Physics is extremely good at describing simple systems with relatively few moving parts. Sadly, the world is not like that; many phenomena of interest are complex, with multiple interacting parts and interesting things happening at multiple scales of length and time. One area where the techniques of physics overlap with the multi-scale property of complex systems is in the study of phase transitions, when a composite system transitions from one phase to another. Nigel Goldenfeld has made important contributions to the study of phase transitions in their own right (and mathematical techniques for dealing with them), and has also been successful at leveraging that understanding to study biological systems, from the genetic code to the tree of life.Support Mindscape on Patreon.Nigel Goldenfeld received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge. He currently holds the Chancellor's Distinguished Professorship in Physics at UC San Diego. Until recently he was a Swanlund Endowed Chair and Center for Advanced Study Professor in Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among his awards are the Xerox Award for research, the A. Nordsieck award for excellence in graduate teaching, and the American Physical Society’s Leo P. Kadanoff Prize. He is the co-founder of NumeriX, a company that specializes in high-performance software for the derivatives marketplace.Web siteUC San Diego web pageUniversity of Illinois web pageGoogle Scholar publicationsWikipediaTwitterLectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization GroupQuanta interviewSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nigel Goldenfeld, a physicist renowned for his insights on the universe's complexities, joins co-host Steven Strogatz. They dive into why science succeeds in unraveling nature's enigmas, despite its apparent complexity. The pair discuss the importance of asking the right questions and the surprising phenomenon of emergence, where new properties arise in different scales. They also explore the intersection of mathematics and various scientific fields, from physics to biology, and reflect on how simple theoretical frameworks often yield profound insights.

Nigel Goldenfeld, a Chancellor's Distinguished Professor in Physics at UC San Diego, compares scientific research to jazz improvisation. He discusses how scientists, like musicians, must evolve from rigid structures to creative collaboration, encouraging students to embrace unconventional ideas. Goldenfeld emphasizes the joy of ‘playing off’ each other during discussions, and the importance of tackling unique problems. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of group sizes for effective brainstorming, revealing that innovation thrives where diverse thoughts can freely collide.