Closer To Truth What Are Breakthroughs in Mathematics?
Nov 29, 2023
Guest
Paul Davies
Guest
Michael Hopkins
Guest
Karen Uhlenbeck
Guest
Ivan Corwin
Guest
Gregory Chaitin
Guest
Edward Witten
Renowned mathematicians and physicists discuss breakthroughs in mathematics, including the significance of solving problems like the Colabi conjecture, the impact on physics, complexities of four-dimensional spaces, random sequences, and the relationship between mathematics and physics.
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Mathematics As Universal Knowledge
- Mathematics conveys eternal, universal truths beyond physical things and language.
- Advances in mathematics represent advances in civilization comparable to major technological achievements.
Physics Spurs Mathematical Directions
- Physicists bring different imaginations that push mathematics into new directions.
- Cross-disciplinary influence often accelerates mathematical development and yields unexpected importance.
Unexpected Collaborative Breakthrough
- Karen Uhlenbeck recounts collaborating with Jonathan Sacks to solve a problem about locally area-minimizing two-spheres.
- The result was easier than expected but later became a foundational reference in seminars decades on.