What Is The Higgs Field? Matt Strassler [Ep. 460]

Sep 29, 2024

Theoretical physicist Matt Strassler, noted for his expertise in particle physics, delves into the mysteries of the Higgs field. He explores provocative ideas around the Higgs boson and the origin of mass in our universe. Strassler connects quantum mechanics to concepts of waves and music, unraveling the complex tapestry of reality. The conversation touches on symmetry breaking, the historical context of scientific discoveries, and the philosophical implications of motion and light. Tune in for a fascinating journey through the cosmos!

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Waves, Particles, and the Art of Simplification

03:20 • 11min

Understanding Through Analogies and Galileo's Legacy

14:21 • 7min

Understanding the Higgs Field

21:05 • 6min

Symmetry Breaking and the Nature of the Universe

27:30 • 3min

Symmetry and Scientific Evolution

30:11 • 17min

Exploring the Paradoxes of the Ether and Light

47:19 • 3min

Exploring Mach's Principle and the Nature of the Universe

50:09 • 15min

Have we been completely wrong about the Higgs boson? What if it’s not what we think but something far more elusive? And what does the origin of mass in the universe have to do with music?

Here today to explore these mind-bending questions is theoretical physicist Matt Strassler. Matt is known for his work in particle physics, particularly in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and quantum field theory. He has been involved in research on the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and other topics in high-energy physics.

In our insightful interview, we dive into the mysteries of quantum physics, the nature of space, and how waves—not just particles—form the building blocks of reality.

Tune in to find out how the Higgs field gives mass to everything in the universe!

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:24 Deepak or Matt?
00:03:18 Judging a book by its cover
00:06:27 Energy, frequency, and vibration
00:11:53 What is a phib, and why should the reader care?
00:16:15 Galileo’s impact
00:20:51 The Higgs field and the Higgs boson
00:28:17 Fine-tuning problems of matter and anti-matter
00:33:57 Renormalization
00:38:59 The luminiferous ether
00:49:08 Why Mach didn’t play a part in Matt’s book
00:52:08 Inflation and the Higgs field
00:55:35 Rapid questions
01:03:21 Outro

Additional resources:

➡️ Learn more about Matt Strassler:

💻 Website: https://profmattstrassler.com/

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/mattstrassler

📚 Waves in an Impossible Sea by Matt Strassler: https://a.co/d/1E8MxT8

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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