rather than disorder, determines how we experience time. Barbour introduces the concept of the 'Janus Point', a moment of minimal order from which time flows in two directions, driven by the expansion of the universe and the growth of order in galaxies, planets, and life. This theory offers a hopeful argument about the destiny of our universe, suggesting that order can grow without bound rather than leading to disorder[2][3][5].

What if quantum mechanics is not fundamental? What if time itself is an illusion? In this new episode, physicist Julian Barbour returns to share his most radical ideas yet. He proposes that the universe is built purely from ratios, that time is not fundamental, and that quantum mechanics might be replaced entirely without the need for wave functions or Planck’s constant. This may be the simplest vision of reality ever proposed. As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SpotifyTOE Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join Videos Mentioned: Julian’s previous appearance on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bprxrGaf0Os Neil Turok on TOE (Big Bang): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUp9x44N3uE Neil Turok on TOE (Black Holes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZCa1pVE20 Debunking “All Possible Paths”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0 John Vervaeke on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVj1KYGyesI Jacob Barandes & Scott Aaronson on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbC3XZr9-c The Dark History of Anti-Gravity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBA3RUxkZdc Peter Woit on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTSeqsCgxj8 Books Mentioned: The Monadology – G.W. Leibniz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546527664 The Janus Point – Julian Barbour: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0465095461 Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat – Carnot: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1514873974 Lucretius: On the Nature of Things: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0393341364 Heisenberg and the Interpretation of QM: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1107403510 Quantum Mechanics for Cosmologists: https://books.google.ca/books?id=qou0iiLPjyoC&pg=PA99 Faraday, Maxwell, and the EM Field: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1616149426 The Feeling of Life Itself – Christof Koch: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08BTCX4BM Articles Mentioned: Time’s Arrow and Simultaneity (Barbour): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2211.14179 On the Moving Force of Heat (Clausius): https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/2559_Therm_Stat_Mech/docs/Clausius%20Moving%20Force%20heat%201851.pdf On the Motions and Collisions of Elastic Spheres (Maxwell): http://www.alternativaverde.it/stel/documenti/Maxwell/1860/Maxwell%20%281860%29%20-%20Illustrations%20of%20the%20dynamical%20theory%20of%20gases.pdf Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell–Boltzmann_distribution Identification of a Gravitational Arrow of Time: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1409.0917 The Nature of Time: https://arxiv.org/pdf/0903.3489 The Solution to the Problem of Time in Shape Dynamics: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1302.6264 CPT-Symmetric Universe: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1803.08928 Mach’s Principle and Dynamical Theories (JSTOR): https://www.jstor.org/stable/2397395 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Consciousness and the Nature of Reality 3:23 The Nature of Time and Change 7:01 The Role of Variety in Existence 9:23 Understanding Entropy and Temperature 36:10 Revisiting the Second Law of Thermodynamics 41:33 The Illusion of Entropy in the Universe 46:11 Rethinking the Past Hypothesis 55:03 Complexity, Order, and Newton's Influence 1:02:33 Evidence Beyond Quantum Mechanics 1:16:04 Age and Structure of the Universe 1:18:53 Open Universe and Ratios 1:20:15 Fundamental Particles and Ratios 1:24:20 Emergence of Structure in Age 1:27:11 Shapes and Their Explanations 1:32:54 Life and Variety in the Universe 1:44:27 Consciousness and Perception of Structure 1:57:22 Geometry, Experience, and Forces 2:09:27 The Role of Consciousness in Shape Dynamics Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs #science

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