Lex Fridman Podcast

#213 – Barry Barish: Gravitational Waves and the Most Precise Device Ever Built

Aug 23, 2021

Barry Barish, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist from Caltech, shares insights on the groundbreaking LIGO detector, which measures gravitational waves, transforming our understanding of the universe. He discusses the intricacies of engineering precision and the collaborative efforts behind these significant scientific advancements. The conversation also delves into the mysteries of black holes and the implications of gravitational waves for future cosmic exploration, weaving in themes of curiosity, human achievement, and the ethical dimensions of scientific progress.

02:30:12

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Episode guests

Barry Barish

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Impactful Sponsorships and Health Insights

7min

Curiosity and the Cosmos

9min

Fermi's Legacy: Science and Morality

10min

Reflections on Fermi: Humanity, the Fermi Paradox, and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Communication

5min

The Mysteries of Gravitational Waves

19min

Gravitational Waves: Detecting the Undetectable

18min

Engineering Precision: The Scientific Instrument Challenge

4min

Engineering the High Vacuum Challenge

5min

10.

Navigating Leadership in Science

19min

11.

Unlocking the Universe: Advancements in Gravitational Wave Research

11min

12.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Black Holes

13min

13.

Exploring the Final Frontiers

6min

14.

Hope and Literature: A Journey Through Humanity's Lens

10min

15.

Navigating Dreams and Aspirations in Life

2min

16.

Reflections on Moby Dick and Life's Meaning

7min

17.

Reflections on Consciousness, Legacy, and Human Achievement

3min

Barry Barish is a theoretical physicist at Caltech and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Barry’s Nobel Prize entry: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2017/barish/facts/
Barry’s Caltech profile: https://pma.caltech.edu/people/barry-c-barish
LIGO’s Website: https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/
LIGO’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LIGO

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:27) – Early Math and Physics questions
(18:02) – Enrico Fermi
(24:34) – Birth of the Nuclear Age
(29:42) – The Fermi Paradox
(34:45) – Gravity
(51:28) – Philosophical Implications of General Relativity
(58:34) – Detecting Gravitational Waves
(1:01:47) – LIGO
(1:34:45) – Nobel Prize
(1:49:34) – Black Holes
(2:01:53) – Space Exploration
(2:09:48) – Books
(2:18:37) – Advice for young people
(2:24:33) – Meaning of life