City Arts & Lectures Encore - Brian Greene on String Theory
17 snips
Sep 7, 2025 
Brian Greene, a theoretical physicist renowned for his work on superstring theory, joins journalist Alexis Madrigal to explore captivating concepts of the universe. They discuss the origins of the Big Bang, the nature of time, and the intriguing idea of multiverses, which could reshape our understanding of reality. Greene also highlights the crucial role of scientists in fighting misinformation and touches on how fundamental physics influences technology. This engaging conversation makes complex ideas accessible, sparking curiosity about our cosmos.
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Early Mathematical Play
- Brian Greene recounts learning arithmetic from his father and multiplying huge numbers for fun as a child.
- He also describes bowling as a serious childhood passion and how his mom supported it with coupons.
Space And Time As Emergent
- Greene identifies the nature of space and time as the next revolution in physics and asks if they are fundamental or emergent.
- He notes recent progress toward mathematical descriptions of space and time's microscopic structure.
Inflation Drives Early Expansion
- Inflation posits a uniformly distributed energy that generates repulsive gravity, driving rapid early expansion.
- That energy, dubbed the inflaton, produces outward push and specific observable predictions.
